Dearest most fabulous Stacy,
I have no way to start this letter other than saying you are seriously the coolest. I have worshipped you and your perfect silver streaks, stiletto heels and your fashion prowess since "What Not to Wear"––which, by the way, helped out of the most awkward fashion era of my life. This phase included, but was not limited to, fedoras, pinstriped gauchos, Uggs, frizz ball hair and zip-off cargo shorts (remember those?!).
I religiously tuned into TLC to watch every episode, taking copious notes on adding a pop of color, mixing patterns, flattering my body, and promoting myself positively and professionally. And yes, a 12 year-old can take serious note of those things! I strutted around the house commanding my mother to change when she accidentally wore white after Labor Day, and I silently judged my peers at school for wearing outfits that consisted of head-to-toe shades of the same color.
I lived each day questioning, “If I was in the 360 degree mirror, would I still like this outfit?” I always made sure the answer was yes. You made me feel on top of the world, Stacy, especially that time when you favorited my total fangirl tweet to you about how classy and wonderful you are, which also included how excited I was for "Love, Lust or Run," because I was not ready for an age of TLC without you…
#RTIfUFainted
But now, especially, as I dip my toes into scary, real adult life (where the teen section is no longer an option), I cannot thank you enough for your fashion-guru, female-empowering, straight-up bad-ass influence on my life.
For years, your transcendentally honest advice has taken on the role of the “brutal-but-loving-best-friend” voice inside of my head. You are my irreducible conscience when I consider wearing sweatpants to the grocery store, or need a kick-ass outfit for a job interview.
I picture this:
And immediately change.
But the most important thing you have taught me (and thousands of other women who can’t live without their TLC binge) is that we wear the clothes, the clothes don’t wear us. You stress that we must ALWAYS let our clothes be a reflection of who we are and who we want to be. You assure us that when we walk into a room, pointy-toed heel first, head up, and shoulders back, people will want to know us for all the right reasons.
For all of these reasons, I vow to always "Let go and let Stacy," for you have been leading people in self and style-discovery since you graced TLC with your presence in 2003. I vow to never wear a miniskirt over the age of 35. I vow to progressively refresh and develop my style. I vow to take the time to try on my clothes before I buy them, and even pay a little extra to have them tailored. But most importantly, I vow to follow your guidance, letting my clothes be a polished, thoughtful, and beautiful representation of who I am. Because I am worth it.
With love and incredible thanks,
A proud Stacy-ite
"Self-esteem doesn't come simply from dressing well, but they are both something we can control. It's a missed opportunity when women say they don't have the money, figure, etc., because style is such a way to help cultivate the way women feel about themselves." -Stacy London
