Dress for the day you "Want" To Have

We all know that taking care of our appearance helps as we navigate around.

We also all know -- I hope -- that looking good is not the most important thing in our lives.

This is a picture of me and my mom. She is a wonderful combination of inner and outer beauty. She radiates joy and this makes her even more beautiful. Even when she turns 120, she will be radiant!!

She takes care of herself inside and out and this makes a difference.

            Looking Good in Paris

I had an experience in Paris last month

that made me think more about dressing well and the impact it has on our days. By some huge stroke of luck, the woman from whom I rented a room in Paris had a French vintage clothing store in the apartment. She was a bit of a collector and need to clean out her collection.

So I went shopping in my apartment -- and for 5-10 Euros picked up some French vintage clothes. French are subtle- classic French clothes look effortless and yet are striking.  Paris was surprisingly cool that week (65 in June!!) so I needed the clothes anyway.

I put on some classic French dress and went about my day.

                            Shopping for Chagall on Faubourg St. Honoré

On my way to meet a friend, I found myself on Rue Faubourg St. Honoré  -- the high fashion street in Paris  (what Rue de Rivoli used to be). Early for my lunch date, I strolled into an art gallery. A young woman wear stunning billowy silk yellow pants and a silk white top welcomed me.

After I walked around for 5 minutes, she offered to take me upstairs. She showed me the collection and we began discussing a Chagall they had for sale.

He is one of my favorite artists. Maybe it was the dress, maybe it was the euphoria of Paris...but I just very comfortably talked about buying the painting.

I did not buy it, but walked out feeling like I had.

          Paris wants you back!

After lunch the day just kept getting better. I had a meeting with someone about my research; they invited me back to Paris to give a lecture on my findings.

I credit -- in part -- the dress.

Of course clothes aren't everything. Picking one's nose kind of negates a nice blouse and being rude always looks ugly...but it got me to thinking. If I was about to buy a Chagall today...what dress would I wear?