fake it, to make it

          

           Are you fake? Maybe you should be. Recently I was consuming magazines for free at my local borders (something that has been a lifesaver to my bank account). I was reading an interview on Vanessa Paradis. Vanessa is a famous singer and actress in France. She is known however in America as the oh so lucky woman, with the long time beau Johnny Depp.  In the article she said something poignant.“I don’t think French women have more style. Maybe it’s because Paris is a city where you walk. In America, everyone drives, and you cannot see what anyone is wearing when they are locked in a car. Here, everyone checks out each other. We communicate with clothes here more and, as a result, inspire one another.” -Vanessa Paradis, Harpers Bazaar UK.
        This got me thinking. I can't help but agree with her. I see countless American women getting out of their car in pajamas, and sporting their disheveled hair. They jump out, and sprint in. Hoping to high heaven that no one will see them for the 5min they are out. I wonder if these same women would risk this if the store was not as easy to get to as a car ride there. What if you couldn't dash in, and out? What if you had to walk there? walk through the city, and pass countless people on the way there? In America it has become very normal to just be grungy, if you feel like it. Have we lost the feeling of the high importance on presenting ourselves at our best? Not deciding if you want to get ready on whether you have something important to do, or how you feel that day. What happened to the days where you present yourself the best way you can? 
This continued to be something I thought about for a couple days. I wondered why I have the hardest time walking out of the house in anything that I don't consider a "outfit". I thought about what makes me this way. I was raised in a very casual environment. My parents were all about birkenstalks, and comfortable pants. My inner voice asked, are you doing this? Are you doing this for others, or for yourself?
           My motives when dressing are more of an expression to me. There are many days I wake up and feel too tired to coif, and primp. As a woman who is admittedly lazy, and fatigue ridden, I admit to the inner battle against the sweats in public. The thing about the inner battle I have everyday is that inspiration always wins. I end up grabbing a pencil skirt, and blazer, or a black skinny, and heels. I however found that this inner victory was not about others. I do enjoy putting my best image first, but more than anything it was for me. I realized when I got ready and presented myself as classy, stylish, and confident, that is what I became. It is not about wearing your fanciest clothing, just about wearing something that makes you confident, happy, and inspires you. Its about communicating with fashion. Fake it, to make it. It is hard to feel bad wearing your favorite duds. It is along the same line as smiling even when you feel no happiness. eventually you will catch yourself truly smiling.