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"You'll never feel good about what you are wearing if you don't feel good about yourself before you put it on."


This tip comes from fashion consultant and What Not To Wear co-host Clinton Kelly.
Clinton Kelly
Clinton Kelly

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Dear Friend,

 

Recently, a Seattle Times blogger described Seattle as the country's most dressed-down city.

 

The blog post referenced a nationwide survey about clothing preferences. According to the results, 57.5 percent of Seattleites said they "agree completely" that comfort is a top consideration when making fashion purchases. That's a higher percentage than anywhere else in the country.

 

Comfort vs. Style: A Showdown  

 

This statistic doesn't completely surprise me. Most of my clients want to be comfortable, and so do I. What bugged me was the unfortunate choice of only two answers for the blogger's own survey of Seattleites. Here they are:

  • "Comfort over style -- I'm no masochist."
  • "Style over comfort -- it's better to look good than to feel good."

This is where I take issue. Why is it that if you have style you must be a masochist? Who says that you can't be both stylish and comfortable at the same time?

 

Having It All

 

I take pride in my style. And I'm comfortable every day. Here's how I do it:

  • Chilly weather: Great boots, leggings or pants or jeans, cozy but fitted sweater, scarf for accent.
  • Mild weather: Great boots, skirt, tights, layers on top, including cardigan. Scarf or jewelry to dress or funk it up as needed.
  • Warm weather: Great shoes, dress or skirt and top, jewelry, plus I have a scarf or sweater at the ready during the evening.
  • Wet weather: When it's raining or cold, add a coat, gloves and hat for warmth -- and style.

Defining Comfort

 

I will make a clear caveat: I know that many people hear "comfortable clothes" and go straight to their work-out clothing drawer. Anyone who knows me has heard me talk about not wearing sweats in public. That doesn't mean I don't prioritize comfort. I firmly believe that when you're dressed well, you feel and function better. So I work with my clients to find clothing that both presents them well to the world and makes them feel good.

 

Comfort and Style Aren't Black and White

 

In life, our choices are rarely "either-or" -- if you look hard enough, you'll always be able to carve out a "both-and" option. Enjoying style plus comfort is one of those choices. It's a disservice to the men and women who put their best look forward to say that they don't care about comfort.

 

Choice Number Three: I'll Take Both, Please!

 

If there were a third option on the blog I would have liked it to read something like this:

  • "Comfort AND style are my daily choices, so I can present my best and most accurate self to the world every day, and feel good doing it."

Get out there in the world with comfort and style. Show the world The Real You.

Patricia Gorham

Patricia Gorham
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