Comfort vs. Fashion

When people claim that I dress up and always look put together and fashionable, I pretty much think that they're crazy. Why? First of all, because I don't wear gym clothes to the market or beyond doesn't mean that I'm dressed up, and, shouldn't we all look semi-presentable and put together anyways?

As a child growing up in Eastern Europe, I remember my grandma putting on lipstick and high heels to run over to the bakery first thing in the morning. You had to look good, no matter where you were going and what time of the day it was. In Canada, on the other hand, I've witnessed people walking the streets in their jammies. In the middle of the day, on a busy street, shopping. Or wearing jammies and sweat pants to school. So what is it? Freedom of expression and freedom to be able to wear pj's in public, or is it pure laziness? Or lack of fashion sense? Or not caring at all? Is fashion too restricting? Do we put too much or not enough emphasis on fashion? Can one look good and still be comfortable?

Okay, one at a time please. I'm sure we could present an alternating argument to each of the questions above. Even I, in my own head, do argue both sides all the time, and come up with alternating answers, both dependent on my mood and which way the wind blows in my Gemini world at a specific moment in time. For the sake of this article, let's stick to, "why not be able to have both a fashionable, yet comfortable look?" In my personal opinion, it's very possible to get both, and it can easily be achieved as well. It's quite simple, so listen (or read) carefully.

1. Just because it's the "look of the season" does not mean that everyone and their dog is able to wear it and pull it off. Get real, we're not all 6 feet and 120 pounds, and I'm very glad that we're not (including myself). Diversity is beauty, thus embrace it and the body you've been given, and wear clothes that work for you. Not everyone can or should be able to pull off skinny jeans, for example, so why even bother? If you're not confident or sure of what would work for you, some tips to help you out:

• Try things on. Trial and error of trying different items, cuts, colours, sizes, etc. should give you a good idea of what works with your body and what does not. If you're unsure, bring a friend for a second opinion.
• Most retailers hire staff (and hopefully train them) to be able to give you advice and tips on what looks good on your body type. Try and find someone you know will be honest with you and that you could trust, and hopefully your instincts are right.
• There's so much about the fashion industry on the internet, it's easy to find great websites that will help you look great and find clothes that will not only look magnificent, but are also comfortable (and in a lot of cases, affordable too.)

2. Make sure it fits. Don't try to fit into a size 4 when you're not a 4. This only cuts off circulation, and more often than not, creates the not so pleasant and much dreaded "muffin top" (when your chubby parts hang out over your pants) and only creates the illusion that one is even bigger than they actually are. Oh, and let's not forget this is all the while you can barely breathe. In my opinion, if it's not your size, or if you're unable to breathe, don't buy it, as it won't look or feel good.

3. Purchase soft and form fitting fabrics that are not meant to be worn at the gym. There are so many delightful and beautiful fabrics and materials out there that are glorious and so comfortable you'll feel like you're in your sleepy-time clothes while actually not, so applause to that.

4. Oversized is so in right now, it's not even funny, so work it. This is a trend that I think most will be able to pull off, and one which I definitely believe in, so try it out and see what happens. A big knit sweater belted at the waist, for example, is not only very comfy (almost like wearing a housecoat), but also looks funky, fun and sexy. Oh right, and fashionable too.

5. Anyone can look amazing in a pair of jeans and t-shirt. There's so much you can do with it, add some accessories and a cute pair of shoes, and you're fashionable before you know it. For ideas of how to put things together, magazines and the Internet are great tools to get you going.

6. Dressy does not refer to wearing a ball gown. Fashionable and fancy can be very simple and classic and can be achieved without too much fuss, such as a nice pair of dress pants with a flowy top, with accessories to make the look put together and strong.

7. I can't go any further without having a small section dedicated to accessories. This is huge to looking great and put together, and key to making any outfit new, fun and updated. Each season new and interesting clothes begin making appearances in stores and all over magazines, and clearly most of us can't financially keep up to everything that's 'hot' and trendy (and once again, don't always listen to these, as classic clothes will take you from season to season, both in comfort and style), and sometimes the easiest way to take something you've had for awhile and make it hot again is to throw in some funky and new accessories, or purchasing key pieces to update what you already own, such as a great blazer or cardigan.

8. Who said heels weren't comfortable? Running shoes are not the only choice for comfort, and yes, heels might be a touch restricting at times (of course that's also dependent on how high you go, etc.) but there's so much more for choices aside from the above mentioned shoe styles. For example, the comfortable, yet fashionable ballerina flats are always a great choice, or how about a lovely, flat soled boot?

9. Put on your sweats (wait, wait, don't get too excited yet) and plunk yourself in front of the TV and watch shows that deal with fashion to get a few great ideas, tips and information about how to carry out a great and fashionable look. One of my all-time favourites is "What Not to Wear" on TLC, among others. You'll get everything from what colours work with certain skin types, to what works with your body, and how to make yourself look good, feel good and stay comfortable.

10. No matter what you're trying to attempt, let it be with accessories, clothes or makeup, experimentation is key. If you don't have the time, or don't 'care' enough about trying things out, stick to what you already know works for you.

I hear some crazy things from people all the time, such as "she's a redhead, she can't wear pink." I'm finding that people either follow no fashion rules at all, or stick to them too religiously, or better yet, follow rules that were set what feels like centuries ago and should really be dropped. Let's go back to the red and pink example for a second. First of all, I'm a redhead and I'm an avid pink fan and wearer. Why not? I believe it, and thus I wear it, and pull it off. It's true, perhaps on some redheads pink may in fact look atrocious, but I think that a large percentage of being able to pull something off is simply in the attitude, and believing in your fashion choices. And here we go again, if you're comfortable, and you think it looks good, just do it. (A great example of this can be found on one of my favourite websites, http://manchesterlooks.blogspot.com)

Although I just advised to watch and get ideas about what to wear and how to look good, I still remain adamant about remaining true to yourself and being adventurous in your style choices. Once again, try things on and do what feels right to you.I can't drive this point home any more, but trends come and go and you need to do what makes you happy and what works for you.both fashionable and comfortable at the same time. Maybe the key to being fashionable is to make your own fashion rules and just go with the flow. In fact, fashion is supposed to be fun and really doesn't have to be so serious.

I don't think fashion has been as easy going and accepting as it is at the present time. Diversity and personal style are honoured and welcome, and I personally love doing my own thing. We should all celebrate style, adventure within fashion and living in a world where we are able to wear what we want and have the ability to express ourselves through fashion. And we might as well be comfortable for the ride as well, so I raise a glass to looking good and feeling even better.

So why do we care either way, let it be fashion or comfort? Well, and as much as I'd like it to be otherwise, our society places a large emphasis on what we look like. Although this is the case, I've still chosen to put matters into my own hands and do things my way. I'm not going to let the latest trends dictate exactly what I have to wear each day, or let my hair colour decide what colour of clothes I should be wearing. Least of all, I'm not going to let anything get in the way of ensuring that I'm comfortable in what I leave the house in. I choose to look how I look (and because I love clothes, accessories and shoes so much, hopefully it all transpires to a fashionable and unique look) I make it work for me.

Fashion is what you make it, so believe it. What you choose to wear can be a representation of your personality, what mood you're in, and a general reflection of who you are and how you want to be perceived by others.and comfort is a huge part of that, so make it work for you. It's not all about lipstick and heels to the bakery.you can't pull it off? That doesn't go together? Says who? As long as it's not jammies or stretchy gym pants downtown, I'm game.

By Aldona Barutowicz