Tuesday, November 18, 2014

My Favorite Skirt

Just a few short months ago (three, as of this writing) we were running around in our bikinis – those of who can, that is (not ME!). Summer was in full-swing with everyone in shorts and tank tops, some (like me) were complaining about the heat, and winter coats were collecting dust in our closets.

And all too soon, because ‘time flies’ and goes by faster than we can blink, those winter coats were dusted off and yanked out of hibernation. Old tissues found in the pockets from last year were thrown out, and the lucky who found a fiver in amongst all the tissues have already purchased a chill-chasing pumpkin spice latte.

Fall and winter is my thing – hot, sweltering summer months are not. By July I’m sick of all the sweating and I long – LONG – for the cool, crisp winter days when I can bundle up in my coat and scarf in the day, my favorite blanket bundled around me on the couch at night. I go through the same thing every summer – I can’t wait for my cool-weather winter clothes. I look forward to the fall fashion trends – in August I drool over catalogues featuring the latest wool-blend skirts, modern chunky/comfy sweaters, and functional yet fashionable knee-high boots.

But I’m no fashionista – comfort, functionality and affordability are my style. The nature of my day-job has me hopping – when I’m not running from floor-to-floor in an 11-storey building, I’m crawling under desks pretending to be a computer techie and untangling computer wires hoping I don’t unplug the ‘wrong’ one. So year-round ‘relaxed business attire’ works for me – black pants and a comfortable top. I dream of all the fancy fashions I would like to wear – one day – but for now, comfort and functionality are where it’s at. I’m a busy momma.

But this past summer, despite being pro-fall/winter, I decided to cut loose and take my chances with ‘change.’ I wore skirts and dresses almost every day. Time IS ticking by and one day I won’t be able to wear the knee-revealing skirts I can get away with wearing now. I was making a statement – what ‘statement’ I didn’t know – but I was going with the ‘enjoy it now’ attitude. Why save something ‘for that special day’ when that ‘special day’ might not come and I never get to use it/wear it/enjoy it? (footnote – wearing skirts and dresses this past summer proved to be not the wisest choice when I tripped and twisted my ankle right in the middle of downtown Victoria giving everyone a ‘free show’ (if you know what I mean) and scrapping both knees so bad that my panty-hose had be chiselled out of the gashes in my knees. Gross, but true).

So given my job and my busy lifestyle any ‘girly clothes’ I choose to wear have to be comfortable, easy-to-wear, and fidget/fuss/adjustment-free (if you’re a girl, you’ll know what I mean.)

While on my ‘summer-quest for girly-clothes,’ I found the perfect Lisa-friendly skirt – a ‘skort.’ For you non-fashion folks, a ‘skort’ is a skirt with a pair of shorts attached underneath. And you know what that meant for busy, non-fashionista, non-fussing Lisa? (It’s about to get graphic here, folks!) It meant I didn’t have to wear a slip because of the built-in shorts underneath. It was just a pull-on skirt – no buckles or buttons, no tucking or adjusting. It was like wearing shorts every day to work and I didn’t have to worry about flashing anyone while a/falling down in the middle of a downtown Victoria sidewalk, or b/while crawling around under desks.

I loved it – LOVED IT. I loved it so much that I – GASP – sometimes wore it twice a week! I went in search of another four just exactly like it but in different colours/patterns/fabrics. But alas no others were to be found, and I had to settle for waiting all week when I could wear it.

But just when I got used to being really ‘girly’ the weather turned cold, and frost-bite on my legs wasn’t working for me. My long-awaited fall/winter clothes/coats were pulled out of the closet, and my favorite skirt is holding their spot in the closet – until next year. I’m happy it’s cool and brisk these days, but oh how I am missing my favorite skirt. Only seven months, weather-dependent, until I can wear it again.

Unlike those winter coats, my favorite skirt I can only hope and pray still fits next year has no pockets. Sadly, I won’t be finding any fivers.

Thanks for reading!

Lisa

12 comments:

  1. Lisa, I’m totally with you on comfort, practicality and affordability! Your skort sounds perfect for your busy life. Since I gave up the day job a couple of years ago and am now an at-home writer, I got to spend the summer in shorts and flip-flops – my idea of perfect attire. I am definitely not like you, though, in enjoying the chilly weather. I hate having to bundle up in heavy clothes, and hate having to wear socks and slippers. Even with all the layers and bundling, I never seem to be truly warm. Even though I keep feeding the fireplace all day long. Now, a romantic fire in the evening, or a friendly fire to curl up in front with a book is one thing, but a practical fire for heat just gets to be tedious. Likewise, the blankie. When the blankie becomes an all-day companion, as I huddle under it to keep warm while I write, it gets “old” really fast! Here it is, just past the middle of November, and already I’m longing for spring. (By the way, I hope you can find another three or four skorts next year.)

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    1. Susan - I would love a fireplace! That's what I need! I love the fall/winter - I do - and I live for socks and slippers, never mind my blankie :) Will be one the hunt come spring for my skorts - will be thinking of you and your love of summer attire when I do! Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. Hi Lisa,
    I'm the opposite of you in that I wear my summer duds until I can no longer stand the cold. The day I put my sandals away and have to wear socks with my shoes is always a sad day in my book.

    Love the 'skort' though, great idea,
    Sylvie

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    1. Hi Sylvie! Nope - I'm not even a sandal person. I love the cold fall/winter weather, but there was something about this past summer....Sorry it's that time, Sylvie, but don't worry, spring will be here before you know it. Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. Lisa, I like the saying: "until next year." I'm never saying goodbye to anything :)

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    1. I like that, Jacqui - perfect! And I still fondly think about articles of clothing from eras, decades, and trends gone past and wish for them back. So no 'goodbyes' then....Thanks for stopping by! Lisa

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  4. Like you, I love the cooler weather. It can't come early enough or last long enough for me. Twenty years in Australia may have skewed my thinking on this though. ;-)
    Another place to look for skorts is in golf shops, although you may not find one as good looking as the one you have. It's a winner.

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    1. Maggie! Golf shop! Great idea - love it! I love fall/winter, too, but I'm sure missing my skirt. Will have to go shopping for sure! Thanks for stopping by! Lisa

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  5. Cute skirt! What about wool tights and a plaid wool skirt for the winter? I love that look. I can't pull it off, but I bet you could!

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    1. I had thought of that, Ros, but the skirt is just too thin to for the winter - but (scratching my head thinking) if I was wearing tights, I guess it wouldn't matter anyways....hmmmm and I have boots, and....THANK YOU! Given me some ideas!

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  6. Shop at golf stores. You'll find lots of skorts!

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    1. Hey! That's a great idea, Alice! Perfect! Thank you!

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