Aaah.
My hair is long because it makes my life easier - I can shower at night, put it in a bun on top of my head, and be relatively confident that it won't be completely jacked in the morning. (Can't do that with a bob!) I rely a lot on tees and cardigans in dark, neutral colors. It always takes me several years to finally accept a new trend, and even then, I usually incorporate an altered version of it (see: skinny jeans. The only version I can tolerate are their slightly roomier cousin, straight-leg jeans, but I will always be a boot-cut girl at heart).
It's not that I don't care about apparel. I love reading blogs like Tom and Lorenzo or The Fug Girls, which primarily concern themselves with critiquing (and often, mocking) celebrity fashion. I watch Mad Men and Downton Abbey and drool over the clothes, willfully ignoring that beneath those dresses were foundation garments that were akin to torture devices.
But I'm a stay at home mom. In New England. We don't believe in getting dolled up on a daily basis.
On L's first day of gymnastics this year, amongst the sea of practical workout clothes, fresh-scrubbed faces and ponytails, I noticed a mom who looked really put-together - dark skinny jeans, blown-out hair, designer flats and trench - and immediately thought, "She's not from around here." My hunch was confirmed the moment I heard her accent: New York! She's super nice and we chat the whole time our girls are in class. I look forward to seeing her chic little ensembles every Friday morning.
Look, I do have my personal standards. I don't wear pajama pants in public (yoga pants are DIFFERENT, darling), I always try to slap a little color on my naturally-anemic-complexion, and I even attempt to have my nails done half the time. But hair that takes more than 5 minutes to do? I think not.
I also find that my standards slide significantly in the winter, when scant daylight and frigid temperatures make grooming seem pointless. A huge down parka, hat and sunglasses can hide a multitude of sins. 4 mismatched layers of shirts and sweaters? Don't mind if I do! No shower? No problem! This only works for quick runs to the bus stop or the food store, but that's the majority of my winter errands anyway.
Honestly I think I'm taking it a little too far these days - I should probably up my game. My kids see me with my dark circles covered up and a little tinted lip balm and they say, "Wow Mommy, you did your artwork? Where are we going?" (They call my makeup my "artwork". Accurate and adorable!) My winter wardrobe is well equipped for laziness and comfort, but not so much for going out and socializing. Which does happen periodically, believe it or not.
More likely, though - I'll just wait till summer. I'm more motivated then, and pretty much wear nothing but dresses. Dresses are hella comfy, guys.
I also find that my standards slide significantly in the winter, when scant daylight and frigid temperatures make grooming seem pointless. A huge down parka, hat and sunglasses can hide a multitude of sins. 4 mismatched layers of shirts and sweaters? Don't mind if I do! No shower? No problem! This only works for quick runs to the bus stop or the food store, but that's the majority of my winter errands anyway.
Honestly I think I'm taking it a little too far these days - I should probably up my game. My kids see me with my dark circles covered up and a little tinted lip balm and they say, "Wow Mommy, you did your artwork? Where are we going?" (They call my makeup my "artwork". Accurate and adorable!) My winter wardrobe is well equipped for laziness and comfort, but not so much for going out and socializing. Which does happen periodically, believe it or not.
More likely, though - I'll just wait till summer. I'm more motivated then, and pretty much wear nothing but dresses. Dresses are hella comfy, guys.
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