All The Small Things

Dressing for Freedom

For years, I never went shopping on my own. I dressed in the clothes that my sister picked out for me, and I completely failed to develop a style of my own. I just figured that I didn't have any style, that I was completely void of anything resembling fashion sense.

Since my sister isn't speaking to me, I have had to step into stores on my own, and purchase my own clothing. That, at first, was incredibly daunting. I hated it with a passion.

I hate trying things on. I hate not knowing which way round some things should be worn. I hate not understanding the subtleties of layering, belts, accessories in general. I HATE pants that sit so low your bum feels like its about to pop out the top.

That being said, I have been brave. I have gone into stores and asked for help. Shop assistants in this country have a lot to be proud of, the ones I've asked to help me have been very kind to me, and helped me to pick out clothes that actually worked for me. They encouraged me to try on things I wouldn't have picked, and they were honest about how I looked (sometimes kindly telling me that perhaps I should try something else instead...) 

I now feel reasonably confident when I walk out the door each day that I have it right. I feel, most of the time, that I look reasonably elegant. That's what I'm aiming for mostly, elegant. Or failing that, clothes that at least look nice together, fit and flatter. Most of the time, I think I get there.

But just lately, I have taken this a step further. I am beginning to play around, experiment with different styles. And it feels so liberating! I didn't realise what powerful things our garments are!

I didn't realise that by dressing myself, finding my own individual slant, I would gain a better understanding of the way that I interact with others, and with myself. Self esteem and the way in which we present ourselves are so closely binded.

I feel like a stronger, more beautiful woman when I am in clothing that accentuates not only my figure, but my personality. I actually enjoy having something on that is a little bit unusual. I don't dress like an odd-ball, but I try to have something interesting on each day, be that a pretty brooch, a cute scarf, or my personal favourite, a really beautiful and unusual skirt.

"I feel pretty, Oh so pretty!"