What Your Clothes Want You to Know
Hint: they want you to look your best
For the past two years, sweats have reigned supreme. Cozy comfort was what we were all after. If it was soft and stretchy, it met all criteria.
Now, we’re emerging. We’re heading back to jobs or classes. We’re planning vacations. Sequins were hot for a second toward the end of last year. Everyone was desperately hoping to attend a party and throw some sparkle around. Then we went back in for a partial lock down.
Now, as we head back out, there are a few things your clothes want you to know. Style rules — and I say that lightly because there are few these days, which I think is a good thing — and apparel tips for you to consider as you dig through your closet for something to wear.
I have a bachelor’s degree in merchandising, and I worked in retail for over twenty years. My apparel knowledge is extensive, and I sometimes forget that not everyone knows this stuff, so I’m here to share it with you.
Look for odd numbers of buttons on a jacket
Who cares, right? Well, yes, but know this — when you have an even number of things, your brain tries to pair things off. An odd number of items, and your brain can appreciate the whole thing.
Florists use this rule of three in their profession. The next time you see a bunch of flowers at the store, check out how many of each bloom is represented. It’s probably three or five. It’s more appealing.
Look for an odd number of buttons on your shirts or jackets.
Cropped pants make you look shorter
They just do. I know they’re still in style, but I hope not for too long because I’m already not tall. I don’t need anything to draw attention to my ankles and make me appear shorter. I’m good.
High-waisted full-length flare pants will make anyone look six-foot tall. It’s the ultimate illusion. The only drawback is getting them the right length. I love that the frayed look is in right now because you can cut them off. Just make sure you wash them first, so they don’t shrink up on you.
Vertical stripes make you look taller
Horizontal stripes will make you look wider. This is also an illusion that I don’t know if anyone cares about anymore, but it has a place stuck in my brain.
I notice one-piece swimsuits every year that have horizontal stripes — why? Just make them vertical, please.
Don’t wear a 3/4 sleeve shirt and cropped pants — it will look like your clothes shrank
I have to revert to this one a lot because I love raglan tees (baseball tees); they almost always have a 3/4 length sleeve. When I throw that on with cropped boyfriend jeans, I feel like I stumbled into someone else’s wardrobe. Either that or I don’t know how to do laundry, and no one wants to tell me my clothes are too small. Pair these carefully.
Own some scarves. You can do anything with them.
Facts. I have an ungodly amount of scarves. They were stylish for a good while, but I’ve kept them all because they are so practical.
Shield your neck from the sun (trust me on this one), wrap it around your head to keep your hair back, or use a larger one as a blanket when you travel. The options are endless. I still think they’re a great accessory, and I don’t care if no one else does. I’m in that phase of my style journey now.
Rapid-fire advice:
- Jeans — do not wash them too much. They’ll fade and wear out more quickly. Wash them inside out.
- Pleats are a tough call. When in doubt, go without.
- Rompers/Jumpsuits/Bodysuits — keep in mind that when you have to pee, you will be near-naked. It’s a risk.
- Prairie dresses will not look as good on you as they do on that model. Don’t get discouraged.
- Pajamas aren’t street clothes. Well, maybe they are.
- Pilling — this happens when your clothes ball up — it results from a strong fiber blended with a weaker fiber. The weaker fiber breaks away and balls up. You can remove them by using a regular razor — like for shaving. You can shave your sweater.
- Nothing beats an oversized cardigan, a black t-shirt, and jeans. This will be my go-to — probably forever.
Fashion is like life; anything goes. Wear what you like and what you feel comfortable in — always. I ditched high heels years ago due to an ankle injury, and I’ve never looked back.
Jeans are one of my favorite pieces of apparel. If you can find your favorite, it will become one of your best friends. You may shed tears when you’ve worn them out beyond repair.
Also — repair things and get stuff tailored when you can. It will help keep added junk from filling up landfills. I’ve fixed the same pair of jeans multiple times until I finally had to recycle them.
Your clothes want you to look your best in them, and they want to be well cared for. Make the most of what you have in your closet, use the tips above, and outfit like a pro. After two years of back and forth with lock downs — you’ve earned it!
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