My everyday personality is directly related to the Shakespearean truth of every person merely being a player on the stage of life. Wardrobe is the key factor to creating the soul of my character and the ability to remain in that character. My husband has seven similar shirts, ditto for slacks, jeans and the appropriate coats and underwear…and he doesn’t understand my closet full of costumes.

The reason we ‘re compatible? All the extra space on his side of the closet for me to use. All he cares about is that my body is covered – though he indulges my theory of clothing as a foundation for a projected persona. The pieces of clothing and accessories that have invaded his side of the closet all have specific functions.

Every situation calls for the right style and appropriate protective equipment.

The Little Black Dress

The little black dress is the classic versatile garment; moving with ease between day and evening. The color and fit are precise, stealthily camouflaging what I consider to be figure flaws (and what my husband calls womanly curves) to give me a boost of confidence understood as charisma and confidence. The color allows my character to interact with the elevated elite who buy their suits in the trendiest upscale establishments or keeps me from feeling overdressed and out place when rubbing elbows with wardrobe challenged folks.

The Little Black Outfit

Even though black would seem to be my wardrobe constant, I’m not one of those people who chooses black to stay in touch with my dark side. My other little black outfit is a mix and match for comfort that I wear until the pieces are worn, torn, and nothing more than an embarrassment. When frayed edges trim the sleeves of my ribbed turtleneck and the elastic at the back of the waist of the skin-hugging pants no longer snaps back into place, I head to the thrift store for a replacement.

The True Indulgence Piece

My one true indulgence is the lacy patterned smoking jacket that I bought on impulse just to indulge the feeling of my heart thumping when I looked in the mirror. The look isn’t practical for business and the jacket could be too warm at most social events and it doesn’t look right over a strapless gown, but I wear it when I want. I couldn’t put it back on the rack and I will invent costumes and situations just to wear it for that heart thumping feeling.

Accessorizing The Character

Accessories are the final essential component to creating the right look for the character I need to be in each social or professional situation. Beside her hiking boots, dress shoes, cowboy boots and running shoes, she has the option of choosing from my assortment of three-inch-heeled sling back pumps and sandals. The assortment in my closet has cut-outs, gleaming patent smoothness and velvet soft fabric. My husband’s one concession to my costuming is to care for my shoes, he’s buffed them for me prior to an interview, replaced the heel tips and re-glued soles and adornments.

Dressing To Impress

While he chooses the right color tie and the appropriate suit style for special occasions, I try on every dress in the closet to find just the right one. I rush through putting them on, having him zip me and then I model for him. Walk, twirl. “Honey, does this make me look too sexy?”

His answer is always the same. “You look great, in anything at all.” Men who learn the skill of dealing with costume issues deserve the Peace Prize. Yes, I ask for positive reinforcement, I want to know I look good for him and for assurance his eyes will remain on me when we venture into public.

Looking great is its own reward. Should his eyes wander (and really I would wonder if he didn’t surreptitiously glance at other women who have also taken extra effort to attract attention), I keep a few garments for his eyes only. Lingerie is more than hidden armor to keep my assets from the eyes of gossips as well as defy gravity and social strictures. The wisps of fabric are necessary to my femme fatale character. I choose delicates to give me pleasure, to fuel my naughty fantasies, and when demure, defend my purest aspirations.

Costume Your Character

I rely on my mirror to judge how I look in my costume. When life provides the role, I intend to be the director with the final say in wardrobe choices. Some people call this a sense of style; I call it a preference for making the most of every situation. My husband calls my wardrobe indulgences his investment and insurance policy; when a woman is in a good mood, world peace is possible.

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