A Toxic Sense of Style
January 21, 2008
I may keep a blog about Britney Spears -- in fact, some people have even commented here before that I kind of look like her -- but that’s always where I drew the line. Until recently.
This past Friday night, Roger and I went to the Dallas Museum of Art. Every third Friday the museum offers $10 admittance, free Starbucks, live entertainment, karaoke and scavenger hunts. People pour downtown in droves for this monthly event, and the museum is alive with the young, the old, the goth, the well-to-dos. It's the closest Dallas comes to competing with the energy of other more hip, urban cities, which, naturally, is a draw for me.
But it wasn’t just any ol' Late Night at the DMA – it was its 105th anniversary. And maybe that anniversary wouldn't be that big of a deal if you didn't know anything about the beginnings of my relationship with Roger. You see, our first date took place five years ago, during the DMA's 100th anniversary. In celebration, the museum opened its doors for 100 hours straight. And so, just because we could, our date began at 10 p.m. and ended at 2 or 3 a.m. I mean, when else could we wander around a museum at 1 a.m.? We had to take advantage of it.
So I was getting ready to go out on Friday night, and I was thinking about what to wear. I was staring in my closet as I am wont to do, trying to draw inspiration, when it occurred to me: I should try to re-create the outfit that I wore five years ago. I mean, how fun would that be, right? Except the more I thought about it, the sooner I realized -- in utter horror -- what I had worn for our first date. Picture this (seriously, you're going to want to click that image link for the full effect):
A white waffle-weave thermal undershirt. Under a cornflower-blue, short-sleeve graphic tee. With a pair of cotton, charcoal grey, drawstring tracksuit pants. Like sweatpants, without the elastic. And, to top it off -- and this is the perhaps the worst part -- I paired this outfit with black, high-heeled leather boots. Like these.
As if that weren't bad enough -- and I kind of didn't want to admit this to you, because this is more evidence of the epitome of my (lack of) fashion sense -- I thought it would be appropriate to wear my black, mid-thigh-length lambskin leather coat. (Is it redundant to say "lambskin leather"?) It was cold outside, I'll have you know. Somehow, it just made sense to me.
Why are you staring at me so blankly, Internet?
You'll be glad to know that I didn't try to re-create that outfit on Friday, not even in the slightest, and that instead I wore a tasteful turtleneck sweater with jeans and cute brown shoes, plus golden, dangly earrings.
The amusing thing is that I *did* re-create that outfit on Saturday afternoon, and then I wore it to a friend's house on Saturday night. Except without the boots. Or the coat. Instead, I wore sneakers. Which kind of makes it acceptable, doesn't it? Say yes, Internet, because I need to be affirmed here. I'm beginning to question whether I really am more like Britney Spears after all, what with my apparent inability to dress myself properly, despite my access to an entire wardrobe of lovely clothes.
At least with time, my taste has improved. I can't say that much for Britney.


Comments
1. Um... 5 years ago that was in style? Just trying to help you out!
2. CUTE SHOES!!!!
3. Sure. Yeah. That totally makes it acceptable. :-D
Posted by: Jayleigh | January 22, 2008 06:35 AM
btw? love how one toe of your above pic is pointed.... hehe
Posted by: Jayleigh | January 22, 2008 06:36 AM
I'd like to see the lambskin leather coat. Just, you know, so I can properly judge the appropriateness.
Posted by: Lia | January 22, 2008 07:00 AM
For Lia, though I don't think it improves the level of appropriateness. The level of appropriateness is ZERO.
The coat I wore looked like this one.
Posted by: chirky | January 22, 2008 08:52 AM
The boots and jacket said, "First date. I'm gonna look good." The rest of the outfit said, "Wanna hang out and watch some football?" Together? It's a good thing Roger doesn't care about fashion.
The night sounds like fun, though.
Posted by: Heather | January 22, 2008 10:42 AM
Oh, but Roger DOES care about fashion. Which is why it's kind of a miracle that he asked me out a second time.
Posted by: chirky | January 22, 2008 11:14 AM
AHAHAHAHAHAHA, I love you my friend and your "interesting" sense of style!
Posted by: Katie | January 22, 2008 02:25 PM
I'm self-conscious about wearing trackpants to the supermarket, so i almost applaud you for wearing them on a first date.
Almost.
But trackpants and heels? Never even occurred to me. Wow, dude.
Posted by: Claire | January 22, 2008 02:30 PM
Wow! I made it on your blog, I feel totally special. And it's a good thing you make a good enough first impression that it overshadowed the second one. Or maybe Roger was bored, decided he needed a project, and you were that project. Whatever the reason it worked out in the end.
Posted by: Erica | January 22, 2008 10:06 PM
So wrong...it's just so wrong. I must have been in a coma during that time because if you would have consulted with me before you went out I would have told you a mayonnaise rub down outfit would have been better! Good thing Roger can see beyond your fashion faux paus and into the depth of your heart!
Posted by: beyonka | January 23, 2008 07:15 PM
Love Heather's comment!
And you can't compare your style to Britney, even if you did have such a lack of it five years ago. As long as you continue wearing underwear, you're at least a couple steps above her. :)
Posted by: my life is brilliant | January 23, 2008 11:26 PM
Wow. That is pretty bad :)
It must just be a comment on how bewitching you must be that you could survive that ensemble.
Posted by: slynnro | January 24, 2008 01:40 PM
why didn't I know about this? we're members for crying out loud! Did you like the Smiths exhibit?
Posted by: Vanessa | January 24, 2008 10:37 PM
I loved the retelling of this story in person... thanks again for the wonderful food on Saturday night, so good just thinking about it makes me hungry.
Posted by: eddo | January 28, 2008 10:56 AM
You wore track pants and heels?? AHA HAHAHAHAHHAHA HAAHAHAHAH! I am way too sick (I have a bad cold, hack wheeze) to be laughing this hard. :) But thank you for the awesome mental picture.
Posted by: Courtney | February 8, 2008 08:43 PM