Thursday, May 28, 2009

Doing a Reassessment…

As of late I have been taking note of myself in the mirror. Not while I’m naked, because that’s a tad bit scary. No, I’ve been assessing the way I dress.

Years ago when I worked at a bank as a Personal Banker, I dressed well. I wore suits and dresses, most of which helped me support the local dry cleaner. I had an array of shoes with purses to match and…I wore jewelry. Now, not so much. After working for electrical contractors for the last fifteen years my sense of ‘fashion’ and the effort I put into an ‘outfit’ has decreased. Don’t get me wrong, if I have a party or event to attend I’ll pull it together and still get compliments. But the everyday thing has gotten out of control.

I found myself recently saying, “I’ll take a couple of those.”, when my office was ordering new polo shirts with our logo for the guys in the field. Seriously what has happened and how have I become so lazy?

I know part of it is that I hate to shop for clothes. I dislike going to the mall and trying on clothes. It drives me crazy when I find something and then they don’t have it in my size or it just doesn’t fit quite right. Though I usually have good luck at The Gap, unless I hit the mall every other month, my selection is limited. I get frustrated and just go home with a few things to hold me over…and over.

The other reason I don’t dress the way I’d like is money; I honestly would just rather spend it somewhere else. Getting a project done around the house or taking a vacation with my daughter and her family seems money better spent. The vacation we took with them last year in Gatlinburg, or the year prior in Florida only lasted a week each; but the memories for and with my grandchildren are priceless. I would rather spend my time and money on my family.

Example: For my 46th birthday my husband asked my sister-in-law to go shopping with him to pick out a piece of jewelry for me. Before that happened, I told him I really wanted a Wii because it would be something all of us could have fun with…from my mother in her seventies to my toddler granddaughter. I usually don’t ‘ask’ for a particular gift, especially one with a higher price tag, but I knew it would be a gift that keeps on giving.

I like that I’m modest when it comes to spending money on myself and generous with family; however lately I’m feeling the need to be a bit self-centered. It goes against my core but it’s just what’s been going through my head lately. Just thinkin’ out loud. You can agree or give me a spanking…just keep in mind that I do like a nice spankin’.

14 comments:

Bama Cheryl said...

I understand completely. It's now been seven years since I worked in an office and even that was business casual for the last few. Now my wardrobe is jeans and t-shirt or jeans, t-shirt and sweatshirt for the wintertime. Take your time and find some nice shirts that attract you and then incorporate them into your wardrobe. I like getting new things but it's usually just new Ultimate Ts at Target, my fashion shop of choice!

Nej said...

I had a suit and heels every day job for a number of years. When I left it, I gave all my suits to Goodwill. Crazy I know, but I didn't want to do it again. Too much expense, too much primping, and panty hose are for the birds. :-)

I recently started wearing skirts and such to my current job....and everyone keeps looking at my funny. Maybe I'd let my wardrobe slide a little too much? :-)

Badass Geek said...

I've been working from home for a couple of years, and my wardrobe is pretty bleak. Jeans and t-shirts everyday for me.

Mental P Mama said...

I am looking forward to getting out in the workforce again soon. I want to wear something other than yoga pants all day. Go on and splurge on yourself. Everybody needs to now and then.

Wait. What? said...

I can relate to this - I think that some days are better than others but in the education industry I am not expected to dress up and in fact blending in seems to be encouraged!

Gin said...

I detest buying work clothes! It annoys me so much that I normally can't make up my mind what to buy. I have to dress a certain way for work, but GOD it seems like such a waste of money!

meleah rebeccah said...

every once in a while you really NEED to treat YOURSELF to something pretty and brand new that makes you feel all sorts of confident.

I cannot stand clothes shopping whatsoever, therefore since I became unemployed, I live my life in sweats or pajamas!

Lola said...

Oh, go splurge a little! I get the best of both worlds, I guess. For work, I have to look good and have some fine work clothes, but I only have to go out to work one or two days a week, and I never see the same people. That makes it easy to not spend a lot on said work clothes.

Then I get to spend the rest of the week home in my yoga pants.
I love to get dressed up to go out at night, but during the day, if I don't have to be at work, I'm dressed up if I put on jeans.

TexAss said...

Girl, I feel ya. I work from home and currently I'm wearing a ratty t-shirt that I paint in and gym shorts. I look in my closet and see all these fabulous shoes and business clothes and it's a little depressing. I used to look good at work!! Now? Not so much.

Gatlinburg is awesome, by the way...beautiful place.

Linda Sue said...

Linda lets go shopping!!! we'll talk each other into buying a nice thing or two. Drinks before, during or after would also be great. Maybe a trip to Embassy suites in Oak Brook..shuttle bus..

Unknown said...

Well, I hear two things here. One is that you feel lazy when you wear polo shirts at work. But so what? If they are part of the general decor, who cares? RP has to wear a uniform to teach in, on the one hand, he hates it, on the other hand, he doesn' thave to think at all about what to wear to work.
On the other hand, I hear you saying that you don't want to spend money on yourself for the most part. that's great and the family trips are absolutely amazing memories. BUT I think we all need to splurge something on ourselves once in a while to feel...indulged. It's normal and you should embrace it.
So get one amazing outfit you can feel great about. And can wear on the next family trip!

Momisodes said...

Completely normal, and you certainly deserve to treat yourself. I feel the same way about spending on clothes. I would rather spend the money elsewhere. But sometimes its nice to get something special "you" really want :)

Coal Miner's Granddaughter said...

I reached a point in my life where I know I'm comfortable in capris, jeans, shorts and comfy cotton t-shirts. And dangit, that's what I'm going to wear. Every day. And when something special happens? Then I'll shop for a dress or a suit and some jewelry.

Wear what you want, hon. And enjoy it. :)

Anonymous said...

I haven't bought anything new for about two years due to a mega-tight budget. I used to spend a lot of money on clothes but I find I really don't miss it. Like you, I'd much rather spend it on something everyone could use. However, it is nice to dress up once in a while. You should treat yourself if you can!