"Living in Hythe is like Training to be Old."

Cecil Beaton's iconic 1934 'Hat Box'.

"Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers, the creatures of the commonplace or the slaves of the ordinary!" (CECIL BEATON). In simple words, don't be afraid to be brave.

As Beaton had a great interest in fashion photography, i can only believe that this aspiring message was directed to style and how the world should embrace individuality and unconventionality in dress, rather than being hesitant to contradict the generalisations in fashion. I am very much a fashion enthusiast; i love reading about it, learning about it, looking at it, buying into it..the list goes on. However, there have been many occasions when i visit a store and i rule off certain outfits due to their outlandish appearance. I truly admire the people who flaunt their fashion extravagance with no concern if others dislike or sneer at the unusual style, although I'm not sure that my little home-town would be ready for 'underwear as outerwear' or see-through fabrics! With a town oozing with OAPs, tearooms and charity shops, walking down the high-street in a maxi dress may cause multiple strokes! I was recently enjoying a nice hot chocolate and a pot of tea with a few friends, the conversation lead onto the excitement of Hythe. Jon gave the perfect definition to our stale home-town: "Living in Hythe is like training to be old." That quote has stuck in my mind ever since. I might as well hobble down the high-street in a woolly jumper and beige flats!

However, as i have quite a quirky and girlish dress sense, i feel i can avoid appearing too flamboyant and inordinate whilst walking past all the Betty's and Albert's shuffling through town. However, recently i have had a desire to delve into the delicious land of jumpsuits! Although I'm only 5'3 and not exactly model height for this unlikely new trend, i can't resist the urge to splurge! There are so many colours and styles that i simply adore, but there is that one fraction that keeps the purse glued inside my satchel...Hythe. I can only dream that one day I'll live in an area like London or Brighton, where the excitement in fashion is far from hidden and is in-fact celebrated. Hythe is camouflaging my passion for fashion! So to take note of Beaton's wise words, screw all the Betty's and Albert's, if we want to strut down the high-street in a cheeky jumpsuit and some delectable brogues..we shall!! No longer will we play it safe; Coco Channel stated: "In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different." So Hythe, get ready for bras over tees and high waisted hot pants.. :)