Risky business

After years working on the print side of magazines, my main job these days is that of a Web writer, or, if you prefer, "blogger." It's a position I'm completely crazy about—I love how creative, immediate, and interactive it is, and I'm the type of person who reads every comment on any story I ever write. Sometimes this experience is horrible (there are more "U Suk"'s than you can imagine). But sometimes, reading comments is the best part of my day. For example, yesterday I wrote a post about having new red hair and, among the comments, an older woman named Betty shared that her hair was now white, but years ago she'd enjoyed being experimental. Then she said, "Have fun with being young." The sweetness of this comment really struck me. It made me think, "Wait, I am young! I should be having fun!" Then I remembered how there are a million things I want to do in my life: risks I don't take—style and otherwise—that I totally should before I'm what some might consider old (I don't even know what that is anymore). For example, I've always wanted to wear really severe, sculptural, high-end pieces by Belgian designers. The kinds of clothes one could wear with really dark lipstick and it wouldn't be weird (am I about to enter my goth phase at 35? Let's hope not.) Today I found this outstanding coat

by Ann Demeulemeester at a really good price and this edgy-awesome skirt by Veronique Branquinho, which is equally budget-friendly. (Oh, also this Dries Van Noten dress, which I could never afford.) Do you have style risks you're afraid to try?