so, i recently discovered the most amazing sitcom. i was reeling after completing the television sitcom arrested development, and was craving more dark comedy. enter schitt’s creek. damn, what a find. both of these comedies deal with the day-to-day lives of dysfunctional family units who’ve gone from riches to rags, thanks to shady (read: illegal) financial practices. ah, avarice, you strike again.
while there are so many brilliant aspects of schitt’s creek that make it binge-worthy, one of my favorites is the matriarch, moira rose. a former soap opera star, moira carries herself with a dignity that is polished and dripping in self-aggrandized glory. while the IRS took almost all of the rose family’s possessions, the roses managed to keep their couture wardrobes. moira’s wardrobe is half of her personality. she is fanatical about monotone (mostly black & white) outfits that look more like elaborate costumes than daily attire. when the family is forced to move to a teensy town to regain financial stability, moira doubles down on her unique fashion prowess. and i fucking love it.
blank canvases
with fashion, as with so many other things in my life, i love to be (or at least attempt to be) put-together. like miss moira rose, i definitely dress for myself. i am a blank canvas (like what i did there?); i love having full closets and watching fashion trends. but at the end of the day, i am an original. i wear whatever makes me feel beautiful and classy, and i have fun with it. but i wasn’t always so confident.
i grew up in a small town in western kentucky. we were lucky enough to have a mall, but the only stores worth shopping were basically iterations of the gap. ugh. no luxury brands, no large color palettes from which to choose, and really very little personality. thankfully, i inherited my parents’ fashion genes. at least two or three times a year, my family and i would head to kansas city to visit my grandparents. while there, we’d buy full wardrobes at the trendy, big city department stores. i liked not having the same exact clothing that everyone else had. emphasis on the word liked (as opposed to loved). when you are younger, it is damn near impossible to be an individual. we’re all growing and maturing. we want to find our “place” in society: a safe place where you have lots of friends (allies), don’t get bullied, aren’t considered weird. my today wardrobe would have definitely netted me few friends (or the dreaded “weird” title) in school.
so, how does one achieve a look that is truly their own? well, over the years, i’ve worked a few guidelines that hold true for all styles and personalities. below are my tried-and-true tips for looking fab:
my tried-and-true fashion tips for looking fab
(1) embrace your roots. i came from a part of the country that will happily don big hats and all things seersucker, but are just as happy to throw on a casual bikini cover-up and hit the lake. southerners are dressy, versatile people. that versatility has been invaluable as i’ve moved to different states in, and now a different region of, the country.
(2) don’t be afraid to be the belle of the ball. honestly, you will be so much happier. once i realized i didn’t care what the suggested 317 “dress code” was, i was free to explore all the fun fashion i could find. it’s been such a liberating experience.
(3) wear what makes you feel attractive. midi-length hemlines are all the rage right now. i can’t stand them; i just don’t like the way they fall on my tall frame. i am my tailor’s new best friend, because i buy dresses and skirts i love and have the hem shortened. i enjoy showing a little leg, so wearing something exactly the way i want to wear it makes me happy.
(4) have all the fun. i recently discovered the glory that is a man’s necktie. i can wear it as my only accessory, or layer it with other accent pieces (like jewelry). i’ve basically stolen all my husband’s ties at this point (sorry, babe). the pattern or color of the necktie doesn’t often match my outfit, but choosing something that enhances instead of blends lends that finishing touch that all great accessories should. another fun item i love is a bright shoe color; nothing complements an outfit like a great pair of brightly-colored heels or rain boots.
(5) allow for alterations. my fashion sense is ever-evolving. and that’s ok. as long as i know i am putting the best version of myself out there, i can continue to adore what i do. fashion should never be stagnant, and wardrobe directions don’t always go in straight lines. allow for change-ups and flexibility in your closet, and you’ll always feel as good as moira rose looks.
stacey stallons 