This is Jennifer’s fourth entry in the series “Grist dared me to make a change.” Read her first, second, and third here. And support her dare with a gift to Grist!
I’m flexible in my wardrobe, but not in my hammies.Jennifer Mac DonaldIt’s been hanging over my head since Monday. I’ve been avoiding it so far this week, but I really can’t put it off any longer: my morning run.
Finding athletic wear was a particularly difficult task. When I asked my mom if she had anything for me, she replied, “I didn’t exercise before I had kids!” Huh? My mom, the 4.0 tennis player and yoga practitioner, didn’t break a sweat until she was 30? Sigh… “Do you have anything?” I asked. After rummaging through a random pile surprisingly close to the front of the closet, she pulled out some teeny black running shorts. “How about these?” My mom was holding a pair of those short shorts from the 70s. Think Suzanne Somers in Three’s Company. I guess I better get comfortable with showing some leg, and fast. I was also able to find a nylon hooded shell, which looks like it could be from the 80s, but hey! Slim pickings. They make a decent combo.
I made sure to get up extra early for my run so fewer people would get a free show of my gams. But guess what? Everyone else up that early hardly notices what’s going on around them. They, like me, were probably still waking up. Crisis averted. I did however get a laugh or two from my fiancé upon my return.
It’s bright! But I love it.Jennifer Mac DonaldThe weather in Seattle is still not cooperating for work wear. It’s only marginally warmer, but at least it’s not raining. So I’m wearing the wrap dress I had planned for yesterday. Please, sun! Pleeeease make an appearance? Another dress is certainly not what my coworkers expect of me. My usual uniform is jeans, T-shirt, and cardigan. Yesterday I received a lot of comments along the lines of “Well, you look fancy!” and even one “You should dress up more often. You look hot!” Don’t worry, that last comment was from a lady coworker. No sexual harassment attorney needed — unless you think I have a case.
Anyway, I love this dress, but I also feel the need to explain it, probably because of the bright colors. So when someone pays the dress a compliment, I say something annoying like, “It’s vintage“, which reeks of hipster attitude. Is that terrible? I really do adore the dress and shouldn’t have to make any excuses for it, so why do I? I guess I just have to own it.
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