Last month there were MANY nasty and rainy days here in the Tri-State Area. So much so that I actually found myself jealous of two poncho-clad people that I ran into at IHop one morning. In addition to their plastic rain-gear, they wore jeans, sneakers (and not the cute canvas kinds but actual tennis shoes), and sweaters. They looked mucho comfy and dry.
Then there was me: water-clogged clear, fashionable bubble umbrella dripping all over my not warm-enough spring pink trench coat tightly cinched at the waist, feet freezing thanks to a puddle that wet my python, peep-toe, 4.5” heels. But I am by no means the most impractically dressed at this IHop! (saying that makes me feel SO much better! LOL) Got me thinking: What are my limits?
High-heels above 3”? EVERYDAY
Shoes that cause blisters? Yep, if they are cute enough
Not-warm enough coats and jackets? Sometimes
Gut-wrenching belts and too-tight jeans? On the weekends
Dangly, heavy earrings? Check
Newly polished nails that get in the way of typing?
Way too often Body-shapers, girdles, Spanx? ALL THE TIME
Thongs? Nope, no panties on most days
Itchy, skin drying pantyhose? Some days, thanks to “Corporate America”
And you? What have you been willing to suffer in (stylishly)?
This is the one area of fashion where us guys have the advantage. Even my least comfortable shoes don’t give me blisters unless I walk several miles in them, and I don’t think they even make mens pants that are long enough for me but too tight. Any “look” I create can easily have layers added or subtracted to account for the weather, and of course, the really annoying stuff like pantyhose and nails isn’t even an issue at all.
Hmm, my limits . . . well, when I was a teacher (and now when I substitute teach) I frequently wore heels—frequently over 3”—and have become known for my fab but wholly impractical teaching footwear! :) And I will sacrifice warmth for style at times . . . probably much more frequently than I care to admit (and I almost never wear socks—except with my converse or working out—and never ever wear nylons/pantyhose).
So apparently I’m willing to freeze and have aching feet . . .other than that, I try to stay stylish and comfortable as much as possible!
I like this topic too, but except for slightly higher heels for special occasions, I’m not willing to suffer. I just can’t manage that way. If you’re not comfortable, it’s hard to look your best.
I wear totally inappropriate heels (3 to 3.5 inches) even though I am already 5ft 10.... But high heels are so slimming- they instantly remove 10lbs from your frame… better and cheap than weight watchers…
Also hair.. that is such a big issue for me.. sometimes I wear weaves, even though my real hair is quite long.. mostly because it is so easy to look fab every day and because I am lazy sometimes… But when you first get a weave in it can totally hurt (especially if they braid it too tight)..
I say you can have both. Comfort and style. I don’t think a tortured expression helps my anti wrinkle strategy so I avoid pain.
That said, I wear good heels, I just buy stylish shoes in a wide shoe specialty shop where I pay more, but get a cushy comfortable fit that feels almost like wearing running shoes. Those are an investment and I take good care of them. Yes some are stilettos, others are just plain high heels, and I’m 5’8” so I shouldn’t do that but I do it for the same reason as BF does. I carry a bit of weight and it’s more fun than dieting!
You CAN find good comfy high heels and stilettos, just takes a bit longer and you have to have them fitted perfectly for which you will pay more, but wear them longer.
I wear a good coat, blue lips clash with most of my makeup! But it is a beautiful classic good coat, and one that makes my heart go pitter pat to put it on.
I’m a big fan of buying big ticket items like jackets, coats, shes and purses in classic styles, and neutral colours and going trendy on the cheaper things like blouses and tops that need replacing more often. Trendy colours, prints and fabrics work fine there.
The older I get, the less I am willing to suffer...I have a REALLY WARM winter coat and boots that aren’t what you would call “fashionable,” but we lived in North Dakota when I got them. When the temp is -30 and the windchill is -80, it’s NOT about fashion! I have a wax coat from England (this is a canvas sort of coat that is waterproofed and you have to rewax it once in a while to keep it that way) with a hood that hits below the knees and has a couple of straps you can fasten around your legs so the wind doesn’t whip it up. I don’t wear it if it sprinkles, but I’ll wear it in a downpour (or to a rainy night high school football game). Plantar fasciitis has caused me to abandon some “hot” shoes unless I will be sitting most of the time (think Oprah and her 10-minute shoes). Most willing to suffer...at Air Force formal events, where I want to look great and therefore wear a body shaper or control undergarments of some sort which then limit the amount I can comfortably eat (but probably shouldn’t eat anyway), and occasionally shoes that might hurt my feet if there is dancing involved. Also, I do suffer by often wearing pantyhose in the summer, because my legs look better in them!
