Don't want to be (seen as) a wannabe!

Tatum · Jan 30, 2011

Gracie Lee said:
The other trick I learned to get help in a hardware store is to show up disgusting. I'm totally serious: I used to work for an environmental contractor doing hazardous waste clean up and site restoration, and on the odd occasion I went for supplies with dirt caked in my pores, steel toed boots, sweaty, and generally nasty, there were employees on me like white on rice. The store manager was soliciting me to open a contractor's account, at least three people offered to help me load my truck... I don't know what was going on, but it certainly gave me a good laugh.

But yes, I went grocery shopping this evening, and stock people and customers alike were milling about, like they were waiting for me to ask for help. And the guy cleaning out the seafood case (ick!) was very genial.

Reading this really made me howl! Back when we were in the thick of redoing our house, I would go in to Lowe's literally covered in paint, as the guys would think of something they needed right then to finish whatever they were working on, and I would get pulled away from painting and sent to pick up said item. I had totally forgotten about that....I always felt funny, because I was comfortable covered in paint there. Unfortunately, I had to show up to the ER like that over last summer when my MIL broke her ankle. Nurses do NOT take you seriously when you are dressed in cheer shorts, a tank top, messy ponytail and covered in twelves shades of wall and trim, and aren't wearing your wedding ring. That was easily the most uncomfortable I have ever been.

And BoPeep, I did that just last week, as I buy dog food at the feed store. Oh, how they hustle! I had no idea...

Hmm, I think I need to find a dress to do yard and house chores in

LinaSofia · Jan 31, 2011

Tatum, it's not really confidence it's just that I literally don't own any other clothes anymore!

partly because I've put loads of weight on and none of my old jeans zip up anymore

oops. But I'm working on that... hey, what about some high waisted wide-leg jeans? I'd love a pair of those for my casual moments! You could do yard work in those!

Gracie Lee · Jan 31, 2011

Tatum said:
Hmm, I think I need to find a dress to do yard and house chores in

Think it would convince the menfolk that we shouldn't have to do such things if we attempted them in dresses? I know my SO would consider committing me if I tried gardening in a skirt! "Oh, honey... I'm simply to frail and feminine to possibly mow the lawn. Would you mind...?"

Honey Bee · Jan 31, 2011

The last time I went to the feed store to get the goats some grain I was in a dress....got my feed sacks carted, taken up to the front AND loaded in my car!
Of course when I got home, I had to haul them out myself...The Mister knows I am capable

Tatum · Jan 31, 2011

LinaSofia said:
Tatum, it's not really confidence it's just that I literally don't own any other clothes anymore! partly because I've put loads of weight on and none of my old jeans zip up anymore oops. But I'm working on that... hey, what about some high waisted wide-leg jeans? I'd love a pair of those for my casual moments! You could do yard work in those!

I want some too, but again, there is that word...BUDGET!

Gracie, never in this house. Garden is all me. We have a riding mower, so that isn't an issue. I think he would find it amusing. Maybe I will use muslins. Hey! What a great use for muslins! But then, beekeeping in a dress is asking for a disaster....hmmm.

LizzieMaine · Feb 1, 2011

Gracie Lee said:
Think it would convince the menfolk that we shouldn't have to do such things if we attempted them in dresses? I know my SO would consider committing me if I tried gardening in a skirt! "Oh, honey... I'm simply to frail and feminine to possibly mow the lawn. Would you mind...?"

Funny thing is, I do all this kind of stuff in a housedress all the time, and never think anything of it. The one time I did have second thoughts was when I was up on a stepladder in front of the theatre changing bulbs on the marquee, and some smart guy went by, looked up, and said "nice show!"

rue · Feb 1, 2011

LizzieMaine said:
Funny thing is, I do all this kind of stuff in a housedress all the time, and never think anything of it. The one time I did have second thoughts was when I was up on a stepladder in front of the theatre changing bulbs on the marquee, and some smart guy went by, looked up, and said "nice show!"

Oh my! lol lol lol

BoPeep · Feb 1, 2011

Me too. I've shoveled out the chicken coop in a dress, wrangled sheep, baled hay, whatever. Can't be changing my outfit just because a little dirt is in my future. Cotton dresses wash out just fine.

