Style, Attitude & the Me of It
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| Dry Cosmos on the Stem Watercolor study |
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| Cosmos Drying Digital photograph |
The composition will include cosmos that are in bloom as well as buds in a blurry background.
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| Acrylic in progress |
This summer has been one of abundant dull light for painting indoors.
Speaking of dull.
My wardrobe is Earthy colors, nothing real bright other than white. The other day I bought a pair of Cynthia Rowley long flowing viscose wide leg boho print pants. Think 1960-70s hippie era. Even the tie waist strings have wood beads at the ends.
The photograph is taken at the hem area.
Here's the thing. I have yet to try them on. They will fit, and be super comfortable. My issue is my attitude towards them. Although the do represent Me, I feel timid about wearing them for what they represent. Being a baby boomer, there's the hippie era episode in my history, high school, college. Actually, we were called freaks as in think comedian George Carlin.
But that was then. I left all that behind in 1971.
I am here in the now. I don't mind looking like an old lady. I even like elastic waist pants. It took years, but I wear them all the time now. I only have a beer every summer to pay homage to my flower child era skills. I still use language I used as a teenager, edited to fit the person I'm talking to.
What happened? Why the lack of embracing a part of my history that was as exciting as it was tragic? I remember the glow in my soul of being a writer, experiencing life to write about.
The answer that sticks out is the Attitude from judgmental folks labeling a person of any age, who wears certain clothes as getting high, ultra liberal with a stash of protest signs magically fitting into their pockets like Hermionie's bag in Harry Potter films. Seriously, you dress like that, many people will label you.
Point being, I all on my own, on purpose, as well meaning as it is, has fit myself into a style that is not Me.
So now I'm wondering what I'll look like when I decide to be Me.
I suspect there will be careful editing of my style because I've already searched online for temporary tattoos.
This will be fun.
Oh Maywyn - I think those pants will just be wonderful. A gal that comes into our office is wearing hip huggers and bell bottoms...takes me back to the good old days. Since I am a jean gal...my bottoms are still tattered and I know that comes from those days. Guess I will be me until I pass from this life into the next. Let me know how those temporary tattoos work! Have a great week. Hugs! P.S. love your painting of the Cosmos...just beautiful friend.
ReplyDeleteTemporary tattoos will be fun I bet.
ReplyDeleteI can honestly say I don’t care about style, colour etc any more. Clean and comfortable is my rule. That makes me happy.
Debbie,
ReplyDeleteYour office sounds like a wonderful place to be.
A pair of jean with the hems cut off and let to go wild on fringe have been my go to jeans since 1964. lol. Not the same pair though. lol again.
I will post a picture of the tattoo try out. I can't wait to see if I walk around wearing a sweater over my arm. :)
Have a great week!
Marie,
ReplyDeleteClean and comfortable is good.
The temporary tattoo will be fun if is washes off without looking sad. I'll be searching for a temporary tattoo pen as well.
I had a lot of fun with temp tattoos a while back. Made all kinds of designs, bracelet being a favorite. Wear the pants at home until they feel "you", then let them burst on the world!
ReplyDeleteLiz,
ReplyDeleteGood to know you've tried temp tattoos. I feel better about it now.
Wearing the hippie pants on my birthday is the plan. :)
A word of caution re those pants - take it from one who knows, beware of tripping yourself if you're walking up stairs. Be sure to pull them up! I bought a jumpsuit for summer which has 'flowy legs' and did a prat fall up the stairs when one foot stepped on opposite leg of the pants. No harm done, other than to my dignity, but better to be safe than sorry!
ReplyDeleteBoth our sons have tattoos and I horrified/astounded them when I said I wouldn't mind getting one. I won't because I don't want to pay for it, but it was sure worth the shock value to tell them I might!
Maryanne,
ReplyDeleteA temporary tattoo will bring your sons much joy. :)
Thank you for the tip!
I've been thinking about hemming the pants because of the walking issue. I remember the days when I had to go to functions wearing a long dress. Not fun catching a heel on a hem.
I like the cosmos paintings.
ReplyDeleteWhen I look in my wardrobe there is a lot of pink ... well it is my favourite colour and seems to suit me :)
All the best Jan
Jan,
ReplyDeleteThe personality of pink is one of the most diverse, I feel, the color spectrum.
Awesome floral paintings ~ favorite is the watercolor ~ If it is not comfortable ~ no matter the color ~ I don't wear it ~ lol
ReplyDeleteWishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Carol,
ReplyDeleteComfort rules clothes for sure.
I really like your new pants, and the colors suit me. Yes, wear what makes you feel good. I've found that shopping for clothes is a bit harder as I get older, but it's always nice when we find something that says, "that's me!"
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Sheri,
ReplyDeleteOnline shopping is fun. More so nowadays seeing titles for women over 50 or 60. The clothes are what I'd wear in my twenties. I notice, though, there are no knit tops with butterflies and lighthouses.
Oh wow do I ever relate to this post! I LOVE clothes and I do have my own style. I had decided a long time ago that I wasn't going to bend to others' judgement of me. I am what I am, as Popeye would say! So-I wear patched jeans that are artistically done and very comfy. They started out being jeans with factory made holes in them-I knew that wasn't me-so I put patches over the holes. I wear 'hippie' scarves, long dangly earrings and odd necklaces. I wear purple and yellow together. My hair is long-I haven't gotten gray yet even though I'm 68 years old-but I'd still wear my hair long even if it was gray. I happen to love gray and white hair-I think it's pretty. My grandpa didn't turn gray until he was in his late 70's! Anyway-wear those gorgeous pants!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd my goodness-your paintings are absolutely gorgeous.
Debra,
ReplyDeleteYou look fabulous! Keeping to your own style is a soothing way to live.
The worn jean fad doesn't compare to real genuine worn jeans with patches. I love the poster of authentic hippie women with the caption something like...you'll never be as cool as they were. Today's 70 something old hippie/freak/college folks are walking history.
Love your cosmos art!!
ReplyDeleteThose pants, yes! I do understand being hesitant to wear some things. By the end of high school years (early 80s) I did try a few things outside of my regular corduroy pants (mom took us to the Gap for school shopping lol). I bought purple (probably deep lavender) parachute pants and a purple and white tiger print shirt and remember getting some shocked looks on that ensemble. I also got a white skirt/shirt with a few vibrant stripes and bought high heels in 2 or 3 colors to match. Soon after high school I was married with a baby on the way so whatever style I was trying for ended and maternity clothes happened instead. These days... I do love boho flowy type blouses and have quite a few, but usually wear with plain black pants and flat shoes. Every so often I get glimpses of what my style would be in various photos online... but... most days I'm wearing clothes to paint in... or work on plants... so, rags basically. LOL
Have fun with your temp tattoos!!
~Mary
Mary,
ReplyDeleteThe rags style is a good look, artistic, creative vibe.
I'm leaning towards a temporary tattoo pen because the temp tattoos I see online aren't quite the style I want.
My wardrobe is dominated by black.
ReplyDeleteWilliam,
ReplyDeleteBlack is a solid wardrobe.
First of all, I love the cosmos and I can't wait to see more of it.
ReplyDeleteSecond -- you do you! Don't worry about other people. Do you want the ones who judge you by your clothing or your style over your warmth, your talent, your personality, your individuality. I daresay, a lot of people of all ages would go "wow -- those are fabulous pants!" I would!
PS -- if the pants feel too "hippie" for you, maybe cut them off as cropped pants or gaucho pants. That would be cute, too!
ReplyDelete