Ep. 007: Graduating in my Red Bottoms

(Aka one of the best moments of my life so far.)

Ever since I was a little girl, I have dreamt of walking across that graduation stage in a pair of Louboutin pumps. If this was to be the only runway I ever walk over, you can bet I was going to do it in the most iconic pump of all time.

In every big event in my life, my outfit has always needed to match the size of the occasion. My 21st was a silver sequin mini, my 20th a pink tulle explosion, my prom dress a gold maxi with the biggest bow you’ve ever seen on the back… Call me vapid, but I believe you can’t truly celebrate a win unless you feel like the best dressed in the room.

“Dressing up” in the little town I grew up in is seen as odd, alien, exhibitionist. Against the rules. Especially post lockdown, heels have been evicted from the night life scene, even wearing a simple mini skirt seems to be sometimes deemed too dressy. Does anyone else miss the maximalist, to-the-nines occasion wear of the noughties/tens? Can we please bring back being able to wear more than just trainers on a night out?

I digress.

My point is, to truly celebrate an achievement, or any life event, dressing to your version of your best self is non-negotiable. Whether that’s rocking converse under your graduation gown, or strutting in the tallest heels you can find.

They don’t have to be the most expensive shoes ever either. Believe me, those red bottoms were not an easy trophy on a student budget. But, as anyone who loves fashion knows, you make do with what you have. If you can afford it, a little splurge is sometimes necessary yes, but my (now second) favourite pair of heels were on sale in New Look. It doesn’t matter how much the shoe costs, what matters is what it means to you.

The red bottoms sit proudly on my stack of Vogues in my room, looking ever so slightly too cool to be there.

Every now and then, the flash of red catches my eye, and I’m instantly taken back to my graduation, and the pride I felt that day. I’ll wear them to the interview at my dream job, as it was in those shoes I decided to take a risk, change my career, and reach for what seemed like the impossible.

You might be thinking, really? One glance at a pair of heels and all that sprung to mind? But to me, that is the beauty of holding memories in your clothing collection. My wardrobe is not just functional, but a time-capsule into the greatest moments of my life so far.

“That skirt there is the one I wore on my very first date, that is my birthday dress from last year that, hey, I might not wear again, but still deserves a place in my collection.”

Celebrate your wins in style, whatever that means to you.

xoxo,

She Wrote Her Twenties