I’m about to complete my 51st year on planet Earth, and I’m still trying to figure out my style, clothing-wise. When I picture myself in my head, what do I see? I don’t even know what I want others to see, let alone how I want to picture myself.
I’m a California beach girl–although I was raised in Northern Cal, where the beaches are actually rocky coasts. I love being barefoot, wearing jeans and T-shirts, being casual. Growing up, I loved playing baseball and volleyball. Had I continued competitively through high school and college, I probably wouldn’t be having such a hard time now trying to get into some sort of physical shape. (Well, I am in some sort of shape, but “pear” isn’t exactly what I was looking for.) I’ve been looking through the myriad sales fliers that have filled my mailbox since before Thanksgiving, trying to figure out how to update my wardrobe on my limited budget.
I’m not a cute little petite princess. I towered over all the boys in school, I wasn’t graceful, I can’t really dance, so flowing and girly was never a look I could achieve.
Sophisticated? Running with the up and comers? Artsy? Confident?
The writer-me wants to fit in the Greenwich Village crowd. Not exactly the grunge look, but kind of wrinkled and slouchy.
The young-me wants to fit in with all the 20-somethings by which I’m surrounded lately. But this 50+ body is certainly not gong to pull off their thin-as-rails looks.
The teacher-me wants to be sophisticated and confident. But as soon as I get home from school, I put on my jeans or shorts–depending on the weather.
I’m not exactly LL Bean, but I’m not Ann Taylor either. House Beautiful? That’s a joke. Horse Illustrated? I wish. I live in the ‘burbs, surrounded by houses that are just like mine. Boring, boring, boring.
Ah, but on the inside is laughter, conflict, dog hair everywhere, bird song, baseballs, kid art, books, a constant mess, and a whole lot of love.
I guess that’s what I want my style to be: lived in and well loved.
“So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it” (Colossians 3:12-14 The Message.)
Thankful today for
659. A weekend still ahead
670. A smart husband
671. Good ideas
672. Clever friends
673. My beautiful mess
674. Deals
675. Variety
676. My Christmas village
677. Gifts
Compelled 