Thrilling development #1: I've just enrolled in a travel writing course through MatadorU. The course material looks amazing and I've already met some exciting new people! I've been obsessed with good travel writing since the day I picked up a copy of Norman Lewis's book, Voices of the Old Sea, and fell in love. My brother-in-law is also enrolled in Matador's travel photography program.
Thrilling development #2: My latest project has been to produce a fresh new edition of the alphabet book which my mother and I collaborated on so many years ago. It's coming together. Look for it soon!
Finally, Stephanie, from the blog Layered Pages, was so kind as to interview me this week. Thanks Stephanie!
...and now for the real post.
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I recently stumbled over an article describing how one should dress in the case of a zombie apocalypse. Though the zombie motif is somewhat (translate: really) overdone, I am pleased to see someone taking a practical and imaginative view of fashion. Said article also led me to examine my reasons for dressing the way I do.
I am of the opinion that clothes should always be comfortable, serviceable, and attractive. I like to look nice, I like to be comfortable, and I like useful things. I love pockets. I also have an overactive imagination, the gift of a firefighting dad who is always analyzing possible emergency scenarios, and a mom who regularly met my remarks about guys I liked with, "He sounds nice, but you know they say Ted Bundy was a really charming man". (This is not a complaint. My mom has my eternal gratitude. She probably saved me from getting into vans with serial killers.) My parents are also advocates of always having walking shoes handy, the obvious result of driving old cars which had a habit of breaking down in inconvenient locations. Thanks to their teaching and my own nature, I like to be prepared. I also freely admit to watching too much Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This leads to an inordinate amount of thinking, "There could be something supernatural and sinister down there." Below are the three most important factors I tend to think of when I'm picking out clothes.
1. Flexibility is the most important feature. Perhaps my ballet training is to blame for this one, but I don't feel comfortable unless I can heave my leg at least past waist level. Thus, if I wear jeans they are loose-fitting or stretchy, and I'm a huge fan of flared skirts with tights or leggings. Pencil skirts are the bane of my existence. In the same way, I don't like shirts or jackets that restrict the movement of my arms.
2. Versatility is key. Heels are your friends. They double as weapons. However, comfort is also important, as you might have to run in them. Compromise is necessary. I once saw a movie version of The Three Musketeers where two women pulled long, sharp hairpins out of their hair and dueled with them. I remember nothing else about the movie, but that touch was genius.
3. If you get slightly tangled in it getting into a car, you'll tie yourself in knots fighting for your life in a dark alley. Certain fashion fads confuse me, especially those involving lots of hanging things, be it fringe or what have you. I don't want to struggle with my own clothing. I'm clumsy enough without making it worse.
To clarify, I don't make a habit out of getting into fights in dark alleys, but I take comfort in the idea that if I ever did, I'd be prepared...and you know, if the Zombie Apocalypse does happen, my husband did get me a machete.
