Recently I found myself seconds away from what was certain to become my most embarrassing moment of all time.
I was shopping for clothes and had determined that I was going to actually need to try on some items which is probably one of my least favorite things to do. I think I’d rather clean our bathrooms than try on clothes.
Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m finding some of the styles lately to be a tad perplexing. There are lots of missing parts or super puffy sleeves or dangly ribbons or super long backs on shirts with super short fronts. It’s all just a lot to take in. But, I decided that I would pick out some pieces I would normally shy away from and give them a try.
This was a mistake.
I selected a shirt that had some wrapping around parts to it and sleeves that gathered at the top of the arm but puffed out after that. It took less than five seconds for me to determine that this style was not for me. And while somehow I managed to get it on, getting it back off again was an entirely different matter.
There I was, in the dressing room completely stuck in this shirt. The gathered part wouldn’t go up any further, the ties on the wrapping part were like a straight jacket pinning my arms in a criss-cross position and I could only get it out of it up to my neck.
I just knew they were going to have to come and use the jaws of life to get me out of this stupid shirt.
Finally, after a great deal of wiggling and contorting I managed to free myself pulling a few muscles in the process. I’m sure the sales clerk wondered why I was out of breath and sweating as I walked out but she should just be glad she didn’t have to break into the dressing room and cut the shirt off of me!
Now, one would think I would have learned my lesson, wouldn’t one?
But, would you guys believe that at the very next store I went into I purposely took a shirt into the dressing room that was almost identical to the one I had been trapped inside of only thirty minutes earlier? Fortunately, I realized earlier in the trying on process that this oddly shaped blouse was on its way to becoming another ‘almost’ most embarrassing moment and didn’t ever fully immerse myself in it.
You may be wondering why on earth I would even attempt another go at trying on a shirt that was sure to become as problematic as the last one.
Frankly, I was wondering that myself.
It wasn’t a temporary lapse in memory, but maybe more like a temporary lapse in sensibility.
You see, I really want to like these new style trends. And I want to be able to look good in them. But, I don’t. I don’t like a lot of these new style trends. And I don’t look good in most of them.
But, as I left those dressing rooms that day, I realized something monumental.
I’m actually ok with that.
I’m 42 years old. And while I really do love incorporating a few new trends here and there, I feel as though I’m finally learning to trust my instincts and be more comfortable in my own rapidly more gravity prone skin.
I can look at the women who can confidently pull off those styles and not automatically find myself emotionally slipping back in time to that middle school aged me who knew that her life would surely be complete if she could only own a pair of Guess jeans with the upside down triangle on the back pocket before they went out of style.
(note: I did finally get a pair of those Guess jeans but they were hand-me-downs and the trend was on its way out)
In that moment in the dressing room, entangled in that shirt, I knew I had crossed the threshold into a new chapter of my life.
One in which I make peace with myself.
Where I know my style preferences (both in fashion and in my home) and comfort levels and can walk past those things on the racks or shelves (I’ve resisted more ‘farmhouse’ themed items than I care to count!) and not wonder if maybe I’m supposed to change who I am in order to incorporate them into my life.
Will I still be willing to try new things? Absolutely!
I mean, just last week I found the perfect pair of camo jeggings at Nordstrom Rack that were just the right amount of ‘trendy’ but they fit properly and comfortably and, so far, I haven’t become entrapped by them requiring someone to come and cut them off of me.
But I will no longer be so easily swayed into thinking that in order to stay relevant and up-to-date, I have to sacrifice what makes me…me.
And there is so much freedom in that isn’t there, friends?
Freedom from the pressure.
Freedom to be a better steward by not buying things I feel I ‘should’ like.
Freedom from the comparisons.
And (hopefully!) freedom from more of those ‘almost’ most embarrassing moments.
