When I was a teenager and my mom and I went shopping, she would sit outside my fitting room while I tried on clothes. After trying something on, I lopped it over the fitting room door and she would put it back on its hanger. Then I became an adult, and suddenly found myself in my fitting room without anyone helping and I had to hang up my own damn clothes. And I was like, oh my god, trying on clothes has now become ten times more annoying than it used to be. Eventually I would emerge from the fitting room, sweaty and with my hair in tangles. And then I had to actually pay for what was in my cart, and shopping became even less fun.
Add having a baby into the mix, and you'll understand why I now view going to the dentist as a more pleasurable experience than clothes shopping. At least at the dentist's you can take a nap.
I've never really been that in to fashion, anyways. I don't know brand names, or what's "in" now, or what was "in" in the past. I haven't shopped at really nice places. About 75% of my work wardrobe came from used clothing stores and the Salvation Army when I started my first job. In fact, fashion has always intimidated me. I far more enjoy buying clothes for Eleanor than for myself.
Back in May, I attended an event sponsored by Chicago's Neighborhood Parents Network when a fashion consultant went over her big "fashion do's and don'ts" list with us. Her name was Noelle Cellini, and her company is called My Best Foot Forward. And you know what? I became inspired. I decided I actually wanted to start improving my wardrobe, piece by piece. I took some skirts that I bought a few years ago second-hand that fell unflatteringly at mid-calf, and had them hemmed to knee-length (and they are totally awesome now). I went through my closet and weeded out the awkward pieces. I tried on all of my work pants and decided which ones I should only wear with flats and which I should stick with heels, and had them hemmed accordingly. Remarkably, this process was not that expensive, and it felt pretty good to make such positive changes using what I already had in my closet.
I realize, especially now that I have a child, that I really like to dress up. It makes me feel better, less schleppy. By dressing up, I don't mean I am walking around in an evening gown while Ellie flings banana at me from her high chair, but rather, if I can dry my hair, put a wee bit of make up on, and CONSIDER what to wear instead of lounge pants, I feel better, even when we are home doing nothing.
For Christmas, Jim got me a lovely pair of brown riding boots and a gorgeous red Coach handbag (both on my hopeful list of new wardrobe additions). Left on the list was to get some nice jeans. What I've been wearing I purchased second-hand over five years ago, and they've become well worn. I was due for something new. But then again, I didn't feel like shopping for new jeans. Blech. The time, the energy, the repeatedly checking out my derriere in a mirror...I was in no rush to embark on that search. But then, out of the blue (haha, get it?) a few weeks ago, the woman who ran my new mom's group sent on an email invitation for a jeans party at The Blues Jean Bar. Last week, a group of ladies met at the Blue Jeans Bar, and oh my goodness I recommend this experience so highly, because I have never so enjoyed buying a new clothing item. The store is set up like a bar, with all the blue jeans folded and out of your reach. You tell the ladies behind the counter what you are looking for. They bring you the jeans to try. They then check on you. They look at how the jeans fit. They make really nice comments. You say to them, "I am not in to how low rise these are." They come back with another pair that fit you better. You say to them, "I can't zip these up!" and before you can even turn around they've brought you the next size.
Basically you are back to being 15 years old, and they become your mother standing outside the fitting room.
All the annoyances of buying jeans were taken out of the picture. It was just you and the blue jeans. Going in, I knew I could use one pair of nicer boot leg jeans to go with heels for nicer outings. I also was thinking that finally getting a pair of skinny jeans would be pretty cool. And what do you know, I found both. They are fabulous. How could I get just one? Now, the jeans at the Blues Jeans Bar are of the pricier variety. We aren't talking Old Navy, or the $20 I spent on my used GAP jeans five years ago. And a part of me really wanted to throw up when I handed over my credit card. The next morning though, I woke with a smile. And I practically skipped across Oz Park when I picked them up last night after they'd been hemmed. I wanted to wear them to bed (and I think I could have, because they are commmmfortable!).
Bottom line- if you live in Chicago, I highly recommend going to the Blues Jeans Bar. If you are anywhere else, and know of a place similar to the Blues Jeans Bar, go there. Let someone help you find your jeans. You deserve it :-)
By the way, Noelle Cellini is on Twitter (@NoelleCellini), and posts some good fashion links if you're wanting to learn how to be on the up and up :0)
I've also enjoyed the following books in learning how to dress myself:
The Lucky Shopping Manual: Building and Improving Your Wardrobe Piece by Piece by Andrea Linett
What I Wore: Four Seasons, One Closet, Endless Recipes for Personal Style by Jessica Quirk
(this one did not get great reviews on Amazon, but I like it)
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