I came across a New York Times article , “The Great Unwashed,” last week (via Corporette) and it was quite an eye opener. Apparently the mandatory daily shower or bath is not so mandatory! And neither is deodorant. The article discusses how some people believe that bathing less and smelling more like your natural yourself is a fabulous idea.

Well ladies, here’s my deal on the bathing side of things. It will probably sound normal to some and completely excessive to others, but I shower TWICE a day and wash my hair daily. Here are the reasons:

1. I grew up in the tropics. When you commute on foot in a tropical country, you get hot and sticky. You need a couple of showers a day just to feel “normal” and it’s quite the done thing. Despite the changes in climate as I moved around the world, the habit stuck with me.
2. A morning shower, which includes wetting my head, wakes me up and kick-starts the day.  I feel refreshed, alert and ready to rock and roll.
3. Bathing is just as much about about nurturing my body and soul as it is about scrubbing clean. Spending 5 minutes longer under the shower is therapeutic and one of the ways I like to unwind.
4. I also feel a lot more relaxed when my body is warm and tingly after a shower. It helps me get to sleep.

Nothing in the article makes me want to alter my own bathing patterns, but it did make me think about the social norm. I’m pretty sure that from a medical point of view you can be adequately clean with more than 24 hours between bathing. So for that reason alone, bathing daily is not essential. The question is whether you can be stylish and professional.

Tricky one. We have been socialized to believe that bathing daily is an integral part of basic hygiene and that natural body odour is a bad thing. Others beg to differ. What are your thoughts?

I highly recommend that you watch the television series “Mad Men” if you love glamorous 50’s and 60’s fashion. To say that the style quotient is dazzling is an understatement. I savour every detail of every outfit for both the women AND the men.

So the big question is how did we go from the dressy fashion era on Mad Men to an overly casual world of jeans, tees, sweats, sneakers, flip flops and Uggs today? It’s only been  50 years. Why did dress codes relax? Is it just that people are more comfortable, and therefore productive, in casual clothing? If so, the fashion and style world has gone to great lengths to make us happy.

It certainly isn’t about expense. Today’s branded casual attire is every bit as expensive as the more formal alternatives of the mid twentieth century, perhaps even more so.

Well, I’m not happy. Oh how I wish we still lived in a dressy world of style. Although I love wearing jeans I’d welcome the drama of more formal dress codes. Dressing is even more fun when you can dress up. At least I think so.

Never mind road rage. Has anyone experienced shopping rage? I saw red in a store last Sunday afternoon and after the incident I needed a cup of soothing tea before I could continue shopping.

The setting is a mainstream retail store, with me returning a jacket that I’d bought online. For some reason it had been delivered sans paperwork so I am a bit worried that I won’t be able to get a full refund. I explain the situation to a sales assistant.

“Oh! That’s such a cute jacket!”, she says. “And you want to return it? I have to call my manager because you don’t have the receipt.”

The sales assistant is holding up my jacket at this point and it catches the eye of another shopper. She rushes over to us, saying “Oh! What size is that jacket?” and starts touching it.

The sales assistant replies, “It’s an XS. Wanna try it on?”. “Yeah,” says the shopper and grabs it from her hands.

Hang on.

It takes me a moment to process what has just happened. So she is already unzipping it when I say: “Excuse me, I’d like to return the jacket before you try it on”.

“But she just wants to try it on” says the sales assistant, clearly perplexed.

“Yeah! I just want to try it on!,” agrees the shopper, a little annoyed.

At this point I am angry. I am aware that my face has set into a frown and my eyebrows are reaching a very steep arch. Controlling myself, I say: “Let me return the jacket first. There was no paperwork with the order and I don’t know whether I can return it. Please put my jacket down”.

The shopper, insisting: “But I just want to try it on!”.

Me, more firmly: “Noooo. Let me return my jacket first”.

The shopper drops the jacket, turns and walks off in a huff with a parting: “ God! CALM DOWN”.

By then the sales assistant has found the manager. She is standing in front of me asking how she can help. But I am overwhelmed with rage.

After a brief moment fantasizing about punching out the lights of the rude shopper and the inexperienced sales assistant I tell the manager in a calm voice that I am very angry. I explain what just happened. Thankfully, she is experienced and professional. She apologizes and gives me a full refund.

I’m not in the right state of mind to continue shopping in the store. As I’m leaving I see the manager pulling the sales assistant aside to have a word with her.

Thinking back it seems silly that I got my knickers into such a knot. I’m grateful that I stayed composed, but I also wonder why I had such an extreme reaction in this situation. In the moment I couldn’t help it.

Have you experienced shopping rage? Care to share a story or two?

Macy’s is currently offering 40% off almost all of their coats. Purchase on a Macy’s card and you’ll score an extra 15%. Nordstrom’s Half Yearly Sale is also still going strong. Here are some of my top picks:

1. Esprit Double Breasted Pea Coat: Fun, preppy and sporty. Runs small.
2. Kenneth Cole Reaction Puffer Coat with Faux Fur Trim: Cozy, warm and flattering.
3. Guess Zip Front Tweed Coat: So fab! Its subtle military vibe is great and the fabric hides dirt and pet hair effectively.
4. Jessica Simpson Coat with Leah Stand Knit Collar: BCBG designs her line, which is why the styles are often really great.
5. Green with Envy Belted Wool Coat: Good length and rich colours. Nice patch pocket detailing.
6. Steve Madden Toggle Coat: Looks better on than you might think. Casual and practical with a roomy hood. Love the black piping. A well made coat and perfect for Mum on the Go.
7. Artifacts Short Pea Coat with Peplum Hem: I’m probably the only one who loves the neon pink, but the blue is lovely too. Interesting button and back detailing. Excellent price point.

There is SO MUCH more available in stores so be sure to take a look if coats are on your shopping list. Try a colour to brighten up a cold Winter’s day!

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