this could potentially be offensive/controversial, so let me begin by saying that it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. this is truly a personal decision. as a married woman, it matters what my husband thinks. and that is IT. so please don't think I'm telling you to dress a certain way because I said so, or to impress others, because I'm not. if you're married, you have only your spouse to worry about. that being said...
why do I dress the way I do? and what way do I dress? well, a lot of people have made comments about me being "so dressed up". really I've dealt with this for years, but I've been surprised that it's continued into adulthood. I heard the other day that for the first time ever, jeans sales dropped. maybe this was old info, so like in 2011. why did they drop? they're "too fancy". people are preferring yoga pants. UM. it was not that long ago that jeans were considered workwear only, as in physical labor outside or in a factory or something. I won't even address today's standards because in general I live my life doing that...but I just wanted to mention that. so, why do I dress "up"? there are a few reasons.
1. minimalism. I've been interested in this topic for a while. I don't now nor will I ever count my possessions, but there is an obvious theme in my home and my closet - less is more. quality over quantity. if I'm committed to having fewer things, they will be my favorite things. my nicest things. which leads me to...
2. I like nice things. I can't afford to create a new J. Crew/Anthropologie (my stores of choice) wardrobe every season. I can, however, afford to add a few of these pieces a year - especially when I find them at consignment or thrift stores. so what I do buy needs to be fairly classic. classic styles appear to much of my generation to be dressy.
3. most importantly, it honors my husband. woah, listen to that backwards anti-feminism talk going on right here (actually, feminism is about women being able to choose - and I choose this). Jake Henry and I prefer more of the traditional gender roles than is exhibited in much of our culture today. he is the primary breadwinner. my work outside the home is limited. I do most of the cooking and cleaning (most. because I have an amazing husband who is more than willing to help even without being asked). and this is working beautifully for us. as a one-income family (mine is so small, and only goes to further our debt reduction and build up savings, so it's technically not necessary), we are not able to afford some of the luxuries two-income families afford. we rarely eat out. my nails are done by yours truly. our kids won't get cell phones at 8 and probably not cars at 16. they'll live. but we keep a close eye on our finances and as such, what we are able to afford is this lifestyle of not relying on my income. it makes it easier to be a homemaker now, and a stay-at-home mom later. I say all that as background info...and also because I feel like sometimes people look down on us for this decision. but anyway. dressing well honors my husband. who wants to come home from a hard day at work to finds his wife, who has been home all day, in workout clothes? when she definitely has not been working out, and especially not all day long. I feel it is respectful to him to provide a good view, if you will, when he walks in. I clear all clutter from the entryway, as well. it helps him relax. and when I do venture outside our home, I am representative of him. for his sake, I don't want anyone to see me and think, "there's Jake's wife, she doesn't even work but look how awful she looks!" I feel it is part of my job to provide him and others with something pleasant to look at. oh, but I don't want to forget..
4. it makes me feel pretty. I've always been like this, as long as I can remember. I feel prettier when I look nicer. which just makes the whole day better, don't you think?
