In less than a week, I will
turn sixty-one. Every year before my birthday, I reflect, as I’m sure many
of us
do. I think about the changes in my life: what needs to be changed; what I don’t
want changed, but change away; what I try to change and can’t.
Today,
I reflected on changes that occurred after my last birthday. My husband and I were
spending several days in Vancouver. I love that city. It’s where we go for a
hefty dose of the big city life. Vancouver is cosmopolitan, full of the young
and rich; slim and healthy; smart and confident; successful and innovative. I love
taking in everything the city has to offer and I love people watching. This time
I noticed the women; mainly what they wore. And I realized that somewhere along
the way, I fell behind in the fashion department. I had worn the same style of straight-leg jeans (which compared to modern straight-legs, look like bell bottoms) for the
past thirty years. None of the women on the street wore this brand. Then I
noticed my reflection in a store window and was aghast at my appearance: faded,
wide-leg jeans; clogs; and a twenty-year old safari jacket. I decided it was
time for a change. The jeans would be the first to go.
It wasn't long before I found a shop that had exactly what I wanted; dark, tight and slim-fitting
jeans. I tried on a pair, looked in the mirror and was shocked. My butt was
gone; my legs were longer; I looked hot. I was wearing these babies out of the
store. Then I looked at the price tag—$250.00—no wonder my butt disappeared, at
that price it better. I tried another shop and another and another; same thing.
I came back to the hotel depressed. I swore I’d never put on those old jeans again,
which meant I wore skirts the rest of the week.
Now
I was on a mission to find stylish jeans that didn’t require a fashion
improvement loan. The following week I was on my way to Texas for a book tour and
to spend time with my sisters, the shopping gurus. The first stop was a discount
department store where I found a pair of black $140 Michael Kors jeans on sale
for $40.00. I bought ‘em. Next stop, another pair. These were turquoise with
little cuffs marked down from $100 to $39. I bought those, too. Then I
spotted a pair of blood-red ones on sale for $19. Too bad they didn’t have my size
in every color, I would have bought those, too. Within a few hours, I had a new
jeans wardrobe and to keep from backsliding into old reliables, as soon as I returned
home, I gathered all six pair, gave them a group hug, and took them to
Goodwill.
Am
I happy with my choice? Damn right. Sixty never looked so good. My next fashion
decision, no more clogs. This change would be much more fun since I’m a shoe addict.
Stay tuned for my next post on Monday Mania: Hot Heels: Foot Pain Be Damned.
Labels: #fashion #jeans #style #clogs #bellbottoms #humor #birthdays #changes
