| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Feb 17 2013 : 9:25:23 PM
Hi girls!
A few months ago (well, maybe a bit longer), I had a health issue which made wearing shorts and jeans - pretty much anything that snapped, button and/or zipped at the waist - pretty darned uncomfortable. Long story short, I started wearing a lot of lose cotton knit dresses and denim skirts at home, saving the jeans and shorts (in appropriate weather, of course!) for trips out to the grocery store, etc. You know what? I LOVE wearing dresses and skirts! No matter what I'm doing - whether gardening or cleaning or cooking or hanging out laundry or... well doing ANYTHING, really - I am very comfortable in them. As a matter of fact, I really don't enjoy wearing my jeans very much at all anymore. I mean, they have a purpose, and I'm sure I'll still need them or want to wear them on occasion; but to me, they seem very binding and restrictive now. They're plum uncomfortable and I find them very inhibiting. I really thought once winter hit, I'd be miserable with a dress on, but when the chill starts to be more than I want to bear, I just put on some knit leggings underneath. Easy peasy! Problem solved!
The funny thing is, I hadn't realized just how often I had been wearing dresses - or how others have been noticing me wearing them, rather - until last weekend when I had some friends over for a mother/daughter tea. All the moms and daughters came, as usual, wearing jeans and sweaters, but one of the little girls came all dolled up in a cute little dress, complete with a bow in her hair and her favorite shiney patent leather dress shoes. I commented how pretty she looked, and she just beamed. She told me that she dressed up because she knew I'd be dressed up, too. She said she just "loves it so much" how I wear dresses all the time - that I always looked so pretty and girly. I absolutely blushed! I hadn't really given it a thought! And then I remembered how my foster daughter had recently commented how "cute" my "dress outfits" are. I honestly didn't even realize that people noticed! Is it really that big of a deal?
Later on, I asked my hubby what he thought about my dresses - did he think I was looking like, as one of my good friends would say, an old "Studda Bubba?" Or, more like the girls back home would say, an old "fish wife?" He emphatically shook his head no and said he LOVES that I've been wearing dresses and how I look in them! He said I look good in whatever I wear (trust me - he was only trying to win points and cover himself in case he was walking into a trap and going to later fully regret his words - LOL!), but if I like wearing dresses, he really likes me in them, too! Then our son chimed in that he and his friends like how I dress, too, and that one of his buddies commented he wished his Mom dressed more like a girl the way I do! I was floored! I never realized wearing dresses could be such a big deal!
Having said that, the weird thing is that I do feel very self-conscious about wearing dresses out in public (other than church or to a special event, of course). For example, whenever we head out to the grocery store, without thinking about it, I run right upstairs and change into my jeans. My son pointed it out the other day, and wondered why I do that? How absolutely weird - I honestly don't know! Why IS that, I wonder? Force of habit, maybe? I don't have a clue! Why on earth would I feel the need to put on jeans to go to the store? It's not like I'm wearing my pajamas!!! Do any of you feel that way, too?
I don't think I ever really gave any thought to this before... I certainly never intended to start a conversation about it with friends and family. And I surely didn't do it to make my husband feel like he might be seen as a sexist for liking that I wear them or how I look in them, either! Good gravy! I just started wearing them because it was more comfortable! If I were to be totally honest, though, yes, it does make me feel a little bit more feminine and girly to wear them. I do like that I can accomplish most of my chores in a comfortable dress... I mean, it's not like I'm donning pearls and sporting high heels when I'm cleaning or anything; but I don't NEED to wear my jeans to get the job done, you know? And I'll admit it: I truly have noticed my guys treat me a little bit sweeter lately; and they DO do more for me around the house without being asked - I kind of like that! But I surely don't mean to manipulate them by wearing dresses - not at all! Like I said, I can do just about anything in a dress...I just might not enjoy changing the oil in one, you know? LOL!
So, what do you all think about it? Do you think wearing dresses and skirts is a big deal? Do you wear dresses and skirts on a regular basis, or have you been wearing them a little more often than you used to? Does wearing dresses make you feel different at all? Do you feel funny wearing them out to, say, the grocery store? How do your family and friends feel about it? Do you get an unusual reaction from others when you do wear them? Do you find people treat you differently? Just wondering... I just find this whole subject quite fascinating! :)
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
|
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Tammyb |
Posted - Jan 13 2015 : 10:49:44 AM
Patty your post made me laugh out loud! I can be found in a dress or skirt almost completely ... unless I am on the motorcycle !!! Then I put on a pair of jeans :) I happen to love the feel of skirts and dresses, and I just love tights !! I don't really think much about what someone else might think about that. That said I think we need to love our bodies as they are. If we need to be more healthy then work on that but we were made to be all shapes , sizes, and colors !!! We need to appreciate who we are. Have fun and be comfortable in whatever you choose to wear.
