Fashion is as fashion does: Set pace with a good fit

“Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society,” said Mark Twain.

Sending out a shout of annoyance to a couple of my distant kin folk for their disobedience many years ago. It happened in the Garden of Eden. They knew better but chose to eat off the forbidden tree. Both are responsible, despite the difference of opinion from others.

All because of Adam and Eve, I have to get up each morning and choose an outfit for the day ahead. It is, at times, daunting. At least I don’t have to choose from animal skins.

I am thankful fashion has progressed over the years. I hope my style doesn’t embarrass anyone (family).

Clothing is a necessity. But beyond its practical purposes, clothing is so close to us it becomes part of our identity. A health care professional wears scrubs. A police officer wears a uniform. A businesswoman may wear a suit. An athlete wears attire suited for their specific event.

Personality can be expressed through choice of clothing. I read that there are eight types of fashion styles — sporty, grunge, punk, bohemian, preppy, street-wear, casual, and classic.

What’s my style? Hopefully I have one. I rummaged through my closet and I think bohemian fits me. I like mixing and matching vibrant colors, patterns and floral.

According to some research, the apparel market in the United States was the largest in the world in 2021 and had the highest real per-capita consumer spending on clothing and footwear globally.

The price for a pair of flare leg jeans that never “fit just right” is indeed ridiculous. Price the ones with holes in them. My goodness!

Shopping requires effort. It is not my favorite pastime. Enormous selections within the clothing industry are overwhelming and certainly contribute to my crankiness.

Add to the equation shopping for shoes. Not my thing. I don’t like breaking in new ones. Blisters hurt! My feet appreciate the pairs that have been worn for a long time and are super comfy.

My favorite sister was quite distraught many years ago during her first move away from home. While en route, several boxes of shoes flew off the truck bed only to be smashed by an 18-wheeler. Poor thing, she was devastated.

Kathleen loves shoes. She has many. Well, that is an understatement. She even wears ones that cause blisters and pinch her toes. I hope she didn’t mind me sharing about her addiction. Too late.

There is an idiom that reads: “Where the shoe pinches.” It means where stress and anxiety originate.

In my humble opinion, the human race because of our culture can be “where the shoe pinches.”

People can be so harsh to one another. There are times I feel as though I am being pinched. I even have a few scars from blisters.

Let me share with you some style to consider that really matters.

Reading the Word of God in the epistle of Colossians, I am commanded as a follower of Christ to clothe myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Whether it be within my family, community, or church, in my selfishness, stubbornness, and immaturity, I can be the one doing the pinching. Ouch! Now that really hurts.

I will be the first to admit I do not always choose to share compassion with those who have been stricken by misfortune. Extending kindness to those who cross my path each day is not always on my radar.

I recall one athlete’s kindness during a recent track and field event a few weeks ago at Clifton Middle School. He is a rising seventh grader and definitely a more experienced runner than elementary children. His contribution during the race was to help set the pace for the long-distance runners.

All the way to the finish line, he was running beside another, step for step, offering words of encouragement. Christ-like character at its finest. Thanks, Levi, for being fashionable.

I can be slow to forgive people who have offended me. Having my own agenda in view, sometimes I falter at taking the time to soothe a wounded heart. Patience — oh, my. I chose to put that one last for a reason.

When the sun comes up, it is a new day and with that day, there is potential to create style and help set the pace for others.

Consider your style. Make a difference. Set the pace for your spouse, children, grandchildren and others. Be fashionable.

Don’t leave home naked.