First day of work today. And I wore my shirt inside-out. It was early, much earlier than I normally get up, the room was dark cause the boy was still sleeping, and I was late. So I pulled on whatever was on the floor and headed out the door.
Luckily, it wasn't really noticeable cause the tee shirt had raw edges anyway.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Aspiration
In my recent fashion adventures, I have come to think that clothing is mostly aspirational. Besides a few pairs of tee shirts and jeans, you don't really need much to get by in life. All the rest of it is, depending on your point of view, excess.
The excess, though, comes from the primary reason that people shop, I would say: aspiration. Through these extrinsic objects, people imagine their better selves reinvented through some bit of technology, clothing, perfume, or cosmetic that will define them to the world.
There are a number of theories that analyze the shopping phenomenon. One in particular summarizes what I find interesting about it.
1. Shopping as a staged experience, like a movie. Stores try to stage the shopping environment like a movie set, against which people rethink who they are and who they could be. The wood floors and panelling at J. Crew, for example, conveys an image of fresh-scrubbed American gentility, just as their catalogs convey an idea of halcyon youth. The company tries to project some sporting life that few actually have, but through a $40 polo, some can try to approximate. The things offered for sale are essentially just props.
The difference between reality and aspiration becomes painfully apparent to me when I sit at the central courtyard at the mall, as I have done a lot this weekend. I try to think of what I see before me as the pageantry of life, all these shapes and sizes of people. But mostly, it's depressing to see the soft, ill-formed bodies and the things that people acquire to disguise a quietly desperate life.
Perhaps this is projection?
I indulge in it myself, all the time. In my imagined self, I see myself wearing knee high boots and shorts skirts with whimsical little tops. Something strong, feminine, and willful. In reality, I dress pretty demurely, as much to disguise as to reveal.
There is a constant push-pull of wanting attention and rejecting it. I think every girl has to come to terms with it at some point. Women are called into their femininity by these (mostly male) gazes that let us know that we have an effect on the world, oftentimes before we are ready. But then, at some point, that gaze and the sense of power that comes from commanding that gaze becomes entrapping. I see so many women who orient, if not their lives, then at least their clothing around male approval. Often, I have thought it would be so nice to be able to pass through life with some degree of anonymity. To cut through the crowds unblinkered, unimpinged.
The excess, though, comes from the primary reason that people shop, I would say: aspiration. Through these extrinsic objects, people imagine their better selves reinvented through some bit of technology, clothing, perfume, or cosmetic that will define them to the world.
There are a number of theories that analyze the shopping phenomenon. One in particular summarizes what I find interesting about it.
1. Shopping as a staged experience, like a movie. Stores try to stage the shopping environment like a movie set, against which people rethink who they are and who they could be. The wood floors and panelling at J. Crew, for example, conveys an image of fresh-scrubbed American gentility, just as their catalogs convey an idea of halcyon youth. The company tries to project some sporting life that few actually have, but through a $40 polo, some can try to approximate. The things offered for sale are essentially just props.
The difference between reality and aspiration becomes painfully apparent to me when I sit at the central courtyard at the mall, as I have done a lot this weekend. I try to think of what I see before me as the pageantry of life, all these shapes and sizes of people. But mostly, it's depressing to see the soft, ill-formed bodies and the things that people acquire to disguise a quietly desperate life.
Perhaps this is projection?
I indulge in it myself, all the time. In my imagined self, I see myself wearing knee high boots and shorts skirts with whimsical little tops. Something strong, feminine, and willful. In reality, I dress pretty demurely, as much to disguise as to reveal.
There is a constant push-pull of wanting attention and rejecting it. I think every girl has to come to terms with it at some point. Women are called into their femininity by these (mostly male) gazes that let us know that we have an effect on the world, oftentimes before we are ready. But then, at some point, that gaze and the sense of power that comes from commanding that gaze becomes entrapping. I see so many women who orient, if not their lives, then at least their clothing around male approval. Often, I have thought it would be so nice to be able to pass through life with some degree of anonymity. To cut through the crowds unblinkered, unimpinged.
The end of it
Okay, I think now is the end of the shopping spree. Got to be, because reality sets in tomorrow. Work!
As it turns out, the cosmetic case from the Gap will carry on the ironic tradition of its predecessor. The pull tags on the zippers have the word "Love" inscribed in enamel.
Since I was at the shopping center, I also stopped by Anthropologie to peruse the sales racks. Balancing my Jamba Juice "Strawberries Wild" with Energy Boost in the crook of my arm (I figure I'll need that boost for my late night tonight, trying to remedy my procrastination), I found a few items for the wardrobe. One turned out to be half of the sale price marked, so it turned out to be 75% off the original price. I had been on the fence about it, but I am no longer.
I also dropped off my jeans to be altered. Call off the dogs--I found the perfect pair of denim a few weeks ago.
As it turns out, the cosmetic case from the Gap will carry on the ironic tradition of its predecessor. The pull tags on the zippers have the word "Love" inscribed in enamel.
Since I was at the shopping center, I also stopped by Anthropologie to peruse the sales racks. Balancing my Jamba Juice "Strawberries Wild" with Energy Boost in the crook of my arm (I figure I'll need that boost for my late night tonight, trying to remedy my procrastination), I found a few items for the wardrobe. One turned out to be half of the sale price marked, so it turned out to be 75% off the original price. I had been on the fence about it, but I am no longer.
