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how to dress
Nov. 12th, 2009 06:26 pmI have been wibbling(thanks to ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
feathernscale for introducing me to this term, it has quickly inserted itself into my vocabulary) about the appropriateness of dress in different places and for different occasions. This was started by visiting Greece, where people(women in particular) dressed very differently in what I would describe as casual situations. Compounded by my imminent trip to Paris, fashion capitol of the world. *meep*
Looking back on my life I have never been taught how to dress. I was not taught how to express myself as feminine. I was not taught how to apply make-up or do my hair. In general I missed all the "how to be a girl" classes. I think part of the things I missed out on was due to our financial status. Couldn't afford to do the things where this sort of information was important. I think it likely that my mom knows at least some of this. Now, I've made it important to me to catch up on these things. I know how to apply make-up to myself to my advantage. Over the years I have garnered knowledge about what looks good on me, not to be confused with what I like which don't always overlap). I know how to act in just about every level of society and not be thought boorish.
What surprised me was the level of formality presented to the public. People dressed to the nines to go out of the house on Sunday. Going out in the evening meant dressing up to advantage, not because you have someone to impress but because you respect yourself enough to present yourself to the public in a way that is flattering. I found that I appreciated this point of view even though I had never been exposed to it before.
My practical nature still wins out here. I'm unlikely to wear 4 inch heels to the mall to walk around and shop because that is just stupid and inappropriate. Does not show proper respect to yourself and encourages others to think you are putting yourself out there and are willing to disadvantage yourself to do it. Ick.
I've been rifling through my wardrobe to see what I have that fits the bills of general expectation for the trip to Paris and for a few other occasions that I have coming up. I'm finding that I think I'll be ok. One question that came up today when looking at a particular outfit was, "How much cleavage is appropriate to show at a funeral?" The answer that came to immediately came to mind was, "If you have to ask, its probably too much."
feathernscale for introducing me to this term, it has quickly inserted itself into my vocabulary) about the appropriateness of dress in different places and for different occasions. This was started by visiting Greece, where people(women in particular) dressed very differently in what I would describe as casual situations. Compounded by my imminent trip to Paris, fashion capitol of the world. *meep*Looking back on my life I have never been taught how to dress. I was not taught how to express myself as feminine. I was not taught how to apply make-up or do my hair. In general I missed all the "how to be a girl" classes. I think part of the things I missed out on was due to our financial status. Couldn't afford to do the things where this sort of information was important. I think it likely that my mom knows at least some of this. Now, I've made it important to me to catch up on these things. I know how to apply make-up to myself to my advantage. Over the years I have garnered knowledge about what looks good on me, not to be confused with what I like which don't always overlap). I know how to act in just about every level of society and not be thought boorish.
What surprised me was the level of formality presented to the public. People dressed to the nines to go out of the house on Sunday. Going out in the evening meant dressing up to advantage, not because you have someone to impress but because you respect yourself enough to present yourself to the public in a way that is flattering. I found that I appreciated this point of view even though I had never been exposed to it before.
My practical nature still wins out here. I'm unlikely to wear 4 inch heels to the mall to walk around and shop because that is just stupid and inappropriate. Does not show proper respect to yourself and encourages others to think you are putting yourself out there and are willing to disadvantage yourself to do it. Ick.
I've been rifling through my wardrobe to see what I have that fits the bills of general expectation for the trip to Paris and for a few other occasions that I have coming up. I'm finding that I think I'll be ok. One question that came up today when looking at a particular outfit was, "How much cleavage is appropriate to show at a funeral?" The answer that came to immediately came to mind was, "If you have to ask, its probably too much."