Live to leave a legacy
|
| 5 acre Farmgirl |
Posted - Jan 13 2015 : 06:54:11 AM
DRESSES WOOHOO !!! I have wore them for oh...about the last 25 years and before that when I was in School,,we could NOT wear pants....now I wear them for EVERYTHING...even riding my horse...I was in a cult that wore dresses for absolutely everything,,,I guess that still carries over,,,but, I do feel more feminine ...just my opinion..THANKS !!!
Farmgirl Sister #368
~~*Terri*~~
Life is too short, it is just a vapor, live it like you wont have another minute with the ones you love...... |
| jkstidham |
Posted - Dec 10 2014 : 9:29:26 PM
Last year I began a challenge in which I had to wear a dress or skirt for thirty days (not the same one each day). It was eye opening! When I completed the challenge I gladly pulled out my jeans and t-shirts thinking they would be just as comfortable as I remembered, but I was so wrong. After a few hours of running errands in my jeans, I went home and changed into a nice dress. Jeans and t-shirts are no longer my first choice for comfort clothing. Now I grab a dress. If it's cold out I put on a pair of fleece lined leggings to stay warm. My favorite dresses are the ones that can span all four seasons with just a little change in what is worn to accessorize them! I know that when I wear a dress or skirt I am more aware of how I present myself, I glide instead of walk, stand a little straighter and smile a little brighter. People pick up on that and treat me differently when I wear a dress then when I wear jeans. I don't think people even realize they do that. In the end a person needs to wear what makes them feel good and smile.
May your life be filled with many blessings,
Jill |
| dena91 |
Posted - Dec 07 2014 : 12:39:08 PM
Just found this thread - My experience with wearing skirts/dresses all the time started when my first son and I were studying the Pilgrims (15 years ago!). I saw those pictures of the women and men and how differently they were dressed and I started wondering why. As I wondered I decided to buy a few dresses and see how it felt to wear them all the time. I LOVED IT!!! I felt like I had gone back in time (which always seems so romantic to us in retrospect) flowing around the house and yard in my long skirt/dress. I found I could do everything I had always done in pants and adopted the style as my own. I have had many of the experiences others have reported and think others' responses are pretty interesting. The only trouble I have had lately is cleaning out my chicken coop (too small to stand erect and I keep stepping on my skirt). I recently inherited this job as my oldest just started college. I have decided - for my safety and the longevity of my clothes - that I should wear old pants while I do this job!
As I work around our yard, I wonder what people think as they see me in my long skirt and apron! What a sight I must be! I just keep walking and working, loving the way my skirts sway as I go. |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Dec 05 2014 : 9:47:36 PM
Brenda, don't spend a lot of money, but I would spend a little on a consultant for colors. The person should be going by your skin, eye, and hair color, it will make a difference (huge) in what things look like on you. For instance, blues, yellows, greens do NOT look good on me, I look good in primary colors, and brights on the others-like bright orange, or hot pink, etc. I look dead in yellows, blues, and greens. It changes my coloring completely.
On styles though watch, what not to wear, I learned a TON! I have also learned what looks good on me and doesn't by trying on a TON of clothing and really looking at it on me, not just if it can get on my body! lol Does it compliment my good points, and reduce my not so good points. I look good in princess seams, things that go in at the waist, etc... straight legged pants if I wear pants, longer dresses if I wear dresses, etc.
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| star-schipp |
Posted - Dec 05 2014 : 7:05:36 PM
Oh Nini - I'm right there with you...honestly, how can those jeans even be comfortable with so much of the bottom hanging out - not to mention unsanitary for the next person sitting in that chair. I've almost given up on jeans because I cannot stand wearing the lower rise ones - I feel like I am constantly checking to see that everything is staying covered - I'll probably wear the ones I have that sit at my natural waist for as long as they will last.
