Last year one of my best friends called me in a panic. “I just read that pointy-toe boots are out this year! I’ve got to run to the mall and find some round-toe ones…quick!”

I wanted to flick the tip of her nose with my middle finger, but we were on the phone so unfortunately physical contact wasn’t an option.

Whenever I run across someone who lets random 20-year-old fashion editors pick out their clothes in the morning, it makes me want to fling myself onto a sharp fence post. I’m especially so-inclined if the fashion trend they’re emulating isn’t flattering for their body type (i.e. skinny jeans on someone who’s pear-shaped). As Coco Chanel once said, “Etiquette is for those without manners, in the same way that fashion is for those without style.” Amen, sister.

In my opinion, finding and owning your personal style is a crucial step in the journey to becoming a Cool Broad. Personal style is how you choose to express and represent yourself through fashion and beauty. It’s the material manifestation of your personality. It’s what makes you unique. It certainly doesn’t mean being a slave to fashion trends or making sure that you’re not wearing pointy-toed boots because some fashion editor said pointy-toe boots are so last year. It means figuring out what fashion trends you love, what styles flatter your body type best, and what clothes make you look and feel beautiful.

The confidence that comes from having a strong sense of style (and a comfort in your own skin) breeds the most important facet of Cool Broadness: attitude. Attitude is the manner in which you carry yourself or your outward expression toward others. If you’ve identified a personal style that makes you feel beautiful and confident…your attitude will reflect that. And at this point, membership into the Society of the Cool Broad is all but guaranteed.

So, this isn’t the kind of website you can go to and find out what the “must have” bag of the season is. Cool broads don’t care what the “must have” bag of the season is. They choose to carry bags that are beautiful and functional and work with their personal style. Besides, there are a lot of people out there who can distill the latest fashion trends and keep you abreast of what just marched down the runway better than I can. The information you’ll get here will be timeless and meaty and hopefully aid you in making your own fashion choices and assist in the evolution of your personal style.

First impressions matter and whether you like it or not, you are evaluated within the first few seconds of meeting someone. Taking care of yourself and putting your best foot forward can and should come naturally. It’s like anything else…your home, your lawn, your car…they all make a statement. Make sure it’s the statement you want to make.

Having said that, however, there are a few articles of clothing that I just cannot sanction. If the following items make you feel beautiful and confident, call me - we’ve got to talk! I’ve already hit on one such item so far…mom jeans (a.k.a. standard issue for women who’ve just plum quit trying). Click here to read my post on how to avoid falling into the mom jeans pit.

Another fashion don’t: granny panties (a.k.a. bloomers). I know these are a bit extreme, but I’m trying to make a point. Even though underwear is a fairly personal choice, Cool Broads should never be caught dead in a pair of granny panties. Click here for my post on searching for the perfect pair of underwear.

A big-time no-no: novelty sweaters (a.k.a. sweaters with lots of crap hanging off of them…often holiday-themed). If you’re a kindergarten teacher you automatically get a pass (as long as you don’t wear them outside the classroom), but that’s about as lenient as I’m gonna get. No novelty sweaters, ever. I found a great example of a typical novelty sweater, very appropriate for this weekend as we’ll be celebrating Easter. Yikes!

See how much fun we’re gonna have?!?

~tcb

We’re not done yet! Click here to get notified every time a new
Cool Broad RULE is posted.