Summer Fashion

Summer fashion varies on where you live. Arizona requires less material (i.e. mini shorts, skirts, thin-strapped shirts, etc.). California is a wild card for the most part. While California still has the bikinis, and mini shorts, some cities demand a little more coverage from the wind, such as San Francisco. New York, where some people consider it to be where fashion is strongest, the fashion varies on the month and the "in" clothes. What I'm trying to say is it just depends on the weather and the society you are in.

Some of you may be wondering, "Well what about the people who fly to places with a sunny warmth and a nice breeze?". I would tell them to look up the weather for where they're going and pack accordingly. The Caribbean suggests at least three bikinis and, depending on what island, summer dresses and skirts and shorts. Don't bring heels with you, and if you do, keep it to one pair.

So those of you who live in New York, pick up a Vogue and sift through to find the month's new "in" items. Those who live in California, beach chic. And you Arizonians, skimpy and flirty are the best choices.

Wherever you live, the important thing is dress for yourself and what brings you the ability to do more than one activity and last without getting heat stroke (Arizonians be careful of that) or getting a little chill (San Franciscans and Yanks). Fashion is more than just putting on cute clothes, it requires a confidence, but the right clothes can boost that if the connection between woman and clothes is there.

A State of Mind

Glamour, as some of you know, is more than what clothes you wear with what accessories, shoes, and makeup, it's a way of living.  It's confidence and hard work. Some of you readers may be scoffing at the fact that I think glamour is a difficult process, but it's true. Exercise and hygiene is a big part of glamour. It's taking the time to have style every second from the time you get up to the time you crawl into bed.

Spritz a scent on yourself before bed; get up early and exercise before you shower; dress with style at all times; wear shoes that match and possibly high-heels, even if they are uncomfortable (just use a big purse and stick a pair of cute flats, sandals, or flip-flops in the bag); take time to do your hair and makeup. I know people frown on this process and call the people who do them "high-maintenance". But glamour lifts people up and makes them feel better about the world. It's not too much of a stretch to say that glamour can save a person or change their lives.

I know some would argue that celebrities get into drugs and rehab all the time and they have glamour. I would argue back that those celebrities let themselves be dragged down by thinking of all the bad in their lives and making glamour into an evil by thinking of it as a job instead of their life. Glamour isn't only about the external--that only comes first--but eventually, glamour seeps into the way you think and feel. When you pick up a pair of shoes that you fell in love with and put them on, you feel better and taller and have a higher self-esteem. I know all the ladies out there have this feeling whether it's sneakers or a pair of heels.

It's a sad thing when you go to a symphony in a gorgeous building and you see people in spaghetti strap tops and jeans. I wish for the days when I would see people at the symphony in ballgowns. It was less than a decade ago that this was a reality. But now, people slum it and disgrace the meaning and feeling of going to a nice place (whether it be a restaurant or a symphony hall). The experience used to be practically sacred and now it means next to nothing to the people who go casual.

So bring back the days when beauty used to mean something to people and it lifted their hearts and made them desire and strive to be all that they want to be.