Apparel Opinions

Everything you will ever need to know, you can learn from your wardrobe. It’s true, who needs astrology, tarot cards or the local telephone psychic. The keys to our future, our past and what’s cookin next Tuesday is hanging merely footsteps from where we eat, sleep and breathe daily. I came upon this revelation while on a desperately urgent shopping mission earlier today. I set out to explore my new neighborhood. After just barely moving into my shoe box studio, I decided it was time to take a break from the boxes and head out into the sunshine. I began my walk in the general direction of a Marshalls I had spotted the other day while on the bus. I felt the sweet summer-like sun pouring down on me and the smell of freshly grilled hamburgers wafting by in a light spring breeze. I allowed myself to become distracted by the variety of Chicagoans commuting by me on the busy streets of Lakeview. Some people were in suits, some were in jeans and several were in some variety of work out attire. I think you are more likely to get hit by a runner than bit by a mosquito in the city. Which is all news to me because in Vegas you’d melt on a outdoor run, and mosquitoes don’t exists.

In any case, some of the ladies who caught my eye where wearing baggy cotton dresses and Grecian type sandals. They had oversized sunglasses, and hats, scarves and rings up the ying yang. If I had to tie them all together I would commend all of their excellent ability to accessorize. I looked down at my frilly black skirt and low cut pink tank top. This was the type of outfit I’d typically worn a lot in Vegas. It was perfect for hot summer days and running errands, but suddenly I felt like a little Debbie Ho Ho on a buffet of crème Brule, and Tiramisu.. Noting my newfound need for some Chicago style I found my way to Marshall’s, TJ Max and a few Clark street boutiques. I sought out a way to coin my very own urban flair. I was going for some sort of bohemian composition which included well executed accessories who would be both stylish and functional…(see my prior article about stilettos)

It wasn’t terribly long until I had saved 10 percent by opening a new credit card, made my purchase and left the store with a fantastic retail buzz and entirely too many bags to carry. Must remember I can’t load it all in the back of my SUV here! Must remember purchases need to be carried, ugh. Being a dancer has blessed me with great balance, lucky for me I found a way to juggle my treasures while setting out on my six block walk home. Just as I was making my way out the door my phone began to sing. Cheryl Lynn in the middle of letting me know it’s “got to be real” when I answered. Cherished, daily call from mom. I stopped to put in my headphones. I may be a bit behind the times but I just realized they actually double as a headset to my Iphone and when you talk normal people can actually hear you, without having to lift the phone to your mouth! Weee Technology.

Feeling totally cool and citified, with my phone in my purse, my headphones on and shopping bags balanced in both hands, I continued my Broadway block walk. Mom and I were discussing Pam Anderson’s talents on Dancing With the Stars when the most embarrassing and horrific Chicago experience I’ve had since moving here snuck up on me, like a teenager coming home a hour after curfew. That light breeze which only a hour ago had happily sent heavenly hamburger smells my way was now back, but with vengeance! In a Marilyn Monroe-esque moment my skirt whisked up almost turning inside out, giving any passerby a prime view of my thong! Yes, thong! And not even a sassy cute “Victoria’s Secret special occasion thong”, a “I bought this from Target for comfy days”, cotton, faded, 3 year old pokadot thong. Why oh why hadn’t I chosen full butted underwear today. What was it about my frilly skirt that demanded no panty lines?!

I grasped to pull it down but I couldn’t keep my balance and dropped one of the shopping bags. It so conveniently fell between my legs causing me to trip over it nearly cascade to the cracked sidewalk in front of me. All the while learning Pam Anderson was kicked off DWTS?! Oh! The Horror. I found my composure, put one bag in front and one behind and desperately tried to keep my skirt down for the rest of the block. From the look of a passing biker I’m guessing he saw more than the landscape that day. I bid mom bye for now and walked in tiny Geisha like steps until I could find an alley which could block the killer breeze. Someone should have warned me about wearing a little skirt with a little thong in the windy city! It must have taken me an extra 20 minutes to get home because I was constantly at battle with the wind, the bags and my purse and my pride. I was overjoyed to arrive at my building and begged the friendly mailman to buzz me in because I didn’t have a free hand to dig for my keys.

After I had calmed down a bit I began to unpack again. I looked at my purchases. At the time I was buying them I decided I had to have them because they were “so Chicago”, but in the blur of my mountains of clothes I realized they looked like other things I already have. It may be a problem when you have too many clothes to realize you just bought something that is similar to something which is sitting in a drawer with the tag still on. And that’s when it dawned on me…I have to make my accessories more accessible! How can I ever expect to achieve the outfit I’m looking for when I can’t see all of my options clearly in front of me. This got me thinking sorting your closet is a lot like sorting your life. We can look at other people wanting to be just like them, not realizing the tools we need reside at home with us. We may neglect them or put them aside because they are buried and we can’t clearly see them all as options. We tear ourselves down, thinking we aren’t good enough, or smart enough to excel in our: careers, love lives and relationships. We look for examples in other people and strive to copy their coping styles. But its at home buried deep within ourselves where we can just make a small change or two to make a huge impact. Maybe its not really a new outfit we need but a new perspective. Think about what a scarf and some earrings can do for a otherwise boring V neck. I love earrings! I just got my ears pierced 2 years ago, (weird right?) so earrings are always my go to glam to spruce up an ensemble. Just the same way we should feature the accessories within ourselves we enjoy, the ones that look best on us and make us feel special.

With my lady friendly tool kit, I decide to unscrew all the closet doors in my apartment and send them to the maintenance man. I take a long look at the wardrobe I’ve spent years building. Now it feels like home. With a smile I realize, I can already tell how much more open, clean and free it is. I should probably return those clothes, after all I could use that money for groceries or rent, or to take care of the mountain of unpaid parking tickets I owe the city, after merely weeks here in town. Maybe it is true. Maybe the closet’s really got it! All we have to do is accessorize the outfit we’ve been given and stop worrying so much about fitting into someone else’s clothes.

I decide to head back to the store with my purchases first thing tomorrow morning…or maybe the afternoon…or….well hopefully I’ll get around to it :)