Confessions of a Closet Fashionista

I am not sure if I can go as far as calling myself a Fashionista, but here goes.  About 5 years ago I was a participant in a leadership course and after about 5 months of the 7 month course I had this positively life-altering AHA moment.  I got this to the bone. Have you ever gotten something 'to the bone', like you totally got it?  Well, what I got in the moment was that people are going to think whatever they think about me, no matter what.  And no matter what I do or say, I have no control over what they think.  I had always known that conceptually but in this particular moment  a huge space opened up for me to be free to be completely and utterly myself. Nothing else. To not worry or care or let what others might think of me stop me from doing, saying or wearing the things I wanted. I had the experience of being so free and alive and unstoppable.

I also realized  that up until that point, I had  been dressing carefully.  I didn't want to stand out too much, or not fit in, or be too fashionable, or be too plain.  I wanted to portray a really neutral image so that no one would notice or judge me.  I had grown up being the only girl with 2 brothers and because I was tall and strong I was also athletic.  I dressed in sporty and outdoorsy clothes and thought that clothes that were too girly would make me look like I was helpless and fluffy (I know, I know I am rolling my eyes too!!) or maybe even too sexy.

Anyway, so about 5 years ago after this AHA moment and having this space open up for me to be free and self expressed- whatever that expression was for me, I began to get more excited about clothing, jewelry and fashion and colors overall.  I bought my first pink skirt, I began buying great shoes with killer heels,  I experimented with funky jewelry and leopard print scarves!!  So many people have commented over the years about how much I have transformed my look and wardrobe, and girlfriends even ask me to take them shopping and help them pick out great outfits now.  I love this, and I love it when we see something new about ourselves and be generous in sharing what we saw with other people, it can make a difference for others too.

My question to you, dear readers, is what would you really love to wear that perhaps you don't give yourself the permission to wear (for whatever reason).