UPDATE: The winner is…Carol!
*~*~*
Clothing and courage have much to do with each other. ~ Sara Jeannette Duncan
I’m a quotes girl. I love affirmations and pithy sayings. I collect books of them. Every now and then, I open one to a random page, seeking inspiration. I opened one of the books to a random page today. This quote, I didn’t understand at first glance.
So, I looked up Sara JD. She was a female journalist in the late 1800s. Then she wrote popular novels that often contained bits about politics and societal norms, so maybe the quote meant something to her in her journey toward self-fulfillment as a writer and observer moving around in a more privileged set.
I read the quote and think about how my attitude toward clothing has changed for me. I had very little fashion courage as a grown woman. I dressed according to trends when in public. Being in the military for so long, wearing uniforms, took any fashion decisions away from me, and I really didn’t mind one bit. When I entered the corporate and academic worlds, I dressed according to those norms.
Not until I became an author did I dress a bit more flamboyantly—but only sparingly, mostly at conferences—because I grew used to being out of the public eye for long stints and dressed for comfort when at home.
These days, comfort is the only priority for me. At home, I wear loose, soft nightgowns. I want nothing cinching my waist where I imagine (perhaps) I can feel the cancer crowding my organs. When I go out, mostly to medical appointments, I wear the loosest shorts or joggers, usually in a size too large, so that I can pull the stretch waistband high above those organs. When I go to chemo appointments, I know I’ll be there for hours and hours, so it’s joggers and a spaghetti-strapped tank to give the medical personnel easy access to my port. I add a zip-up hoodie. And, of course, I add a pop of color—the loudest, most attention-grabbing chemo turban I have. It’s a middle finger to my cancer and to anyone who looks with pity at my bald head. I don’t need pity; I’d rather get a smile.
So, back to the quote. Does it mean something to you? Comment for a chance to win your choice of a download of any one of my books.
Comment
To me it means that you wear the clothing you feel the best in to give you the most courage. For a job interview you will wear what you feel best and most confident in. For social activities you will wear what you fill the most comfortable in especially if you are going into something where you may not know a lot of people.
I’m work my clothes were a uniform. But under my clothes it was what I felt the sexiest in. When I went out pryer to marriage I always dressed in what made me feel the sexiest in. Now I wear what makes me comfortable. I don’t go out much. I started wearing close for comfort after having my son. After leaving my ex I wore and still wear clothes that make me comfortable, but a little sexier. I don’t care what others think. I dress to please my self.
Comment
I dress to hide. And hope no one notices me.
Comment
This quote reminds me of another, “Dress for success.” Or how you want the world to see you. OR, as in our case, what makes us comfortable. The courage part comes in not caring about how the world sees you. Or being the trend setter. (Unknowingly did that in high school.) I prefer to dress how I want, no matter the trends. These days, that means total comfort. Not too tight, baggy even. Loose and easy to move in. And bright colors that make me happy! I dress for me, not anyone else. It takes courage not to conform. Look at that picture. She is wearing business wear. Boring. But underneath is that hot pink shirt. Removing the excepted white blouse exposing the hot pink takes courage, heroism even, as the cape denotes. It’s all about, be yourself!
Comment
I dress for comfort…
Comment
I think the way we feel on the inside reflects how we look and dress on the outside and vice versa. I mean if I am feeling frumpy and yuck if I take the time and use a quote from my mom “Fake it till you make it” so if I do my hair, actually put on makeup and dress up I feel better on the inside. I project more confidence and look like I have it together- again faking until I am actually feeling it. If I dress like I feel most of the time like I really don’t care what anybody thinks about me and I am comfortable let’s be honest I am a cuddly size woman. I may rather have it covered and be comfortable than suck all that in and try to look a size smaller than I am, just to be miserable and self conscious. Just my 2 cents, I think clothes can assist but I also believe it’s the person that makes the clothes not the clothes or any material thing for that matter that defines the person.
Comment
This reminds me of “Dressing for the job you want.” I’m retired, so that no longer applies. However, I know how dressing in some clothes makes you feel. It is almost as if they cast a spell over you and you feel the part. I remember writing about a dress that a woman was to wear in a book I wrote. I described how it draped over her body and how it made her feel. Later I bought a black top for work. When I tried it on, it fit on me the same way that dress fit on my character. It made me feel the same way.
Comment
I used to dress to fit into whatever I was doing. Now I am all about my jeans or linen pants and tshirts. I think the quote is true. I am more courageous now then I used to be and I dress to please me than others.
Comment
reminds me of Superman
Comment
The quote to me is true. I mean for example when you go to interview, you don’t dress like you are going to a barbeque, you dress like the people who are currently in the job you want. Clothing can sometimes be a suit of armor it gives you that extra strength you need to basically fake it till you make it so to speak. That’s why the quote and that picture go so well together. Super woman so to speak. Also Delilah, I’ve been reading your health progress. Please take good care of yourself. Cancer is awful. Continued prayers your way.
Comment
I think this quote for me means, how you dress is a message to others even though it may not be how you are actually feeling. It’s a way to get a message across. I guess during the authors time, there was a proper way to dress for a woman and she was forward thinking enough to know that what you wear does not always coincide with who you are.
Comment
I try to dress so that I feel comfortable when I go out of the house. So, the weather and what I need to do that day will help me determine what to wear.
Comment
If you’re comfortable & like yourself in what you’re wearing, you can do whatever the day calls for. You’re doing you….& that’s what’s best for you. Not to try & be someone else.
Comment
To me it means as you know yourself more you have the courage to dress for comfort and the style you like, not what is “expected” when you are not at a job that requires a uniform/scrubs