The papa did surprise me early yesterday with a bag full of goodies though. Wooden kitchen utensils from World Market, a bath pillow (since I seem to take like 5 a day lately), one of my favorite romantic flicks, "Knotting Hill", a gift card for Amazon, and oh.. a box of Mucinex (ha!) My mom also sent me a Target gift card in the mail which I plan to buy wrinkle cream with. I am not joking.. I know I need some but can never seem to get myself to fork over the money for the good stuff.
So, enough about wrinkles and disease. Let's talk about another concern of mine I've been having recently. FASHION confusion.
Most of the time it's not something I think about, since most days I am just at home with the kids. It is on the rare occasion that I go out with friends, or to a clothing store, that I start to become worried. It happened again this past weekend when the panda and I went to a used clothing store. We both sort of just walked around perplexed by our options. I'm not often in this situation, because buying clothes always seems to be on the back burner of important needs. But, my clothes are pathetic and falling apart so I decided I needed a few new somethings. But, what exactly?
In High School, I experimented a lot with fashion, trying on many different styles. I was obsessed with Kate Moss and Vogue and studying fashion. Finally reaching my 20's I felt like I knew what I liked and was happy and comfortable with my clothing choices. But the closer I got to 30 I started questioning my decisions. I'm pretty tiny, so I usually have to shop in the Juniors section of stores, but suddenly the clothes started looking too juvenile for me. So, then I would venture into the women's section only to discover that nothing fit right and looked a bit too old. Eventually I stopped shopping and went back to my trusted "grunge" look of a soft tee, worn in jeans, converse, and a sweater in the wintertime. And that's where I find myself stuck at now. It's okay during the week while home with the kids, but I am clueless what to wear when I need to look a little nicer.
Occasionally I find myself watching "What not to wear" and secretly wish that someone would nominate me. The panda is having similar issues. When I met him in H.S. he was a skater with big baggy clothes and a chain wallet. He now wears dress pants and a tie everyday to work and comes home in the evening to slip into his pj's. On the weekends he throws on his old favorite pair of jeans and a worn in long sleeve t-shirt. I'm sure you can just imagine us attempting to shop together.. and on a super tight budget no less. It was a frustrating experience. I ended up buying a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, and cardigan and he left the store completely empty handed, as usual. I wonder if they have a couples "What not to wear"? Surely we should be nominated for that episode.
So, I guess what I'm wondering is.. has anyone else gone through this difficult transition in their 30's? Or is it just me? Seriously people, I am struggling with a clothing identity crisis here.
I love vintage clothes on other people and I LOVE LOVE pretty much everything at Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters, but can't afford the price tags! I try using those styles of clothing as inspiration to find something similar at thrift and vintage clothing stores, but just can't seem to pull it all together without looking too mismatched or overly eclectic. I feel like i don't know how to coordinate clothes anymore any am totally lost in the fashion department. How did this happen?
I know that when it comes down to it, clothing and fashion are not all that important. It's what's inside that counts.. yada yada. And it's not like dressing well is going to get me into Heaven or anything. But sometimes a girl just feels blah and wants to feel prettier and more confident in herself, you know?
Can anyone relate? Is there hope for me?
HI erin
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday!! I think all the pictures I have seen you, you look beautiful!! Of course, I think every girl loves clothes to some degree and at some point goes what you are going through. But as I'm sure you know, a few nice pieces goes a long way. Where you find those is entirely up to you and some times it does take time to hunt for bargains. And honestly I think the big 3-0 is overly dramatized. Somehow we are suppose to suddenly grow up or achieve a certain something when we hit that magic #.
I do hope you'll find something whatever it might be- something you just love even if it isn't clothes, maybe a piece of accessory and even it isn't practical. But something that make you feel prettier and more "confident". But you are beautiful, truly! Plus you're God's princess, don't forget, how can you not be?
Aw *blush* thank you!
ReplyDeleteOh, and as a correction from my personal spell check, aka papa panda; "Notting Hill" does not have a "K" in it.
Happy Birthday Erin, I love your style. I'm the same way, jeans a cute T and coverse. I guess I'll always be stuck in the 20 something look cause I'm clueless what to wear once I reach my 30's. ;) It's funny though because people think I'm like 18 and not 27. I bet it's the same for you. lol. Anyways, we should go shopping together some time soon! I need help in my clothing choices too. Love ya!
