Clothing Conundrum

Clothes: we wear them, we need them, we are judged and judge others for clothing choices.  I hold onto clothes when they no longer fit, or are acceptable in public.  I fall into the trap of what is "in style" and make ugly,  unfortunate mistakes.  For example, I have a lot of leggings!!!  Someone my age, with my wiggly skin and not-so-tiny butt should not wear leggings.  Yet, I convinced myself that I could get away it.  I can't.  Well, maybe I can if I am home alone with no intention of going out...or if I am at my WW meeting where we don't judge.  Leggings weigh very little, so they are perfect for my WW weigh-in.  

I think I struggle more than most people when it comes to confidence in clothing.  I could do what I usually do, and blame my mother.  But, this time, I'll blame twelve years of Catholic school (well, I guess that is my mother's fault, too...hmmm).  For twelve years I wore a uniform to school every day.  I didn't have an opportunity to develop any fashion sense.  As I've explained in previous blog posts, my mother was a medical doctor.  She was an obstetrician/gynecologist; if she wasn't having office hours (in our house!!!), she was off delivering babies at the hospital.  She didn't have a lot of free time to take my sister and me clothes shopping.  She would go to the store when time permitted and get some clothes that she thought would fit us.  Some of her choices bordered on tragic.  Sigh.  She did the best she could.

So, back to the uniforms.  Yes, knee socks and saddle shoes.  Wearing my uniform didn't bother me when I was in school, but God forbid I had to go anywhere else.  Catholic school uniforms were not the epitome of cool.  

When it was time to head off to college, my mom had to buy me some clothes that I would wear to class every single day (!), not just clothes for after-school and weekends.  Back then, in the olden days, it was jeans and painter pants...and, worst of all, bra burning.  Yes, I am that old.  Yes, it was very uncomfortable, and regretful on countless levels for me personally.  Enough of that.  I'll have nightmares tonight.

Finally, in my retirement and the pandemic, I have turned into my mother.  I couldn't understand how she could wear the same clothes day in, day out.  I understand now.   

Comments

  1. Marian BeamanNovember 24, 2020 at 12:35 PM

    Me too! I wore Mennonite garb for 23 years. Then I bought and made fancy clothes. For my years at the College, I enjoyed professional fashions.

    Now, like you, I have gotten attached to my clothes. I don't remember the last time I've bought anything new. The old ones do just fine. Not ashamed of myself either!

    Happy Thanksgiving, Victoria and fam. . . .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VictoriaNovember 25, 2020 at 11:48 AM

      Thanks, as always, dear Marian! Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving.

      Delete
  2. Ruth DellingerNovember 25, 2020 at 3:32 AM

    Oh gosh, this is awesome. It's strange how we attach emotion and memories to clothes (makes me think of the cleaning show with the oriental lady and her process w gleening based on joy - or lack thereof). I just had a talk w the kiddos tonight. One asked about fashion and if I would help. Btw we've ALWAYS had Goodwill and second hand stores "lead the way" for the littles (and myself) for most of our lives. We also have 5 out of 6 kids in uniforms and I think I'd die if I had to separately clothe, uniquely, each child, each day. I've always done rewears, recycling, and keep for seasons and weight fluctuations - it's organized chaos. It is definitely rediculous (in my closets). Organized and clean, nonetheless, ridiculous and full of stories. I love the clothes conundrum and that you're able to attach a nice range of emotions w your writings. It is also nice that you're understanding more about how your mom did what she did. I love how forgiving you are. It is a good way to be. You're so neat, Victoria. I love your clothes and you, quite frankly, can pull anything off. Ok, wait, well you know what I mean. You truly could wear any style because your personality lends to being a trend setter, not follower! Haaaa

    Good read. I look forward to more!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Blonde and Skinny and Fake

I admit that I spend more time than I should thinking about how I look.  I don't know about you, but I was indoctrinated at a very early age.  Like many newborns, I had blonde hair at birth.  That blonde hair usually doesn't last.  It didn't last on me.  I don't know exactly when it happened, but I remember that my mother poured peroxide over my hair when it started getting dark.  Now, my mother was an educated woman; she received her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Illinois in 1943.  But, even an educated woman apparently wanted her first child to remain a blonde.  For years, she went to the drug store to get some Miss Clairol Blonde formula with which to keep me bright and beautiful (in her eyes, anyway).  I don't know how she found the time, but it must have been quite the priority for her.  This was a woman with a medical practice in our home who was very often called away to deliver babies.  Looking back, I am ...
Read more

A Raccoon Pooped in My Birdseed

We have a covered patio at the back of our house.  It's great for morning coffee, afternoon wine, bird-watching, and just enjoying the peace and quiet.  Our patio has some plants, a small table and chairs, and a supply of birdseed in a large covered plastic container.  The patio is adjacent to our bedroom.    I'm normally a pretty heavy sleeper, but one night I was awakened by a noise outside our bedroom window.  It was coming from the patio.  Of course, I woke up my husband, "Bill, there's SOMETHING OUT THERE!!!"  I ran to the kitchen to turn on the patio light.  By the time I got the light on, the raccoon was retreating.  He/she/it got away quickly.  When we checked the patio the next day, there was no sign of damage.  No problem. The next night, I heard it again; same deal, raccoon got scared and scurried into the night.  The following morning, I saw the damage.  The raccoon had gotten the lid off the birdseed....
Read more

Body image

When I was young, less than 15 years old young, I had a monster metabolism.  I could eat like mad and never gain any weight.  At one point my mother considered having me tested to see if I was harboring a tape worm.  It was that crazy.  One day, everything changed and I started packing on the pounds with no effort at all.  These new pounds were particularly attracted to my thighs, a trend that has continued. Even when I was a tiny, skinny little thing, I was always worried about how I looked.  When all the other girls started growing in all the appropriate places, I remained horrifyingly flat chested. At that age when I thought everyone was checking me daily to see if I had sprouted the necessary equipment, every day was another disappointment.  Adolescence; has anyone lived through it unscathed?  What was wrong with me and my stupid body? I survived the savagery of adolescence, but I never lost the feeling that the world would be a ...
Read more