Sunday, July 14, 2013

"Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society." - Mark Twain

Dear Bono,

I realized today that it's been four years since I've had to worry about dressing myself every day.  As a resident in a surgical specialty, most days I wear scrubs to work.  Because I get home at 8pm, I usually just put on sweats or even my pajamas right away.  It makes my laundry pile not too bad, but has the downside of making it difficult to assess when I have started putting on weight.  I have to "dress up" twice a week for clinic.  This means something like business/business casual.  I usually wear a skirt and sweater, or slacks and a blouse or something like that.  I can do this fine one day a week.  It's that second day that kills me.  I stare at my closet and look at the many options for clothes, and finally, in a huff, pick something that I most likely wore one week prior.

I actually used to love to pick out my clothes.  There was a time where I was complimented on my fashion.  Once, after having only met this woman someone six hours prior, we were shopping and I picked out a dress and she turned to me and said "that's so you."  I definitely had my own style.  (This was after the grunge-baggy pants/hiking boots/flannel phase that I wore back in 1993).

My clothes for work are now more of a uniform.  It's not really stuff I'd choose for myself, nor do I wear it when I actually go out.  It's stuff that fits the uniform: nice-ish, not too flashy, and would survive if it got urine on it.  When I do go out though, I look through all my unworn clothing.  What will I wear today?!  So many options.  I end up trying on multiple outfits, and then get frustrated that most of it is several seasons old by now (though looks brand new, because it rarely gets worn).  I also feel like my sense of style has lost some of its purpose.  But then I go shopping, and I realize, I am spending money on something that I won't really wear that much, and I stop.

I just can't remember how I used to be able to pick out clothes to wear every single day of my life.

Sincerely,
JP

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