Clothing envy - does it dissipate?

[Mouse]

... -- because to a normal mind they aren't.

Many years ago I was in the US on business, in a standard hotel west of Chicago. One morning I came down to breakfast to find the restaurant full of guys with guns in their holsters sat eating and chatting. As I sat there with my breakfast, I realised that I was alone in a room where everybody could kill me....should they wish to....I had no response....this was normal America....we were all just eating breakfast....everybody with a loaded gun except me....I quietly ate my breakfast and crept out....without getting shot!!!

Turns out the hotel was host to a police convention and they had all rolled in the previous evening. But it made me realise in a real sense that the UK and the US are very different in their normal

My normal then was black jeans everyday while others got to wear interesting clothes. Today, my normal is skirts of all different shapes and colours and I have very little envy left.

[crfriend]

Indeed, the perspectives and outlooks are very different, but I'd rather we not go down that rathole and focus more on the matter at hand for us.

We're a LOT more likely to get persecuted for what we wear than we are to get shot up by some random (and that goes for BOTH the UK and the USA). How do we stop the persecution? (Can we?) Why does it exist? (Ignorance, I suspect.) Can it be "cured"? (I doubt it so long as the herd mentality continues to reign supreme. Certainly the individual exemplar will do little to no good with the masses.)

[Grok]

I am still slightly envious of beautiful women wearing wonderful dresses on the red carpet, but there again, many women have the same envy, so it is hard to feel too aggrieved.

I think that I would again be quite envious if womens fashion were to reverse course. (Somewhat mitigated by possessing a few skirts myself). Reverting to the 1960s; again embracing fancy/frilly skirted rigs. Yes, I would envy that red dress.

For practical purposes, though, I very much doubt that I would still be around to see such change. I am too old now.

[STEVIE]

Yes, I would envy that red dress.

Grok, my envy of that red dress, the wearer's name was Stella, shaped a great portion of my thinking for the rest of my life.
That Christmas party holds the flashbulb moment in my mind , the true beginning of my skirted journey.
For all the grief that it has given me, I have no regrets and actually proud of my achievements thus far.
Does the envy dissipate, well if I can, this year's Christmas frock, perhaps not like Stella's, but of the most flaming scarlet velvet that I can lay my hands on.
Note to Susie, the bag, shoes and all the other essential accoutrements will also be on the shopping list.
One only lives once!
Steve

[Grok]

First off, I should say that over the years I have not been adventurous in terms of shoes. Not due to a lack of interest. I have always had a problem finding shoes that fit well.

Just googled "shoes, arthritis, feet." Looked at mens orthopedic shoes. Noticed right away the price tag. Orthopedic shoes are quite expensive compared to ordinary shoes. That in itself suggests that I will be looking for something that can be worn with trousers as well as skirts.

[Grok]

Three general categories of shoes:

1. Casual

2. Athletic

3. Dress

Will focus on casual. Colors appear to include such neutrals as black, white, grey.

Doesn't sound very interesting, but the problem is forcing severe constraints in terms of options.

[Barleymower]

I am still slightly envious of beautiful women wearing wonderful dresses on the red carpet, but there again, many women have the same envy, so it is hard to feel too aggrieved.

I do feel aggrieved but not towards women themselves. Many women do feel envy for other beantiful women, it's true. The uk UK size 18 and above is a dark and solemn place.
I was watching Dr Pimple Popper and a lady lost lots of weight leaving a large lipoma on her back. She was very sad and said "I lost the weight, I should be able to wear whatever I want!". The story ended well for her and she wore the dress. No such world exists for men.
It is a massive double standard.

[Myopic Bookworm]

I am glad that I have developed the courage to wear things that I like. I still slightly envy younger people who can get away with things that at age sixty-mumble I can't. The one thing that I would like an opportunity to wear (but can't imagine it happening) is a proper off-the-shoulder, full-skirted ball dress. Maybe someone will invite me to a red carpet premiere some day...

[Jim]

Three general categories of shoes:

1. Casual

2. Athletic

3. Dress

Will focus on casual. Colors appear to include such neutrals as black, white, grey.

Doesn't sound very interesting, but the problem is forcing severe constraints in terms of options.

I think "work" might be a 4th category. This would include steel-toed work boots and others designed to be sturdy and protective.

[jamie001]

I am glad that I have developed the courage to wear things that I like. I still slightly envy younger people who can get away with things that at age sixty-mumble I can't. The one thing that I would like an opportunity to wear (but can't imagine it happening) is a proper off-the-shoulder, full-skirted ball dress. Maybe someone will invite me to a red carpet premiere some day...

The self-imposed limitation that you are imposing because of age is ridiculous. You can wear whatever you want. Look at Mouse for inspiration.

[Barleymower]

I am glad that I have developed the courage to wear things that I like. I still slightly envy younger people who can get away with things that at age sixty-mumble I can't. The one thing that I would like an opportunity to wear (but can't imagine it happening) is a proper off-the-shoulder, full-skirted ball dress. Maybe someone will invite me to a red carpet premiere some day...

I've posted elsewhere here but there is the opportunity you are looking for. The New Orleans Red Dress Run. It might make a nice weekend trip?
https://www.noh3.com/RDRHome

[Grok]

The one thing that I would like an opportunity to wear (but can't imagine it happening) is a proper off-the-shoulder, full-skirted ball dress. Maybe someone will invite me to a red carpet premiere some day...

Trying to image an MIS meet up that would accommodate such dreams.

I imagine a large house, somewhat isolated in the woods....

[Mouse]

The one thing that I would like an opportunity to wear (but can't imagine it happening) is a proper off-the-shoulder, full-skirted ball dress. Maybe someone will invite me to a red carpet premiere some day...

Trying to image an MIS meet up that would accommodate such dreams.

I imagine a large house, somewhat isolated in the woods....

We could organise an event or party where the dress code was long! It really depends on numbers. I would love a party where a long skirt with petticoat or an off-the-sholder number was required.

On the other hand, you can make up your own event. I went to London in a long white skirt, complete with a petticoat. The event I was attending was Barleymower's 2024 Autumn meet up. My excuse was working out "can you run round London in a long white skirt with a petticoat?" following a question on the cafe. The answer is yes and it is great fun! I know it is not a full off the shoulder ball gown, but for me, it was close and so much fun and I did it, and it is easily achievable.

This day in London is one of the reasons that I have so very little envy left. I always from childhood admired ladies of old with their long dresses, but here I was running around the big city in a long white skirt, petticoat, heels, corset, leotard and still just me. What more envy can I have?

[Grok]

We could organise an event or party where the dress code was long! It really depends on numbers. I would love a party where a long skirt with petticoat or an off-the-sholder number was required.

There are such a huge diversity of possible designs, I would just tell people to exercise their imagination. Wear something you have long wanted to try.

[Grok]

Come to think of it...wasn't there a thread with just that theme.