All very interesting!
Now my small town is NOT like the small towns you are describing. It does service a farming community, but there is also a big tourist industry, many retirees, holiday houses, and Fly in Fly out workers who live here but work in the mines in remote areas. It is very fast growing (so lots of tradesmen). It is relatively expensive to live here and there are far more exclusive places not far away.
But in common with many regional areas, there is a brain drain of young people. Those left are often young parents. (I am fairly old to be a mum of kids my age here) There are few work opportunities for women apart from cleaning and aged care type work.
My kids school is slightly under the national average on social and education terms, but encompasses a huge range, from those who come to school without lunch to quite well off types. There is a similar range in fashion. Our town has expensive boutiques, as well as budget type shops.
So when I said I was a "median dresser" I meant not that I aim to be average but that I am about in the middle of this great range, and didn't personally relate to feelings of being an overdressed mummy. Do you remember Laura's "sequins to soccer" outfit? While I haven't actually attended soccer games at our time, that outfit wouldn't have been out of place in our town (nor was it for Laura, as she said at the time).
Angie thanks for much for the hugs etc. I think a bit part of why I am still here is because of this lovely community and lovely you!
Of course fashion on a budget is possible, but honestly I think it takes time (to thrift, look out for bargains etc). It also takes a certain adventurousness that I am mostly lacking in. This season I already feel like I have reached my shopping threshold, not so much for financial reasons (though that is in there too, as I bought 2 pricey pairs of shoes) but just that I have spent enough time thinking about shopping and new clothes for a while. I am tired of it!