I'm almost ready to go back to dresses - those older style house dresses are sounding better all the time....or it could be that these days, comfort and function are ruling over fashion for me...LOL
If you can't feed one hundred people, then just feed one. -Mother Teresa
Star - farmgirl sister #1927
Estle Schipp Farm: Celebrate the Hobby Farm Lifestyle
EstleSchippFarm.blogspot.com
https://youngliving.org/starschipp
Master Food Preserver
|
| notathreatinsight |
Posted - Aug 09 2014 : 06:38:31 AM
I just told my sister about a month ago that I decided I'm going to wear dresses only from now on. Not for religious reasons (although there was a time in my childhood when that was the case) but just because I'm more comfortable in them. They're easy! You just throw one thing on. Done. I love it! I have always worn primarily dresses in the summertime only but this winter I was introduced to fleece-lined tights which has just changed the winter-dress wearing game for me.
As a related story... my friend was having a birthday party for her daughter, and her daughter was obsessed with horses at the time. She told her mom that she was going to ask me to get her this toy horse for her birthday. I can't remember exactly what it was, but it was outrageously priced. Something I probably wouldn't have spent on my own child, let alone my friend's seven y/o daughter. Anyway she asked her why she thought I would buy her this horse, and her daughter said "Because she's rich!" She asked her why she thought I was rich (because I AM NOT! lol) and she said "Because she always wears those pretty dresses!" The logic of children is sometimes hilarious.
Erin
Farmgirl #3762
May my heart be kind, my mind fierce and my spirit brave. - Kate
Forsyth
http://www.etsy.com/shop/femmepostale/
http://www.pinterest.com/femmepostale/ |
| Joanna |
Posted - Aug 08 2014 : 7:41:33 PM
I was raised to wear skirts as a Biblical principle, and I still wear them. Even if I didn't believe in it for religious reasons, I just can't imagine wearing pants. I used to wear pyjama pants, but I can't even stand them anymore. :) I have never found my skirt to be a hindrance. I work outside, ride my bike, and do the same things as anybody else. People always remark on how nice I look, and I know it is only because I am wearing a skirt. :)
Joanna - Sister #5965
http://roomsandwindows.wordpress.com/ |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Aug 07 2014 : 07:52:22 AM
Kudos to BOTH of you! SO encouraged by your successes! Hugs - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
|
| auntjenny |
Posted - Aug 02 2014 : 4:33:50 PM
Thats great Lisa! Slow and steady is best for sure! I sure can find clothes that fit from thrift stores easier now- love that! |
| nubidane |
Posted - Aug 02 2014 : 3:46:36 PM
That is amazing Jenny! Can't wait to hear more from your new life!
I've lost about 25 lbs and need to lose another 25.
Slow and steady.
"We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.” – R.R. |
| auntjenny |
Posted - Aug 02 2014 : 12:46:38 PM
I think the combo of being in love and happy and bikeriding. It sure feels better. I do have moreto lose but getting there. |
| nubidane |
Posted - Aug 02 2014 : 11:56:56 AM
Wow! How did you lose 75 lbs?
"We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.” – R.R. |
| auntjenny |
Posted - Aug 02 2014 : 11:30:40 AM
I love wearing dresses. Now that I am back in California and have lost quite a bit of weight-75 lb over the past year and a half the skirts and dresses are shorter than they used to be and thats fun. I just feel more feminine in dresses. I do like my jeans for when its cold though, and if I am at home you will always find me in a 1940 style apron. I have at least 20 of them.
|
| Ninibini |
Posted - Jul 02 2014 : 06:39:12 AM
Ooo! Ouch! It suddenly got extremely hot here yesterday, Patty, and OMGoodness - going through the same thing. I started wearing my jammie pants under my dresses, which are super lightweight, do a great job, and nobody is the wiser. Thank God for the pool! ;)
Take care!
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
|
| thebyrdhaus |
Posted - Jul 02 2014 : 06:22:44 AM
I love this thread! I too wear alot of dresses. And I love them but like you Ninibini I tend to change when going out somewhere. Dresses are alot more comfortable to work in, and I typically wear a apron with pockets to hold my cell phone, and tools...lol. The aprons also allows me to gather eggs, and tidy up the house by storing and carrying things that I pick up downstairs that belong upstairs, until I get there. I gathered the courage to run to the hardware store the other day with a dress and apron on.
