It used to be such an insult to be labeled as someone stuck in the ‘80s. Images of Lotlot and Friends, Cindy Lauper and the Bagets gang in their multi-colored frocks and leggings were a sure way to elicit shudders from stylish people everywhere. But, lo and behold, cool people now look like they came from the ‘80s! Who would’ve thought that the fashion industry could pull off making that era hip again? I’m bracing myself for the return of shoulder pads, which I swear I will not follow, no matter how unhip I may be labeled. I have lived that trend and I’m not proud of the photos it produced.
Now that I’m older and fashionably wiser, I know that not all trends should be followed, especially by those over 30 years old. Teenagers can wear a dozen trends all in one outfit and that would be fine because that’s what they’re supposed to be doing. For the older ones bereft of an allowance from parents, which items should you have in your closet to look good and up-to-date no matter what the year?
Shades that fit your face shape. I remember when sporty wrap-around shades were super uso. I couldn’t wear them because bigger frames look better on me and so I skipped wearing shades for that time and risked crow’s feet from all the squinting. Save yourself the trouble and find a pair or two that are compatible to your lifestyle and face shape. You will look good incognito forever.
A pretty, feminine dress. You are bound to go on a date, wedding, baptism, or kiddie party at least a few times in your life. A feminine dress that flatters your skin tone is a safe bet. Although the LBD has a permanent soft spot in my heart, I have realized that black is not the best color for baptisms and some weddings. Choose something reminiscent of the lady-like ‘50s or hippie ‘70s, depending on your personality, and count on it to be your savior for last-minute events.
Dark wash, straight-cut jeans. Acid-washed, distressed and torn, low-riders, the list goes on, but regular straight-cut jeans in a dark wash that fit great on your booty and thighs, will be your partner for a long time.
Good quality underwear. A lot of people don’t believe in investing so much in something that is hidden most of the time, but decent underwear will always be in fashion. Great underwear can miraculously make parts appear or disappear! And let’s face it, it will never be fashionable to have bacon-gartered briefs or loose, butas-butas, giant panties.
A crisp, tailored top. It doesn’t matter so much what color it is, just as long as it fits your body well and makes you look mabango and kagalang-galang. Splurge on this item and get something made of good fabric with clean lines. Make sure to iron it and wear this to board meetings, meeting the folks, and a day in court.
Good quality jewelry and watch. You don’t have to get the bonggang-bongga diamonds and house-and-lot-priced watches just yet. If you’re on a budget, simple pearl studs are super affordable yet very elegant. A classic-shaped watch that you can wear every day won’t just be useful but will also be a nice addition to sleek outfits. Now you know why it pays to be nice to your parents — you get a better chance at inheriting the good stuff!
Comfy shoes. I don’t care what they say — corns, bunions and bloody toes will never be stylish! So skip sacrificing function for fashion because when it comes to your feet, you have to tread carefully. You wouldn’t want to sacrifice a few hours of looking good for a lifetime of ugly feet.
A dependable bag. Invest in at least one nice bag that you can use forever and hopefully pass on to your daughter. It doesn’t necessarily have to be designer, but it has to be of great quality to be passed on to the next generation. An exquisite beaded clutch, a roomy tote, or a structured bag, it’s up to you.
For important items such as these, it would be okay to spend a bit more money because you’re actually saving more in the long run. I follow a simple formula in figuring out if an item is worth spending on: price divided by approximately how many days I’ll be using it, for example a P5,000 leather bag. That would be P5,000 /365 days (1 year) = P13.70 per day. Compare that to a P350 bangle that tarnishes after three uses (P350/3=P116.67 per day). Being a certified kuripot, it took several broken shoes and torn bags to make me believe in the power of this formula. If the item is something that you love and can really use for a long time, then go ahead and get it. Ten or 15 years down the line, you can be sure that you will look at pictures from the 2000’s and smile.
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For comments and suggestions, e-mail me at donna.cunapita@gmail.com.