Many times you will hear about all the things that change when you become a parent. For instance, you will never truly sleep again! It's true there are some significant changes that come with the territory, but I found that there are also subtle changes, almost like residual side effects of being immersed in this new life.
One of the side effects that I noticed was my relationship with color. If you looked in my closet a couple years ago, one thing would've been absolutely clear--I really really love the color black. I mean, what other color makes any outfit look instantly more expensive, more pulled together, more stylish? I don't even know how it happened, as I remember having a fondness of colors and patterns when I was younger. Some part of me thinks that spending two decades in corporate America conditioned me to embrace a very basic and simple palette. Oh sure, fashion bloggers will try to demonstrate all the ways you can wear crazy patterns and loud colors to the office, but those who haven't actually worked in that world don't realize that kind of sartorial behavior is not tolerated unless you're lucky enough to work in the arts. Even then, it's debatable.
My relationship with color took a drastic change after the birth of my daughter Stella. One day, when she was about 9 months old, I had gotten her all dolled up in a new romper, and as we were playing it occurred to me that I had dressed her almost entirely in a dark grey (almost black) outfit--black tights, black shoes, black hair bow. Though I had always been adamantly opposed to pink and buying into the "pink is for girls, blue is for boys" marketing ploy, here was this beautiful little human, full of life and wonder, dressed like she was going to a funeral. I believe that moms subconsciously dress their daughters in their own image, but when that image is kinda depressing, it's time for a change. And so I opened my imagination, seeing the world more through my daughter's eyes, and as she grew, the blacks and greys and darkness went away.
Today when you look in my closet, it looks like a lot more like an adventure waiting to be had. Vibrant colors, fun prints and patterns are littered throughout my wardrobe. And yes, I still have plenty of black clothing. The catch is that I don't have any new black clothing. I challenged myself to go an entire year without buying any black clothing (I made my goal by the way). It just so happens that when you stop doing something for so long, it becomes a lifestyle.
So just know that Good Thread Society will always offer something neutral that everyone can feel confident wearing, but the color and playfulness infused in our aesthetic is in large part due to one beautiful little girl who changed my life, and the color of my world.
-DLH
