I was trying to decide whether to post the kinda upbeat post first, or another downer; people seem to go for the downers, but maybe because I advertise them more. I'm going to start with the former idea, because I still think upbeat is more appealing.
This weekend was a big occasion for a very good friend and her family, with several "dress-up" events. I only have about 1/4 of my clothes at the new place, and mostly work clothes, not dressy. So I had to do my best to pull together at least 2 1/2 outfits for this weekend. I did go over to "that man" and ask to get one of my wigs (I cover my hair for modesty reasons). But it was last minute, so it had to be the 18-years old, "synthetic" (= not human hair) wig that retains its shape reasonably well without a lot of preparation. And I decided to wear heels, which I haven't done in in the past 3 years except for 2 or 3 weddings. And these were high for me, about 2 1/2" platform heels. So I go into event #1 with my sensible, early spring suit (spring colors, but faux suede), and event #2 with nice, ironed work outfit jazzed up with a patterned velvet shawl. I put on the only make-up I have with me - eyeliner, sparkly gold eyeshadow, and chapstick. And I looked good. I know that is vain, but I did. I got got lots of complements, especially about the wig, which I last wore so long ago, no one recognized it. And I myself thought I looked good - although mainly I thought that as I was brushing my hair to put up and hide. I am terribly vain about my hair...such a waste, at the moment anyway. I think I am feeling so much more sociable, and excited about the little touches, that it shows outwardly. Or I'm just imagining it all. Or because everyone is trying to be nice to me. No, I looked good.
"That man" gave me another batch of stuff last week, but I still haven't unloaded it from the trunk of the car. A whole lot of it is clothes, and I just don't have the space or desire to go through it. I really need and want to simplify at this moment. I want to identify a handful of work outfits that I really like, and another handful I dressy clothes, and be done with it. When I first met one of my friends, she had just moved to the US from China, lived in a tiny studio apartment downtown, and had only a few outfits, but I thought they were all beautiful, and that she always looked beautiful. They were nice, but sensible dresses. At the time, I mostly wore bum-around sportswear to work, with a few fancier things once-in-a-while. I shouldn't let myself trend toward the "whatever" clothes. They don't work on me, especially not anymore. I want to build that "nice, sensible" wardrobe for myself. It made me think of the scene in the movie "Ask Any Girl", when Shirley MacLaine is trying to describe her wardrobe to David Niven: Small, but covers the basics, and able to accommodate any event through accessorizing; after all, a working girl (in the modest sense) has to economize and make do. All the women in movies of the '50s looked so put together and polished though, even photos of school girls. I guess when you have a different expectation, you rise to it. And if you were a socialite -whoa!
Just look at Grace Kelly in "Rear Window" - just out for a day at work (admittedly as a buyer for some haute couture salon) or out shopping. Look at that hat, gloves, make-up, eyebrows. But I want one outfit that makes me look put-together like that. Or at least feel like that? You can still get away with this classic look
(and I even have the hat, although I would have to wear it over a snood or something).
Maybe I should start with the eyebrows.
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