Every so often I dream that Stacy London and Clinton Kelly show up at my door to recruit me for What Not To Wear.  "The burden of battling bad style is just too great.", they say, "You must help us!"  It's a lovely dream that's always fun.  I like to pop onto their website regularly to check for new tips and Style Quizzes.  My scores on the most recent two?  Smart Shopper Quiz = 100% Wow! You are truly a smart shopper! Your friends should always heed your fashion advice.  (See! I told you!) Style Myths Quiz - 100% Shut up! You're so fashion forward!

On a What Not To Wear episode this week, Clinton once again inspired me with the great quote above.  It's just like I said in my very first blog post, whether we want to or not, everyone makes a fashion statement.  Clinton is absolutely right - what we wear sends a message to the world about how to treat us.  During my years as a road warrior in the sales and marketing world, I saw the amazing power a dressier outfit can wield.  Not only did I get upgraded more often, I also moved through security lines faster, was approached in conversation by other well-dressed travelers, and received more courteous service from flight attendants and hotel staff.  I was able to pack less because I was already wearing some of the pieces of my suit.  If we were traveling as a team, I was always ready for dinner, in case we wanted to skip stopping at the hotel.

I'm no longer flying the friendly skies every week (Thank Heaven! Though I do miss the frequent flier perks!) and many of you are in a similar situation, no longer out in the working world, or at last not going to an office everyday.  But it doesn't mean there's nothing to dress for.  Every day is a new opportunity to tell the world how we expect to be treated.  And if you haven't liked the message you've been sending - change your tune TODAY!  I've been working with a good friend of mine who would like to dress more stylishly.  She's beautiful and thin and mentioned yesterday that she worries people will say, "Who does she think she is?" when she suddenly starts wearing better outfits.  I told her there will be two basic camps.  The "Wow! She looks so great!  I wish I could look that great!" camp and the sneering "Whatever!" jealous camp.  Never pay attention to the jealous camp!  Who cares what they think anyway.

Just as many of us start a new diet one random morning, you can also start new style.  Instead of sweats and a ratty t-shirt to the grocery store, try your nice trouser jeans and a blouse.  Takes the same amount of time to put on!  Or slip on a skirt with a sleek T and fun sandals.  I promise, you'll feel so much better than you did the day before.  And someday, somehow, good style always pays off.

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