They say that looks don’t count for much, but it’s your personal fashion style that gets you noticed. Your choice of clothing can communicate many things. For example, if you’re wearing something yellow, it’s expected that your disposition is bright and sunny. If you’re in a classic gray suit, you could be deemed conservative. In most cases, people form impressions about you based on what you’re wearing.

This may seem strange coming from the editor of a fashion magazine, but there are times when I’m not thinking about what my outfit says about me. I’m just thinking about what fits, what’s comfortable. But thinking about what my clothes say about me came into sharper focus a couple of months ago.
In April, I had the pleasure of meeting Isabel and Ruben Toledo during Portfolio in Motion, Marymount University’s student fashion event. Isabel Toledo was being honored as Designer of the Year.



Isabel Toledo became a household name after Michelle Obama wore Isabel Toledo’s lemongrass coat dress designed on Inauguration Day. She’s not new to the fashion industry; fashion insiders have known her work for 25 years.

“I never looked for success,” she said. “Success found me. I really was just busy doing what I do and loving every minute of it. That’s what I do. And somehow I’ve been recognized for what I do.”

During the interview with the husband-wife team, you could see their love and respect for each other. They were even finishing each other’s sentences. But it was this statement that reminded me that my clothes have something to say.

“Think about it … before you say anything, your clothes (are) how people read you. … That’s your poster,” Isabel Toledo said.

Wow! “Your poster.” What have my clothes been saying about me? Do they say I’m confident? Do they say I’m shy? Do they say I don’t care? What a sobering thought.