“I think the reward for conformity is that everyone likes you except yourself.”
Rita Mae Brown
This one is interesting to me; and appears at an interesting time. Two completely different reasons - one, Barry and I have been listening to a 'true crime' podcast called The Teacher's Pet and discussing how tough teenagehood can be - in particular trying not to stand out too much; trying to conform and trying to not be a target...
Secondly we are headed to a flash fundraiser in a few weeks and are faced with the question - what on earth is 'Cocktail Dress" and what does it mean for us; a pair of quiet, mountain-living artists who rarely go to the big smoke let alone the posh part of the big smoke. I panicked about not having a proper thing to wear and then worked out - I would look like I fitted in; yet would be so uncomfortable if I tried to dress as I imagine they all do. So it will end up being something that kind of sort of fits the scene; yet makes me feel comfortable.
Ms Brown's words about being liked by everybody except yourself rang true - so easy to try and meet the expectations of others; yet be quietly dying and diminished inside.
I was amazed at my age that that flash of panic still appeared; I suppose it just doesn't last as long these days!
Airmail dress by Hussein Chalayan (199) seen in Edinburgh 2017.
Rita Mae Brown
This one is interesting to me; and appears at an interesting time. Two completely different reasons - one, Barry and I have been listening to a 'true crime' podcast called The Teacher's Pet and discussing how tough teenagehood can be - in particular trying not to stand out too much; trying to conform and trying to not be a target...
Secondly we are headed to a flash fundraiser in a few weeks and are faced with the question - what on earth is 'Cocktail Dress" and what does it mean for us; a pair of quiet, mountain-living artists who rarely go to the big smoke let alone the posh part of the big smoke. I panicked about not having a proper thing to wear and then worked out - I would look like I fitted in; yet would be so uncomfortable if I tried to dress as I imagine they all do. So it will end up being something that kind of sort of fits the scene; yet makes me feel comfortable.
Ms Brown's words about being liked by everybody except yourself rang true - so easy to try and meet the expectations of others; yet be quietly dying and diminished inside.
I was amazed at my age that that flash of panic still appeared; I suppose it just doesn't last as long these days!
Airmail dress by Hussein Chalayan (199) seen in Edinburgh 2017.
I think you have solved your problem your self. Mostly feel comfortable is the answer, and it doesn't have to be a dress.
ReplyDeleteThanks Penny - I was amazed at the flash of panic, of not fitting in; then the realisation that it would all be OK if I was who I am...so to speak! Thank you.
Deletea cocktail party is a wonderful excuse to frock up & you looked fabulous in your linen dress when you came to Sydney for the Art Fair!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Mo - very kind! Yes if I think of it as a chance to play dress ups a bit I should be fine! Go well.
DeleteIn the rare glimpses I have seen of you on the blog, you always look comfortable and very much yourself. Have fun!
ReplyDeletethanks Liz - I really do mostly feel comfortable and myself - its just venturing into the unexpected and the unknown that set me sideways a bit; because myself doesn't find myself in the flash bits very often!. I think I have things sorted so relief is great - I think the dress I am planning to wear is 21 years old and the jacket 15 years! Laugh - perhaps I can say I'm wearing 'vintage'?!?!?
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