I believe that for the most part we should wear outfits that makes us feel fabulous. After all, we’re wearing them. On the other hand, I also think that there is something to be said for adjusting your style a little for a loved one. If it’s no skin off your nose and makes them happy, then why not? I think it’s a respectful and loving gesture.

My 82 year old Papa visits us from the Netherlands once a year. He is a very charming and gentle man who will regularly compliment the wearer on their outfit. I do know that he prefers it when women wear dresses and skirts because he grew up in an era when women wearing jeans, shorts and trousers was not the norm. For this reason, I make a point of wearing skirts and dresses a lot more when my Papa is visiting. I wear a skirt or dress when I fetch him from the airport, when we have a dinner party, go out to a restaurant, or even during a day of errands.

So during his visit over the last fortnight I have worn a skirt or a dress at least half the times that I would have normally reached for my white jeans or black cigarette pants. Just for Papa.

When I wore white boyfriend jeans the first time during his visit, I partially tucked a boyfriend shirt I paired with them. My Papa came up behind me and sweetly alerted me to my untidy untucked shirt. Instead of explaining my fashionable semi-tuck, I thanked him, and tucked in my shirt. 

Greg is a lover of dark neutrals, and sports shades of black, grey and navy almost exclusively. He is not into wearing light neutrals or colours at all — apart from a pair of gorgeous white jeans, a pair of silver grey jeans and dark red sneakers. I, on the other hand, love to wear blinding brights. Greg enjoys seeing those brights on me because he knows they make me happy. But every so often, even if I feel like wearing my neon pink or citron cashmere pullover, I’ll reach for an ink or black fitted or fluid turtleneck or top because it makes Greg extra happy.

It is definitely not always the right thing to adjust one’s style to suit others. But in these cases it makes me happy. Greg and Papa are not requesting the adjustments, and I’m making them on my own terms. The adjustments are not permanent, but occasional and temporary. 

How about you? Do you make occasional style tweaks for other people?