Okay, I admit it. I used to be a fashion icon (in my own mind) and had a sense of style, but these days I mostly look like a homeless woman wearing fabulous eyeglasses.
Not that there is anything wrong with it. But, after I finally cleaned out my closet last week, I have a handful of t-shirts that would be more appropriate for someone 15 years younger than me, a few pair of jeans that hit me right at the muffin top, one or two tummy control items, and a handful of dresses that make me look pregnant. These are my good things.
Where have the good old days gone? The good old days when I felt sexchay and with it when I left the house? Today, as my physical therapist worked on my backside/hip I found myself apologizing for my outfit. I said, "If I had known I was going to break a sweat today, I would have dressed appropriately," and he said, "But, you're wearing sweats."
"But that's the thing," I said, while a woman wearing a neon pink wet-suit looking item bounced around behind me.
I honestly think that working inside the home has eaten up my sense of fashion, or better stated: my working at home has eaten my sense of what is appropriate to wear out of doors. Sheesh. I remember when I first met HWWV. He wouldn't wear a "track suit" out of doors (as he called them). Track shoes were worse. Nowadays, if it isn't a work day, he's wearing Pimptastic flip flops (they're great) along with linen capris. His capris I could live without. All I can say is, at least they aren't denim capris. The Pimptastics? That's another story. I have a pair myself.
Maybe I should whip them out for my next session with the P.T. to get my juices flowing.
BTW: The Santa Ana's are in full force today and we are on fire watch. The temps are in the mid-80's and it's TNNA in San Diego this coming weekend. I plan on going, but I have nothing to wear (I have two book signings, so if you're going, look for the girl that looks like a homeless woman [not that there is anything wrong with it] and has fabulous eyeglasses.) Oh, and that is Rocko. Poor guy, I had to carry him home from his and Chuck's morning walk this morning. The winds were so strong, he kept blowing sideways. I let him try on my vest-in-progress as a "sorry," present. Thing is, I'm not so sure he liked it.
I think working from home definitely does that to a person. Heck there are days I don't even get dressed. Have fun at TNNA! I wish I was going to be there to get a copy of Custom Knits signed. :)
Posted by: LittleWit | January 13, 2009 at 07:27 PM
Oh hon, don't feel bad. I was just having this conversation with a customer today. My work clothes consist of docker-style black pants and a navy short-sleeve polo--and when I get home, it's sweats. I used to 'talk' about people like 'me', such as "How hard is it to get dressed up nicely to go 'out [of the house]'. Life's circumstances sometime do that to ya. And it's nobody's business.
Have fun with the PT. I'm told I have to go to a occupational therapist now after 8 visits to my physical therapist. I'm really thinking that I can start knitting now...maybe I can finish my blanket I started a year ago. Definitely planning on doing a pair of your fingerless gloves!
Posted by: Margaret | January 13, 2009 at 07:48 PM
I'll try to track you down in SD. It would be great to meet you (even if I'm not schlepping my copy of your book with me).
Posted by: Jocelyn | January 13, 2009 at 07:56 PM
I can sympathize. I use to work in an office where jeans were the norm (it's a Seattle thing) so my wardrobe suffered even when I worked. Now after staying home with my 2 yr old and recently having another baby, it's gotten even worse. My old crummy clothes are still too small and my maternity clothes are too big. I'm in sweats/pj bottom limbo. After I lose the baby weight and feedin' boobs I'm totally going on a shopping spree - and buying nicer sweats.
Posted by: Nicole | January 13, 2009 at 08:11 PM
OMG, I resemble these comments, right down to the t-shirts I shouldn't be wearing anymore and the muffin-top hitting jeans. I've been at home for *gulp* 8 years now....as my daughter is 8, and my son is 5. I was one of "those" people who said that I would never look like one of "those" stay-at-home moms. Life properly slapped me hard for even thinking those comments, since I thoroughly look like one of "those" moms all the time now. There ya go. Karma.
Posted by: Michelle | January 13, 2009 at 09:14 PM
Oh my god, you're joking me. Those pimptastic thingies are not ok to wear outside of the house. Probably not even inside of the house. I am a young, hip thing. Listen to me.
But yeah, I know what you mean about fashion and such. A lot of it is too uncomfortable for me to even contemplate. Just go the store, look at some fashion mags, you live in LA area, don't you? (I could be totally wrong there, sorry if so.) Go to a few coffee shops, a few bars, the library, the business district - you'll pick it right up!
And not that you're asking for advice, but...
No one can go wrong if they have all their middle bits covered, and their cleavage as well. There is definitely such a thing as too much boobage, too much skin showing. I think tops should cover the midriff, especially these days with pants hitting at the hips, not the waist. Not that waist high pants are a good thing. Go buy some pants that don't squeeze you to death, then you won't have a muffin top. The muffin top happens because everyone is wearing their pants too damn tight and their shirts are too damn short by an inch or two. They are important inches. And if women have seen too much sun in all their venerable years, (not that you have, I haven't seen your skin and cleavage, etc.) women should not be wearing tops that show the cleft of the bosom. It's not pretty. There. That is my fashion advice. And wear sunscreen.
And if you want to look better at the gym and the p.t.'s office - wear yoga pants, bootcut! There is nothing better for working out in. You will look hot, as long as they aren't too tight and no one can see your thong/underwear selection.
Last thought - think "tailored." You can never go wrong with thinking "tailored."
Posted by: the Lady | January 13, 2009 at 10:02 PM
You crack me up, "The Lady." I appreciate your sage advice.
