They say 30 is when you shed the insecurities of your 20s and become more confident and comfortable in your own skin. One way I’m finding that to be true is in my own personal style. Though I was much thinner years ago, I was too self-conscious to be adventurous. I secretly nursed many fashion fantasies; I would admire a piece of clothing in a store or magazine, try to picture myself in it, then tell myself I couldn’t possibly look half as good as other women would look in it. Then I would walk away.
The one-piece jumpsuit, or onesie, was one of these fashion fantasies. I always thought they looked fun and playful, but nothing I could actually wear. That changed when I spotted a cobalt blue jumpsuit in Zara that I thought would be perfect for a tall, blond, blue-eyed friend. When she didn’t bite, I found myself trying it on… and to my surprise, liking how it looked on me.
I chose to debut my one-piece jumpsuit in Venice. It was the perfect location for a personal fashion first—and to feel like, as Jason said, a 70s movie villainess. Like I had just arrived in Venice via private seaplane. Like I should have been slinking around with a crystal champagne flute, ivory cigarette holder, and entourage of assistants.
You know what they say about wearing something and owning it? I owned it all right, but not the way you’d think. It was more like wearing the jumpsuit made me feel like I owned… everything.
It’s an awesome feeling to have while walking around Venice. It’s really nice to think: I own Piazza San Marco and the Basilica, and all the tourists in it. I also own this pier.
In fact, I own all the gondolas moored to this pier. I am the sole heiress to a Venetian gondola empire, didn’t you know?
My back is turned, but I am chuckling throatily as I survey all that I possess. That blond gondolier? I own him too.
I own this wall, and I own these pillars. Be careful which walls and pillars you lean against in Venice; they may, in fact, belong to me.
I own this bridge.
I said, Parisian peasants: I own this bridge! Leave immediately, and I will show mercy.
What I learned: if you want to debut a fabulous but slightly risky new piece of clothing, do it on vacation. Surrounded by a sea of fanny packs, sandals paired with socks, and rumpled rain jackets tied around waists, you are practically guaranteed to look smashing. Plus, you’ll look great in photos.
Have you ever thought something would look awful on you, only to be pleasantly surprised that it in fact made you look and feel great? It could be an accessory, hair color or cut, or a piece of clothing… I’d love to hear about it. Even more so if it made you sashay around somewhere like you owned the place!
Update: I’ve added this post to the Post of the Month Club for June, over at Life on Planet Baby!
