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Yoliswa Dube

OFTEN we have to decide between looking pretty and feeling comfortable. For some, it takes quite a lot to swap their high heels for a pair of flats.

It’s in the aesthetics of it all. High heels have a way of dressing up a lot of plain looking outfits, something most flat shoes struggle to do.

Sometimes, it’s in the posture and silhouette the heels will create over just plain old pumps.

For some, it’s picking sweat pants over a sexy, but life sapping, tight pair of skinny jeans.

You’ll choose the unflattering sweat pants over the sexy denims in a heartbeat simply because they’re more comfortable and you can breathe in them.

Comfort is key when it comes to putting an outfit together but sometimes, you need to take one for the team! You need to look pretty more than you feel comfortable, especially for special occasions.

That wedding will only happen once; you don’t want to be the girl in sneakers and ripped jeans when you could’ve worn a pretty dress and heels. You will loath the pictures all because you didn’t want to sacrifice your comfort just for a day.

There comes a time when “laid back” just doesn’t cut it. When you need to do a little extra and show off the fashionista in you. Remember this style secret — the way you dress carries certain messages to those who meet you and equally important is being appropriate for a particular space and age group.

Appropriate dress along with basic etiquette is one of the most important aspects to being stylish. It’s important to wear appropriate clothing to certain places or for particular occasions, even when you sometimes feel the clothes are not roomy enough.

There is usually an acceptable normal for most occasions, and that’s what people go by. One wouldn’t wear pyjamas out to a five-star restaurant any more than one would wear a ball gown to a pyjama party.

Everything is acceptable within certain parameters. If you’re going to a fancy party, for example, it could be anything from nice dress pants and a fancy top to a full length ball gown — dresses, skirts, pants and shirts.

There is nothing more uncomfortable than showing up in blue jeans and a T-shirt when everyone else is wearing dress clothes. Similarly, there is nothing worse than showing up in very dressy clothes when everyone else is wearing sneakers and jeans.

If you’ve been invited somewhere, always check with your host if you’re in doubt of the dress code. I’ve said this before, we form first impressions and overall judgments about people by the way they dress.

You’ll be more comfortable, less conscious of your looks and definitely enjoy the event more when you’re dressed appropriately.

Nothing is worse than being dressed inappropriately for an important event — you’ll be remembered for the wrong reasons.

Until next week, flaunt your pattern and style and don’t forget to catch up with me on Twitter handle @Yolisswa, visit my blog, www.stayera247.blogspot.com or like my Facebook page Pattern & Style.