Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Winter Fashion? No Thank You.

I do not have a good winter wardrobe. I don't even think I have a passable winter wardrobe. I live in Ohio, where we have relatively miserable winters (I say relatively because I've lived in places that are worse. But it's still bad. Just sayin'. Relatively). I do not own snow boots. I have a couple pairs of fashion boots, but they're not easy to come by (thick calves, dontcha know) and not fun to buy. I've had the same couple pairs for years. I don't have a proper winter coat. I have a leather swing coat that was handed down to me by my mother when she got sick and lost a lot of weight. That's right. A hand-me-down. From my mom. It has neither buttons nor a zipper. That's right. It doesn't close in the front.

None of this is, by the way, because I cannot afford to buy clothes. Just so you know. Things are tight, but not quite that tight. I just don't want to use what little fashion budget there is on ugly winter ugliness. Buying snow boots would acknowledge the snow, and I have no plans to do so. A coat with a closure would acknowledge the cold, something else I have no plans to do. If I ignore them, perhaps they'll go away. (fingers in ears, lalalalalala)

I have a lot of scarves. I have a few hats. I have a pair of gloves somewhere...

I realized that if the opportunity suddenly arose for me to go somewhere warmer for a couple days I would be in the store buying all kinds of cute things for my vacation. Even if it was only for a weekend. But for winter? Which lasts a good three months? Nah - I can get by. I don't need to throw any money at THAT.

I was thinking that it's a similar mentality that drives us when we have a special occassion. We'll spend money on a special occassion dress that we'll only wear once - and accessories for same - that we would never dream of spending on clothes we'll wear over and over and over. Why? Special occassions are fun! We need to adorn ourselves appropriately - give the special occassion it's due. Everyday is not fun. We don't want to invest in everyday. Winter is not fun. I don't want to invest in winter.

I used the plural tense (predominately) in that last paragraph - was that presumptuous? Is this just me, or is there something to it?

We're supposed to get a wintry mix tonight - whatever the hekyll and jekyll that is. I'll be greeting it in mesh sneakers and a T-shirt. And maybe a scarf. Probably a scarf. If I don't fully acknowledge it, it isn't really there, right? RIGHT?

23 comments:

BONNIE K said...

I would like you to post a picture of the hand-me-down coat that doesn't close!

Together We Save said...

Oh my!! You need a coat! I mean I don't have a good one either but you get alot more snow than I do.

Unknown said...

lmbo you sound like me.. I sleep in shorts and a tank top as a rule I loathe the winter and refuse to drive in it lol.

Kiera said...

hahaha my whole life I was the Same Exact Way about winter (we live in buffalo- how can I deny winter?) finally i realized that "i'm worth it"- or something. I decided to invest and it feels gooooooood.

Mike said...

Your wardrobe is better than mine, I am pretty sure of that! I live in sweat clothes lol!

Liz Mays said...

My daughter tells me that we get more snow here at home (MI) but that there in Ohio, it's incredibly windy and much colder!

Gibby said...

God, this is so true. I live in Chicagoland, for crying out loud, walk my kids to and from school, and I only got a pair of boot a few weeks ago because of our trip to Banff. What sense does that make? Although I have to admit, I love these boots. I don't know why I didn't get snow boots 15 years ago!!

Now scarves...scarves I love. Good at hiding pasty necks.

Unknown said...

I'm with you! If I don't acknowledge winter, it might go away! lol

Bibi @ Bibi's Culinary Journey said...

I buckled down and bought a winter coat this winter and then the snow disappeared,lol.

Sandy said...

I tend to wear clothes for years and I hate winter because of the coats, gloves and boots we need. Never been a trendy clothes person. You do need a coat! But if you put it off long enough, it will be spring.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

I know EXACTLY what you mean!! I live in Iowa & we just got ANOTHER freakin' ice storm. I'm sick of it.
Luckily, I only have to put up with it for a couple more weeks. My husband's been stationed in TEXAS! Better yet, the DESERT!! BRING IT!!!
I'll take scorpions & rattlesnakes over sub-zero temps & snow-blowers ANYTIME!! :)

Formerly known as Frau said...

I'm a coat whore.....get a new coat or a better used coat! I just bought a nice wool one at TJ maxx for 20 dollars!

Unknown said...

You're preaching to the choir, girlfriend. I so know where you're coming from!

Allison said...

This year I bought my first pair of "snow" boots even though they aren't really snow boots per se in years. And by years I mean since I was in the 5th grade. I'm coming around to actually getting things for winter.

Macey said...

You just described my winter wardrobe. 'Cept no boots, fat calves, dontcha know...? LOL!
Love that.

Anonymous said...

You are such a goof.

Traci said...

I love that you live in Ohio but don't acknowledge the cold weather -- that's kind of like living in Seattle without a rain coat. Haha. But seriously, it also sound like something that I would do.
:-)

Claudya Martinez said...

Nope, if I had the money I'd go and buy myself some awesome winter accouterments because it is my firm belief that every day of my life is a special occasion.

Allyson said...

This was totally cracking me up because as a KY girl, I feel EXACTLY the same way. Like how can we be considered a "southern state" when we have ice storms every February and I own not 1 but 2 pairs of Ugg-ish boots?? But I have to warn you...the longer you ignore the winter, the longer it will last. And Puxatawny Phil will have the last chuckle. So, buy something fleece lined and pink plaid with skulls all over it and acknowledge it. Besides, I have learned that I don't look frumpy in winter clothes, I look layered. I just look cellulite-dimpled in a bikini. :)

Joanna Jenkins said...

Oh man Tammy. I know Ohio winters so you must be freezing your butt off!!! I hear you on not wanting to invest in winter, but I got cold just thinking of you in a tee shirt :-)

Hang in there, spring is just around the corner-- kind of.

xo

Swine said...

Just spent $10 on a cigar while being all big-spenderish in Vegas. I wore that thing for about four hours.

gayle said...

I don't like the winter either!!