Clothes maketh the man.

The above title applies obviously, to women too. So do clothes make you what you are? Do others read the person you are from the way you dress.

With the fall of Man and the awareness of sin, Man had to cover up. The climate in the Garden of Eden did not necessitate clothing for protection from the elements.

We are required to dress in a certain way at certain times. Uniforms are mandatory in certain jobs. We are often expected to dress in an "appropriate" manner or to be "suitably" dressed where we work even when there are no uniforms. Does the way way you dress really make a difference to the way you work? That is something to be discussed at another time.

Imagine standing on a street corner waiting for friends in a diaphanous dress in freezing weather without a coat. That would be plain stupid. Swimming suits are for the beach or in swimming pools where no one gives extra exposed flesh a second glance. Do I want to see half of someone's exposed bottom in a shopping mall?

Now, what is this about dressing "appropriately" for your age? This has been brought up many times in "Oprah". Well, I would not be seen dead now in a micro mini skirt although my figure can take. I would feel silly. I do show cleavage in evening wear though often my narrow shoulders cause an "off the shoulder" and more cleavege look. Well you know the adage "If you have it, flaunt it".

Why do we have to dress in a motherly or sombre fashion. Look at Susan Sarandon and Goldie Hawn, Julianne Moore and Gloria Messing. The list goes on. I do admire the fashion designer Betsey Johnson. I love the clothes she designs ( I have a couple) and I love the way she chooses to dress and wear her hair. I may not dress exactly that way but I am not suggesting we do that. We should be free spirits as she is. Live free, dress the way you want not how you are expected to.

Practice joie de vivre!