I was also meaning to ask you folks: do you have an article of clothing that you wear as armour? Of course I'm not speaking literally, but do you wear certain clothes when you need to feel strong and confident? When you feel in danger of being intimidated? When you're outside of your comfort zone? I almost worded this question as "what clothing acts as a security blanket?" but I don't mean clothes that just make you feel comfortable.
Last night, at my workshop where we discussed the upcoming conference, someone mentioned that this conference (populated by grad students) is particularly casual (we were being warned not to be too casual, as it affects our presenting styles). Something in my brain panicked, because I subconsciously had already planned what I would be wearing: my black turtleneck with my black knee-length skirt. Right now, this is my "I need to have confidence and not feel like a scared little kid" outfit.
A few years ago, before they wore out, I wore high boots in such situations. I named them my "Boots of Power" when I wore them to my honour's defense. Now, my armour is black clothing. Particularly, it's the turtleneck and/or skirt (I wore the skirt, with a red dress shirt, to my thesis defense. I wear the turtleneck with other combinations of clothing, when I'm not being as dressy, or when I'm comfortable enough not to need to dress entirely in black.)
I guess black clothing, in general, is my security blanket. I wore a black t-shirt with black capris, for my first day leading seminar. I'm considering, now that a skirt seems out of place, wearing my black turtleneck with my new army green pants that have the beaded belt loops. I will secretly be Hot Lips Houlihan. But I'm not yet sure. (My black dress pants are out of the question: too slouchy.)
How about you? Do you wear something particular when you need to feel safe? When you need to feel confident?
13 comments:
I sort of am like that, but I more dress according to what personality traits I wish people to see in me. Like, sometimes, if I know I'm going to meet new people, I'll wear my brown sweater with my grandpa's old blue-collared shirt underneath it, my hair half up, and no make-up. That way, they'll peg me as an intellectual who doesn't try too hard, and they won't guess that I secretly like musicals, kids shows, and Canadian or Scottish melodrama/family shows.
Safe: blue jeans and a t-shirt or sweatshirt
Confident: Red-- it's a power color and I know I look good in it.
Fun question!
I get what Ky's saying about dressing to bring out specific characteristics. (Although you have "I watch Monarch of the Glen, and once figured out how many times I could watch Newsies in one day" written all over your face, Ky. It's time we all admitted that.)
If I'm trying to get across "I'm a grad student, but that doesn't mean that I'm boring," (Meg claims it actually means, "I'm relevant! I'm cool! Really I am!") then I wear my "Just Wait Til You See Me Dance" t-shirt, or Batman, or Chat Noir, with tight jeans.
Umm, you were wearing all black last time you saw me. Was it a trying experience?!
It's okay, I make lots of people nervous...
I simply wear pants that make my butt look good.
Ha! Meg has you pegged, doesn't she?
Cramsey, it must be your presidential powers that have me so intimidated.
And Jen, now people are going to think that, should you have to give an important presentation or something, you're actually thinking, "Well, at least my butt looks good."
I love that, Jen. Now I am going to have to start checking out your butt!!
I wear a huge sweatshirt and my hair over my face if I want to remain unnoticed. Powerful? My hot jeans, high boots a tank top and a cardigan over top.
Bronwyn! I knew that you'd have something to say about this issue. And I knew that it would involve high boots.
This is very interesting because I've never actually thought about dressing myself if I need to feel confident or safe..it's more about comfort...but now that I think about it I'm sure I must do that but I've never thought of it on a conscious level...I'm more about my hair I think, although I don't fuss much with that either...I must be part hobo..that's probably why I'd rather be in my jammies all day
I will be thinking that.... and, see, Bronwyn is wearing hot jeans, AKA "Jeans that make her butt look good."
Jen, my butt ALWAYS looks good.
(I love these comments.)
I completely know what you mean about this - high boots are my favorite. Unfortunately, it's often too warm where I am now to wear them! I do a lot of black, as well.
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