DRESS CODE

Occasionally I wish I was working in a coffee shop. Not a small, hidden and cozy one, but one that is popular and busy with loads of customers. Located on the corner of a crowded street in some metropole. Why? Because of all the rare and interesting people my curious eyes get to see during the day. Earlier this year I read an article published in British Elle, written by a guy who worked in a coffee shop. In this article he wrote that he used to analyze all the people stopping by the shop, and gaze at them and their clothing. Working as a barista doesn't sound too exciting, but to observe people and their personal styles all day.. That sounds like fun, not to mention inspirational.

I have always been intrigued by creative and out-of-the-box-thinking individuals. Intrigued by what they are wearing. Why they are wearing what they wear. What reason that decided their choice of outfit. Was it their mood? The weather? This season's trends? Their personal state of mind? Their culture? Maybe they were in a rush and just threw on whatever was on the floor. Only they can know. It would have been amusing to ask a certain amount of people working in the fashion industry how they think when they are putting together an outfit in the morning. I wonder how different our brains work when we get dressed. Personally, I have to plan my every day outfits the night before I wear them. I usually end up looking like a hobo otherwise.

Anyone can get dressed up to a party or a special event, but it is more exciting to see what people are wearing on a daily basis. From my point of view, many elderly people have this certain skill to look casual but cool. It doesn't matter where they are going or what they are doing, they just want to look presentable. Like in the old days, when women wore dresses and hats and men wore classic trench coats every single day. When I was visiting London and sat on the train from Heathrow towards the centre of the city, I noticed this several times. I can remember this old man sitting across me. He was wearing a dark grey blazer and black pants. A pretty basic outfit. But, in the gap between his shoes and his pants, a pair of colourful woolen socks popped out and made his whole outfit look much more interesting.

If you take a good look around, you can find great style everywhere. There is no longer a dress code, a correct answer, for what you can wear or not. Unless you are a total trend whore/slave, but following all the trends at all times will just make you look like you're trying too hard. That will not create style. Style is created by confidence, and by people who believe in themselves. Most importantly; Do not care about what other people may say or mean. The worst thing I hear is "I can't buy that, I don't dare to wear it". That will only make you appear as an insecure person. And insecurity is not attractive. Why? Because you will seem like a weak person. Do you want to be weak? No? That's what I thought. Clothes definitely make the man. And woman, of course.


Marthe