Today I wanted to buy a dress.
These are the ones I specially liked.
Two on eBay
And one on Toast.
Toast website, that is — not like jam on toast.
I've been writing this blog a long time — since 2009 — and if you are one of the people who has travelled along with me, you may be thinking, "Uh-oh. Here we go."
Because I have bought so many dresses like this. Bought them, and bought the underwear they require to allow me to drive them, bought the shoes that look right with them, bought the tights that cover my fairly shot legs sticking out from under them, bought the cardigans to go with them for the many days when they aren't warm enough — and got rid of it all; not once, several times over, plus plus.
I have an inner impetuous child — I looked back for the old posts where I wrote about her, can't find them, must have deleted them — whom I designated "Ember", and a mature and sensible self who speaks inside me with the voice of "Mrs Collins".
It was Ember who wanted the dress — I could tell. And I mean, seriously, I have had so many. Mrs Collins — dignified and sensible though she is — almost went into meltdown, tearing her hair and wringing her hands. In the end, Mrs Collins resorted to silently petitioning God: "Please. Don't let her do this. Don't let her go round the loop again. Please God, no."
It worked. Ember started to laugh. Mrs Collins sat down trembling with relief, promising Ember to take her into Hastings for a cup of coffee and anything she wanted to eat at all. Anything. Just don't buy a dress.
These rip tides are strong in a consumer society. I almost bought a dress.
What can I chuck out today?
Well, look, how about some simple junk?
Like having my own dear little miniature landfill site, innit?
7 comments:
Oh my, I met you as Ember, years ago, when we both explored Quaker beliefs ( I still love them)... we wore head coverings and anabaptist dresses ( I still love those too) but oh, all those accoutrements! These days, this summer, I wear 4 garments : knickers, bra, jeans and a Tee. So simple. so quick and easy. In winter I'll war a sweater over the Tee and socks.
I love dresses, always will and like you, will always be tempted, but it's no longer in line with my path into simplicity and God willing and the creek don't rise, into minimalism.
I am recycling things by the bag full and it feels good!
Glad you resisted the temptation, those are beautiful dresses.
I remember! Waving to you, Gerri!
I love some aspects of Plain life (not all; I'm not keen on the rigid roles and authority structures) and I think Plain dress is beautiful and radiates peace. I love the Quaker way — both the regular sort and the Plain Quakers. I do have this instinct to merge, and when I see them I want to be like them. But I've also learned it isn't truly my way; and we don't have to emulate the people we love and admire, just learn from them and shine our own light.
Well done on the recycling endeavours! x
Dresses call to me too, I feel good when I'm wearing them. Nowadays I think I'm working towards a compromise with culottes and a cotton top.
Yes? You could always just wear the dresses. Do they suit you?
Love this!! I can relate to it very much.
There's a me who wants to dress very boho and loves colourful clothes, but knows she can't get it right or pull it off.
There's a me who would like to be a dress/skirts only woman, but knows being so overweight means trousers and loose tops look better.
There's a me who wants to dress like someone from the fifties, but knows that being in her sixties means it won't work.
There's a me who wants to dress like Helena Bonham Carter, but similar to the boho me, she knows she'd only look like a bag lady.
There's a me who wants to dress like she doesn't give a d***, but she knows that would depress her.
And then there's ME, the real me, who doesn't have a clue what to wear because nothing, absolutely nothing, looks right! ;)
Kay
Hello, Kay! Waving! Yes, I have an inner Miss Marple too, who sometimes asserts the desire to convert my entire wardrobe to suit her tastes.
When I saw the toast dress I thought uh oh surely not Pen?!! Then promptly chuckled at your honesty and ability to talk yourself out of purchasing. Sending hugs ❤️
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