Image by chaoticartworks.
Once or twice a month, I hop over to the local thrift store and pick through the offerings. I scavenge for eye-catching items: name brands, quality fabrics, colors that suit my skin, unique items.While I examine each piece of clothing, I imagine the previous owners as women who have acquired a new attitude, gained weight, or thrown a "flat dry" item in the dryer by mistake. Her tragedy is my treasure.
Going to the mall seems too easy, like shooting fish in a barrel. I like the challenge of sorting through racks and racks of undesirable clothing until I find a hidden treasure.
I tell myself that my fashion sense evokes the artsy-intellectual archetype. However, sometimes another person will post a picture of me on a social media site, startling me into the realization that my risk-taking shopping method has led me to commit a fashion faux pas.
Exhibit A: I attended a walk-a-thon fundraiser during the Summer of 2012 and wore cotton pants that I bought at a thrift store, believing that I would look youthful, fun, energetic and creative.
Exhibit A: Fashion Disaster
Um. No.
Instead, I look frumpy and underdressed. I appear to be wearing my pajamas. Since I bought them at a thrift shop, they could very well be pajama pants or scrubs. My willing them to be lightweight summer capris will not actually change their nature.
I have misunderstood the real nature of an item of clothing before. I wore some gray legging for three winters, paired with over sized sweaters until my sister Julie asked me, "Why are you wearing thermal underwear without pants over them?" Oops. I suppose the tag indicating Eddie Bauer Ebtek might have tipped me off. Well, they were very warm.
Lesson learned? When striving for the bohemian look, I walk a fine line between that and circus clown.
Fortunately, I sometimes have great success scavenging a shiny object that situates me closer to the "ravishing beauty" side of the spectrum than the opposing "raving bag lady" side. Photos on social media have also convinced me that I must wear make up as I move into my Second Act. I foolishly believe that I can skip the make up and project a sporty, natural look in my 50s. Absolutely not. I just look a decade older without a splash of color on my lips, cheeks and eyelids.
Exhibit B: A Reasonable Fashion Success
Exibit B: This photo was taken in September of 2011 as I was leaving to attend a dinner party celebrating the 40th birthday of my friend Debbie.I found this beautiful hand-embroidered top at a thrift shop. Although I bought it used, the top still had the tags on it, indicating that it was hand made in India. And I actually managed my time so that I could style my hair and apply make up in addition to assembling a southwest salad to bring with us.
When I do assemble available materials to my advantage, I want to crow with delight. My feathers may be a little more ruffled than when I was in my youth, but this wizened bird knows how to sort through the detritus of others and claim something of value for herself.
Related:
Embracing My Age
The Senior Discount: A Matter of Fashion
This post is part of a blog hop. Want to see other women committing fashion crimes? Check out these posts on the same topic.