I enjoyed that story so much! I’m sure at the time this was not at all funny, but the way you told the story and the fact that I have done the exact same thing, I laughed out loud reading this. But the other part I loved about this story is reminding me that I don’t have to dress like everyone else and I don’t have to decorate my home like everyone else. Like you said I do purchase an item occasionally that’s “in style” and I do purchase some farmhouse décor from time to time, because I like this style and it’s fun to make a change. But like you said, I let myself feel that pressure to conform to what’s “in style”. Hearing that someone like yourself has struggled with the same issues and making comments that make us feel much better about ourselves and our choices. Loved your post and always look forward to the next!
I’m so glad this resonated with you Pam! Isn’t it nice to know we aren’t the only ones who struggle with these things? Thank you so much for commenting and for being apart of our community!
Amen, sister! Isn’t that the BEST part of growing up?
Good for you.
I still get the “what not to wear” chats from my 30 something daughters, but I just laugh and tell them to wait. Just wait.
It is empowering – and much, much cheaper! : – )
Loved my 80s Guess jeans. In my size 3. Had a blue pair and a grey pair. Good times. Now my THIGH is a size three. lol.
Hugs.
You have a good attitude about clothes, I sure wish others did, I think the Fashion Police should be giving more tickets. I’m now 72+ and find it very confusing about wearing clothes suitable for my age. I wear clothes that are very comfortable and also as stylish as I can, not easy, especially dress shoes! This was a funny but also an insightful post.
My revelation came a bit later than yours–I’ll be 55 this year. But you are right–there is something totally freeing about being okay with who you are and what you are wearing and not really caring whether or not it is in fashion. I love being comfortable and that makes me feel so much better about myself and life!
I decided to try a “shaper”. Putting it on was no easy task, but getting out of it was
next to impossible. I thought I was going to have to yell out to the saleslady to help
me get out of it. I finally managed to get it off without help. My thoughts on “shapers”….
it only moves your problem spot to another area….making it look worse than it did in
the beginning. I’m much older than you and I have realized that you don’t have to
wear it or buy it just because it is “in style”.
Well told! It is a sort of epiphany when we suddenly know a certain style or garment just doesn’t fit with our age (or desire to just be comfortable). We recently moved and a box that has just been traveling around with me for 30+ years, got opened There they were, my high school bell bottoms from 1977!! My size 3 waist is long gone & I’ve watched pants go from giant bell bottoms to baggy, high waisted, low waisted, hip huggers, to straight leg, to pencil leg, to slight flare, back to straight, now these skinny jeans. I don’t care for these skinny jeans, backsides are hanging out all over the place! They don’t look very comfortable and are not flattering to the figure. I’ll be glad when this style moves on to the next. As for me, give me Old Navy yoga pants any day!
Hilarious!! I’ve done almost the exact same thing. I’ve tried tops on that had elastic on the bicep that was a little snug and getting that sucker off my arm was a chore. I feel your pain – I’m not HIP or trendy in the least!
So true..been there. I got stuck in a girdle at Lord & Taylor . Thankfully, my young daughter was there to help me out if it. When we emerged, sweaty from the dressing room, the clerk gave us snide looks. I didn’t buy the girdle. Not long after, at the same store, I got stuck in a pair of knee boots. The zipper stuck. That time, the clerk had to get me out. Ironically, we are not banned from the store. As for you, my dear, I am 20 years older than you, and would give anything to go back and wear the new trends (save puffy shirts). You are too cute, keep on being wonderful you ( and rock those camo leggings with a velvet jacket).
Oh my this just brought back that one vivid memory of being stuck in a dress in the dressing room!! I laughed so hard I cried. Thinking I would be forever stuck in a dress I disliked and perhaps making the evening news when they had to call the fire dept to set me free!! I will be 65 next month and am very comfortable with my choices of attire. I am not that “old lady” clothing style yet not that “young and hip style” either. I still like the flowy of bohemian styles…leggings, jeans, flats, booties, Birkenstock’s and Teva’s. I suppose I don’t fit in to what may be expected…but I am me…… 🙂
I’m SO glad to know I’m not the only one who has been stuck in clothing in a dressing room!! LOL!
LOL! I take my fashion guru with me to tell me how to get in and out of these things or just “Mom that’s a flat no!”
Haha!! I need to start taking my daughter with me too!