(source)
I'm not very good at that whole "being a girl" thing. And that's okay, really, because I have way too much fun not worrying about blending eyeshadows just right or wondering how cold I'll be if I wear this skirt today. I don't spend much time in the morning getting ready at all -- I'd rather sleep in for another 30 minutes than straighten my hair and struggle with the perfect eyeliner (been there, done that, over it). More time for more important things, like books and video games and the gym and NYPD Blue!
Sure, I own a few too many pairs of shoes than I'd like to admit (the number I associate with "too many" certainly is not everyone's idea of "too many," but it's a lot of shoes to me). I go all doe-eyed if I see anything floral-printed. I own a few curling irons. However, I feel on the scale of 1-10 of How Girly Is Kayla, with 1 being Christina Ricci in Now & Then and 10 being like, Kim Kardashian getting a mani-pedi while reading Vogue and petting a poodle,* I'm probably about a 2 or 3. (Not a 1 because I don't tape my boobs down, and probably closer to 3 because of all those damn shoes.) I also swear like a sailor (everywhere but at work) and I burp freely (and normally follow them up with lots of giggles). I also really enjoy burritos. (...)
Hrm. I digress.
I fluctuate from wishing I were a little more expressive in my style, to wondering why it ultimately matters. My wardrobe is fairly plain, I don't wear make-up, and when I have to leave the house in the morning before the sun has fully risen, I don't dream of wearing anything other than pants. Also, how trivial does it seem to be at times, standing in the mirror, curling your hair when people are out discovering the Higgs Boson or, you know, landing things on fucking MARS.
Then I think, "Well, I'm not landing a rover on Mars any time soon, let's be realistic." I can, however, maybe give my self-image a slight boost and a little kick in the butt to my confidence where I can. (Should be noted: I like myself an awful lot as it is, I know I'm capable of kickass things, but I am not an astrophysicist.)
This is a tricky thing for me, because I want to be comfortable, but mostly I want to be honest. There are certain things I will just never wear. It doesn't matter how good it looks on you -- not for me. I wouldn't be foolin' anyone, especially myself.
(and neither are these guys. [source])
I also want my wardrobe to be a little more than hoodies, plain black t-shirts, and skinny jeans (yes, I wear them, and no, I'm not ashamed). While this is comfortable for me, it doesn't exactly make me feel like I take much pride in my appearance, and while I don't adhere to many social "norms" or all of that bullshit on what's totally in this season, I will be honest and say when you put a little effort into your appearance, you just generally feel a bit better about being out in the world. I won't suddenly start wearing make-up again (the sixteen year old is still gasping in absolute HORROR that I ever stopped), but I can adjust my clothing options a bit.
I'm going to give The No Brainer Wardrobe a shot, see what happens. Maybe I can start that project I've been planning on for so long, where I chuck
< / end random thought dump... >
Has anyone purchased The No Brainer Wardrobe and worked through it? How was it? Do you feel like your sense of style is more refined, about the same as before, totally different...?
* I don't know where this image came from, but by GOLLY am I amused by it... I give myself a gold star for that one!
I actually just blogged about the No Brainer Wardrobe a few weeks ago (http://mylifeasateacup.blogspot.com/2012/06/no-brainer-wardrobe-makeover.html)!
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of in a similar position where, while I don't wear a ton of makeup or anything, I do tend to gravitate towards jeans-tshirts-and sneakers most of the time and felt like I needed a boost to feel a little more put together and less like I was raiding my high school closet (which, honestly, I mostly was). I'll never be a fashionista, but the NBW helped me get rid of stuff I just didn't (and would NEVER) wear and better organize things to update basics and condense my closet. I feel like I can definitely do more and feel more put together with less, which makes me feel better and frees up space!
It was your post that inspired me to pick up my own copy. ;)
DeleteI'm looking forward to working through it! There are so many things in my wardrobe that I've just been hanging onto (that long pink lace dress that a) needs repairs and b) goes with nothing else in my closet, I'm looking at you!) for those JUST IN CASE moments... that never, ever come. Pieces that I *wish* were my style and just *aren't* -- at least not anymore -- and are just taking up space and collecting dust.
Oh I liked reading this post a lot. I always really resonate with this kind of admittance, because regardless of what I wear, I put it on because it was the easiest thing that morning. I like that I've gotten to a point where I'm comfortable not wearing makeup 85% of the time, and I think it rocks that my hair requires washing, a small slap of product, and then air drying. I haven't heard of the book before now, but it looks really cool--I think I have a few friends who would love to read it! Good luck with your challenge!
ReplyDeleteThanks! :) Oh man, I straight up shaved my head about 5 years ago and that was one of the most freeing mainentance-less times of my life. I selfishly wish my hair would air-dry and look decent, but alas it's weirdly half-wavy and frizzy and up in the ponytail it goes! I hate the maintenance of hair, but this is the longest my hair's been since I was about *five* and I don't dare cut it yet.
DeleteI'm hoping that maybe the more I'm comfortable with my wardrobe, the more inspired I'll be to take a bit more pride in my appearance and take some chances. Fingers crossed!