Monday, October 10, 2011

Monday Mommy Musings...Fashion Struggles

NY & Company
The last year, or so, has found me at an age where at times I find myself struggling a bit with adjusting to this new season of life - you know the one that seems to arrive after that 40th birthday .  Some of the struggles have been pretty easy to adjust to when I realized that, hey....it is better on this side of the fence (see this post: Looking Backwards.)

Then there are other areas where I don't quite know where I fit.  Fashion is a major one.  I do NOT want to be one of those Moms who dresses (or tries to dress) like a 20 year old.  For the record, my 14 year old son calls those the "fancy Moms" and not in a flattering "fancy" kind of way...  Yes, I can still get into most of the 20 year old wear but, frankly, that look just doesn't quite fly anymore.  On the other hand, I am not ready for geriatric wear either.  The thing I find most frustrating when shopping is that most petite departments seem to think if you are not a Junior, but are petite, you want to dress like you are 90!  WHAT is that about???

Also, (like it or not)  I can't seem to wear the heels I used to wear daily.  This has been a big source of stress!!!  For what ever reason, the balls of my feet and one of my knees seem to launch all kinds of complaints when I try to pull that off.  So this year I have bought several pairs of flats. I do like them and have tried to make sure they were really cute...but I still struggle with not wearing heels.  That little voice in my heads seems to taunt me with "I thought YOU would always wear heels...blah...blah...blah."  I don't want to be condemned to the land of ugly, prison guard shoes.

So, if you are looking for me at the mall you may find me wandering around with a vague look on my face trying to find something to wear that falls somewhere between the low rider jeans, duck embroidered sweatshirts and yoga pants.....



11 comments:

  1. I hear you girl! I swear, if I ever think Alfred Dunner looks good....smack me! And I detest Chico's, Coldwater Creek and J.Jill--I always feel sooo old when I go into any of those store (and who wants to wear a jacket that resembles a carpet anyway?) I always try to like Steinmart, but I've come to the conclusion that I'm just not that "fancy"--it's a great place for mens clothes and shoes, but I rarely find something for me there. So I'm in the same boat....I'm not THAT old, but there doesn't seem to be a happy medium anymore.

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  2. Don't worry sweetheart, I haven't been able to wear heels for longer than an hour or two for years-and I'm 37! I even had to have surgery on my big toe to replace a joint so that I could still walk without pain!

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  3. I feel that if you stick with classic styles it helps this problem a lot. You can never go wrong with cords, polos, and cable knit sweaters! :)

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  4. I am right there with ya! I'm not sure what I'm going to do when my fun little bling-bling flip flops are no longer appropriate in the cold weather!!!

    I'm a plus size momma -but NOT an obese momma - now try finding clothes that aren't frumpy and granny-like for a big busted 42 year old momma that still finds its important to be fashionalbe~! UGH!!

    I also don't really need to spend $100+ on jeans to wear to Wally-World, but I'd like to find a happ medium in there somewhere that isn't my 20 yr olds' closet OR my 70 yr old mother's closet!

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  5. This was a good post.

    I have terrible feet, and this time of year gets tough because I tend to only wear comfortable shoes. I've bought two pairs of ballet shoes that hurt my feet.

    I think The City Boy has a good point.

    Leigh

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  6. Totally understand and get that "feeling" of not knowing! I'm actually at that "geriatric" age (I guess) when I could probably do the elastic-waist stuff & embroidered stuff, but I truly don't feel that age. I have reached the "age" where my shoes are now organized by how long I can "bear the pain" -- 1/2 hour, 1 hour, you get the picture. I'm also on a mission to find where I misplaced the "figure" that used to look cute in leggings and tunics -- can't find it anywhere!
    :) CAS

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  7. Girl, you are singing my song...and it's not a tune that's easy on the ears.

    Wish we could shop together...we could "police" each other. LOL

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  8. Too funny! I know what you mean about heels. I love how they look but I usually only attempt them on Sundays to church. :) I love the flats in the pic. They are very cute!! :)
    Thanks for stopping by my blog!

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  9. I so feel your pain in the petite dept. It's a major peeve of mine. The LOFT has a fabulous petite section with clothes that are stylish, well-fit, and yet do not look like they came from the juniors dept. As far as heels go, for winter I buy my boots one size too big and put those orthopedic insoles (from the drugstore)or tennis shoe insoles in them. Makes them uber comfy!

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  10. Like lots of others who've commented, I too feel your pain! Literally: in the feet, and Figuratively: in the wardrobe!

    It's so hard to find the right balance and not just 'disappear' as a woman, which seems to happen once you've gotten to a certain age!

    Thanks for this!

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  11. I really need to find a pair of low heels that do not kill my feet! I have lots of nice skirts and dresses, but feel funny wearing them with flats and my tennis shoes is definitely not a look I want.

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