Fashion trends come and go. And then they come back again. Sometimes, with a vengeance — certain trends might be better if they stay in the past as a bad memory. (Here’s looking at you low-rise jeans.) But one trend that will always remain is that your mom or dad will be your first stylist. Before you have a say in your style, you’re put in matching ensembles with your siblings or rocking a graphic tee of your dad’s favorite band.
As kids come into their own style, you’ll likely hear more than once, “What are you wearing?!” from both sides. Navigating this dynamic and bridging fashion between generations is nothing new to Debbie Slusar, owner of Amore & Fede boutique, and her daughter Brittany.
Debbie recalls, “Brittany usually wore what she wanted when she was old enough to put her own styles together. A lot of times when she was little, I would have her in mismatched items; we laugh about that now! She definitely has a great style today.”
“I would say I developed a sense of style at a young age, and my mom always encouraged my style, whatever it was at the time,” shares Brittany. “My mom’s first piece of fashion advice was to not care what other people think and always wear what makes you happy and feels good!”
Advice both now pass along to their customers at the boutique. “I am constantly telling women to wear what makes them comfortable,” says Debbie. “We believe fashion is self-expression. Skinny jeans, straight jeans, wide-leg jeans, flare jeans. If you like how they feel and look, wear them!”
As far as current trends go, Brittany is a big fan of high-rise jeans or pants paired with a cropped top or sweater, which Debbie has now adopted as well. “My mom now wears some high-rise jeans and pants with an occasional cropped top—typically a little longer cropped top,” says Brittany. “We disagree mostly on crop tops, but not always!”
“If we do disagree on anything, it will be me saying, ‘That’s enough crop tops,’” laughs Debbie. “Or, Brittany will say, ‘Mom, that’s enough patterns.’ We both love the blazers from Liverpool, especially the Boyfriend blazer. It has become a staple in our store and is a timeless classic piece for years to come.”
As both kids and parents explore their individual styles, Debbie advises, “Go easy on your mom. Let her explore fashions and have a sense of her own style. Just because you do not like it, she may, so go with her enthusiasm towards a style.” Brittany adds, “Be honest but still encouraging of each other’s fashion and sense of style.”
Having two generations bring in their own style at the boutique benefits all their customers, creating a special place where moms, daughters, and even grandmas can all come and shop together. “We don’t think that age should play a factor in certain styles you wear, as long as you feel and look good,” says Brittany. “Fashion should be fun and a means of expressing yourself.”
“We like to bring in styles that speak to us and what we believe our customers would wear,” says Debbie. “We want our boutique to feel like home, very comfortable, no pressure, and a whole lot of fun.” Certainly, the kind of environment you want when trying on a new style.
So remember, go easy on each other’s fashion choices and take Debbie’s advice to heart — wear what makes you feel good!
Instagram @amorefedeboutique
Facebook www.facebook.com/amorefede
Go easy on your mom. Let her explore fashions and have a sense of her own style. Just because you do not like it, she may, so go with her enthusiasm towards a style.