I also dropped off my jeans to be altered. Call off the dogs--I found the perfect pair of denim a few weeks ago.
Cosmetic case
I've been using my mom's old cosmetic case for something like 10 years now. The plastic has rubbed off on the inside, and what remains is discolored by ointments of years past. But I like the design, a delicate and faintly oriental vintage floral pattern. I also enjoy the irony of the bag's name. "Amore," which I think is pretty droll, given the fact that the case (until recently) held my toiletries for overnighters.But it may be time to replace this aging artifact. Perhaps with this one from the Gap.
Adrenaline
The girls at the Fashion Spot say that you'll know when you find a handbag that's right for you. It's a response you'll have, much like falling in love.
Gryson Skye, in smoke
Notes from a suburban mall
Uniform: For girls, tight faded blue jeans and tight tee shirts. Some wore tank tops, the last of the season.
Insecurity: It's the ones who have bad posture and cast furtive glances around them. They trail after their friends and provide a backup soundtrack.
Town square: Where do you go to find a big congregration of people in the suburbs? These are the town squares, the downtowns of the suburbs. A pretty good mix of people in the malls. Too bad it's all centered around the activity of shopping.
Insecurity: It's the ones who have bad posture and cast furtive glances around them. They trail after their friends and provide a backup soundtrack.
Town square: Where do you go to find a big congregration of people in the suburbs? These are the town squares, the downtowns of the suburbs. A pretty good mix of people in the malls. Too bad it's all centered around the activity of shopping.
The easiest way to make friends
...is to leave the dressing room carrying stuff. In this case, the dressing room at Macy's carrying the sweater and leggings. Suddenly, I was swarmed by SA's who told me I was so cute with my dress on, and what a lovely sweater I was getting, and oh, was I ready to be rung up? I even got a restaurant recommendation while I was at it.
Not to be snarky about it. I just thought it kinda funny to see the heretofore desultory shopgirls spring into action at the sight of a woman with things in her hands.
We all play this game, I suppose. I have a few agreeable responses canned and ready to deploy at the first sign of it. "Yes, it will make a good layering piece." "I think so, too." And always gracious and good enough: "Thank you."
Not to be snarky about it. I just thought it kinda funny to see the heretofore desultory shopgirls spring into action at the sight of a woman with things in her hands.
We all play this game, I suppose. I have a few agreeable responses canned and ready to deploy at the first sign of it. "Yes, it will make a good layering piece." "I think so, too." And always gracious and good enough: "Thank you."
Rampage
I went on one. Why? I started off so well, all environmental and diligent. The shopping spree all began with a stainless steel compost bin.
It looks kinda like this one from Target, but with a more rounded lid. I got the Storables one because the reviews for the Target one said that the lid often got stuck.
See? I even did research. I was being good.
The goodness continued when I got an ice tea maker for the boy, so he won't have to drink that Lipton stuff in a can. Cause I live in the Pacific NW, naturally brewed sun tea is not really an option, at least outside of 3 short months.
And then I had planned this morning to travel to Whidbey Island to join the kite festival. A nice, wholesome activity. But the boy and I were derailed because of a late start, which required us to eat on the road. But where at? Given the limited vegetarian fast food options, we decided to stop off at the mall to visit the Panda Express. I also had two coupons for freebies at Victoria Secret. And thus my downfall began.
What I got:
free panties, VS
free lipbalm (in lieu of lipstick, but still "Very Sexy" according to VS)
thermal cropped leggings
cashmere sweater
sheer white tee with beachy screenprint
Concrete, Vol 1 (graphic novel)
green-framed sunglasses
and yesterday:
3/4 sleeve white thermal henley
red leather bound journal
and online:
pretty nylon messenger (to be worn cross body)
wallet
and the day before:
black beach pants
silk dress
white shoulder bag
white ruched sleeve tee
It looks kinda like this one from Target, but with a more rounded lid. I got the Storables one because the reviews for the Target one said that the lid often got stuck. See? I even did research. I was being good.
The goodness continued when I got an ice tea maker for the boy, so he won't have to drink that Lipton stuff in a can. Cause I live in the Pacific NW, naturally brewed sun tea is not really an option, at least outside of 3 short months.
And then I had planned this morning to travel to Whidbey Island to join the kite festival. A nice, wholesome activity. But the boy and I were derailed because of a late start, which required us to eat on the road. But where at? Given the limited vegetarian fast food options, we decided to stop off at the mall to visit the Panda Express. I also had two coupons for freebies at Victoria Secret. And thus my downfall began.What I got:
free panties, VS
free lipbalm (in lieu of lipstick, but still "Very Sexy" according to VS)
thermal cropped leggings
cashmere sweater
sheer white tee with beachy screenprint
Concrete, Vol 1 (graphic novel)
green-framed sunglasses
and yesterday:
3/4 sleeve white thermal henley
red leather bound journal
and online:
pretty nylon messenger (to be worn cross body)
wallet
and the day before:
black beach pants
silk dress
white shoulder bag
white ruched sleeve tee
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