My sister has always wore dresses. She even wears them on the back of her husbands motorcycle, tucked under appropriately. :)
In today's world it is OK to be different. When I grew up, it was not ok. I look better in a dress than someone with their pants to their knees, someone with dreadlocks, or someone dressed gothic. Maybe we can start a new trend by wearing dresses. :)
My issue is when working out of doors this time of year, even with powder my,chubby thighs stick together. Boy cut undies are not long enough. I have looked for a pattern for petticoats. Something a little longer for these chubby thighs. I may cut a couple pair of long underwear off and try that. :) Thanks!
Patty #1840
http://ladygonegreen.blogspot.com/
A rind is a terrible thing to waste. Compost.
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”
-Jesus in John 6:12 NIV Bible |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Jun 20 2014 : 08:28:17 AM
Brenda -
Here's my thought: You can always return a "bad" purchase, but if you pay someone else for the consultation, that $450 is gone forever. Keep the money, buy what you love. Unless you need this consultation for professional reasons - for example, if you're running for office or going to be on television - I would not suggest you do it. You are a wise and wonderful farmgirl. I'm sure ultimately you will know what's best for you. :) If you're not REALLY sure about your body type and colors, there is so much out there on the internet that can help you educate yourself for a little more guidance - but do you really need it after all these years? And I'm sure you must have a trustworthy friend or two who would LOVE to go shopping with you and help you decide! Besides, those body type and color things are so general. You still have to take into account your personal tastes and what makes you happy, you know? I think one of the great things about retirement is that you've finally come to the point that it is ALL about you from now on - no more listening to people's opinions, no more being moved to please others or make impressions or make purchases based on society's trends or mandates. Be happy and trust yourself. Nobody knows you better than you. You know what makes you happy; you know what "skins" in which you are most comfortable. Relax, smile and treat yourself and a friend to a spa day or something special with that $450!!! You DESERVE it!
Hugs and love -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
|
| churunga |
Posted - Jun 20 2014 : 07:20:09 AM
A lady on this forum does wonderful restyles. (Making old clothes into new ones that fit.) She is known as Bearclover and has an Etsy shop and has been featured in Altered Couture magazine. I am certain that she can take those sentimental clothes and make them into the clothing you desire - even the wedding dress. As far as going to a professional consultant, I believe that it would be better to use your own critical eye and those of close friends both male and female. That's what I do. My husband is my best fashion consultant. And anyway, you can clear out your own closet.
Marie, Sister #5142
Farmgirl of the Month May 2014
Try everything once and the fun things twice. |
| brightmeadow |
Posted - Jun 19 2014 : 7:55:52 PM
I am looking at my wardrobe with a critical eye since I am at a stage where I am
- contemplating a career change (retirement!)
- just finishing a marketing campaign from Carol Tuttle "dressing your truth" that links personality to style
- have gained weight (a lot!) since Christmas and need new clothes
I have a lot of clothes in my closet that do not fit but I have sentimental attachment
I have a lot of clothes in my closet that are "damaged" but still have a lot of recyclable material (denim dresses) hat I cannot bear to just send to the landfill.
I just looked into a "image consultant" here in Metro Detroit area and they are very expensive, $450 for a 2-hour session to determine colors and style, or $650 to help you go into your closet and "pare down"
Darn it, I hate to spend money to have someone tell me what to throw away. So I am definitely not going for the closet session. But I am considering the shorter session because I always thought I was an autumn and Carol Tuttle is telling me my personality is more of a Winter.
My closet has way too much stuff that I don't wear in it but I am keeping, I guess for either sentimental reasons (wedding dress) or because I have false hope of losing weight. I have been buying clothes online and then I don't really like them after I get them. I think because the models do NOT look like me. but maybe I am buying wrong colors.
What do you think? I could easily spend $450 on bad clothing choices, should I pay for the consultant to tell me what colors I should buy?
