Quote Of The Day By Vivienne Westwood: 'If You Love Something, Wear It...'

Dame Vivienne Westwood was a pioneer of the punk fashion movement. Until her passing in 2022, the legendary designer led the high fashion industry with her daring, one-of-a-kind creations. Westwood's career spanned over 40 years and saw her receive countless awards and official designations from the British royal family, as well as influence fashion like no other artist. Westwood's first foray into the fashion world was in 1965. Alongside Malcolm McLaren (who would later create punk band The Sex Pistols), she sold vintage clothing, records, and her own original designs — which included ripped T-shirts, garments showcasing anti-establishment graphic art, and bondage-inspired pants. Their work took London by storm throughout the late '60s and early '70s, while attracting negative attention from conservative media. 

After splitting from McLaren in the mid-1980s, Westwood relocated to Italy and began her solo design career, enjoying immediate success and critical acclaim for her innovative work. After becoming disillusioned with how punk turned too mainstream and lost its original meaning, Westwood changed her artistic direction and began parodying the English upper class with her "Tatler" girls. Throughout the '90s, Westwood expanded her label by opening additional boutiques around the globe, launching a new ready-to-wear line, jewelry, fragrance, and even more influential runway collections. Westwood continued the brand's expansion into the 2000s and 2010s, maintaining her advocacy for ethics in the fashion industry, anti-consumerism, environmental protection, and climate change awareness. Westwood's dedication to self-expression, constant boundary-pushing, and steadfast insistence on improving the fashion industry from the inside solidifies her legacy as one of the greatest designers of all time. That's why Westwood is the perfect messenger for our quote of the day. 

Vivienne Westwood was a champion of sustainability throughout her life and always advocated for people to limit their consumption. While the exact source of Westwood's quote has been lost, the designer is attributed with having once said, "If you love something, wear it all the time. Find things that suit you. This is how you look extraordinary." This quote perfectly encapsulated Westwood's philosophy: stay true to yourself, dismiss broader trends if they don't serve you, and don't buy more than you need. 

As one of the most influential designers on the London '80s punk scene, Vivienne Westwood understood the importance of self-expression more than most. Westwood's quote of the day posits that wearing clothing and accessories you love is the key to dressing well. More than following current trends or appeasing others, it is important to dress for yourself overall. It is exponentially easier to navigate the world while feeling your best. When you exude confidence (which comes naturally when you think you look good), others take note and treat you accordingly. If you appear uncomfortable or uncertain about your clothing, you will subconsciously shrink into yourself.

Take Westwood's advice and deeply consider what in your wardrobe suits you best. What makes you feel your best? Which items bring you joy to wear? Do they have special meaning to you? Those are the items to repurchase and, most importantly, take care of. Instead of chasing trends — which, today, often change rapidly — focus on building a well-curated closet that resonates with you, your goals, personality, and lifestyle.

• "Buy less. Choose well. Make it last. Quality, not quantity. Everybody's buying far too many clothes."
• "The only reason I am in fashion is to destroy the word 'conformity.'"
• "I'm not terribly interested in beauty. What touches me is someone who understands herself."
• "Fashion is life-enhancing and I think it's a lovely, generous thing to do for other people."
• "Culture is necessary for human beings to evolve into better creatures."
• "The young need discipline and a full bookcase."