perfectly imperfect

Growing up, I used to lament the mole on my face. It was the thing that made me different from so many at that tender time of a being a tween when all you really want is to feel like you belong. Thankfully, I grew to accept this mark of distinction with the timely help of Cindy Crawford’s rise to stardom. While studying art in college, I also came to realize the importance of the imperfect. Symmetry exists in nature in so many beautiful ways, but it’s the unique imperfections that set certain things apart and give them their own value. Our eye is intrigued with that odd element that is slightly off.

I recently read an article about how the red carpet is losing it’s allure due to the perfection of stars having an entire staff of people who put them together. It’s become a very controlled place full of marketing opportunities. With the passing of Joan Rivers, I’m reminded of the days when those fashion disasters were more prevalent and stars were left to their own devices allowing for fascinating choices and more authentic moments. Now street style seems to have more relevance than the red carpet for creative expression because ultimately real is more interesting than perfect (and yes, even street style is looking a bit contrived these days).

In styling, we now have to practice how to create these imperfections! Over the weekend Angela, Darby and I were discussing how to create the perfectly half tucked shirt for Elizabeth’s photo moment (fyi…Darby has a laminated version for clients at Kiskadee so they can attain this with their blouses). How many women does it take to tuck a shirt? You’d be surprised and I’m sure there’s a punchline in there if anyone wants to take a shot at it.

This fall, relish in your own imperfections and celebrate what makes you different.

Here are my current top 10 imperfect style moments.

• About the author
• The latest from Alicia

Alicia McCaslin

Stylist | The Tulle Box

http://www.thetullebox.net/

aliciamccaslin@me.com

Alicia was born and raised in Alexandria, and married a local boy. She is happily married and the mother of two amazing children and one adorable and terribly smart border terrier named Dixie. Alicia has always known she was a creative. She collected editions of Vogue from junior high on and has always loved clothing and design. She studied interior design at VCU and parlayed that degree into commercial interior design, the web design, and ultimately found herself managing a local boutique and serving as a stylist to many Alexandrian women. She now has a successful full-time styling business, The Tulle Box, and makes it her business to make her clients feel great about themselves and the way they look.

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