I live in New England and take public transportation to work, and the last leg of my commute involves a 15-minute walk. That 15-minute walk involves cobblestone sidewalks. I used to wear heels to work more often and the cobblestone tore up my heels and I almost tripped a couple of times. That, and I generally find heels to be uncomfortable (I must be buying the wrong kinds as I need a wider toe box, but some heels are just so cute!). I’ve given up wearing skinny heels and now tend to stick to wedges, sandals, and flats. If I want to wear heels, I limit myself to 2” heels or lower or wear flats and then switch shoes once I get to work.
Other than that, my style tends to be classic and comfortable. I don’t often wear trendy clothes but like to buy the same kind of pieces in different colors and slightly different styles. I used to live in a very warm climate and like being able to wear coats in the fall and winter now. I used to sacrifice warmth for style but quickly learned to invest in a warm parka and I wear that when it gets really cold even if I look puffy! Better to be warm and well than to be cold and suffering from the flu or pneumonia.
I used to sacrifice warmth for style but quickly learned to invest in a warm parka and I wear that when it gets really cold even if I look puffy! Better to be warm and well than to be cold and suffering from the flu or pneumonia.
I wear a pea coat with bright blocks of color all over it. It’s wool, lined, in beautiful condition, and it’s kept me warm for over 5 winters now. It’s not fitted well- truth be told, it’s a bit big- but it’s warm and I love it. No sacrifices here.
I agree with SDTransplant! I live in Boston and don’t own a car so my daily existence involves LOTs of walking—too much to wear heels for errands or walking to work. Sometimes I will, but most times I am the one wearing sneakers and business attire a la Melanie Griffith in Working Girl. I also often pack a pair of heels in my bag and change at my destination!!
I still wear lots of high heels (and then chide myself with the dogs start barkin!) but as I get older, I do find myself sacrificing fashion for comfort. *horrors* Things I used to laugh at in ‘older’ people when I was younger (stretch, zippers, velcro), now...not so funny...they’re definitely useful!
There are times where I think I’m sacrificing dignity for fashion though...I see it in some of the looks I get. They just don’t understand! :)
I have to keep reminding myself that I’m not 25 any more, and can’t (shouldn’t) wear most of things I used to wear back in the day. Sigh.
Over the years my opinion has changed on this topic. At this point in my life i’m willing to slightly sacrifice but I do have limits when comfort rules. In college I would walk to class in heels because it looked cute...now...no way. I do still have my moments (like wearing running shoes shopping...will never do!), but for the most part I’ll try and incorporate comfort with style.
When it comes to maternity clothes, I like to look good, but during the week, I prefer to be comfortable. At times, I feel like a hippie in my jumpers and loose tops. I do like them, and I don’t feel fat or frumpy. But for Sabbath and holidays, I try to wear more fitted clothes that really show my pregnant figure. Not that those clothes aren’t comfortable, but pregnancy leaves me very tired, so I’d rather make my bigger efforts for when they count.
It just depends! I have spent hours standing/dancing to avoid sitting and being unable to breathe(corset). Achey feet, sore knees, pins in my hair/head. However, a couple of days of RnR, a foot soak, and all is well. Most days I opt for something in between. I look pulled together, but I can breathe, walk, eat without discomfort.
I also work in a school where everyone under the sun question my footwear choice. I wear heels everyday… with an arch that is extraordinarily high I’m more comfortable. So it’s a sacrifice for me when I have to wear flats.
Outside the work environment, I’m guilty of putting comfort and functionality over style. In moderation, this is a good thing, but I am trying to balance this against what is more socially appropriate. Still, I’d be the one wearing the jeans, sweater, sneakers and rain gear.
