I'm wearing these today with a black skirt that falls just at the knee, a pink sweater, black jacket, and a black scarf with pink, green, orange, and purple swirls on it. I think I look fabulous.
Taken with my crappy camera phone.
Over the years I've discovered that I love color and I love to wear color, particularly in unexpected ways. It's just that I've always been a pretty reserved dresser at work. In my line of work, it's sort of expected.
Now that I'm back at work after The Depression, I've decided that I'm going to wear what makes me happy. No more hiding who I really am. And who I am is a somewhat reserved woman who loves to to take people by surprise.
I've gotten a lot of double takes today. Even more double takes than the time I showed up in thigh high white stockings with hot pink vertical stripes. (They were fabulous, by the way. I'll take a picture next time I wear them.) While it's refreshing to have people stare at my socks instead of my chest, it's a bit uncomfortable. I feel like I have to explain why I'm wearing these stockings when, of course, I really can't. It's not like finding your authentic self is something you can bring up in hallway chit chat.
So then I wonder if I'm really trying to show people who I am or if I'm just trying to shock them. And then regretting the choice. Still, I haven't taken the stocking off. This seems to be some sort of personal test and I'll be damned if I'm going to fail it.
I spent most of my childhood and a fair part of my adulthood trying to be just like everyone else. While secretly (or overtly) admiring everyone and everything that was original, different, not "me." Maybe I'm not the girl with the pink and black stockings, but I'm not going to be just like everyone else.
If I can teach my children one thing that I think will help them most in this world, it is this:
Don't be afraid to be different.
Don't be afraid to question.
Shout it from the rooftops.
Examine everything.
Live an authentic life.
So tell me, how do you show the world your authentic self?
Post, and my soul, inspired by Shutter Sisters.
Looks awesome. You rock, mama!
ReplyDeleteLove the socks! I gotta tell you - the last time I wore heels was about 3 years ago. That's one thing I love about my job - scrubs (i.e. pajamas) and danskos - comfy all the way! Every once in a while I'll sneak in some stripy colorful knee highs but no one really seems to notice under the scrubs. Happy Love Thursday!
ReplyDeleteThose are awesome socks/stockings! Since I work in legal aid, my dress code is pretty low key so I let my funky self go wild!
ReplyDeleteFrom that shot I think you look fantastic too!
ReplyDeleteNice. Goofy socks are one of the perquisites of adulthood, I think.
ReplyDeleteI have tattoos, I'm not afraid to discuss my faith or my politics, I wear a kilt, I listen to headbanger music when some think I shouldn't, I hang out with my blogging pals, and I don't care who thinks it isn't cool.
ReplyDeleteAhem... and the socks? With the heels?
F***in' hot, Steph.
I talk about porn. ;)
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful post Steph. You sound like yourself.
You are an authentic person--without having to try one bit.
And I love you crazy socks, big boobs or boring reserved clothing and all.
Wow LM! What a burst of Absolutely Fabulous color! I love them. And yes, isn't it all about being yourself? Happily, joyfully, pinkstockingly yourself. Thank you for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm impressed by the heels, I'm still trying to get over the terror of wearing heels since Jude came along.
It's true... ML talks about porn!
ReplyDeleteHAHAHAHA
I watch Nancy Drew, the movie. I argue with waiters over mistakes on bills, nicely. I dress in what feels good to me.
ReplyDeleteSo very cool that you do, too. I think socks can make the woman. :)
I always get caught in the internal space where part of me thinks I look fabulous and part of me thinks I look like a clown. However, I'm finding I don't care if I look like a clown now that I'm older. I have to give my kids SOMETHING to be embarrassed about, right?
ReplyDeleteGirl, my son would LOVE those.
ReplyDeleteActually, I often express myself with socks.
I love shoes. I love THOSE shoes, but I just love shoes; did I mention I love shoes?
ReplyDeleteAnd talking fast to strangers.
And chewing gum. Loudly.
And burping. *burp*
Go, you!
I was so distracted by my crush on your socks, I couldn't figure out why everyone was talking about themselves, besides, you know, that these are blog comments and that's what blog commenters do, talk about themselves. But no, you asked a question. Duh.
ReplyDeleteI have no authentic self.
Love the look!
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah...tag, you're it.
http://vivalafeminista.blogspot.com/2008/03/tagged.html
Thanks for this post! When I was still at BIG LAW FIRM, I showed up one day in my gray suit with hot pink tights. To say I was the talk of the firm would be an understatement-- but that was me. It really didn't take me long to understand that pink tights (read: me) would never fit in that place.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reminding me that it's OK to wear them and love them and be me.
xo
I play fantasy football. I still read Stephen King novels. I wear jeans every day.(It helps that I work from home). I watch Headbangers Ball. I write a blog about sports and I write about sports for a blog about women. I drink beer if I'm visiting a crappy vineyard, but I'm not ashamed to buy a $30 bottle of wine. I'm not afraid to discuss how being medicated has changed my life for the better.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, and good for you!
ReplyDeleteI am actually wearing pink pants and a coral pink sweater today (yay Casual Friday...)!
ReplyDeleteAfter getting through the 80's "professional women must dress like men in order to be taken seriously" phase, I'm embracing my love of pink in all shades. Ok, so maybe it's not pay equality, but at least we're free(ing ourselves) from the mentality that we need to be "like men" in order to be taken seriously and to succeed.
LawyerChick
you are always fabulous.
ReplyDeleteI watch teen romance movies and allow myself to be lazy by not caring about jewelry or make-up. I never wear them. You'd be hard-pressed to find me lacking in sexy bras, though.
ReplyDeleteYou know, when I stopped shaving my legs in my mid-twenties I felt self-conscious about it for about a year. Now I don't even think about it. I say keep wearing what you want and eventually the self-consciousness will wear off.
Oh and did I mention how great the tights are and how this ortho gal is suffering severe shoe envy right now?
ReplyDeleteMan I loved pink and black when I was doing my LLb. It brings back memories. Where did you get those. I'd love a pair.
ReplyDeleteI would quit my job.
ReplyDeletei love those shoes. those stockings.
ReplyDeleteyou.
i want to be that girl who walks in with the cool pumps and funky tights. but i have always been stuck in mediocre fashion land. now if i want to wear high heels even everyone goes nuts wondering: WHY. i am even afraid to color my hair.
Running on empty
Those are FREAKIN' AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteI am all for hot pink socks/tights and even more for the brassy broads who wear them!! :)
Love it, love you!
I never....ever.....shutup....there is not such thing as TMI with me! You should know this!
ReplyDeleteI am not sure if I LOVE the stockings.....but you.....YOU ROCK! :)
MOST BEAUTIFUL SOCKS> THE COLOR IS GROOVEY. THE SHOES ARE NICE!
ReplyDelete