Fashion, Style and Class

You can have fashion. You can have style. You can have class. One costs you money. The others you must possess within you. One comes and goes, the other two are unending. They never get old.

You have the power to choose.

I remember when I was a little kid, the Billy Joel, “Uptown Girl” video played on my television and I just sat there and stared at it with awe. The uptown girl was all dressed in that amazing hat and fabulous dress. She had the walk and said a thousand things without saying one word. She was so classy and confident and her style was one that is enduring no matter what year it is. She was actually the epitome of class to me at that time and I made a decision right then and there that I would emulate her. I wanted to be the uptown girl. True story! I have only admitted this to a few people in my life…and now to the world! 

It’s funny, because here I am now and my life has actually ended up paralleling that song. I remember one of the first things that Michael said to me when we met was this: “I am a blue collar guy. I love working and getting dirty. That is who I am.” He said it like it was a bad thing. The smile that I had on my face at that time was priceless. I got my downtown man and I could not be more elated. We are perfect together. He loves me for who I am and I he. He thought that I would not be satisfied with who he was and that has proved itself to be so far from the truth. Michael is truly one of the best things in my entire life. He is the brightest spot in my world. I am so lucky to be married to him. 

Anyway, back to my point here. It is this: Fashion…it comes and goes. What lasts forever is your style and class. Your style is your authentic self getting dressed. It is you. It doesn’t give a shit about what the latest trend is. Fashion is a spark that ignites but quickly fades.  Style stays put and loudly declares, “This is what makes me feel the best. This is who I am.” It is an understanding about acknowledging and embracing your authentic self and doesn’t let you down. It comes from deep within. It is timeless. It doesn’t fall for the lure of fashion. It makes its own rules.

Your level of class should also be high just like your standards. Class is an attitude and in order to have it, you must love yourself. You have to acknowledge your worth and you cannot give yourself away by devaluing who you are as a person. Class shows itself clearly without having to announce itself. Like I described how I felt about the uptown girl…the way she carried herself said so much more than any actual words could have ever proclaimed. Class doesn’t need to speak. People just know. It is how you carry yourself. It is in your body language. Your walk. Your talk. How you treat others. The things you do behind the scenes. You certainly don’t have to have money to be classy. It is about being truthful, and hardworking…honest and loyal. Respecting yourself. Being humble. That is class. It is a way of life. Either you got it or you don’t. It is totally up to you. It costs nothing, yet is priceless.

Young women, especially… listen up!! Know your worth. Embrace it. Be you. Don’t be like everyone else. Stand out. When you do only what is in fashion, you won’t ever find your style.