I was packing for my last work trip, and managed to gently cram three days worth of clothing (read: suits, evening casual wear and running attire) into a small duffle bag. Many times when I arrive at the airport with a smaller bag than my male travel colleagues, one of them will ask me how I pack so small.
My answer is simple: nude-colored pumps. Neutral-colored shoes go with anything, so you only need one pair, even for a week-long trip. That makes room for other things, like running shoes.
However, as I was reflecting on my packing skills, I hearkened back to a time when I was an inquisitive young woman of, oh, about 24 years. I had just arrived in Virginia Beach, and it was in this magical town that I met the man who would become...my fashion guru.
His name was Brad. I never asked him, but I would guess that he had lived a full 65 years or so. I met this character when I climbed into the back of his taxicab. He was unassuming enough, but had a strange lisp. His first question was: "Do you find, being as smart as you are, and as attractive as you are, that you have trouble in your career?"
Needless to say, this confused me, and after stumbling through a response, he got to his point: I needed to seek the advice of a fashion "professional." He said I looked "sharp" in my casual plane-riding wear, but that a "professional" could design a look more "authoritarian." That is the word that he used; this is not a typo; he did not say "authoritative." He indeed suggested that I strive to inspire complete subjection through my choice of dress. Now THAT is advice that your girlfriends won't give you!
With these tidbits, I was hooked. But, it was his compelling comment near the end of the ride that has truly inspired me in my fashion choices to this day: "Some people just don't understand the power of clothing." I was floored. What had I been missing? More importantly, how is this haberdashery genius stuck driving a cab?
The true greats don't aspire to greatness in this life. Like Gandhi before him, and the guy who invented Kung Fu, Brad simply sought to provide his valuable haute couture consultation from his humble position (in this case, the front seat of a taxi) - to anyone who would listen. So Brad, I thank you - because of you, those neutral-colored pumps have a razor sharp tip and a 4-inch stiletto, so that I will always be prepared in the case of a peasant uprising.
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