Fancy Nancies, Unite!!!!

This morning I heard an interview with Jane O'Connor, who is the author of this book:

Fancy Nancy

This is Fancy Nancy. Fancy Nancy, as you can see, is all about the girly, the frilly, the special; the shimmery, feathery, over-the-top fanciness. She embellishes everything, including her socks. She is uninterested in anything plain or ordinary -- Fancy Nancy wants The Works. As I listened to Ms. O'Connor describe her heroine, I thought, "I am down with Fancy Nancy. One. Hundred. Percent."

Nancy would never go bare-headed when she could wear a hat, and would never wear a hat when she could wear a tiara. She goes so far as to teach a class to her peers on how to be fancy. Evidently, Fancy Nancy is looking forward to learning to speak French, because French words are fancier.

When I heard that I thought, "Good googly-moogly, I AM Fancy Nancy!" I mean, look at this book from the series:

Fancy Nancy and the Boy from Paris

Because I have to tell you -- this Fancy Nancy is looking for a boy from Paris herself. And may I call your attention to the -- ahem -- curly red hair? I rest my case.

Okay, I may not be THE Fancy Nancy, but I most definitely am A Fancy Nancy, and I always have been. Exhibit A:

Yep. C'est moi. That's the child Style Spy, just shy of her fifth birthday, working the catwalk of a children's fashion show at a mall, circa 1969. My great-aunt Lucille was the manager of a swell little children's clothing store called the Bon Ton when I was a child. If you ever wonder how I got to be the fashion-obsessed creature that I am, consider that some of my earliest memories are of spending entire afternoons at the Bon Ton, trying on & modeling clothes for my mother, grandmother, and dear Aunt Lucille. A lot of that stuff came home with us, because, well, Aunt Lucille was generous with the family discount.

Now, I don't know about the red & white plaid suit (!!!), but I do remember that yellow dress. Apparently I rocked that little number, because it became fashion show loot. The dress was alternating bands of yellow and white lace, the little coat was navy blue lined with that adorable striped fabric (I'd wear that today if I could find one big enough), and yes, the tam o'shanter with the yellow pompom was part of the ensemble. I worked that tam o'shanter, girlfriend.

I'm still a Fancy Nancy, and I'm proud of it. It's not necessarily about adding ruffles and bows and frills to everything (not that I mind a well-placed frill, of course), but I do believe in going big or going home. I don't think you should save your nice things for special occasions -- if that shiny necklace brightens your day, wear it to the grocery store! I'm not afraid to wear high heels to the dry cleaner. I can't see the point of wearing jeans to go out to dinner -- whyever would you pass up the chance to put on a beautiful dress? I'm appalled by men who won't even put on a tie to go to a wedding (I've been to two weddings in the last two weeks and you do not even want to get me started on that subject) or anyone who is wearing athletic apparel and not actively engaged in athletics. Do I put on a skirt and heels to go to the dentist and have my teeth cleaned? Yes, I do. The nice people at my dentist's office are no less deserving of my best efforts than anyone else.

In my worldview, being a little fancy is just a way of putting your best foot forward to the entire world. It's showing that you respect yourself enough to present yourself in the best possible setting. It's showing that you respect others enough to make an effort for them. I'm not saying a person has to wear a tiara all the time (although please, do feel free), but a little fancy never hurt anyone.

My challenge for you this week is to express your inner Fancy Nancy. Listen to that little voice inside you that encourages your fancier tendencies (and if you don't have that inner voice, just imagine mine). Wear a dress someplace you ordinarily wouldn't. Put on some lipstick before you walk the dog. Accessorize. Tuck a nice handkerchief into your handbag instead of the wadded-up tissues that usually live there. Thrill yourself with your shoes.

Say it with me now: "Fancy is good!! Fancy is très bon!! I am a Fancy Nancy!!!!"

Trust me, it'll be fun.