PrettySquareGal · Feb 1, 2011

Gracie Lee said:
Think it would convince the menfolk that we shouldn't have to do such things if we attempted them in dresses? I know my SO would consider committing me if I tried gardening in a skirt! "Oh, honey... I'm simply to frail and feminine to possibly mow the lawn. Would you mind...?"

What you need to do is wear the PANTS and tell 'em who is boss and what you will and won't do!

:eeek:

Gracie Lee · Feb 2, 2011

I should have added that my man has seen me wrangle giant snakes, turtles and angry parrots (may sound funny, but it ain't easy), haul feed, move sofas, drive work trucks and boats, and fix various automobile problems. If I ever uttered something so ridiculous, he'd fall over laughing. But, all kidding aside, I don't mow lawns. Ever

Juliet · Feb 2, 2011

LizzieMaine said:
Funny thing is, I do all this kind of stuff in a housedress all the time, and never think anything of it.

I thought I was the only one! lol

MikeBravo · Feb 3, 2011

rue said:
People always ask me where I'm going. I think I'm going to start saying "to a funeral"

A few years some local FLoungers and I were at the Art Deco Exhibition here in Melbourne. A lovely nicely dressed old lady came up and asked if we were making a movie. I replied "No, we're just making an effort"

She seemed very pleased with that response

zombi · Feb 4, 2011

^ I love that response, too!

rubyredlocks · Feb 4, 2011

I'm using that line, it's so much better than "we're in a dress rehearsal for Grease on Ice."

rubyredlocks · Feb 4, 2011

<---Funny thing is, considering my avatar and various apparel mentioned I'm a wannabe and have been happily since the 90s.

ThePowderKeg · Feb 4, 2011

The comment about clothes wearing the person rather than the person wearing the clothes reminded me of a car show I went to last summer...It was hot and about 90% humidity. The show was at a diner/bar/rock club in Worcester with a deteriorating parking lot. Some dirt, some gravel, some patchy cracked asphalt...Stumble City. And yet there were ladies traipsing around the parking lot in stiletto heels, with pencil skirts that didn't fit and foundation melting off their faces. For the record: Muffin top in a pencil skirt is bad news.

I wore an A-line skirt (cooler) and wedges (less likely to kill myself in said ill-paved parking lot). I got compliments not only on my cute outfit, but on actually dressing for the conditions.

TheLibrarian · Feb 4, 2011

I can't imagine wearing stilettos to a car show. Then again, I am there for the cars - and stilettos are not helpful when you're trying to get a closer look at the transmission or checking over the paint.

Might have something to do with the kind of cars, but I don't know any of the ladies in our club who dress like "car show leg humpers." They dress for their cars (or their husbands' cars, as the case may be), so if you arrive in a '37 limo you dress in 30s high-class style. But we don't do rods or muscle cars, and a Packard or a Locomobile is not the same as a '57 Chevy or a Ford streetrod. So it's a whole different attitude.

That said, we don't care whether you wear all vintage or none at all, or just sort of go halfway. The dress I wore last year to our big show was modern, but fit right in with my 40s hat and accessories. Some of the other women wore full-on vintage, and some were in shorts and t-shirts. So long as your outfit lets you do whatever you need to do, you're good to go.

Hell's Belle · Feb 7, 2011

I didn't know what to expect when I first posted this question. I did kind of expect to be shunned a bit since I am a newbie and I expected some of that snobbery that I was afraid of in the first place, but oh my, how I've been pleasently surprised! What a nice group of people you all are and I am forever grateful for all of your wonderful advice. I learned several things. 1) We, vintage-y people, will always get stared at and asked silly questions. 2) Related: My new favorite comeback: We're doing a dress rehearsal for "Grease on Ice". I laughed so hard when I read that! Thanks! 3) Wear what makes me happy. 4) Don't worry about what others think. 5) Feel a tad sorry for the people who put you down as their manners are majorly lacking. 6) Don't let your clothes wear you.

Again, thank you everyone, for your kind words and thoughtful advice. I am definitely in the right place!

Lenore · Feb 8, 2011

I think that's an excellent summation. ;-)

ThePowderKeg · Feb 8, 2011

Hell's Belle, your Reverend show may have already passed, but my main piece of advice to dress for that event: wear something you're not afraid to get sweaty or beer-drenched. Have fun.

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