That Song from Hello Dolly and Wall-E, or, Wardrobe Malfunction

Something that tends to happen when you are not conventionally employed is that the clothes that you pick out on a daily basis tend to get sloppier and sloppier. Especially if you had to wear a uniform for four years.

I was in black (mourning? Heh, heh) for those four years, so the tendency now is to steer clear of black handbags and clothing. (I'm not so particular about shoes, as long as they are comfortable, even better if they are comfortable AND cute, and belts can be black for all I care. See yesterday's post. You probably can't see my belt half the time anyway...for NOW.) Still, there's no reason to dress up, even for my writing groups--most of the people who attend those are free spirits who are as relaxed fashionably as I am (or even more so, in some cases). The most girl I bring is my handbag (yes, the same cherished one that got me into adventure trouble with my brother) and my jewelry, which my sister-in-love calls my "bling." I brought the "bling" on a somewhat smaller scale when I worked at Grainger, but stayed away from anything dangling as best as I could due to safety concerns. Now I bring all kinds of loose change to the party.

My sister-in-love is what I call my brother's fiancee, and on my last trip to Carlsbad she ran an idea past me for her wedding--would I consider wearing a tux? I, um, no. Emphatically, NO. I've been a pseudo guy for four years, where the only distinction between me and the boys was the silver I got away with and the V-neck uniform the last year (yes, I know I'm physically, visually different, but that's another post)--I had to put on the same damn gloves, the same damn steel toes, the same damn black pants, and no, I said, no, I mean, no...I'm not wearing a tux. I'll sit outside the wedding party if you want to do that, or I'll just wear the tux vest, and fitted, but I will not dress like a man when the rare chance I get to be a girl is finally here. God knows I'll never be married with my baggage. Let me show off my womanhood at this one.

This situation reminds me of the movie "Always": "Oh, Pete...girl clothes."

Yes, for now, I'm bringing jeans and plaid (not flannel, 'cept for sleeping) to the daily party. Hopefully when I get more in shape that will end and I will stand strong in something silk. I like being a girl. Really.

Onward, dear reader.

P.S. - This is where today's title of Life For Rent comes from. I have been watching a lot of classic movies lately and having been missing the style of womanhood in the past (even though I'm fully aware that other things for women were compromised, and I hate having to add that disclaimer).