Be comfortable in your clothing. It’s a good to keep comfort in mid if you are planning on looking good and feeling good. This doesn’t mean you need to wear pajamas and slippers; there are ways to look chic and put together all the while being comfortable. Mamey Kamara, 23, has a look that reflects this idea of being cool and comfortable.
Coming from the Ivory Coast -and a three-year pit stop in Paris France (fashion capitol of the world)- Mamey had a very unique perspective on fashion and how it’s done in other places and cultures. She says that in the Ivory Coast, women with curves are ideal. Trying to hide those voluptuous curves under baggy clothing is very unflattering and can actually make someone look larger.
Mamey also likes black; tons of black and gray. When I saw her for the first time, she wore a lot of black and gray, topped off with a great knit hat. I later asked her why she chose the hat to compliment her very simple, neutral look; she said, “she was having a bad hair day.” Being comfortable was important to her and she made that possible by wearing very simple clothes and not worrying about her hair, which sloppy or not, was hidden very stylishly under her hat.
When planning her outfit, Mamey first decides on a pair of pants. She says that’s because fit and comfort are most important and everything else can fall into place. She generally matches her shoes with her earrings and also reminded me that she is always accessorized with jewelry. Her bangle-covered wrists are proof enough. To end her routine, she always ends with her hair. This explains how she values being comfortable in her own clothes. If her hair doesn’t look good, she is still confident enough to throw a great hat and call it good. Even a great headband -or for that matter, any hair accessory- will do.
The bottom line of the issue on being comfortable is that you can find wonderful pieces that are extremely stylish yes very comfortable. Mamey tells me one of her favorite places to shop is at Guess (you can find them at the Park City outlet mall) and Chanel -not so easily located her in Utah. Something that I do is taking inspiration from the runways in Paris and New York and then go hunting at local thrift stores for similar looks. Gap is also a great place to locate comfortable clothing to block out your look. Remember, being comfortable with how you look will result in feeling more comfortable too.
