Intentional Dressing

The “internets” is all abuzz about what Michelle Obama is wearing. Some fashion critics call her the new Jackie O – and with good reason, as her classic but modern style (sheath dresses, flats and pearls) does away with the garb of many former first ladies. Like Mrs. Kennedy, Michelle O chooses fashion forward styles with a timeless touch, that make some of us wonder what those former first ladies were thinking. Just say no to drab colored pantsuits! Hillary – that’s you! Michelle O is the first lady (for rillz), who’s not always immaculately clad in pastel or somber colors. She doesn’t look like the classic first lady, because she chooses her manner of dress specifically for her. She interprets trends and works them into her own style, and then adds beautiful contrast with her accessories. No wonder everyone is talking about her style (though I hear some are distracted by her high forehead).

As eBay style director Constance C.R.White put it in an article in the Houston Chronicle “She’s stylish and isn’t going to be a first lady making virtue out of looking like she doesn’t care about fashion… She represents educated, successful, middle class [women]…” (White does say black women, but I think the phrase is extensive to all women). In short, Michelle O dresses with fierce intent.

Dressing with intent is something we ladies should all practice, but I know I rarely think of it when I’ve got to be out of the house to get to work in the morning. In the midst of my rushing morning routine, I rarely have time to think about why I’m getting dressed, or what I’m getting dressed for. Sometimes, I blindly (read: groggily) put on clothes in the morning, only to stop at my full-length mirror and say “Wait, wtf are you thinking?! Burlap is NOT office wear.” Then I have to go back and find something that doesn’t make me look like I got dressed in the dark.

Image via Franke James Art

Really , my morning-sartorial-self-conversation should be something like this:
“I need cute layers because I’ll be in the office today and outside, walking to school. I want candy colors that combat the grey weather.”

I’d layer a long blue henley over a lime ribbed tank with a cardigan I could throw on if my office suddenly turns into the Arctic. I’d wear lighter colored straight leg denim (because I like denim and I’m wearing dark colors on top) with patterned flats that draw the outfit together with their blue detail. The beauty of this, is I’m office appropriate (we’re très casual), I’m classroom appropriate (neither over nor under-done), I’m weather appropriate, and I’m bright – which is a sure way to combat a winter day.

Dressing with intent is not just situationally based. When dressing with intent, I ask myself, “what am I getting dressed for? What is my motivation here?” It sounds kinda cheesy to ask yourself this when getting dressed, but obviously in this scenario, I wanted to wear candy colors to spite winter – and voilà! Easier than you think.

The rule of dressing with intent applies in any situation. If I’m going to happy hour with my girl Scarlet after work, I’m going to make sure I have office attire (a knee-length black skirt, tights and my patterned flats) with layering items that will dress up my outfit after I leave the office (a cute tank with a cardigan over the top). I want to channel a little Maggie Gyllenhaal – Saucy Secretary meets Sweet Girl Next Door (Mmmrrrrroooww!). If I threw a pair of bold earrings in my bag, like these:

I could slap those babies on after work and with a little DuWop Lip Venom, I’d be out-on-the-town-ready in no time!

So when you’re pulling random items from your closet or dresser, stop and ask yourself: “What is my motive to get dressed”. I’m sure you can find a little intent in your morning wardrobe routine.

Of course, Yves Saint Laurent’s quote up there means you have to OWN what you’re leaving the house in, so if you’re in danger of breaking your neck in stilettos, but you’re going for the Sultry Siren look, you’re going to need to rethink that pair of mile-high heels. Your intent is to look and feel great, not look like you’re going to fall on your face.

As my girl Scarlet pointed out – while dressing for success and the occasion is important to your self-image and what you project to the world, it’s not that complicated – it’s only clothing.