Bridge-Jumping Fashion

Scenario 1: 

Fraidy was quite pleased with her gown. 

Drew Barrymore had worn it on the red carpet; that was sufficient for her to call up the boutique and order it. She had her hair styled in that casually wavy way that Drew had, too. 

Sure, maybe the frock wasn't really elegant enough for a sister's wedding, but it cost enough and Drew had worn it. The dress needed a few changes however; a panel to fill in the v-neck, a shrug for the sleeveless arms. Those alterations weren't cheap either, but still! Drew Barrymore! 

Fraidy confidently sashayed into the shmorg, unable to understand why she was only getting casual glances. It was designer! It was a fortune! Drew Barrymore had worn it!

But then . . .  she arrived. 

Miri glided in, looking positively divine. 

Her dress was was cut perfectly for her body type; her hair was swept up in a smooth, chic up-do; her makeup was gorgeously overkill. 

Her gown, however, probably cost a fraction of Fraidy's, yet she looked vibrant and eye-catching; it also appeared that it had needed no incredulous alterations, either. Fraidy watched in horror as admiring looks were cast upon her sales-rack-wearing rival. 

Scenario 2: 

Suri is newly engaged, so obviously in need of a wedding gown. Her mother hangs up the phone, looking smugly satisfied. "You know the Schwartz family? The Schwartz family? Remember they had the wedding of the century a few months ago? Well, I managed to get their daughter's wedding dress!" 

Squeals of glee. After all, such an expensive gown, worn by someone so "prominent," must be something to die for. 

However, the Schwartz girl is a petite, dainty creature, so the design of the gown was meant to build her up; boisterous shoulders, heavy ruching, overkill tiara. 

On Suri, who is a normal size and weight, the overdone gown made her look butch, not an ethereal bride. The groom was quite eclipsed by the overstyled kallah. 

The moral of these stories is, obviously, that fashion cannot be based on what others wear, no matter the price or status. Personal style means individualized style; different body types each have different needs.

Take Naomi here. That gown suits her in every possible way. 

 

And check out that gorgeous bridal party. They look too good to have simply copied another. 

And Esther's Grace Kelly-inspired look? Perfection. 

Kindly do not jump off the proverbial Brooklyn Bridge just because everyone else is.

Additionally, whenever shopping, if a garment needs a ridiculous amount of altering or layering to make it modestly wearable, it is not worth it. Keep looking.  

To shine, and charm, and sparkle, one must be real: You are not Drew Barrymore. Or the Schwartz girl.