Fashionista a bit

Hi.

There is one thing I love about Chicago, and it might just have to be going shopping. Or I should say, going window shopping ^_^.

I mean it's not like I'm on the forefront of fashion - that's not at all who I am. But there is something about walking into a designer's personal boutique (and yes I did say boutique) and getting intimate with what's on the edge.

And being able to appreciate that is, I think, a special thing. I don't think that it's something that everybody can do, more than being about the brand or the name on the label, it's about understanding what fits your own body and a new perspective. And above all, it's still about who you think you are.

A part of me is fascinated with this in the way I would pop into a gallery exhibit to look around at the art. You're not just walking in to say you've walked in to so and so's store. You're walking in with your mind open and to take your time moving through - and maybe even interact (I mean sometimes, you really just have to try on that pair of shoes ^_^).

When I talk about these stores, it's more than just going to add items to your closet. Sure, you might pick up a piece or two, but it's not about that at all. Ok sure, maybe there's a bias since most of these stores are out of my price range. But to me it's about finding something unique - that quirk of a designer's mind that brings out something special.

There are people who go around touting brand names on their clothing or bragging to their friends that they only buy things from high end names. I invariably find that it's a waste.

To me, a designer's name means you get the devotion to the piece that you might not get anywhere else. It is that devotion that transmits to you so that you feel a little more you when you wear it. It amplifies the embodiment of you. Regardless of what occasion it's meant for.

It's like how I found this absolutely quirky pair of sunglasses - in fact both the salesman and I ended up gushing about them. They had smaller, close set circular lenses, with a leather covering along the sides (think old fashioned goggles for motorcyclists or pilots), and the arms had a wiry frame and ended in a half circle curve.

While loving how the specs fit my face, I expressed my disappointment that they were actually men's eyewear. To my surprise, the salesman revealed that though they were sitting in the men's section, Armani had intended them to be for either gender. In fact, even the women's eyewear could be worn by men.

It was that mentality that made me appreciate the glasses just that much more - each pair is meant for the person on whom they look good. I actually have been considering returning to purchase the pair as a personal birthday gift to myself (that is if they still are on the shelf O.o) - and that I'm considering an expensive sunglasses purchase over a pair of shoes still shocks me a little.

What makes the name brand designers different is that you get to experience quality of fashion - and by doing so, you get to discover more about yourself. Because even though that fashion has a name, that's not all it's about.