ReplyDeleteHI Erin
ReplyDeleteI just had another thought of what you wrote, 'I love anything from Anthro./Urban Outfitter but can't afford the price tags.'
I read somewhere that instead of thinking "I can't", we should try to think of "How can I...." because the latter opens up possibilities. Thought I'd share with you. Take your time healing....sometimes that just can't be hurried. I have been there as frustrating as that is. ;)
That is an outlook on life that I really need to hear right now. Coping with allergies/hunger and now suffering through the flu on top of it, my spirits have been low lately and my outlook on life not so positive. Thank you for the kind and gentle reminder. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday! I've really enjoyed reading through your blog! Also, it seems like you have great style, but I know what you mean. My husband and I both wear the sames clothes we wore in high school (not only the same style, but often, literally the same t's and jeans). We feel sad about it, too! We want to have our style grow-up tastefully, you know? Lately, I've been buying new clothes here and there on sale (j.crew, thrift stores, Ross), and every so often, I get inspired by a coffee buzz and splurge on something in one of the hip shops downtown. I have two good friends who are petite, and one of them swears by j.jill and the other one alters her clothes with her sewing machine. Anyway, I would do a pretend what not to wear - sort through my clothes... maybe you could sell some to a store like Buffalo Exchange or something? Then, I would buy a few really simple updates that go with everything - don't they always suggest buying a new white shirt? and maybe a couple pairs of cute pants... then you can add clothes here and there. That's what I did at the beginning of the school year. Also, I swear by my Dansko shoes - they're comfortable and they can look both casual or a little more dressed up - I bought them 4 years ago, I wear them everyday on the playground, and they're still in good shape.
ReplyDeleteYIKES! I'm rambling! Sorry!
Happy Birthday, Erin!!! You always look beautiful in your blog pics. I'm still a couple of years away from 30, but I too am already considering wrinkle cream. Yikes!! Where did time go. You sound like me. I was so into fashion in highschool, and spent my early and mid twenties feeling confident, for the most part, about my fashion choices. But I am starting to hit a point of confusion. I think we just have to embrace the changes happening to us and start trying to love to dress ourselves again. I say as I sit here in yesterday's jeans and last night's pajama top. ;) Hope you and the fam start feeling better asap!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I've tagged you. :)
sorry about mucinex for your bday. they really aren't as fun these days, are they? well, on into our 30s we trudge. i've got a couple of years on you, if it makes you feel any better ;-) oh, and what you're wearing in that pic? totally what i am still (un) comfortable in. (although NOT rockin the skinny jean like you!) i feel VERY much the same way... in that what i am habitually drawn too is starting to feel a bit juvenile, but the adult stuff i like, i can't afford! pretty much everything i own is from the salvation army or my mother's hand me downs! (she's pretty hip for being in her 60s). my closet is full of things that are too small (old) or too big (post preggoness) and i am currently wearing a sweatshirt from the JR section of walmart with a fleecy hood and butterflies on it. heaven knows what i will have to do when i need to get a real job someday..... i think you're very cute, and i would ask to borrow that sweater, but i'm 5;9" so i'm guessing i'm a tad bigger than you ;-)
ReplyDeleteThank you all for the encouragement.. it's good to know I'm not alone! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you're all feeling better. As for style, I went from working at the Limited, wearing heels and scarves to driving a mini-van, sporting comfy workout clothes! It's part of the journey I suppose, but I know what you mean, I'm making a conscious effort here latley to find my style again, but hopefully with a sophisticated twist:0) Have fun with it! Buy out of season to save money?
ReplyDeletehappy belated birthday erin! i do hope you are all feeling better! the clothing thing has been huge for me, and i am a smidge below 4 0 , ugh i can't even believe it. i question my choices too, pierced nose, big tattoos, NO thrift stores here, and way too much fleece surrounding me. i read somewhere about editing a little when you are older. i do that sometimes. sometimes i think who cares, if i feel like i look good it will reflect in my mood, and that's good! i agree with everyone else your style is awesome and does not look too young! you have great taste, stick to what you love. just because you are older and a mom does not mean you can't be sassy!
ReplyDelete