DRESSING MY SOUL……

It’s an illustration that if you look poor, you’ll act poor and people probably won’t respect you. But if you spend a few bucks carefully, choosing your clothes from OpShops and charity stores, with care and an eye to what makes you look good, then you can look fabulous for a minimal cost. And if you look fabulous, you’ll be fabulous. When my ex- robbed me of my home, my possessions and I was forced to pay his debts because he’d forged my name on bank documents, I had nothing…literally nothing. I lived in a caravan with four young children. But I spent a handful of dollars on beautiful second-hand clothes from OpShops and charity stores, and I looked and felt great. And that gave me the courage to face my adversities, and succeed.

Clothing is much more than how we dress. It’s how we present ourselves…how we look to the world, and how the world looks at us. And yes, it’s how we sell ourselves. It shows others how we respect ourselves. No, it’s not trivialising. It’s a first impression, which opens up people’s minds and colors their view of us and who we are. People are aesthetic creatures. You’re evaluated in the first few seconds of being looked at and met. After that initial judgement, then you will be assessed on the basis of your character, personality and energy.

One of the saddest moments in my life is when domestic violence clients say to me that they look and feel lessened because of their new circumstances, because they’ve been deprived of the funds they used to have. They feel dowdy and reduced as women.

I immediately take them to a charity shop, spend half an hour carefully choosing their clothes with them, and watch their reaction when they see themselves in the mirror. It changes their whole outlook on life and what’s happened to them. And without fail, they walk out of that shop more positive and determined.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re tall or thin, large or slender….all of us, anybody, can look fabulous for a few bucks.

Almost every day, I walk in somewhere, and somebody looks at my dress or suit, and remarks on how fabulous it is. I take enormous pride in telling them that it cost me, “Five bucks.” The look on their face is priceless. And I feel proud in telling them. So if you look at ALL the pictures on this website and in my instagram and Facebook, not a single outfit cost me more than $30

If you find for any reason - the most usual being domestic violence - that you’ve suddenly got no money, there’s still no reason not to look fabulous. Let me tell you a quick story. A brilliant movie director who came from Eastern Europe had to escape overnight in order to save his family and his life. He had almost nothing other than the clothes in which he and his family landed in London. He was totally broke. Reassuring his wife and children that he knew exactly what he was doing, he spent his last few pennies buying a suit, shirt, tie and shiny shoes. Then he went to the Ritz Hotel, and just sat there, drinking tea and eating a sandwich. He looked amazing, like a millionaire. And it didn’t take long for people to introduce themselves. They then began to introduce him to influential people, and soon he had offers of work to make adverts and movies. He quickly became established, wealthy and successful. Even the look of success breeds success.

Crotchet Dress bought from Charity Shop - $20 ; Also Featuring Vintage Shoes and Genuine Vintage 70s handbag - $16

Dress bought from street stall - #15

Polka Dot dress bought from Facebook buy and sell - $8