With September comes the September Issue of Vogue. I love this issue. It is thick (nearly an inch) and you have to wade through a quarter of it to get to the goods. Regardless of the deluge of ads, I love what this Vogue brings: the cozy feeling of fall in the air, and a sense of excitement about digging into my fall wardrobe.

When I mentioned this recently to a friend, she had a completely different view. She said there was too much going on in the September issues (not just in Vogue but in all September magazines) to know what you are "supposed" to like. And therein lies one of the problems with fashion magazines.

In Style vs. Your Style

We spend so much time trying to figure out what we are "supposed" to like because we are bombarded every day with pictures of the supposedly perfect look. There is no objective, universal perfect look, no matter what the magazines say. There is only one perfect look for you and that's YOUR perfect look. In general, knowing what's IN style matters less than knowing what is YOUR style.

Explore New Styles in the Comfort Zone of an Old Friendship

Sometimes the best way to find your style is to grab a friend and head out on a hunt for some new looks. Go window-shopping or actually shop, but remember this: it's more fun with someone who adores you and has your best interest in mind. Bluntly put, find yourself a girlfriend and go forth and shop.

When you have a real friend or a sister or someone you admire with you, it brings out the best in everyone. I've seen this happen time and time again. Supportive people beget supportive people. After all, if you are having fun with your look and your experience, people (including salespeople and even other shoppers) want to be a part of it.

Take Advantage of the Ideas, But Make Them Your Own

So, how to handle the September onslaught? First, don't get too caught up in all the options - think of them as ideas and inspirations rather than mandates. Then, armed with those ideas, plan a shopping trip with a girlfriend you trust, admire, and respect - and who feels the same way about you. I love helping people find The Real You and I want them to be able to find it for themselves as well - and trust me, the shopping-with-a-girlfriend plan works wonders.

Get to the Good Stuff

As I ponder the stack of September fashion magazines on my desk, I know that there is a huge amount of material that I have no interest in. I'll be wading through a heck of a lot of filler to get to the good stuff. But then again, that's what life is all about. And it's a lot more fun with a good friend.

Enjoy The Real You this fall!