“You always look so fashionable,”
my boss said. I looked around to make sure she was in fact talking to
me and then responded, "hahahahahaha."
"Ummm, I am
pretty sure I'm not fashionable,” I continued, “and this sweater I am
wearing, my mom picked it out. The outfit yesterday -- my husband
helped me put it together.”
Fashion has never been my friend; maybe
more of my frenemy since I look at shopping as a hassle and can never
figure out what piece of jewelry to wear with each outfit. If I am
going to be completely honest, then I'll admit that wearing gym
clothes every day would be perfectly fine with me, but that wouldn't
work in Boston.
The East Coast spouts more fashionistas
in one block than the entire Washington suburb I lived in. Even at
my office, which is full of engineers and women typically older than
40, I am usually the one lacking in the outfit of the hour. Around
the city, being fashionable is kind of a must. Even my West Coast
friends know that the East Coast has more fashion sense, but no one
told me that when I moved.
I think I am the only one who doesn't
wear a puffy jacket with a faux paux fur trim hood; I didn't know
what trouser socks were until my truly fashionable Bostonian friend Erin let me
in on this secret; I thought scarves were meant to wear with jackets
to stay warm outside, apparently not; I can't figure out how to pair
big jewelry with my outfit (and always wince in pain at the price tag
of the shinny accessory); I learned I should never wear my tennis
shoes around town – only tall boots, only tall boots, need I say it
again – only tall boots.
With this said, the East Coast has been
an enabler of sorts and I have succumbed to some of the more popular
styles, while pushing back on others –- I will not look like every
other girl on the street – that is my standard. Fit in socially but
don't blend in too much.
Lastly, I found this little gem that I thought would add some color to this post. :)
