JOANNE watkinson
DON’T SAVE YOUR BEST FOR BEST
ONE of my favourite internet memes is the one that reminds you to be careful of what you choose when getting dressed each morning as if you die that day that will be your ‘ghost outfit’ for all eternity. It’s ghoulish but brilliant.
I think it had to have been inspired by the quotes of Coco Chanel who, among others, told us to “dress like you are going to meet your worst enemy today”.
I think from that we can be sure that Mademoiselle Chanel wasn’t one for keeping her favourite clothes for wearing on a Sunday.
The term ‘Sunday best’ was born out of the tradition for keeping your best clothes for attending church on a Sunday.
I thought it a practice long gone given that a) not as many people go to church anymore and b) those who do don’t dress up to the nines. While both of these are true, it seems some people still stick by the rule of keeping their best clothes for `best, meaning they spend the most money and pay the most attention to the clothes they wear the least often. For example, they buy the best dress they can afford for a special occasion such as a party or a trip to the races, regardless of the fact it is unlikely they will get their cost-per-wear back (cost per wear for the uninitiated is the price of the item divided by the number of times you wear it).
But my point isn’t about the cost of the items you buy and more about squirrelling away your nicest clothes.
Clothes want to be worn, and inevitably, over time, our weight, shape, trend and tastes change so it makes sense to wear them while you love them.
Next time you are getting dressed, pay attention to all those garments nestling at the back of your wardrobe waiting to fulfil their sartorial destiny. Sequins? Wear them in the daytime (check out Trinny London on Instagram who does it brilliantly). Learn how to layer and get the most wear out of your dresses. Pair your tailoring with trainers and remember, wear your favourites. Who doesn’t want to be the best dressed ghost?