A-Typical Fashion Advice for A+ Confidence

So I'm the last person in the world to be giving fashion advice to anyone-you wouldn't really be able to tell by looking at me, it's kinda like the stereotype of the makeup artist that hardly wears any makeup, or the hairstylist who wears her hair pulled back into a ponytail all the time…that's me – I don't look like I know anything about fashion, but in reality, I really have a good eye for what works best on others.

So hopefully you've read all the other fantastic fashion articles by the lovely Cincy Chic ladies, and are well equipped with all the fashion advice you can stomach, because here, I'll be offering fashion advice from a different angle: from Mo's unconventional fashion viewpoint.

Do What Feels Right!

For me, I equate fashion with comfort. That's just how I roll. If I'm not comfortable in what I'm wearing, I don't feel right. If my feet heart in 'em, I kick 'em off. If it's too tight, I tear it off immediately. If it makes me feel "not me" for a moment, it's a no-no. So, that's my first rule: wear what makes you feel comfortable, because if you are cinched into an ensemble that makes you feel like a robot, then you can't be yourself.

Being You = Confidence

I know I'm making some fashionistas cringe right now, (Regan, Carolyn, Amy, and Missy, bear with me please!) but remember this is my turn to give advice here! For me, I can only be truly confident, if I am true to myself, regardless of what the magazines and Anna Wintour declares.

My second and last fashion tip that I live by: if you're standing in front of a floor-length mirror, at this very moment (while simultaneously reading this article), just after slipping on the latest fashion trend, and the real you isn't staring back at you, take it off and fling it into the corner, as far away from your body as possible!

You've heard people say, "that's so you!" or, conversely, "that doesn't look like you at all!" What does that mean? Well, that means the true essence of your personality has been temporarily hidden behind clothes. If, as you're looking in the mirror, you have lost that sense of "you," you'll more than likely lose the sense of confidence to pull it off; at least that's what happens to me. If, for one second I feel like I'm dressing for someone else, or for that matter, look like someone else, I immediately loose the look.

A Makeover Isn't Necessarily a Good Thing

No one can deny the makeover mania that has taken over daytime talk shows and the morning news shows. Everyone from Oprah and Tyra, to the Today Show, regularly feature segments and entire shows of taking some fashion-clueless person and making them undergo a barrage of hair, makeup and wardrobe changes, always resulting in the individual in a split-screen-before-and-after-makeover that literally transforms them into a new person.

And that's exactly what I have a problem with. I am not against the idea of someone trying to improve their look, but I'm adamantly opposed to a transformation that leaves the person unrecognizable to their family and friends, and most importantly to the person themselves. When someone looks into a mirror and says, "It doesn't even look like me," that doesn't necessarily mean it's a good thing.

Oprah recently did a hair-makeover show on 100 people (99 women and one man) that were truly remarkable, but what I found most disturbing about the show, was Oprah kept repeating to the makeoverees, "You don't even look like yourself!"…"I would have never guessed that was you!" One man even proclaimed that he would probably get in trouble with his wife if she knew he was going home with this "other woman."

If I go through a makeover and come out looking like some other chick, I would be incredibly insulted that my mate didn't appreciate the real me and how I looked before, pre-makeover! I don't want to remind my mate of some other chick…I want to remind him of me.

It's a Societal Thing

The madness behind this makeover mania, to me, stems from society's incessant bombardment of making us feel inadequate with ourselves. From billboards, fashion magazines, television, and catwalks, we are always being pressured to trade in our old selves for newer, brighter, trendier, shinier, slimmer, and completely unrecognizable versions of our former selves. The real question should be: "What's wrong with the way I am?!"

So what if you aren't wearing the latest stuff, and you hair isn't angled just so? Who cares?! If you are living a life that is full of happiness, quality and joy, does being fashionable really matter? Why do we, and by we, I mean human kind, place so much emphasis on appearance? We should be less concerned and wrapped up in what we wear on our backs, and more concerned with our heart and character.

Mo's Parting Advice

So where am I going with all of this? Where's the fashion advice that you've been looking forward to? Well, I warned you in the beginning, there would really be none of that here. Here's what I have to say in a nutshell:

Yes, buying a new outfit, that makes you feel and look hot is really nice, but that shouldn't consume us. After all, it's just clothes. Actually, if you want to really get technical, clothes are just pieces of fabric in different colors and textures that have been sewn together into interesting shapes and patterns.

So let's just keep that in mind, and focus on the more important things in life.