Monday November 29, 2010
Audrey has such a fun contest going on. A week or two ago she invited anyone reading her blog to put together a favorite outfit or two and send in a photo and now all readers are invited to cast a vote for their favorite. It’s been so much fun to see the post emerge and the fun comments as people gave their opinions.
What I love best about it is seeing women’s personalities emerge. Ever hear someone say, “that looks just like you?” It’s often because it’s something similar to what you’ve seen them wearing … but what makes them choose that color, texture, pattern in the first place?
I grew up hearing often that clothes do not make you who you are. It’s true. But I’ve also learned a few other things about clothes. Without me realizing it, clothes often show what is going on inside of me. David noticed this first when he took a load of laundry to the washer a year or so after we were married.
“I can tell you’ve had a rough week,” he said. “Look at that pile of darks.”
No kidding. Aside from a few pieces of underwear, the lights pile was pretty much nonexistent. I thought it might be coincidence until the pattern showed up again and again. I wear dark colors a lot because I like them. But when the piles of laundry look that unbalanced, it’s usually because something heavy has been warring inside my spirit.
I love that when I was growing up my mom let us choose what we wanted to wear. I look back and moan at the horrendous pictures of me in light blue dresses and bright pink socks. “Mom, what WERE you thinking?” I asked her one day. “It wasn’t me,” she said. “I let you girls choose some of your own clothes.” Oh. Now that I have boys of my own I am realizing just what kind of grace that took as a parent. And I’m afraid I’ll have to admit, I am not as good a mom as she was when it comes to kids picking out their own clothes.
As I grew older and outgrew the light blue bright pink color combinations, I learned that choosing my own clothes was still fun; but that I also loved finding things that made me feel comfortable. I learned that some colors made me feel happy, some confident. And that no matter how often I tried to convince myself, I would never look good in the gorgeous, summery coral color my SIL Jo positively glows in.
A couple of years ago a friend told me she never forgot what I told her years earlier. “When you’re going to be in a crowd and you know you are going to be nervous, be sure to wear something you feel totally comfortable in so you can forget about your clothes and stop the self-consciousness.” It made me laugh because I did not remember ever saying it, but I still do it. Having a belt that will not stay where I want it or a shirt that forever rides forward instead of staying up on my shoulders or heels that make me be watch my footing are not my first choice for an event that makes me nervous. Just one less thing to worry about.
Anyhow, enough about me. Go check out Audrey’s fun post and vote for your favorite outfit.
It’s TRUE! I love your outfit by the way….too snuke…and I know that’s not spelled right but you get the idea ;). I always try to wear something I won’t have to think about once I walk out the door, if I’m gonna be needing all my confidence in other places ;). Plus I hate to be tugging and adjusting, looking like nothing fits right. Lots of grace alright to let kids pick their own clothes, and then alot more grace to not tell everyone you didn’t pick out that outfit! I so want to allow my kiddos their own style though and give them the confidence to pull it off.
I’m shocked at how much that post brought out my insecurities!
After I had entered, I was wishing I hadn’t.
and then I was reminded a few times by someone that the outfit is only a portion of what makes someone look good.
There is so much more that goes into it…
their attitude…
the way they carry themselves….
etc.
And then I looked at the pics and saw outfits that I thought were great for the person wearing them, but didn’t necessarily vote on them because I had to narrow it down to just one.
…and by the way,
I think I just may recognize the gray sweater in your header from one of the pics in Audrey’s post. 🙂
i am thinking that i recognize that sweater too! 🙂 loved it there. love it here. but even more maybe…
like i think it was amber who said that she liked the confidence communicated. or something like that.
and me too. anyway. great new header ya have there. sure will make a nice Christmas card too 😉
i just feel this great big smiley love inside looking at it and remembering goodgoodgood times with that girl!
yes.yes. way fun fashionista post. i love how i think i could have guessed alot of my friends ~ not by the photo~ but by their WoRds!!! so much individuality revealed and that is worth celebrating!!! but. i can relate to gloria’s comment too. surprised at how vulnerable i felt…and realized i have unfinished business inside. i am new at being, cough, beyond my 30’s. and i’m not sure how to navigate. what is appropriate.( i will nevereverever give up cute shoes. but…) wanting to wear fun things…without looking like i’m trying to look like a kid.
the kids pick out their own clothes here. most of the time. and i agree with Jessica! it takes “alot more grace to not tell everyone you didn’t pick out that outfit!”
funny you feel comfortable in the darks 🙂 I’m the opposite-I pretty much bring out the brights and heals when I want to feel good and am having a bad day. There’s nothing like a bright shirt to brighten my day 🙂 I always have the hardest time wearing all black to my orchestra concert every semester and it makes it even harder for me b/c I can’t wear any light jewelry either to give some color.
btw love the new pictures 🙂
I’m with Jessica too in that it takes A LOT of grace for this girl to just shut up and not say, Oh, btw, Jacqui picked out the midcalf blue socks (that are actually meant for hockey) and yes, I’m aware they don’t go with her green dress”. Letting the kids go and dress themselves really puts me out of my comfort zone!!! funny about all the dark clothes. when my spirit wars within me i dress in my painting gear.
Hey, thanks for the “Shout out” to my blog! Appreciate it.
And loved your thoughts about clothing and esp. the part about wearing something really comfortable and that you feel good in for a “nervous” type of situation. I can totally get what you mean by that. Sometimes I might look nice in what I am wearing but I am adjusting and it is pinching here or there and then I’m so much more conscious of my clothing, which sucks.
LOL-Interesting because Im one of those “wear a dark outfit if your having a bad day ” type too. Although I do like darker, richer colors anytime. My ‘having a bad day darkies’ tend to be the older worn out stuff Ive never taken out of the closet.
Ah, this is so interesting! I love hearing how different people communicate through non-verbal ways… Hmmm, let’s see, I think I remember bright, happy colors from the Women’s Seminar? Must have been feeling pretty up-beat there! That’s a good thing! I think I’d have been wearing blacks had I been speaking (just sayin’, I’d have been scared out of my mind!!).
When I’m having a bad day, I often dress up extra-extra much. To where people come to the door of my house and wonder where I’m going. And nope, not going anywhere, just having a bad day. 😀 Some people totally don’t get it, but that’s just me! If I’m feeling more okay and happy, I’ll often dress more casual. So for me it’s not so much darks/lights but dressy/casual. Not always. Because on some very happy days I’ll dress up too, just because I feel happy. Wow, sounds like a super pre-menstrual woman!!! :)\
And I LOVED your outfit that you entered on Audrey’s contest! Such fun colors! Love how you pulled together several completely different colors, and made it all look soooo cute! One of my favorite color combos now for casual is a royal blue shirt, black skirt, and hot pink scarf. 🙂 Sounds wacky. But it’s a happy outfit.
Happy weekend to you!