Two Busies Don't Work

Judith Rasband, personal image specialist, tells a story of her two young sons who were getting dressed on a Sunday morning.  The older boy was around eight years old; he had dressed himself for church in plaids and his plaid tie clashed with his (different) plaid shirt and his plaid shorts.  As he descended into the kitchen, Judith wondered what to say to fix the problem and still support her son's initiative to make his own choices.  Before she could say anything, her younger son called out, "Two Busies don't work!"

"Two Busies don't work" has been our family's basic saying to help in harmonious dressing -- and as illustrated by Judith's story, even a preschooler can understand the concept.  Whether a person is old or young, his clothes best serve his needs when they enhance his purposes, rather than compete for attention.  Judith talks about the artistic quality of having a single "focal point" and other "subordinate" details.  In quilting, I express this principle as "planning a place for the eye to rest."  It is really about finding unity with harmony and contrast.

What does this look like in practice?

• If a shirt is striped, plaid, paisley, or floral, it works with solid-colored trousers or skirt.  
• If the skirt or pants have a lot of design detail, the top should be more simply styled.  
• A dark suit and white shirt can be a beautiful backdrop to a tie or necklace of nearly any design and color combination; but a blue-and-white striped shirt tends to  compete (or create a "spotty appearance" with) a plaid tie, even if the colors match.  
• A heavily-woven wool skirt or pair of trousers works harmoniously with a visually heavier jacket or sweater; which would mean a more heavily-woven, darker, more colorful, and/or richly-patterned or -textured one.
• A heavy or ornate accessory (like a necklace) should be worn with more subtle pieces (simpler earrings, a more subtle belt, and non-obtrusive hair ornamentation).
• Heavy makeup, vividly-colored or curly hair, and even dramatic shoes can be "Busies!"  As you finish dressing, check to see if there are too many Busies going on -- and confidently change whatever is necessary.

With current trends, our family has ample opportunity to make a game of noting our responses to examples of combinations that "don't work":  a recent magazine cover touted the season's fashion trend as "Clash Your Clothes," deliberately promoting the jangle that characterizes poor taste.  And jangle it is, visually and socially:  when we wear interesting combinations that emphasize harmony and beauty, we create trusting relationships; communication and order break down throughout society as we communicate identities of confusion and "unpredictability."

When we remember that "Two Busies don't work," we are really letting "peace on earth" begin with us.




Photos courtesy of sxc.hu.