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com http://brightmeadowknits.blogspot.com
http://www.ravelry.com/people/Brightmeadow |
| lovenshire |
Posted - Jun 19 2014 : 6:41:45 PM
I love dresses and skirts. I never wore anything else until I was 50. I have some health issues and my legs are always cold so I started wearing jeans. They are comfortable but I don't feel feminine in them. Lenora
Lenora |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Jun 13 2014 : 6:52:32 PM
Brenda, when I first got my Danskos I absolutely loved them, but as time went on (a rather SHORT time) they KILLED my feet. I guess I am just too used to Birkenstocks. <Partial German here, too! :)> My feet are wide, but not super wide, and after 6 months of my Danskos my feet would swell so much throughout the day that the sides of my feet started getting hard little balls at the bone at the bottom of my pinky toes (very bunion-looking, very painful). Although they shoes are wide enough at the onset, they were just so uncomfortable as the day wore on, my feet would swell and then rub on the insides of the shoe. Awful, awful, asful. . Also, they caused serious pain in the balls of my feet - felt like my bone was going to poke through, or part of the shoe would. SO, simply unable to take it anymore, I announced to my hubby the other day that as soon as fall rolls around, I'm going to order myself a nice new pair of Birki's. They are just so much more comfortable, and, as you know, once they conform to your feet, you just don't WANT to wear any other brand! Totally worth the investment, in my book! So, that's my two-plus cents. I hope it helps. I really wanted the Danskos to work for me, because they have so may different pretty styles, but nope - I'm going back to my Birks...
Good luck!
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
|
| brightmeadow |
Posted - Jun 12 2014 : 7:40:36 PM
I have been wanting to try Dansko shoes but the high price has been putting me off. I have a very wide foot, EEE usually fits well, and have had bunion surgery so cannot stand any pressure in the big toe joint area.
I do not find that they have Wide sizes, only Medium, on the Zappos site. I buy Birkenstock sandals and they are exactly wide enough, but I am half German in my DNA, so clearly they are made for me ( I have my father's feet, and he was 100% German)
Any advice from experienced Dansko wearers?
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com http://brightmeadowknits.blogspot.com
http://www.ravelry.com/people/Brightmeadow |
| churunga |
Posted - Jun 07 2014 : 12:41:04 PM
Thank you. These are nice.
Marie, Sister #5142
Farmgirl of the Month May 2014
Try everything once and the fun things twice. |
| Ninibini |
Posted - Jun 07 2014 : 11:53:03 AM
Marie - I have several of the Denim & Co. cotton knit dresses in different styles from QVC and just love them for every day wear. They wash up real nice and dry soft and smooth on the line. My favorite ones seem to be "retiring" but you can still purchase some on clearance.
This is one that I wear all during the cooler seasons:
http://www.qvc.com/Denim-&-Co.-34-Sleeve-Solid-Tiered-V-Neck-Knit-Dress.product.A226766.html?sc=A226766-SRCH&cm_sp=VIEWPOSITION-_-39-_-A226766&catentryImage=http://images.qvc.com/is/image/a/66/a226766.001?$uslarge$
They have a similar one - a sleeveless tiered v-neck tank dress - that I wear all summer. Both dresses have back-ties, but you can remove them if you so desire.
My absolute favorite is completely sold out. It's a short-sleeved v-neck tee shirt dress with an empire waist. I wish to high heaven they'd bring that back because it's so versatile and can be worn in all four seasons!
The thing I like most about these dresses is their versatility - they can be dressed up with boots, worn with simple summer boat shoes or high heels; they look lovely with scarves, layered with sweaters and belts... you name it. And the material is a perfect weight: not too heavy, not too light. I really hope they come back with more styles in this fabric. I just love it!
I really need to learn how to sew... I bet I could make them and save some real money, huh? Maybe this will be the summer!!! We'll see!
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
|
| churunga |
Posted - May 26 2014 : 10:59:34 AM
I have been wearing dresses and skirts almost every day. I have fun buying really cool tights to go with them. They are all solid colours with variously patterned knits - plaid, flower, polka dot. I even have one that has an open weave. The second grade girls I work with really like them. I get so many compliments about what I wear now. I have found a sarong buried in my closet and am using that for a skirt by wrapping it around myself and securing it with a belt. Don't want that to fall off accidentally. I am having trouble finding simple, everyday dresses and skirts. Most of the ready-made look too fancy to wear in the garden or on a hike. I am planning to make some of my own using cottons, linens and denim. I am not all that satified with the patterns I see online or in the stores. If you are looking for a pattern, I can recommend Folkwear Patterns (http://folkwear.com/). There they have prairie dresses and skirts and a schoolmistress' shirtwaist. I have several of these patterns. The Asian and Old Eurpean collections are very good. They even have patterns for underthings. All of them are simple to make.
Marie, Sister #5142
Farmgirl of the Month May 2014
Try everything once and the fun things twice. |
|
|
