Tuesday, January 24, 2012

How Do I Look?

I do not consider myself a stylish dresser. In fact, I think the word "frumpy" probably covers it better. I try to dress nice, but I lean toward a conservative look.

Most of my clothes are by Alfred Dunner, purchased at JC Penneys. In part, this is because of my fat butt and my pear-shaped body. I have a hard time finding clothes that fit.

While my weight loss has stalled, I am still attempting to keep the eating in check and trying to lose. I am down over 20 pounds.

At some point, I will need some new clothes. Actually I will need a new outfit or two sooner rather than later.

I want a make over. A complete, total "gosh who is that" kind of makeover.

Sunday night I found myself entranced with a show called How Do I Look? This is not something I normally watch. Indeed, I had never seen it before and didn't konw it existed. But it came on after reruns of Sex and the City and I was reading, so I didn't change the channel. And then the next thing I knew, the book was forgotten and I was watching slovenly women being transformed into lovelies.

I want to be a lovely.

However, it hard to be a lovely when you don't know how to be a lovely. I also have some bad habits. For example, I chew my nails, still, though not as much as I once did. I am overweight, of course, and I tend to lean toward comfort over fashion. I do not like things that bind, and I need good, sturdy shoes. I need my glasses, too.

Every one of these women in these make overs lost the glasses, turned blond, and put on high heels. They looked good, but they did not look comfortable.

Sexy, yes. But not comfortable, or very practical. And definitely not me.

When I was about 14, my father hauled me off to a beautician, I guess because he was tired of my shaggy hair. This is the only time I remember him taking an interest in my appearance and I don't know what precipitated it; maybe someone said something. Anyway, the cut was way out there, for me, so much so that later that day, when I ran into my cousins at the mall, they did not recognize me.

Photos of me throughout the years show a woman who never knew what to do with her hair. I had perms that were wild; when I see the pictures I can't believe I looked like that. These days my hair lays against my head, no perm, and the gray shows. But it is gray and unpermed because I discovered I couldn't deal with the chemicals in the hair coloring and permanent solution. They made me ill.

When the time comes to buy new clothes, that time some months away when I have lost another 20 pounds and absolutely nothing in my closet fits, I hope I have the courage to step out of the Alfred Dunner section of the department store and try something else. Even if I don't get a different hair cut, or stop chewing my nails, I can purchase different clothes.

Maybe it is time I decide who I want to be, eh? It's only taken an entire lifetime! Time to find my personal style so that the answer to "How do I look?" is ... SMASHING.

13 comments:

  1. For a cheapie new look that you want to try out, go to Goodwill and buy a few outfits in styles that you normally wouldn't have bought. Wear them for a couple of days. If you don't like the look/fit, donate them back and you'll only be out a few dollars. If you do like the look, you'll know what kinds of styles to look for.

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    1. That's an interesting and frugal idea, Becky! Thanks!

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  2. CJ Banks offers a way to get out of the Dunner days. My Mom loves their clothes. But you know what? As long as you're happy in your own skin, who's business is it? I've never met you face to face, but I could probably guarantee, I wouldn't care what you looked like. It's funny to keep tabs on someone through a blog, but proves the content of the person is the real value. =) Be yourself!!!!

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    1. Thank you, Jen! That's very sweet. I think I own a CJ Banks piece that somone gave me. I will have to check them out.

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  3. you should be so proud of your weight loss anita, that is quite an accomplishment. i think people look better when they are comfortable. i hate being all dressed up in dresses and high heels, it's just not me and i feel like it shows. i'm a jeans/tshirt/flip flop girl and if i don't look my best like that, at least i feel confident in what i'm in, rather than the dressed up me! go you!

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  4. Being comfortable has always been rather important, Tanya! I guess I will see what comes of it all in the future.

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  5. I've often wondered what the make-over people look like 6 months down the road. Those complete re-dos are hard to keep up. I'm still a blue-jeans and T-shirt kinda gal, but pair a pretty, flowy top with a pair of jeans and you're all dressed up! And accessories perk up any outfit.
    Here's to your good health and successful weight loss!! When the time comes to shop, take a friend whose style you like with you and have fun!

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    1. Good point, Lenora. I imagine it is hard to look like that if you're not used to it, and it's a little more work than you want to put into it. Thank you for the good wishes.

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  6. I can definitely relate to this, Anita. Even when I was in my twenties, my conservative, seventy-year-old aunt told me that I dressed too "frumpy." So I tried for a while to jazz up my style a bit, but ended up back with my sensible shoes and comfort clothes. I even have the same hairstyle I had in my twenties! All our troubles of late seem to have aged me terribly, so I have had thoughts recently about how I could really use a makeover. But, as you and Leonora said, keeping the look up would probably be more effort (and expense) than I'm willing to expend. :-)

    Congratulations on your weight loss!

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  7. What a nice honest post, Anita. You should be proud of your weight loss. If you can't color your hair, I would suggest finding a good salon for an expert cut to give it a refresher. I have never met you so I can't comment on your appearance, I am speaking in general terms. Do you have a Target nearby? You might browse there because they have jeans with different fits. Maybe take someone along like my sis? Someone with a very different style who could make suggestions you would not consider on your own. Make it a fun day. I wear glasses too but always keep the style current and interesting since it is an accessory. I shop at the tack stores because many carry clothing you wouldn't find elsewhere.

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    1. Thanks, Denise! I confess I have considered asking your sister to go along with me! She does have a lot of sass in her style!

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  8. I started sliding into a bit of a slump fashion wise a few years ago and really decided to make an effort to pull my look together. It was partly precipitated by having watched What Not To Wear enough times to suddenly start to "get it". Clothes (they don't have to be expensive) really can make you feel better. Just a white t shirt that fits and a pair of jeans that fit can look great!!! It's the fitting and the not worn out part that counts. I'm trying anyway!!

    My tip for money well spent is to have your eyebrows shaped at the salon. It does wonders! I can usually keep up with it myself for a few months before needing to get the salon to take over again. Cheap and instant de-aging!

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