Cute, right?
No, it isn't a special occasion. It is a typical Wednesday. It's hot outside, so I wanted to wear something cool. But I also wanted to wear something that makes me feel good. This jumpsuit makes me feel pretty, and I am sure I walk taller and smile more when I wear it.
It has been bugging me recently that people see "dressing up" as being something you only do on special occasions or for work or because you have to, rather than want to, look nice.
My mother always tells me, "if you look pretty, you feel pretty." And, as with many things, she is right.
When she says "feel pretty," she doesn't mean pretty in a superficial way. She means pretty, as in comfortable in your skin, confident, and happy. I didn't always agree with her when I was younger, but I certainly do now.
People frequently ask me where I work. When I say I am a SAHM, they usually look confused and say, "But you look so nice!"
Good to know that part of being a SAHM is looking slovenly.
And before I get a lot of emails from parents who say, "this is ridiculous, because anything nice I wear immediately is ruined by dirty hands, mouths and other parts of a toddler," I totally admit that my one and only child is now 7, and (for the most part), doesn't wipe his face or hands on my person.
If you have young kids, or plan to spend the day working in the backyard, or painting, or otherwise doing something messy, then wearing something nice isn't a good idea.
But if your child or children are 4 years old or older, and your plan for the day is to wander around Target in a pair of ratty shorts and a t-shirt that is older than your children, you might want to consider a change.
There is nothing wrong with wearing old, comfortable clothes, or dressing casually, per se. But most people stand up a little taller and feel better about themselves if they are wearing something that is special, makes them feel pretty, and fits well.
I'm going to pick on my sister-in-law, who always looks cute, but told me the other day that she has maxidresses hanging in her closet she doesn't wear because she never goes anywhere dressy. I told her to wear them around town, running errands, or for girl's night out with her friends. I'm not sure if she thought I was crazy, or if that was a good idea, but I know she isn't the only person who thinks that way. Those poor maxidresses. They just want to be worn!
Someone at my high school reunion a couple of years ago said she had to go shopping before that weekend because all she ever wore anymore were yoga pants. Really?? I know they're comfortable, but nothing else??? Yoga pants every day, plus something nice to wear to church on Sundays, but nothing in between? And she's not the only one. There are several people I see around town who seem to wear nothing but exercise clothing. It's obviously not because they've just finished a workout, because the clothes aren't sweaty, they're wearing makeup and their hair looks flawless. They've just chosen to wear spandex and sweat-wicking clothing to go grocery shopping.
Another argument I hear a lot is, "I don't want to buy anything now, not at the size I'm in. I want to lose some weight. Then I'll buy new clothes." Not buying it, ladies. Buy a few things now that make you feel special. Actually, I think feeling good about myself makes me MORE likely to workout and eat better. You can use that size as a motivational tool, if you want, but far more healthy is to not worry about the size on the label but rather focus on how that clothing makes you feel and how good you look in it!
I am no skinny minnie. I have been working out and trying to eat better, and have seen some positive changes in my body. But I also have realized that I need to be happy with myself RIGHT NOW. That doesn't mean that I don't keep working towards my fitness and weight loss goals, but that I don't have to achieve some big goal to have "made it." And a few pieces of new clothing that fit well and make me feel good is worth every penny.
Am I advocating we go back to the days when women went everywhere in a dress or matching suit and heels? Absolutely not. Am I saying to go buy uncomfortable clothing or shoes just because they look nice? Again, no.
There is a middle ground here. A cute maxidress, t-shirt dress, jumpsuit or romper is just as comfortable and cool as a t-shirt and shorts (actually, I'd argue a t-shirt dress is more comfy on a hot day, because it doesn't touch much of your body). If dresses aren't your thing, there are tons of cute tees, shorts and casual skirts available that look stylish and sophisticated, rather than worn out and messy. I admit I am a girly girl when it comes to clothes and jewelry, and my style may not be yours.
What I would like to see is women embracing their inner beauty, wearing clothing that makes them feel good and pretty, and walking down the street (or the aisles of Target), with a smile on their faces that says they are happy in their skin.
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