Saturday, December 12, 2009

Fifth Avenue Mom

I have a problem with dressing myself. Because what I appreciate in clothing and what I actually like to wear myself are two different things. I'm really a pretty casual dresser. Jeans, yoga pants around the house on a Sunday, long sleeved t's, hoodie sweaters...I feel very comfortable in comfortable clothing. I don't mind dressing up a shirt now and then with a little bit of frill or an interesting fabric. But generally, I'm most comfortable in pretty simple, basic clothing. But that's not what I like to wear...in my head. In my head, I like things that make a much bigger statement. That have more flair. That might be more fitted or more feminine or more fashion forward. It's just that when I wear them, I feel all dressed up, and not me. So it seriously makes shopping a nightmare. I see things on the mannequins or on the rack and think they're so cute. But when I try them on and realize I'm going to have to wear 3 layers, or heels, or short sleeves in the winter, or a girdle to pull them off...I usually end up putting them back on the shelf. I want to want to wear those clothes. They're so cute! I can really appreciate the style of them. But I just have a hard time, especially as a mother of young kids, feeling dressed up at home or inhibited in my movement (as a skirt will do).

So here are some super cute dresses from the Shabby Apple that I'd love to wear...





If only I could get to the point where wearing a charcoal grey wool pinstriped dress and platform Mary Janes was fun to unload the dishwasher in.

Sigh....

14 comments:

Jaime Haney said...

I am sooo with you on this. In my own mind, I'm a girly girl wearing ruffles and sundresses in the summer, gauzy wrap skirts with cute matching sandles or sexy peep toe heels with toe cleavage. But in real life I've got the wardrobe of yester-decade including sweatshirts, long sleeved t's, jeans and worn out sketchers. *sigh*

I guess I feel like you, why dress up at home?

Kristina P. said...

You are so adorable though!

And I admit, I wear dresses and skirts,with heels, probably 4-5 days a week.

I've been drooling over some of those dresses.

Financial Aid for College said...

I do NOT believe Kristina P.!

But my Mom, in the 40s and 50s DID wear dresses, nylons, and heels ALL the time. She only wore beads, gloves and a hat on Sunday, though. She got her first pair of pants in the 60s under duress from her daughters, but felt embarrassed if anyone outside the family saw her in them.

Those are sure cute clothes! You COULD wear them on Sunday, no? I adore the red one (Natch!) I adore the slim figures even more. Can I buy one of those?

Najma said...

I love this dress: http://www.downeastbasics.com/formalflowerdress.aspx

Nicki said...

I'm exactly the same way! If I could get away with wearing a dress everyday I totally would.

Mia said...

Ditto and ditto. I love great clothes. I fawn over feminine touches and a ruffle here and there. I love jewelry and great accent pieces. But I just can't feel comfortable in them. I don't feel like I can do what I need to do because it might mess up my cute clothes. Maybe someday but for now they are just for special occasions and going to the grocery store isn't one of them.

Shawn said...

I love Shabby Apple----the gal that owns it is the sister to someone in my church----so I got to meet her when she was visiting---she's a cutie!

Love these dresses!! But I've got to wait for a sale---too much for me.

Plain Jame said...

Just get one and see how ya feel. It just might change your life.

Sher said...

Ooh, I love that red dress!

I'm a jeans and a t-shirt kinda girl too. I think I look weird dressed up.

kado! said...

those dresses are so cute! I agree...i feel like I get all dressed up just to do the laundry...why...and my husband is not even home to appreciate it either...

alex dumas said...

(Is your mom using the "natch?")

This post is one of the reasons I know that I like you.

Hildie said...

I try to look cute, but my clothes are so tired and old that it's just pointless.

rae said...

I. Hear. THAT.

Anonymous said...

I don't wear nylons since shaving my legs rarely gets done.

If you look closely, the first mannequin is showing you how to vacuum in a dress and the other two are working on a farm. Maybe there is hope after all. I'm just glad I won't be doing any of that in heels.