If the shoe fits (and is also cute)

[katiefoolery]

Things that vaguely freak me out that never used to before: getting dressed for work.

Let me take you back a bit, first.  Back to a time where I was blessedly unfreaked about the business of dressing for work.  Back to a time where I may not have been too fussed about what I looked like, provided all the necessary parts of me were covered and I was vaguely aware of the current fashions.  (Please note that "being vaguely aware" does not translate to "actually wore them".)

Back in that time, I looked like the person under the cut here:

This is mostly because I was that person.  I was that person on the first day of 2007, spending some awesome time with awesome friends.  And then I saw this photo (and others like it) and decided I needed to change.

Suddenly, I had a whole bunch of less-awesome friends.  Hello, eating sensibly.  Hello, getting more exercise.  Hello, self-discipline.  We didn't get along so well at first, but gradually, we worked out our differences to the point where phrases like "well-oiled team" started to apply.

And now I look like the person under the cut here:

(I honestly think it's best if no-one asks why people keep taking photos of me from behind.  I'm not sure I actually want to know the answer to that one.  Seriously, here's another one taken at a point roughly in between the two above.)

But to return to my original point: the freaked-outedness.  At one point, before I met my new friends, a staff member mistook me for a student on free-dress day.  Most people figured I should be flattered, attributing this mistake to an apparent youthfulness of appearance.  I, on the other hand, suddenly had to face the following fear: It was entirely possible I dressed like a student.

From that day on, I have made damn sure I do not dress like a student.  I guess it's made me more comfortable about clothes and having fun with them.  And getting fit has done a fair bit for my body confidence.  Strangely. :P

But still.

I've only been back at work for just over four weeks, and I can't count how many times people have complimented me on what I'm wearing.  Last Friday, I fielded a comment on my dress roughly every ten minutes (or so it seemed) from staff and students alike.

At the end of the first week, a teacher mentioned I had some nice clothes, and then said something that seriously made my blood run cold:

I've been watching what you're wearing all week.

Uh, ack?

And yesterday?  I was talking to a staff assistant who said:

Your clothes were the talk of [insert name for end-of-week drinks here] last Friday.

Uh, what?

Also last Friday:

We're all talking about you in the staffroom - about all the clothes you're wearing lately.

And please to be cuing a small, mid-level panic on my part.

You know when you think people aren't paying that much attention to what you're wearing?  YOU'RE WRONG.  They're watching your every move.  They're watching what you wear and THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT IT.

And that's why I'm now facing the wardrobe doors with trepidation every morning.

The comments haven't all been terrifying, though.  My favourite so far this year came yesterday morning, when a student came to the door of the workroom with a request to look at my shoes.

So my year is proceeding in a slightly different fashion from the one before it.  How about everyone else?  Have you been surprised?  Complimented out of the blue?  Share! :)

Comments

[alankria.livejournal.com]

We're all talking about your clothes. In secret corners of the internet.

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

This made me laugh out loud! :D At least now I know the truth.

[crazedturkey.livejournal.com]

hsh. I can say that the exact same photo prompted me to make those not so awesome friends as well.

You're doing WAY better than I am.

I worry about the clothes thing every day. Because you need to work the comfort and ability to run and jump on bed in an emergency with the trying to look like I am an intelligent person who can save your life factor.

It's fricking hard. There are days I wish for the american white coat/scrubs. It would make things simpler

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

I was actually feeling quite OK with the way I looked at the time... and then I saw the photos. Ack. And I still have no idea how I managed to keep going. Also, why the hell can I be so disciplined with this, but not with writing or any of the other things I want to do?

Your dressing-for-work situation's definitely a lot trickier than mine. Mine's more like: Does this make me look like I work in a school library? No? Good, I'll wear it.

[faded-pretense.livejournal.com]

YIKES! D: People are so weird. D: !!! lolz

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

They really are. I didn't think I was doing anything differently, but there you go.

[bethamphetam1ne.livejournal.com]

Wow! Well, I definitely would rather have my clothes complimented and talked about rather than be thought of as "the one that dresses like a 45-year old woman" etc. I feel a little frumpy today because I have long pants and flat shoes on with a loose top. Lately, as the fashions have come in, I have been favouring waisted dresses which are getting many compliments and enquiries, to which I usually respond with "Target" or "eBay". I like nice stuff, I don't like spending lots of money on it!

