There was research last week and as we sat behind the one way mirror, my client and I discussed how it is that some people go anywhere in pants that don’t have any fastenings, ie zippers, buttons, etc. Yes, people who believe it’s perfectly fine to go through life in track pants (for the gents) and leggings (for the ladies). We started to think maybe we could invent a new dress code: Pants that do up required.
Another researcher has a theory that the minute you stop paid work, you age about 10 years. You dress for the house and then think you’re only going to the supermarket, so it doesn’t really matter – no make up and trackie daks, and then that’s it – forever!
Now ladies, Mothers Who Don’t Do Paid Work (because let’s face it, there’s no such thing as a Mother Who Doesn’t Work!) please, prove the theory wrong - please!!!! Not that I’m close to giving up paid work anytime soon (unless you’ve heard something…??) but I just want to know it’s possible to still pull a look together on a daily basis.....?
6 comments:
From a mother who doesn't go out to work, I would argue there are 3 types of look that define our category.
1. "Super athlete I managed to drop my baby weight simply givig birth and run a marathon 4 weeks later while still breastfeeding". Hated by all normal mothers who put on 25kg with each pregnancy and is still surviving on carbs, chocolate and caffeine. This mother is always in workout gear. Her look: tight black leggings, singlet top, hair pulled back in a bouncy pony tail and always running about.
2. "Eastern suburbs gucci mama". See a lot of these around my local parks (may explain why it took me a while to make new friends). Tight jeans or short short cut offs in summer and even tighter t-shirts to show off the latest gift from their darling husband, their new boobs. Their look is usually accessorized with equally large diamond rings and a young euro or philipino nanny.
3. "Worn out, real mothers.: The look for my kindI: t's generally leggings & throw over dress or cargo pants & baggy top covering the muffin top tummy (caused by actually eating too many muffins). The reason my kind has stopped making an effort with our clothing is that the outfit usually gets food stains (and not normally my own) on it 10 min after getting dressed. Then it needs to be durable for crawling through tunnels and climbing ladders at the park to rescue stuck toddlers. And finally it ends with paint or glue blobs from an afternoon of art & craft. And when this is what happens to the clothes each day you can no longer justify spending big bucks on high fashion. Although we do try on the very rare date night we might get with our husbands...our chance to show them a glimmer of hope that one day their wife may return.
Added to item 3 is the question: Why would you bother dressing up to go to the supermarket? Is it for the cranky checkout lady? The even crankier old lady who realises your blonde cherub actually did tell her to "shut up"? Is it the withdrawn from the world teen stacking the shelves? Or the odd posh researcher on her way to get her weekly manicure? It certainly isn't for the other mothers just like you who don't have time to look at anyone else for fear of losing their devil spawns under the Aldi pallet shelves to eat illicit chocolate Santas. And who did put those fucking things on a pallet near the checkout?
If I have just spent the afternoon gardening and realise there is nothing in the fridge for dinner, I will dash to the supermarket in whatever and hope like hell I don't run into someone who has had the time and energy to manage 'a look'. Who are we to judge what anyone wears whether they work or not?
Hilarious!! And all extremely valid. You know I do actually, like 3.32 go to the supermarket in my running gear - after running - and let me tell you, it's not pretty either visually or aromatically - but like painting toe nails at a desk, sometimes a mother's got to do what a mother's got to do!!!
I'm hearing you sisters!
However, I'd love to say I don't judge what people wear, I deep down know that's the right thing, but the reality is, I do - there! I've confessed. Bring on the crucification!
There is no hope darling. None. You will find that if you do not work you will not pull a look together on a daily basis. You will not.
Granted you may succeed for the 1st year... or four,I did, but then you will not.
#1 reason: Because on a daily basis I only see other mothers at the drop off and maybe a shop keeper.
Frankly: They are not worth my time, money or effort. Sorry, that's the truth. They're like ants.
I'm too busy doing things I feel are important for myself, my family and my friends to care what they think about the clothes I chose today.
#2 reason (I know you know this about me already MWW) I ride my bike to school with the kids every single morning. That is not happening in an "outfit". So I pull on track pants every morning for my bike ride so that when I am with people I care about I look hot in the outfit I pull together.
Yes you do 7.46!!!
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