(M)ode

The SoFA Gallery’s 20th birthday bash Saturday was quite an event. I got there early so I could see the bands play and (hopefully) capture some great and unique styles with my camera. Because this was an art event, I thought I would see a lot of creative outfits, but I was let down a bit. People looked great, I will admit, but I didn’t see anything super special.\nExcept for one young lady, who blew everyone else out of the water.\nMeet MaryAnne Nguyen, a fresh 27-year-old artist from Indianapolis who came to support her sister, who teaches at the School of Fine Arts. When I saw her, I thought of three great words, all of which happened to start with C – cool, calm and, my favorite, classy. It’s a pity to admit that the best dressed wasn’t from the area, isn’t it?\nLet’s start with what she was wearing: A black dress from H&M. Wait – that’s it? Yes. Just a black dress from H&M in Indianapolis.\n“I’m all about simple and comfortable,” she said of her style. “I like things that are one-piece. Simple lines with little details.”\nThe pockets on her dress were the great “little detail” she mentioned. Not only were they useful, but they were the finishing touch that made this ensemble different from any of the others that I saw, which is my definition of personal style.\nHere’s what else: She was not wearing any visible make up, she didn’t spend a lot of time in front of the mirror with a flat iron and she avoided “glamzilla”– a beast that more than 90 percent of girls fall victim to each time they go out. (Visualize this – metallic high heels, sequined tank tops and a neon sign around the neck that brilliantly glows “VACANCY.”)\nNow, we all go out occasionally, whether to a dinner with friends or a raging night on the town. One thing we all have in common is that we “get ready” to go out. How many times do you think you’ve said “get ready” before going out in the two weekends we’ve been here?\nSo, for your next event, allow people to look at you for ... you, as cliche as it may sound. Remember to exude a personality, rather than blind people by dressing like high-heeled hoes or 14-karat pimps.\nBe classy, not trashy.