Thursday 18 November 2010

Back In The Saddle

If there is one thing I miss about my job at the library it's the clothes. That took you a bit by surprise, didn't it?


See, the thing is: that hair-in-a-bun-pencilskirted-librarian? She only exists in comedy sketch shows. No, really. I used to love getting dressed for work. I had a pair of grey hot pants city shorts which made my boss spit out his coffee the first time he saw them and a black dress like the ones in the Robert Palmer video (it was quite a long time ago). Oh, all sorts of cute stuff.

Then I gave it all up for jeans, machine washable everything, and flat shoes all the better for chasing toddlers with. My wardrobe improved again for a while when I had to present myself at the school gates every afternoon - because, as the Small One observed at the time, I had to be a "fashion mummy". But they don't need me to bring them home by the hand any more. These days, when I go out to work, all I need to take is this:


It's fun; but it does mean jeans again. And they don't even have to be clean ones. So that photo of me in the dress last week? that's me making a bit more of an effort. I'm tired of jeans. I want to get back in the fashion saddle.


29 comments:

Julie Kirk said...

Such a lovely layout. Clothes mean a lot to me and I find that I get dressed in a not disimilar way to the way I enjoy building up layers on my crafty projects!

Cheryl said...

this is a lovely layout. the sentiment too. i like how you really put a lot of thought into your layouts and your blog posts.

Ruth said...

I know exactly how you feel! When DH and I had our weekend away recently, I banned myself from wearing jeans; skirts, thick tights and flat boots were the order of the day and I loved it!

Cheri said...

My "uniform" right now is yoga pants and a tee shirt. So on the rare days that I go into the office and don dress slacks and a nice sweater or a blouse and blazer... no, I don't get thrilled. I miss the comfort of my yoga pants! Maybe the difference is that I spent 16+ straight years having to wear a suit five days a week. I'm not sure I'll ever miss it! But you look SO CUTE all dressed up! And the layout is fab.

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

I love this post, Sian, and I can totally relate. I spent 25 years in the corporate world, but since working for a chiropractor for the past two years I wear doctor's office attire - comfortable footwear and a uniform shirt. I love the comfort, but do miss dressing up here and there.

Clever post, and great layout too!

Beverly said...

Love the title and the layout. It seems I go through phases where all I want to wear are jeans and hoodies and be comfy then stages of having on the right thing, jewelry and all.

Melissa said...

Oh my Sian, I was having some of these same thoughts when I got dressed an hour ago before I read your post! I was thinking that I don't have to wear my tennis shoes all the time just because I can!! So, I'm trying a cuter (I hope) look today with some capris and tall boots now that fall has arrived. Loved reading your post and knowing I'm not the only one with those thought patterns. Thanks for sharing.

debs14 said...

Our school librarian is about 25 and so not the hair tied back in a bun and wearing sensible shoes kind of a gal!
I panicked a bit when I went back to work after 14 years of being a 'yummy mummy' (ha ha, I wish!) as I had nothing suitable to wear. What a good excuse for a shopping spree. Now I tend to wear a smart top with black trousers or a pretty dress in the summer, but on occasions I like to shock them all and wear a suit and high heels. Guaranteed to prompt the question 'Are you off to an interview after work?'
Totally relate to this post, different times in our lives call for different dress codes.

Amanda said...

Someone made a comment to me at work this week and called me 'the girl with a thousand necklaces'

Love the layout

Clair said...

Love the layout - and your story - as always x

Alana said...

Sian, if you want to wear a dress....then do. Just wear it with leggings or jeans instead. I dress up for school even if we are glittering that day. Although I do draw the line at a dress for the cycling training!

scrappyjacky said...

A great layout,Sian....and do know how you feel....but having had to dress 'smartly' for work for years....I actually like wearing jeans.....and feel very comfortable in them.

Maria Ontiveros said...

I remember moving to "the rule of three things" when I was in my fasionable mom stage. . . so there was always a cardigan or jacket over the shirt and jeans to really pull everything together.
Now days I take my clues from a great show here called "What Not to Wear."
Rinda

alexa said...

Very smart you look, too, Sian - and if your creative talent for colour and design in scrapbooking layouts transfers into your new look, then watch out world for you've got a visual treat a-coming! You go, girl!

Olivia said...

Beautiful layout & I enjoyed reading your post too :)

laurie said...

ha! i so get where you are coming from. your perky, busy, happening layout makes me what to dress up and hit the town. :-)

Anonymous said...

Pretty layout! I love my Levi's! When I had to dress for work never felt like myself, a t-shirt & jeans and I'm happy - guess still a tomboy even at my age. lol

Cheryl said...

Love you LO Sian and know exactly what you mean, before I had to retire from work 4 years ago it was the pencil skirts jackets and high heels. Along with working luches at swanky resteraunts now it is jeans and t shirts and on the odd occasion it might be a pub lunch how things change x

Amy said...

I am so in the 'mummy uniform' phase, I can completely relate to the need to dress it up a bit. Funny thing is, I buy something nice now and guard it with my life as if it is the most precious thing around - so silly, I should just get out and wear it!

Cal said...

Sian I LOVE this post!! I'm a Library Manager and wear stuff that is soooo non stereotypical!! It sounded just like me when I read the bit about short shorts and short dresses!!! :0)
I think fashion is a great way to express how you are feeling that day! You can be dressed to impress, or in jeans etc. Wrar what makes you feel comfortable to be in your own skin :0)

Susanne said...

I know what you mean about missing the clothes. I love my business wardrobe - lots of wonderful stuff from Talbots and such. I could afford to buy really nicely tailored clothes - I didn't realize until later how much slimmer I can look in clothes with a little structure! Unfortunately the only things that still fit me are the high heel pumps, and I never have occasion to wear those.

Liberty :) said...

Hi sian, just checking blog comments in iPhone and saw ur MSG. I sent an email to u at the beginning of the week, did you not receive it?I will check my mail later on when u get bk to see what has happened would just hate for you to think inwasnt thrilled to win the banner!! X

Rachel Brett said...

Beautiful layout Sian, I have a uniform to wear at work so I like wearing different outfits at home :)

Anonymous said...

Love the layout, and the post. I also love clothes and shopping, but I must admit I do love wearing jeans on a regular basis now that I'm retired.

Lizzie said...

Ha! I love the "boss spitting out the coffee" image... City Shorts, eh? I had a pair, but never for work... but I did have a great wardrobe of smart dresses, blouse/top & skirts and smart jackets. I even had some good quality suits.
Like you, I gave it all up to be a "Mummy". Do I mind? Hmm... I have bought some skirts and do wear them, but it occurred to me th other day that my "work uniform" is definitely jeans. Well, I wouldn't want to get glue on my "best clothes"...
I like that dress. Great scrap page too!

Abi said...

such a lovely page! really inspiration and love the story behind it! my work uniform is a suit which I actually love wearing! I do wish though I could wear jeans a little bit more often! ha ha! Thanks for sharing Abi xxx

Margie S said...

I know what you mean! 2 years ago I moved from the beach to the city and I sure do get to dress up more. I love owning a few pair of boots! It helps that the weather is colder here - the nicer clothes helps to make up for the not so good weather. But only a little...

humel said...

I do like getting dressed up for work - there are some days when slobbing around in jeans is perfect too, though! You look great in that dress, so I say go for it and expand your wardrobe a bit xx

PS I'm out of time - I've enjoyed looking through all the posts I've missed but can't manage to comment on them all individually! It's good to catch up though :-)

Lou said...

I'm the other way around, smart dressing for work which means that i live in jeans at any other time lol! Super layout with fab journalling xx

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