How do I know that December is fast approaching? Although I am not a personal stylist, a huge number of friends and strangers come to me asking for advice. What? What should they wear for meetings during Christmas? At work, after work and lastly at home or with friends and family. For very mysterious reasons, deciding on what to pull out of the wardrobe for these occasions can be as heavy as a hundred-year-old Louis Vuitton chest. But really all you need, is a sprinkling of Christmas stress, like queues to the check-outs, or seating guests next to each other who they particularly do not like. I always emphasize, that dressing up should be a pleasure, even when facing strict dress-code rules.
Every year I face the same dilemma and the first words that come to my mind are: “I do not have anything to wear.” Oh, yes, it’s a great excuse not to delve deeper into the wardrobe and instead go shopping. Sometimes it is necessary to go shopping, provided that we only buy things that will stifle those immortal words for at least three months. We should also have a strong mind-set, as we are constantly bombarded with gloomy news about overproduction or even excessive consumption, and although both are at a similar level, they still cannot cancel each other out. Take it easy – is my motto, which I try to remember even in those moments when I get stuck in a changing-room in a dress that’s too small and no one is there to help me.
So what do I advise all those who are lost in the depths of Christmas fever? Take no notice of the current fashions, forget the colour, turn a blind-eye to the reindeer, icicles, snow-patterns and tinsel. If you feel good about something, “just go for it”, as they say in distant places. I have spent my Christmases in a suit and also in snow boots. In elegant dresses or jeans. The weirdest outfit I’ve decided on? A really kitschy Christmas sweater with flashing lights. Of course, it was in a lovely, family atmosphere. Would I dare to dress in it for a business meeting? Deep down, I was sorely tempted.
I have the feeling that, as in the case of various other kinds of events that require from us a certain way of celebrating, during December gatherings, we often and completely needlessly lose ourselves. Because someone advised, because someone had something similar, because what will people say … I believe that, regardless of the pressures from the outside, one should approach the matter wisely and long-term. If the decision is taken and we decide on Christmas shopping, then please, don’t go crazy, and simply listen to your own senses. They are never wrong – even if it’s a sweater with a flashing snowman!
Harel – a blogger, writing about Polish fashion. Subjectively. Harelblog.pl
