Setting a Standard: Fashion Sense and Common Sense – Part 2 of 2

Each of us has a set of standards.

After being fully dressed in a suit, blouse, stockings, shoes and her hair and makeup neatly in place, my mother would ask, "Do I look presentable?”

Ninety-nine percent of the time, my response was “Yes, you look great, Mom.” The other 1 percent was either change the blouse or ditch the scarf. 

I now believe she was training me on what is considered “presentable” or the “standard.”

To enhance my learning, she signed me up to be a member of the Neighborhood House Girls Club which trained young girls on the importance of social graces and wearing the proper attire.

Our Club visited several community events, banquets, fundraising events and theaters, to put what we learned into practice. Our year-end event was a week-long, all-inclusive trip to sunny Aruba!

My mother made a two-piece, poly-cotton blend, navy blue skirt suit for me to wear on my first solo flight to Aruba. While getting dressed for the trip she reminded me, “People will treat you according to the way you are dressed.” She insisted that I wear a long-sleeve blouse with the suit. I wore stockings and a pair of low-heeled shoes.

I carried a straw, colorful handbag that contained lip gloss, a packet of tissues, a pressed handkerchief, a notepad and pen. I also had a list of emergency phone numbers and a change purse in case I needed to make a phone call. (Cell phones were not available yet.)

As a pre-teen, I was taught to have a carry-on bag with toiletries and a change of clothes. That was the standard when we traveled long distances. (I still tote a carry-on bag when I travel!)

Standard is defined as an accepted or approved example of something against which others are judged or measured; a principle of propriety, honesty, and integrity; a level of excellence or quality.

Each of us has a set of standards for what we deem valuable or important in our lives.

We will guard our standards as fiercely as a lioness guards her cubs. We will guard our standards as fearlessly as a mother protecting her children from imminent danger. We will guard our standards as valiantly as the Marine marching around the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

People will guard their standards no matter how high or low their standards are.

I have yet to label myself a fashionista, yet I do have a set of fashion standards. There are some things I will not wear in public because they are below my standards.

• Hair rollers
• A head scarf (with or without hair rollers) 
• A baseball cap, backwards 
• House slippers, pajamas, nightgown, bathrobe or anything specifically designed for the home 
• Wearing white shoes after Labor Day (Although, a sultry winter-white ensemble is c’est chic.) 
• White socks with black shoes (Only the King of Pop was extremely successful with this fashion statement!) 
• Visibly unshaven underarms (this can ruin any woman’s outfit!)

Before you leave home, stop by the mirror and ask the question, "Mirror, mirror on the wall: Who sets the standard for the day?" And then wait for the mirror to respond! 

Until then … consider what your standards are for fashion and for life!