I’ve put on nearly 20 pounds in the past year. Now, I’m not complaining about it. I actually feel better about my body than I ever have because I’m more toned and (generally) eating as healthy as I ever have. My new shape has been formed by yoga and, perhaps, my 30s, good and natural things.
But suddenly, my clothes were all wrong.
Well, maybe not all wrong. But some of my dresses were suddenly too tight through the torso, and none of my pants fit my hips and thighs. I’ve even got a few skirts I probably need to toss aside.
As a result, I’ve spent more on clothes this year than probably any other year of my life. And today, I made several more additions to my wardrobe.
I’m at my parents’ house for Thanksgiving, and they’re just a couple of miles from an outlet mall. Mom and I hit a few stores this afternoon, and what I intended as a quick trip to pick up a couple of shirts resulted in three cute T’s, a blouse, a sweater, a dress, a wool skirt and a pair of pants.
Eesh. I don’t even like shopping.
But here’s the catch: I’ve updated my wardrobe at very reasonable prices (today’s haul originally retailed for about $460, and I paid $135) while selecting classic pieces that should be in my closet for years. I’m not much for trends, and this has been the first time I’ve gained significant weight since high school. More importantly, as I’ve matured, I’ve learned how to better dress for my body. The end result is a more confident, more comfortable Carla Jean. And I’m in favor of that, in any shape.
Today’s title comes from “Let’s Go to the Mall” by Robin Sparkles, and this is my seventh #bloglikecrazy post. Today’s prompt focused on fashion.