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Hey Jessica, my name is Catherine. I am 14 years old and have been reading your blog for less than a year. Within the past few years, I have gone from fashion being the last thing on my mind to loving the beauty and expression I can achieve through what I wear. I guess this change may have come from me feeling less than satisfied with the way I looked and the way people looked at me. Since I was eight I have always been one of the smartest in my class, and smart was all anyone including myself saw me as. I didn’t see the creative girl or the insightful person that I am.  Once I figured out that how I looked affected how I was perceived , I was set. I  wanted to look good not so that people could see something that I was not, but to let them see how I thought and how I felt.

My personal style is still developing, but I need it to better reflect me and not what people think I should be. You, The Glamourai, and Sea of Shoes are a few of my favorite bloggers. Each of you has a unique style that reflects who you are. You inspire me to be me, face the “why are you so dressed up today?” questions, and answer them, “why not dress up today?”. Thank you for being you and allowing me to be me.

- Catherine

WhatIWore: I’ve been receiving some really sweet e-mails lately and have decided to share with everyone.

Hi Jessica,

I just wanted to send you a quick note to say thank you! I have always loved looking at fashion, but have never been brave enough to try anything; having been a jeans & T-shirt kinda gal for all of my life, I thought that a sudden daring outfit would cause a ripple of gasps and mutters amongst friends and family, along with disapproving looks that told me ‘just stick to the jeans & T-shirt’. Obviously this was all my imagination, but nonetheless, I was too scared to try anything new.

I have been following your blog for a few months and love your style, and your ‘I-don’t-care-what-people-think-because-I-know-I-look-fabulous’ attitude. You have inspired me to be brave, try new things, have fun and forget about whether anyone else likes it! Today, for example, I am wearing a black knit dress (a dress, oh yes!), a tan waist belt, grey tights and tan heels. I know this probably sounds like a very conservative outfit to you, but for me it is a step out! Each item I’m wearing is cheap, but I feel like a million dollars, and I have already (at 8:57am) received two positive comments. Step 1: dress, heels and a belt. Step 2: whatever the heck I feel like!!

Thanks for inspiring me to try new things, be myself and have fun with what I wear!

All the best,

Elle

Hi Jessica,

I was wondering what your thoughts are on coping with early morning “Ugh, I feel gross today” (UIFGT) syndrome, i.e. you wake up feeling a bit too tired, or sick, or round from last night’s meal still digesting, or the weather is too hot / cold / rainy.

You see, I live in Boston and despite my love for getting dressed - it can be my favorite part of the day - between December - early April I rotated the same things over and over again. Between the weather, coping with grad school, and those UIFGT moments, I started rotating the same items. I’m all for remixing, but how do you, a daily fashion blogger, keep the joy in getting dressed even when you are feeling less than happy?

Thanks for your help!
Jessica (also)

—

Jessica,

Ahhh… UIFGT.  I have those a lot more than you’d think.  However, sometimes a pretty dress or a new way of styling an outfit can actually get me out of the funk. I’m a tried and true believer in wearing prettier/nicer/more fun clothes as a way to feel better about your self.  For this reason, I have a nice little (ok, huge) section of clothes that turn an “Ugh, I feel gross today” Day into an “OMG! I look smashing! I feel great!” Day.

Try this - on a weekend (Sunday nights are great for this) think about your week and what you’ll be up to. Maybe you just want to dress sharply for one day of class. And a coffee/study session. And a date.  Make it your goal to put together three all star outfits and set them aside in your closet.  If you have to deal with not-perfectly-beautiful weather, make sure your outfits incorporate the elements (You SHOULD have a cute pair of wellies, a darling umbrella and a divine winter coat). Make no excuses. Shower and get ready (whatever that means to you) and go on with your day.

I have a feeling that making yourself feel good through your appearance three out of five days that week will make the other two a snap. Next week aim for 4 days.  Just a little planning and it all seems a lot easier.

Just as one can fall into a funk, she too can get into a habit of happy awesomeness.  I’ve seen these patterns in my own life— with my outer shell and, more importantly, how I feel about myself on this inside.

Good luck and let me know how it goes!

xoxo
Jessica


If you have a question about personal style and would like some advice, e-mail me and I’ll try to help you out! Each week I’ll pick a few e-mails to share with everyone!

Hey Jessica,

I just recently started follwing your blog and love it. Thanks for all the inspiration!

I’m trying to find my “style” while trying to stay away from trends. Any pointers on how to find your long lost style?

Thanks!

Best,
Lilli

LilliLiving.Blogspot.com
—-
Lilli,

Sure- here’s a tip I always work with when starting to consult for new clients.
Go through sites like weardrobe.com, wardrobe_remix on flickr, the Sartorialist— any of those and save photos of all the pictures that immediately click with you. Maybe its red lipstick or a silhouette you really like— colors or patterns that you’re drawn to— pull those images together. That’s a way to start identifying your long lost style. I spend a lot of time browsing online fashion communities to get inspired.

And a favorite tip of mine for shopping— only buy things that you would wear TODAY! they should be able to mix in with your current wardrobe, because, lets face it, most of us don’t have the $$$ to overhaul our entire closets.
Hope that helps!!

If you have any questions you’d like me to answer on What I Wore, shoot me an e-mail (I answer all of my e-mails, so if its a more personal style question, I’m happy to answer those as well)

Hi Jessica,

I have a quick question.  I see you wear those Vera Wang sandals pretty often.  I know you must walk a lot living in nyc, so are they comfortable?  They seem like the perfect shoe to snazz up an outfit, but the size of the heel scares me a bit.  I live just outside of Boston, and don’t usually buy shoes with such a big heel because as soon as I’ve walked from the T to a destination I am regretting it!

Thank you for the fashion blogging entertainment!

Best,
Michelle

Hey Michelle,

The shoes are pretty comfortable after the requisite first few wearings. I walk to work (about a half a mile) and then wear them all day (although mainly sitting at my desk) and then usually change into flats for the walk home… but all in all, I will not suffer for shoes or fashion so they get my seal of approval.

The above shoes are Simply Vera by Vera Wang and purchased at Kohl’s.

Dear Jessica,

Just out of curiosity, what exactly is your job in NYC? I know it has something to do with fashion just from your “free from work” wardrobe pieces, but I was wondering, do you design? Or is it PR?

- Teen Fashionista

I get this question a lot!! Right now I am working as the head designer for a company that does private label (we design and manufacture goods for other brands) for mass market fashion. That means a lot of you are probably wearing some shorts I designed!! Actually, maybe not. My “free from work” clothes are old samples we used for inspiration in previous seasons.

I work in the heart of the Garment District and you might see me at Bryant Park for lunch (especially today!) Come say hi!

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