Dressing for the Life you Live

I think that I remember Angie saying something about this before, but it's been a lighbulb moment for me this week. I am spending increasing amounts of time doing dirty/sweaty work- refinishing/deconstructing and fixing furniture pieces, loading and unloading, and digging through dirty/dusty places to find more goodies. The one outfit that I was using for painting was in such poor shape that I would be embarrassed to be seen in it- even in the car. Since I often have to stop what I am working on to drop or pick up kids, it just makes sense to develop a work capsule that is serious athletic wear and also it is ok to be seen in public. I added my first pieces to this capsule this week. Nothing too exciting (black sports bra, black exercise capri pants, and a gray racer back tank with neon green piping), but nice to have when loading up the moving truck in the heat today, and even though I had people coming by- knowing that yes, it's athletic wear, but I can be seen in public in it.

12 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Makes great sense to me! There are many more options now for better style and fit in sporty wear, chino-T shirt wear, and comfortable footwear--cuts and colors are better. Sounds like you deserve a capsule for this part of your life!
And maybe need some kind of sporty but polished (and washable) jacket to toss over if you have to go more public in a hurry.

RoseandJoan

It absolutely makes sense to have a work uniform of sorts, you don't expect to see a dentist in a cocktail dress or a mechanic in speedos, function first.

Suz

(website)

This makes perfect sense to me. And I agree....even though Angie says it, it was sort of a palm to forehead moment for me, too, when I finally realized it! Ah! I need clothes that work for working at home...duh!!!

Anonymous

You need dirty work things too. It sounds like you have a start. How about thrift stores for this, still being picky about colors, style and fit.

I agree with Joy. Go thrifting! If you don't want to drop any coin, I would suggest moving all the clothes you wear down a level. I tend to drop any wearable clothes (such as ripped jeans or slightly too baggy t-shirts) but not really entirely suitable for more smart-casual occasions to hiking/athletic/home DIY wear. They fulfill that sweet spot of being able to be seen in public and not be embarrassed while still being functional enough for the job.

annagybe

This is why one of my best fashion investments this summer for me was updating my gear capsule. It's paid off in all the hiking I've done.

ironkurtin

Ditto what AG said. The money I've spent on my workout gear has paid back by about a zillion - I feel great in it and I wear it every day.

I like the idea of nice gear for this Khris, it will allow to wear a really good supportive athletic shoe, too. After all, what you're doing is very athletic! Now you can sweat and be proud of it.

Beth Ann

Excellent thinking, Khris! I have a couple pair of small, but fab earrings that I wear when I doing nasty work. They make me feel "spiffy." I also curl my eyelashes, and use a little mascara and neutral lippy to feel fresher in the heat.

I would make sure that you are well protected when working with furniture. Long leather work gloves, solid shoes, and heavier pants might be called for on some days.

Isabel

Chewy, I don't know why this seems to be a hard thing to accept or figure out, but it is. Maybe because we are really subliminally messaged to buy aspirationally. It can be a hard mental shift that escapes us. I am so glad that you were able to do it ! And now you will look even "fabber" doing what you do.

Ariadne

Yep. There are big chunks of my life where I'm doing very dirty, sweaty, sticky work, and I wear the appropriate clothing for that. It'll never show up in a WIW here but it's the right clothing for the "job" (parenting very small, very challenging, VERY dirty/messy kids)!

Marley

I so know what you mean! I used to try to wear my "nice" clothes when I was working with the shelter animals - and the clotehs would immediately get ruined and I would be upset - until one day it dawned on me that I needed to invest in some clothes that I could wear when working with frightened, shy or aggressive, furry, matted, flea-ridden little fur-beings. It has made a huge difference in my life to have some "nice" clothes for that kind of work - and not have to worry about ruining them - since I pretty much know that they are eventually going to get ruined anyway! I like your idea of getting some nice gear to start with - great idea for the work that you are doing and still presentable in public!

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