Every Style Trend Isn’t For Me
I'm not a trendy dresser, more classic. I prefer to invest in clothing that has longevity. I try to dress outside of that box; I try, but often I end up back inside the confines of that classic style box.
One gorgeous Saturday afternoon, I went shopping for a summer dress. My spring and summer wardrobe lacks options compared to my fall and winter clothing. Walking into a local T.J. Maxx, I immediately saw a dress I’d seen online many times. It was a babydoll dress in taupe eyelet fabric. Grabbing that dress with two others, one a babydoll and the other a shift dress, I headed toward the dressing room.
I was excited. I’ve seen this style of dress worn by many style influencers on Instagram. I saw myself wearing this dress with my cowgirl boots and hat for a concert or a night out dancing. The dress could also be paired with gold jewelry and slingback pumps for Sunday worship.
In the dressing room, I pulled the taupe dress over my head and looked in the mirror. I grinned and twirled as my head began to sing this song:
“I’ve written a letter to daddy, saying I love you!”
I cracked up when I thought of that crazy scene from “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane” when the main character, an aged child star, sings this song. “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane” is a classic film starring Betty Davis and Joan Crawford.
I giggled at my reflection, realizing why Mom sewed most of her clothes.
The dress with the eyelet design and subtle ruffled cap sleeves felt “busy.” Just like Baby Jane, I looked crazy. The dress did nothing for me. The color was solid and beautiful, but it did not say Amy. I could not put my finger on why a dress that looked great on the influencers I’ve seen, as well as women I’ve seen in stores or on the street, did nothing for me. Was it my age? Was it my body type? I wasn’t sure.
Removing the dress, I decided to try on the basic shift dress; a white linen dress with a V-neckline.
Pulling the dress over my head, it slid on effortlessly. As I zipped up the side of the dress, it fit like a glove, accentuating all parts of my body. It was appropriate for church, a dinner date with my husband, or seeing an art exhibit on a Saturday afternoon.
Approaching fifty-five, I struggle with my styling. I am not the young hottie I used to be, but I’m not aging in a rocking chair either. It’s a balance between admiring what you see someone else wearing and what works for your style. Every trend may not be for you.
Taking notice of how we feel wearing garments is important. Equally important (depending on the setting) is how we want to be remembered when we enter and exit a room. This has a place in styling.
While my Fall and Winter style of a black turtleneck with jeans and boots is a staple during the cooler months, the longer I live in the south, I'm sure I will discover my styling for the warmer months.
