“Girls do not dress for boys. They dress for themselves and, of course, each other. If girls dressed for boys they’d just walk around naked at all times.”
- Betsey Johnson
Sometimes, it seems that not everyone takes my work as seriously as I do. Some don't consider it serious journalism, or they assume that I spend my days playing with lipstick.
Others think that fashion doesn't demand the same rigor and attention that topics such as politics and international events do. This may be true to a certain extent, but I don't think it means that fashion and beauty are insignificant. I believe that both are related, and both have an impact on how you're perceived and how you carry yourself. You can't judge a book by its cover, but you also can't discount the benefits of making a good first impression. I got my job thanks to a great first impression on a beauty editor who made a wonderful first impression on me (clearly). Beyond that, how you perceive yourself informs self-image and confidence, both of which are vital for everything from job performance to learning ability. Beauty is one of the most accessible ways for women to boost self-confidence in even little ways, whether it be by swiping on lipstick or spritzing perfume. Is this less important than the third victim of Herman Cain's alleged sexual harassment or the verdict of Dr. Conrad Murray's trial? Should this easy way to improve a woman's self-confidence go ignored?
Fashion, too, goes further than the spectacle of runway shows and passing trends. Throughout history, it has reflected culture and identity. It can denote the values of an era (high-collared dresses of Victorian wear) and social status (constrictive corsets, representative of the repression of women). Fashion is a form of expression of all of these things, as well as a manifestation of individual beliefs and tastes. Often, fashion is painted as a trivial indulgence, but it's a freedom and a privilege to be able to wear what we choose. It has its excesses and controversies; find me an industry that doesn't. At its core, though, fashion is a way to present and represent yourself in a subtle and unique manner. Regardless of where you're from or how much you earn, you can define yourself with what you choose to wear.
I've struggled with this for a bit—people don't consider fashion and beauty writing to be hard-hitting journalism or an intellectual field. I may not be reporting on a precedent-setting court case or giving a how-to on the newest version of the iPhone, but, in my own small way, I'm providing the tools for a woman's improved self-perception and increased confidence.
Plus, I play with lipstick about 4% of the time—and that 4% is awesome.
[photo cred here]