My Not So Secret Fashion Emergency by Awbree Summers

When my younger sister asked me to enter this writing competition, being put on by one of her friends, I immediately jumped on the chance to participate. I had never heard of StyleListe Magazine, and I truly had no idea what subject I would have the pleasure of writing on. Perhaps, I could share my thoughts on parenting tactics, floral design techniques, or maybe even a little something on gardening. However after doing a little research, I quickly found that this was not to be the case. I could slowly feel the color draining from my face as I read the subject I was being asked to write on…

FASHION…

Sitting here with my computer in my lap, I carefully lowered my gaze to the white tube socks I am presently wearing with my brown leather shoes, and immediately realized that I am in trouble. I wouldn’t say I am a walking fashion disaster, but I can swallow my pride enough to tell you that I am, one of those people who reach for my legal notepad, and hurriedly take notes when I watch Stacy and Clinton on the TLC show What Not To Wear. Sadly, I truly own three pairs of shoes. Two are exactly the same, but one is black, and the other one pictured here is brown. The other is a cute, but much worn set of black heels that I can magically make go with everything.

Further incriminating evidence can be easily found in my jewelry drawer, where there is an array of colorful accessories that I have purchased over the years that I really don’t understand how to put into proper use, or proper rotation for that matter. Truth be told, if I am being totally honest with you, I would confess my desire to write Lia Sophia a letter of apology for the misrepresentation of their beautiful jewelry.

Now that we have established that I am by no means a walking “fashionista”, let me attempt to do a small amount of damage control concerning the tarnished first impression on my good fashion sense.

I know how to spot a nice pair of jeans.

Furthermore, I would venture out to say that short of a personal trainer ,or plastic surgery, there is nearly nothing better out there for a woman’s self esteem then a great fitting pair of jeans. You know the pair of jeans I am talking about; the mystical dark wash with a slight boot cut that makes your behind bewitch anyone who might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse. When I started writing on this topic, I suddenly became aware of the large number of Utah women who have great fashion sense when it comes to the selection of an essential wardrobe necessity; a pair of nice jeans and slacks.

One of the other things I enjoy and appreciate about Utah fashion is the manufacturing and distribution of the “longer bottom” shirt. This life saving shirt can be purchased from a number of retailers such as Shade Clothing ,Down East Clothing and I believe American Eagle, just to name a few.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the inner workings of the “long shirt,” please allow me to explain. These mechanical genius shirts are made a few inches longer than the average t-shirt, and usually have a little stretch built into them. They are the key factor for saving the eyes of those of us in the rear when women bend over to pick up their children, or garbage, or the clothes that our boyfriends and husbands should have picked up in the first place. They are also truly delicious for women who are expecting a baby or for that matter those of us who just had a baby. The shirt stretches and shows of the beautiful curves during pregnancy, and then also allows some forgiving fabric for that not so forgiving time after the bundle of joy arrives.

I know it is not a gushing of fashion knowledge, with flowing mentions of designer handbags and $200.00 jeans, but today, for this time in my life, these are my EMT’s to help me avoid too many real, intervention and rehab worthy fashion emergencies.