I used to love shopping – I was the shop til you drop queen but now it’s a hassle. Today it’s a complete inconvenience, mainly due to lack of time and enthusiasm. I have been in a fashion rut for about 10 years, with no clue what to wear or how to wear it. This never really bothered me but as I caught a glimpse of myself this week – I was horrified.
It was cold, so I layered up, skinny jeans and ballet flat pumps. Sounds OK in writing but in the flesh, it was quite a sight. I can only assume I got dressed in the dark or I have reached a really low ebb, whereby I just no longer give a shit, about anything anymore.
I have no excuses. I was wearing clothes that were clean and fitted and decided to leave the house looking like this. Aside from the tired mummy face and 3rd day hair, it was a straight up fail. Three unflattering black and grey layers on top of jeans that didn’t fit. They were baggy, just at the knees, how did that happen? – I looked like a cartoon character. My cute floral pumps added the final insult to my reflection. Well, it wasn’t the pumps, it was the socks I was wearing with them!
One moment I was meandering around town and the next, I was completely depressed, looking for a cake shop. That will teach me for mindlessly wandering into a clothing store – all those damn mirrors dotted about the place. All the other women looked so together. Individual, classy – they were all looking great. They also had kids, looked a little tired but still managed to throw together an outfit that worked. Whatever the store I had schlepped my tired ass in to – I felt simply outclassed. For the last 2 years I have been more of a Supermarket girl – it showed.
When you become a parent everyone knows that the child comes first. You stop caring about the little things. You have little or no time to pamper and preen. I obviously took this notion and ran with it. I kept walking around the store. Glancing at all the mirrors as I passed, as if by magic, I was going to look any better. I was clinging to barely presentable at this point anyway. Even stood next to Mrs Mutton-Dressed-As-Lamb and Ms Queen of the Night, I was tragic on all fronts. Gok Wan would stop me in the street, cry, then make me his latest project!
I committed to my fashion faux pas for the whole day but it was definitely a wake up call. Just because it’s clean and fits, doesn’t necessarily mean Joe Public needs to see it. I need to get myself together, especially for when I go back to work. I should be inspired by the likes of Fearne Cotton and Holly Willoughby. They manage babies and jobs, without dressing like an extra from Les Misérables.
It can be done.