FASHION SENSE VS.

COMMON SENSE
By Dominique Angela Juntado

“To bling or not to bling, that is the question.” The question on style and substance is still
debatable up to this date, having no regard whether or not he or she has the bills or the
plastics for it. Spears is sporting Hilfiger. Hilton encourages us to take a guess. Jordan is
telling us to “Just do it”. Vanity seems to be today’s affair, as people are mesmerized by
images like these, and so much more that are portrayed of as ‘ideal’ all over our TV
screens and our magazines. Fashion is the embodiment of our individuality, one of which
limits must be set. Most people have been carried away with the flow of the trends, that
they often forget the real concept behind “why we dress”.

Vision of Loveliness

Fernando Amorsolo’s vision of the ideal Filipino woman is “beauty in simplicity”.

His petite women with unpainted faces, rainbow shaped brows, fine yet naturally red lips
and flat noses. Gandhi’s curvy women, attracting all of humanity with her natural scent.
Maria Clara is dead, I say! She took with her the styles of the past when she leapt from
that high tower, and into her grave. Only few of her descendents survive, and between
you and me – I am not one of them.

Style vs. Substance

Dress to make a statement, dress to kill. No doubt, apparel shows a person’s

character. It often makes me wonder what’s inside Victoria’s closet that makes it all a big
secret. Fumble those fingers through that rack. The skirts and or skort (an interesting
fusion of skirt and shorts) variation are a popular choice among the ladies (I’ve had a few
myself). Skirts with lengths long enough to sweep the dirt off floors were replaced with
skirts so short, tempts Adam to raise the question – “Why bother?” Eve might as well
parade the streets au naturel. Why don’t we take a layer down? To my mind, the purpose
undergarments served were for support and protection. Since t-backs became quite a
craze, one can now see ladies trot about town with buttocks jiggling in all their glory.
Now don’t get me started on shoe selection. Nordstrom has it all. An endless line, varying
in textures and vivid colors. They have it all, from basic flip flops to patten leather heels.
Yes, stilettos are fine for romance, and platforms can be groovy, but too much of a boost
can make a date partner appear that men of his stature are in rather “short” supply. What
sets off the whole design is the face. After all, a blank canvas cannot be considered a
work of art. But then, too much of Picasso’s pizzazz doesn’t quite do the trick either. I
met Eve in stride at the corner of 24th and Vine. I’ve kept this opinion to myself up till
now, knowing that such remark would break her groove. Her profile that morning was
very Marcel Marceau. A pair of floppy shoes and a red rubber ball nose, she’d be good to
go! This thing called make-up is designed to enhance, not to change. One might as well
wear a mask than ‘fake it up’.
‘Signits are not sinful.’

I can only guess that the idea of sporting the goods has to do with not only
whether or not the consumer has the guts, but on the fact that the ensemble can be pulled
off. The wearer’s confidence is the very icing on this cake. The maraschino atop this
sundae on a hot summer’s afternoon. I’ve seen some people make the shabby look chic.
And likewise, I’ve seen those who when they dress, undress the dignity of the ensemble
they sport (a little fino, por favor?). I can barely count them with my fingers.

Keeping it Real

On one hand, shouldn’t we consider the thought that common sense should never be
separated from fashion sense? Compromising comfort and practicality for the sake of
being part of the census of the “in” crowd is not exactly the way to go. It is all about
choosing well from what’s on the rack. One shouldn’t psyche himself or herself in
sporting a style for the sake of fitting in. It’s all about feeling good. One must look into
the dressing room mirror, not with his or her eyes, but with his or her mind.