Fashion Writers Need to Look Like They Know What They're Talking About

If you want to become a successful fashion writer, don't forget to dress the part. Of course the ability to research, entertain and market your work are very important, but if you want to build your credibility, it's not enough to be an expert; you have to look like one, too.

This does NOT mean that you should hit every major department store in New York City and Los Angeles and spend thousands of dollars to upgrade your wardrobe. You do not have to go bankrupt to develop a clean, manageable personal style that flatters your body and personality. (Every fashion expert knows the perils of letting seasonal trends enslave them and their wallets.) The key is to set a budget, consider the colors, fabrics, and designs that suit your tastes and your figure, and then commit a reasonable amount of time every morning (no more than an hour, including your shower) to grooming and dressing yourself. Put your own tips to practice. I certainly to!

I claim a modest clothing budget but I still have a collection of clothes appropriate for my age, physical features, and career. Until I tell them, nobody ever suspects that I shop at Goodwill or hospital thrift shops for about a third of my wardrobe. I also surprise many of my acquaintances when, after they inquire where I bought a piece, I say I found it at Wal-Mart, National Wholesale Liquidator's, or a similar discount store. The secret is in what I buy, not where I buy it. After all, a sweater from Saks Fifth Avenue isn't necessarily beautiful and won't necessarily flatter every woman on earth, either. The price tag is no guarantee for anything other than how much the item will set you back.

Some fashion writers believe that it is enough for them to be very informed about their topic. I partially agree. Knowledge may very well be one of a fashion writer's strongest assets---of course I advise you to frequently read, visit stores, and interview fashion industry insiders---but knowledge alone can only take you so far. Beyond that point, you have to sell your work by selling yourself. And in this business that means looking presentable in all professional situations.

You can't show up at a writers' conference or a fashion show or an interview looking like a slob and expect people to respect you. If you look like garbage, people will treat you like garbage. Our species relies heavily on its visual senses and, regardless of whether or not that's fair you have to ignore the superficiality of it. Accept that dressing appropriately is part of your job, without obsessing over every little hair or loose thread, either. Find a reasonable balance between cultivating your mind and cultivating your closet.

So remember: to avoid appearing hypocritical, expand their number of professional contacts, and increase their self-esteem, all fashion writers should look the part. You are not exempt.