As I write this, I am wearing a deep jewel-toned blue mini jumper, eggplant grandpa cardigan, dangly emerald and cubic zirconia costume earrings, and a navy blue and white lace flapper-style "hat" (which isn't a true hat since it basically just sits atop my head, held down by tiny tabs that act as more of a headband). I honestly have no plans to leave the house--so why, you ask, am I dressed as though I'm going gallery-hopping, or cruising Eastside haunts to schmooze with hipster glitterati? It's called playing dress-up! Thanks to the recent New York and London Fashion Weeks, I have rediscovered the endless pleasure of ogling yourself in the mirror as you explore the vast possiblities of accessorizing and intermixing prints (or even matching head-to-toe!). 
Not since the Fall 2005 Ready-to-Wear Collections have I felt this inspired by fashion. When John Galliano sent Gemma, Anja, and Stam down the runway in oversized striped sweaters, to-the-knee crocodile boots, aviator-style jackets and sunnies, with hair that fell perfectly over one eye--I wondered if there could be such perfect visual styling again. A few seasons later, I am absolutely cuckoo over dreamy collections from the likes of Eley Kishimoto, Phillip Lim, and my front-running favourite, Matthew Williamson. I love it because it's a little bit street, but still quite girlish and charming. Quirky is back, which is a fun shift from the romantic sophisticate look I've been a fan of for some time now. Dresses are beautiful and easy, but sometimes too easy. Style is about pieces and how you put them together; that's the challenge and that's what makes it worthwhile. 
It's exciting because I feel like fashion is moving again--upside down, sideways, but most importantly, forward. I look back on my college years--a time full of memorable fashion moments (i.e. the blue and green plaid minidress that I broke while skating down a hill, my boyfriend's baggy shirts over miniskirts and black tights, my cherished white faux-fur hat that old men used to make fun of, my green wallpaper print winter coat that was the envy of every girl who crossed my path, grandma sweaters galore). With my newfound inspiration I feel like I can revisit the girl I used to be--an anomaly of adventurously layered clothes--but start fresh with the taste and intuition I have since cultivated.