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

Yeah, good point! It's just so weird - I'm not used to dealing with so many compliments at once.

I love the dresses at the moment - so gorgeous. Do you get a lot of stuff off eBay? Is it sort of random things, or are there eBay stores you like? Or... however eBay works, since I clearly have little idea. :D

[bethamphetam1ne.livejournal.com]

I've just sort of got back into eBay after a year away and managed to score two cute dresses for $12 and $15 each from the same "shop".

http://myworld.ebay.com.au/lena56red/

I keep a look on there but being a certain body shape, there's only certain things I'll buy without trying on and I usually look for their return policy and if they're happy to swap sizes.

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

Oooh, there's some gorgeous stuff on there! And it helps that it's Australian and I have some rough idea of the sizes. Thanks for the link. :)

[everydayjoy.livejournal.com]

This totally inspires me in incredible ways. Thank you!!

You know, I had wondered if you'd gotten all fit and sporty, but since I hadn't seen a lot of pictures of you before, I wasn't game to ask. Would you ever consider writing a more in depth post about what you did --- and how you powered on even when you lost motivation (cause I'm hoping you DID lose motivation at some stages, right?).

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

You're most welcome. :)

I'll certainly consider writing about what I did. And yes, there was definitely lost motivation. Many, many times.

[http://users.livejournal.com/traycer_/]

I'm in the same boat, only people talk about my lack of fashion and even leave hints to "help" me improve. Grrrr Why do people do that? If I don't care how I dress, why should they??

Okay, I'm sitting here trying so very hard not to rant in your journal, so I'll stop right here. :) Just know that it's probably a good thing that the people in your office are all complimentary toward your change in attire. It could be worse!

As for looking younger, again I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum. I love it when people think I am the mother of my grandchildren. :D Just wait, there will come a time when you will be glad when people think you look young!!

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

That's so rude! I can't believe people actually do that! That sort of behaviour deserves a rant, so go for it.

Heh, I don't mind it when people think I'm younger than I am - it amuses me. And confounds me, because I think I look my age... but that's probably because I see myself all the time.

[the-kaytinator.livejournal.com]

Who took the first photo? Was it me? Looks like one of mine. if so, Go me! I'm famous!!!

All: That's a rather wild interpretation of the facts.

I've been looking at your photos and vlog posts with interest. I can't wait to see you next month! You look awesome from what I can see.

And it's fantastic that people think well of your clothes. As long as they're not saying BAD things. I'm sure people criticise my dress sense behind my back. Don't feel the pressure. Whatever you've been putting on instinctively is obviously working for you.

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

Let's just say it was you if it's going to make you that happy. :D

Well, I assume they're not saying bad things... Your dress sense is awesome. You're not afraid of any colours! Or of putting any colours together! Also, your socks rock. So anyone who's criticising that is clearly crazy and I do not wish to know them.

[frohike.livejournal.com]

I don't often see photos of you. Wow and a huge congrats on the whole lifestyle change thing. I'm trying in a not very hard kind of way.
And I hate to scare you, but I'm sort of encouraged. Makes me wanna try harder this time and actually effect change.

In my new job it is 100% uniform head to toe. Minimal jewellery, discreet make-up... not much room to have fun, and theoretically, not much room for error.

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

It's weird - I hardly ever post photos, but I'm apparently fine with posting videos of myself every week. And if it helps, it took me three goes before I could finally commit to becoming healthier. I'll try not to be too scared of inadvertently encouraging you. :D

A uniform would be interesting, that's for sure. A while ago, there was some suggestion that school staff should wear uniforms. It didn't go down well.

[flamehail.livejournal.com]

I love that second picture of you. In a non-creepy way, unlike the people at your work, who creep me out.

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I didn't realise it was being taken, so I was running like an idiot. And now it's captured for all to see!

[stefeny.livejournal.com]

small minds discuss people, medium minds discuss events, large minds discuss ideas.

Wear what you like - you obviously bring some meaning to their otherwise dull lives ... besides you dress to make youself happy. If others don't like it, too bad.

Of course this philosophy never applies to crocs - if you wear them, you deserve anything coming your way...

[katiefoolery.livejournal.com]

I love your attitude towards it! That's what I should be thinking every morning when I get dressed. And I shall. :D