Thursday, June 29, 2006

Can one be too casual?

Maybe it's because I grew up on the east coast but I don't think flip flops should be worn everywhere. I don't understand why someone would wear flip flops to a movie premiere. There is an article in today's NYTs about how Hollywood dresses down.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/29/fashion/thursdaystyles/29flips.html

The weather here has nothing to do with it. It's hot year round in the Caribbean and people dress up more. My friend Claire and I were at a restaurant last week and this women (maybe in her early 20's) was out to dinner with her boyfriend and his family. She was wearing hot pink low rider sweatpants that were too long with her thong showing, flip flops and a cropped spaghetti-strap top. Call me crazy but I wouldn't wear that to a nice restaurant.

I'm trying not to to dress like a slob all the time but it's hard. When I dress like a slob I feel like one. So in order to continue trying to break out of my post Italy funk, I will dress the way I want to. Of course I'm not going to start wearing suits (I've worn a suit maybe twice after moving to Los Angeles and that was when I had an interview at a studio 6 years ago.) but I will try to put a little more effort into what I wear. Like they say, "when you look good, you feel good."

9 comments:

Kathy said...

Yes! Flip flops to a movie premiere? *shakes head*

I have lived on the casual west coast all my life, but I was raised to dress nice no matter where we were going (but appropriate for the situation, of course).

It never occurred to me that I could wear sweatpants to class, until college when I saw many people wearing them. I thought it might be fun to be so comfortable while listening to a two hour lecture, so I started wearing them. At first I felt completely self-conscious, but soon I began to enjoy it.

After a couple years of this, it dawned on me that, like you said, when I dressed like a slob, I felt like one. I snapped out of it and started dressing nicely again, saving the sweatpants for the gym. It made me feel so much better!

So...take some time to get dressed in the morning, and feel good about your appearance all day! Sometimes all it takes is one great bracelet or belt to make a normal outfit extra special! (As contradictory as it sounds with the above sweatpants story, I studied fashion in college!)

Now, I'm not going to say that I never dress casual, but I think there is a time and place for it. I'm sitting here in a t-shirt and shorts right now, but I'm home alone, not going anywhere, and not expecting any company. This will be when the doorbell will ring and somebody will drop by unexpectedly...

Sara, Ms Adventures in Italy said...

Hey ever since you mentioned that you liked that techno song when you were in Rome, I have been keeping my eye out a bit of other songs you might like - I used to do big mix CDs for all our parties and above all for working out.

Try this one:
Freemasons - Watchin'

gibber said...

I know what you mean. The boy and i went to Gallileo, arguably one of DC's nicest restaurant (the owner is Roberto Donna - you may know him from Iron Chef fame!). So naturally, we're really nicely dressed. People are in suits and ties. And then there are these two couples. I shit you not, PLAID short sleeve shirts, jeans, a tank top. I mean, COME the fuck on! Who thinks that's appropriate at a freakin 4 star restaurant? I was so annoyed by their presence :)

Remember when we used to dress up for flights? That's something that I've let go...it's all about comfort. But I do believe in having make-up and maybe a change of clothes so that when i get off the plane, i don't look a hot mess.

But yeah, i wear flip flops to work and change into my heels. but i wouldn't wear them to a movie premire or a nice restaurant! GEESH.

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

Kali, it will take some time but I am going to stop wearing sweats everywhere. It's funny but when I was in Rome or St. Marten I only wore them if I was running.

Ms. Adventures, thanks for the tip. My spinning teacher just burned a CD for me that has the "Weekend Song" on it. How happy am I? I just ordered two CD's he recommended. I'll let you know how they are.

Gibber, I do remember having to dress up for flights back to St. Marten. At least they were short flights. On my flight back from Rome, how is it the Italians looked so put together and we did not? It's a 16 hour flight!

Kathy said...

You can do it! Go splurge on a pair of awesome shoes - that always makes me feel better! :-)

I'm in need of some good music too - what are some of the other songs/artists on the CD your spinning teacher burned?

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

kali, I can't find the CD cover but he burned about 8 club mixes. Two big hit's from the 80's british scene, Inner city's "Good life" and "Big Fun". A song by Donna Summer, called "Melody of Love", Mariah's "It's like that (remix)" and the others I don't know the titles. If I can find the cover I will post them.

For other dance music, I like the new Nelly Furtado song. I heard the whole CD is good. If you like Brazilian music, Seu Jorge (the actor playing the David Bowie covers in Life Aquanic and the he played Knockout Ned in City of God) his CD is called "Cru."

Sara, Ms Adventures in Italy said...

PS> Another one that's very hot here right now is Bob Sinclair feat. Steve Edwards - World, Hold on

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

grazie ms. adventures. I love that song!! I read it at the gym the other day. Now I can track it down.

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

LOL I meant to say "heard" it at the gym.