Finally, a positive female role model

Known best for her acting and her famous husband Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson has quickly become one of my favourite fashion columnists since she started writing for the American magazine Harpers Bazaar.

Although Wilson has only written eight articles for the fashion magazine, I can't help but be a huge fan. She has had her fair share of brushing shoulders with designers and attending VIP fashion shows, crediting her favourite designers as Alber Elbaz and Lavin. She writes about fashion and her outlook on women, but she does it in a witty, easy to follow way. I can't help but quote her on her refreshing outlook:

From her “A Size 8 in a Size 0 World” [Harper's Bazaar September 2008], when it comes to weight:

“Size 0, does that mean that it doesn't exist? Why not call it size diddly-squat? Speaking of, has anyone out there tried to buy anything in a “size” only to be told, “Oh...sorry, we don't have it in that size.” Aren't we, as women, past that? Some magazines make me think women actually care who wore it best. I don't think we do...”

“Imagine being with a man who didn't eat or was obsessed with what he wore: “Hey, babe, does my butt look big in these jeans?” I'd say, Throw him to the Loch Ness Monster!”


From “What are your clothes really saying?” [Harper's Bazaar March 2007], which observes women observing women:

“It happens unwillingly; it's InstaJudge. I hate it. Because I know if I am doing the once-over, it is being done to me. I don't want to do it, yet I do. Why do we make these instant assessments of one another?...”

“Perhaps the once-over is a universal hobby, a noncontact sport, like something out of Minority Report, your mental computer has processed the evaluation and it is on your desk in triplicate.

Show me a woman who doesn't do the once-over, either positively or negatively, and I will show you a woman who tells you she has enough shoes.”


From “What do your clothes say about you?” [Harper's Bazaar November 2008]. Wilson comments on how women shouldn't feel the need to care too much of what they choose to wear.

“Are you afraid other people are looking at you? I can tell you right now they are too busy looking at themselves to worry about looking at you.” That is so true and extremely comforting.”

I can't wait to keep reading her new column each month in Harper's Bazaar. For missed articles written by Wilson, on Harper's Bazaar home website, search her name and her published articles will come up.