Posted by: Wendy | January 13, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Sigh. At least you have the fabulous eyeglasses.
Posted by: Tammy | January 13, 2009 at 10:34 PM
My husband has worked from home for the past 8 years. Now when he has to go to the corporate office (very, very rare), his co-workers remind him ahead of time that he has to wear pants with a zipper. Oh the other hand, he has a "fabulous" collection of sweats. Oh that I could get away with that at my work. Life would be simple, if not quite so sexy. On the other hand, at my age, comfort is the name of the game. Sexy, smexy.
Posted by: Mary | January 14, 2009 at 02:59 AM
Rocko doesn't look like he likes it.
I'm feeling the same way about my cloths. I wear scrubs everyday at work and that has totally killed my sense of style and expanded my waist.
Posted by: Debbie | January 14, 2009 at 03:24 AM
I live in a fancy-schmancy apartment complex in PA and am the "lady with the bad fashion sense and great glasses" who ends up carrying her dog because its so COLD and windy. I don't have pimptastic shoes, but I DO have purple crocs, which I think is the same thing...But I DO have great glasses...My New year's resolution is to start the whole "yoga pants and tees" thing...but I'm NOT giving up the crocs...
Posted by: Lee | January 14, 2009 at 04:15 AM
As long as you have those fabulous eye glasses, don't worry - my friends and I unfortunately dress like that now and none of us are happy about it. lol
Posted by: Renee | January 14, 2009 at 04:42 AM
I have been a stay at home mom for 14 years now. This morning, in an attempt to beat the snow and sub zero wind chills that are heading our way, I drove to the gas station and grocery store with my pj's (a red union suit!) tucked under grey sweatpants and a striped sweatshirt. Hair not combed, and the glasses I am wearing are nothing close to fashionable. Never in my 20's or even my 30's would I have ever even considered doing this. If anyone figures out how/where to shop for fashionable clothes that are comfortable and flattering to a late 40's woman who could lose a few pounds but is still in reasonably good shape, could they share with the rest of us????
And p.s. while I am thankful that I don't have fires to worry about... 80 degree winds sound heavenly right now. We're talking highs in the single digits throught the weekend.
Posted by: Kim | January 14, 2009 at 05:07 AM
Don't throw out your Fatbabys! I seriously understand what you're talking about. If it weren't for the fact that I have to go to Independent Filmmakers downtown (NYC) "mixers" with my audio mixer husband and try to look "the part" I would look like a very typical Long Island housewife. What have I become?! BTW, like "The Lady", I'm not feeling the Pimptastic love either. I think you might need to be tres Euro to pull them off. But I'll probably eat my words come May here in NY and I'll be thinking of you with every pair I see! :)
Posted by: DonnaC | January 14, 2009 at 05:14 AM
yep, i resemble that remark too. when your home, it's so easy to just throw the comfy clothes (aka sloppy, ratty clothes) on and call it a day. why be uncomfortable in jeans and a sweater all day. to top it off, i think it's hard to find nice clothes when your in your 40's. there aren't as many shops to choose from. so when i venture out to add some pizzazz to my boring old wardrobe, i usually come home empty handed.
Posted by: traci | January 14, 2009 at 05:37 AM
Ya'll made me bust out laughing this morning with the pimptastic flip flops and the "pants with zippers". I've been 'home now for fifteen years, and the jeans are a standard. Dressing up means cords and a buttondown.
Posted by: Carol J | January 14, 2009 at 05:50 AM
OMG! I am so old and out of it that I didn't even realize that they really ARE called "Pimptastic"!!!!!!
And hey, better to be comfortable than those chicks who look like they are going to a formal when they're just out for milk and kitty litter. Or I could just be deluding myself.
Posted by: Amy | January 14, 2009 at 06:09 AM
Rocko cracks me up. He is giving you the doggy "fish-eye" that says, "What the heck are you doing to me, Woman?". Too cute, and soooooo funny!!! Love ya!
Posted by: Deanna | January 14, 2009 at 07:09 AM
The dog kept blowing sideways? THAT is hilarious.
Posted by: SheBakesCakes | January 14, 2009 at 07:14 AM
I think great glasses can go 90% of the way toward redeeming any look. It makes the whole sweatpants/tshirt thing look like a conscious choice to slum it, because after all, with glasses like that, you could have dressed up, but just didn't. Does that make sense?
Posted by: elizabeth m | January 14, 2009 at 07:30 AM
Fabulous glasses are all you need to be fabulous.
Posted by: Liz U. | January 14, 2009 at 07:33 AM
I refuse to watch What Not To Wear on TV because the cast-offs are always something I have in my wardrobe. I think most people dress more casually than they did 10 years ago, and why not? But glasses--that is another story. We must have the most stylish glasses available! You are "with it" babe!
Posted by: Katherine | January 14, 2009 at 08:33 AM
Pimptastic?!?!?! Oh yikes.
Posted by: Laura | January 14, 2009 at 08:46 AM
I've been a stay at home mom for 13 years now and I totally agree with the home uniform consisting of jeans. I'm being taken out to lunch and between the cold and my wardrobe I'm dressing up in cords!
I think it is time to treat yourself to a new outfit that makes you feel like a million bucks.
BTW Rocko is just the cutest - that is one amazing "hang dog" look he has.
Posted by: Estella | January 14, 2009 at 09:14 AM
I've been stuck in the at home mom rut now for years. My usual wardrobe seems to consist of whatever is clean and more or less matches. I think I need a change....
Posted by: Cheri | January 14, 2009 at 09:34 AM