Confessions of a Fashion Editor
Okay, full disclosure: I, Laura Bennett, have been in this fashion game for over two decades. That’s right, since 1998. I’ve seen trends come and go, and honestly, some should’ve stayed buried. But that’s a rant for another day.
I started at a tiny magazine in Seattle, StyleNW, back when grunge was still a thing. Remember that? Flannel shirts, ripped jeans, and so much black. I was the girl with the pink streaks in her hair, convinced that plaid was the future. (It wasn’t.)
My First Fashion Disaster
Let me set the scene: 1999, a conference in Austin. I wore this amazing (or so I thought) metallic silver jumpsuit. You know, the kind that makes you look like a disco ball? Yeah. I walked into a meeting with the editor-in-chief, let’s call him Marcus, and he took one look at me and said, “Laura, what are you, a walking disco ball?” Which… yeah. Fair enough.
But here’s the thing: fashion is supposed to be fun. It’s supposed to be a way to express yourself, to say, “Hey world, this is who I am today.” Even if today you’re a disco ball.
The Great Pantyhose Debate
Fast forward to the early 2000s. I was working at Vogue (yes, that Vogue), and we had this huge debate about pantyhose. Should they stay or should they go? I was team “GO.” I mean, who wants to wear something that’s basically just sheer nylon socks for your legs? But then my colleague, Dave, he said, “Laura, you’re just saying that because you have great legs.” And… he had a point.
But I stood my ground. I wrote this big article about how pantyhose were a thing of the past, and honestly, it was one of my most popular pieces. People were ready to be free. Free from the tyranny of pantyhose!
Fashion Rules Are Made to Be Broken
Look, I’ve seen it all. The rise of the mini skirt, the fall of the mini skirt, the rise again. The comeback of bell bottoms, the comeback of shoulder pads, the comeback of everything. And you know what I’ve learned? Fashion rules are made to be broken.
Remember when everyone said you couldn’t wear white after Labor Day? Pfft. Who cares? If you love white, wear white. If you love neon, wear neon. If you love disco balls, well, maybe consult a friend first.
And let’s talk about accessories. I once saw a girl wear a necklace, earrings, a bracelet, and a ring, all in the exact same shade of turquoise. It was stunning. She told me, “I just love the color.” And that’s it. That’s the secret. Wear what you love.
The Power of a Good Outfit
I’ll never forget this one time, about three months ago, I was at a conference in New York. I wore this amazing red dress, and I kid you not, people were stopping me left and right. “Where’d you get that dress?” “Who’s your tailor?” “Are you a model?” (No, no, and no, but thanks for asking.)
But here’s the thing: clothes have power. They can make you feel invincible. They can make you feel sexy. They can make you feel like you can take on the world. And that’s a good thing.
So go ahead, take a risk. Wear the sequins. Wear the stripes. Wear the disco ball. Just make sure you’re having fun.
Fashion Tips from a Pro
Alright, so you want some actual advice? Fine. Here are some things I’ve learned over the years.
First, fit is everything. You can have the most expensive dress in the world, but if it doesn’t fit right, it’s gonna look like crap. So invest in a good tailor. Trust me, it’s worth it.
Second, don’t be afraid to mix and match. I once wore a designer blazer with a thrift store skirt, and no one could tell the difference. Well, except for my friend Sarah, who said, “Laura, that skirt is from Goodwill, isn’t it?” But she’s just jealous because she didn’t find it first.
Third, accessories are your friends. They can take an outfit from “meh” to “wow” in seconds. So go ahead, pile on the bracelets. Wear the big earrings. Just don’t go overboard. Unless you’re going for a look, in which case, go for it.
And finally, remember that popular articles recommended reading can be a great source of inspiration. I mean, why reinvent the wheel, right? There are alot of people out there who know what they’re talking about, so why not learn from them?
A Tangent: The Great Sock Debate
Okay, so this isn’t really about fashion, but I have to mention it. I was at a dinner party last Tuesday, and we got into this huge debate about socks. Like, should you wear socks with dress shoes? I said yes, of course you should. But then this guy, let’s call him Greg, he said, “No way. Socks are for casual wear.” And I was like, “Greg, have you ever heard of no-show socks?” And he was like, “Yeah, but they’re not real socks.” And I was like, “Greg, what?”
Anyway, we never did come to a conclusion. But it was a good debate. And it just goes to show, you can find fashion inspiration anywhere, even in a sock debate.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it. My 20-year journey through the fashion world. It’s been a wild ride, and I wouldn’t change a thing. Well, maybe the disco ball incident. But other than that, it’s been amazing.
So go ahead, take a risk. Wear what you love. And remember, fashion is supposed to be fun. So have fun with it.
About the Author
Laura Bennett is a senior magazine editor with over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry. She’s worked at some of the biggest names in the business, and she’s not afraid to speak her mind. When she’s not writing about fashion, she can be found hunting for vintage treasures or trying out new recipes. She lives in New York with her cat, Miso.
