Here's the deal. Ever since I got kinda sorta (really) down-in-the-dumpers, I've made an odd fashion choice. I wear Sweat pants. Like 24/7. I have fancy sweat pants (dark gray and flarred at the bottom so they look like real pants), brown, pink (capris), light blue and white (special occasion). Sweat pants have become an extension of my bed - roomy, comfy and cotton-y. Sweat pants are denial, just like taking to your bed is denial. Sweat pants deny that you've gained five pounds, then ten, then fifteen. Though the fact that I got holes in the butt and thighs of my sweats - GAP sweats so less - should have tipped me off that there WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM.
A few years ago there was this cool trend of ladies wearing matching Juciy Couture velvet sweat suits. THEY WERE "SUITS" 'cause they were glamourous and and if you call 'em SUITS then nobody will think twice about paying $200 bucks for them (All though they should! They really really should! Have these women not seen the inside of a Target?) Anyway, those cute girls with the tight butts and tiny dogs in their matching SWEAT SUITS and giant sun glasses looked like they were on the RUN, they were GOING PLACES. They were so busy... THEY ONLY HAD TIME FOR SWEAT SUITS. Maybe that's what I hoped to imitate. Maybe that's the life I thought I could portray. But really, today, looking at myself in "hole-y" pink sweats and a big green t-shirt that looks like it needed to be washed two meals ago, no make-up and a snarly pony tail, I had to wonder... am I fooling anyone? I GOT OUT OF BED AND THAT'S A BIG "YAY!" but did the wearing of the sweat pants mean I had just taken my bed outside, so to speak? Maybe.
So what am I doing with my first offcial day out of my depression bed? Well, I guess it's rounding up the hole-y sweats for a ceremonial burning! Sweat pants be gone! If I'm striving to not be depressed, I have to dress like it, right? Are you walking around in big-baggy-don't-notice-me-clothes? Maybe there's some things you want to get rid of, too. It can serve so many purposes. 1) Let's say good-bye to the old us! 2) Let's donate these clothes to someone that might need them more than us 3) Let's "fake it 'til we make it" - by dressing in fitted, well maintained clothes maybe we'll feel more connected to ourselves. And more connected to the world! Don't you feel more like smiling at a stranger when you're dressed in a confident way? Weird, I always looked down when I was wearing sweats, hoping no one would notice me. I don't want that anymore.
7 comments:
OMG, the inspiration is FANTABULOUS!!! This is the best writing I've seen on the web, Thank you for inspiring me to stand up straighter and walk taller!
I read something recently that was a revelation to me. It was in an article about why American men go to Russia to find brides. A professional matchmaker was describing the traits that Russian women have. They tend to be old fashioned, want to stay at home and take care of their husbands and families, etc. And then came the Startling Revelation - Russian Women believe that gym clothes should ONLY be worn IN the gym. And if they aren't in the gym then they are dressed up. No sneakers, no sweats.
I'm married with kids and I'll tell you...this really made me think! I used to live in my sweats. Putting on a comfy pair of sweats is like sliding into a little piece of heaven... But there was something about the way she described it that made me see myself a little more clearly.
I'm lovin' your stuff!
Bex
www.rqmitchell.blogspot.com
oh, this is goodness.
without sounding lame, your description of the many types of sweatpants you have at your disposal made me giggle. fancy black ones and white ones for special occasions. hehe. keep it up!!
b (stupid slut)
I favor the 'dress' velour type myself ;) I shlump about in them every weekend. I should probably take another look at that habit!
Yes, but sweat pants are so much more forgiving than jeans. You pull on a pair of jeans and if you've gained so much as 5 lbs, your jeans start screaming insults at you and then punish you just for putting whipped cream on your hot chocolate the night before but pinching you around the waist and tightly grabbing your ass all day. Sweat pants though, they love you no matter what you look like. They kindly grow with you, shrink with you, and morph themselves to take any shape you're in. *Sigh*.
Okay, okay, you've convinced me. No more sweats -- but I'm glad my boyfriend has more in common with sweat pants than jeans. Still, even he will probably be happy to see me in something else. Think I can get by with overalls until I shed a few pounds though? Mmmmmmmmm ... overalls ...
;)
Overalls... GOOD PLAN!
I was just getting ready to spend 100 days in bed when a friend sent me your blog...I laughed SO hard I wet my dress-up sweat pants, now I have to get up and take a shower! Thanks for your quirky, but profound, insight into our egos!!
You really should publish these into a book...
your new best friend,
Mary
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