Last Saturday, Caroline and I went to Gap to return a pair of jeans I’d bought her earlier in the week and attempt to find a pair that actually fit. Note to Gap: If my 5 year old daughter, who is the skinniest kid I know and survives on one cheese cube a day, has a mid-section that won’t fit into a pair of 5 slim jeans, you might want to re-evaluate your sizing methods or check your denim labor force for drug use.
We carried about twenty different pairs of jeans into the dressing room because I was so thrown off that 5 slims didn’t fit and I had no idea where to go from there. 6 regular? 5 regular? 6 slim? Why is my life so hard?
This was really our first real dressing room experience because I know my emotional limits and had an inkling that letting her in on the decision-making process might put me over the edge. The surprise was that we had a great time. Honestly, I don’t know if she’s ever reminded me more of myself than when I watched her check herself out in every pair of jeans she tried on. The only thing missing was that she never asked, “Do these make my butt look big?”
True to her mama’s form, she chose the priciest pair and I was okay with it because they are a size 6 and are a little too long which means she won’t outgrow them yesterday. As we paid for them, I informed her that she might need to wear them rolled up for a little while because they are too long.
She looked right at me and said, “You know that is never going to happen.”
God bless her, she is my clone.
And, really, she’s right. Cuffed jeans aren’t really in right now, not that I don’t resort to it on occasion since all hems aren’t created equal.
Now for the questions.
1. Shawna asks: “Ok so if by some chance I get back to Texas is it ok to wear a scarf and plain shirt with flip flops and jeans….cause I love flip flops??”
It is totally okay. In fact, when Gap isn’t busy making 5 slim jeans that are too small to fit any human in existence, they’ve made some really cute lightweight scarves for spring like this one.
I think the scarf can be a year-round accessory as long as you don’t pass out from heat stroke. Because that’s never in style.
2. Nicole asks: “I am shopping for some warm boots that I can wear in the snow, and could use some suggestions. Any suggestions?”
I can honestly say that as a Texas girl I have never in my life needed snow boots, which explains why I thought it was a good idea to wear my running shoes as my after-ski footwear when I used to “ski”. Let’s just say that Nikes aren’t really snow-proof.
My point is I’m not sure exactly what a snow boot needs to be but I’ll pretend that I do and say that I really like these boots from KEEN or maybe these.
3. Emily asks: “Your thoughts on trouser socks…I have a huge complex about them. Do you match/coordinate with your shoes, pants, or shirt? Do you wear stripes, solids, patterns?”
I believe that trouser socks should be seen and not heard.
That makes complete sense in my head.
What I’m trying to say is that they should be an accessory that just kind of blends in to your outfit and doesn’t yell out “HEY LOOK! RED POLKA DOT SOCKS!”
Because if the best part of your outfit is your socks, you need to re-evaluate what you’re wearing.
4. Another Emily asks: “Super Bowl Sunday is fast approaching, and I do not have any idea what to wear! I realize the time tested answer may be “A jersey” or “team colors”. The females of the couples that we gather with from time to time are always dressed so cute and I always feel frumpy!”
My first instinct is to tell you to wear something that won’t show stains from superfluous Buffalo Wing sauce, but you’re probably looking for something more specific.
Also, I feel the need to say that I would NEVER recommend wearing a jersey unless you are planning to take to the field. I once broke up with a guy who wore an Aggie jersey to a football game. I realize this may not bother some people, but it was a deal breaker for me and I will own that shallow, superficial part of my personality.
I’d suggest a great pair of jeans (more on that later) with a casual sweater like this one or this one with a cute pair of boots and fun earrings.
Or you could go for a v-neck sweater layered over a tank with a scarf around your neck.
Y’all know I’m a fan of the scarf because no matter who wins the game on Sunday, the scarf is the real winner.
5. A LOT of people asked: “How do you find a good pair of jeans?”
Ladies, there is no easy answer. It requires work and dedication. Remember dating and trying to find the right man to marry? Yeah, that’s a cakewalk compared to finding a pair of jeans that will make you want to pledge your undying love.
You have to kiss a lot of denim frogs to find your prince.
Will someone please embroider that on a pillow for me?
Seriously, this may be a future video blog if I can figure out how to try on jeans without showing my rear end to the internet. In the meantime, you just have to commit to trying on a million different brands until you find the ones that fit your figure. I recommend starting at a nice department store like Nordstrom because their associates can help you find a pair that is best for your figure, but don’t underestimate the power of finding high-end brands at discount stores like TJ Maxx or The Rack.
Have I ever said that a good pair of jeans can change your life? Truest statement ever.
That’s it for the question portion of this edition of Fashion Friday.
However, I have an announcement to make. Every week so many of y’all send me emails about things you’ve found on sale or a great pair of jeans or a kicky beret and I don’t have an efficient way to share all that information, so I’ve decided to start putting up a Mr. Linky at the end of every Fashion Friday post starting next week. If you have a blog, feel free to write about your latest fashion find and you can add the link to that specific post here.
I figure we’ll give it a whirl for a few weeks and see if we all benefit from more extensive fashion knowledge than whatever paltry offering I serve up.
Y’all have a great Friday.