I care, do u?

When I give presentations about what to wear and how to wear it, I impress upon my audience members to think about the message they are sending through their clothes.  Do you want to come across as “put together”, conservative, edgy, elegant?, etc. I believe that it is important to try and look your best when you go out in public because you never know who you may see, and how it may affect you. I particularly stress this view point with small business owners and those new to the workforce. I have created new business opportunities and relationships because of how I dress and come across as a professional. The bottom line is: you can make an impression on people based on how you look and act.

Today, our first lady, Melania Trump wore a jacket with a message on it that gave a very negative impression. FLOTUS was heading to a migrant children’s detention center in Texas when she gave off an impression- through her choice of clothing -that she didn’t really care. While the message on the jacket, “ I really don’t care, do u?” is a provocative question and part of Zara’s new line of  apparel, this was not the time, nor place to don the cheeky sartorial garb. This wasn’t the time, nor place to be considered aloof, nor put into question whether one cares; of course you care about children being separated from their parents!! A tweet from Melania’s husband explained that the target of her message was for the [fake] media, not on her position of separating migrant families caught by the border patrol.  Regardless of the accuracy of this explanations, this fashion misstep cost FLOTUS some footing. Of course this is an extreme case of a fashion faux pas, but a lesson to all that it DOES matter what message you are sending based on your choice of clothing. So the next time I’m asked, “Does it really matter what you wear?” I will respond with the question, “I care, do u?”