Ask Fashion Girl

Dear JoJo,

The thing is, lots of styles are equally "in" all at once. For instance, Tommy Hilfiger preppy is "in" at the same time the Shakira-rock 'n' roll-hippie look is "in" at the same time that other people are wearing designer dresses and stilleto-heeled sandals. Some people are wearing tailored suits with classic pumps at the same time other people are wearing warm-up suits and Nikes. And all of them feel that they are right in style. Are they? Who's to say?

Fashion is sort of an "anything goes" proposition at this point. Rather than have one or two looks to choose from dictated by the runways of Paris or the fashion pages of a magazine as has been true in the past, in the 21st century we're free to adopt any of the styles we see around us or even to forge a new look that is distinctly our own. We don't have to maintain one look all the time, either. We can adopt a style for a year, for a week, or just for the day if we want to, then change to something completely different for a night on the town. Certain fashion looks do definitely come "in" and "out," but lots of looks can be "in" all at the same time. Yes, the peasant look is coming "in," but feel free to stick with preppy if it works for you.

Good luck, and have fun with fashion! That's what it's for.

Sincerely, Fashion Girl