filed in Fashion Forward, featured
How Hard Do You Try To Look Good?
Walking my dog at the first light of day, I shudder to think what I look like. Locks of hair stick straight up, my face is unwashed, flecked with day-old mascara. I’m in frayed, ill-matched, baggy sweats. When someone walks by, I don’t always make eye contact, given my state of disrepair. But I can’t get enthused about primping for the neighborhood. How much should we clean up before leaving the house?
Image: Stefan Sagmeister
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25 comments for “How Hard Do You Try To Look Good?”
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Yeah, I’m certain I look like a wreck for the first dog walk of the day. I also often look like a hot mess on my way home, since post-work includes at least a bike ride, if not a full-out athletic event, such as softball, dance, yoga, etc. I guess I have a couple of cute neighbors, but I just can’t bring myself to care much in these situations. I mean, my cute neighbors jog around the neighborhood in athletic gear, work in their garden, etc., just the same as me. Being “on” all the time is just too much work. Would they rather me not work out and be a fat slob, and would I rather be cleaning up dog messes? I’m gonna go with no for both.
I guess I should also mention that this is not LA…we absolutely do not have room in our homes for “home gyms.” I can only afford 700 square feet because I live in a “marginal” neighborhood. If I went for a nicer neighborhood, I’d be living in 600 square feet or less. And I have an excellent job!
That’s the great thing about pets. They love us no matter what we look like.
I don’t overdo anything but I try just enough that I can give myself a radiant smile. Perhaps it’s vanity but if I can smile at myself then I’m more likely to smile at everyone else :))
Before moving to L.A., I never thought I’d wear sweats and Uggs beyond my street. It’s so casual here, and a slippery slope.
Re: wendy @ 6:17, I think my dog likes me more when I look like a slob, because that means I’m not going away for the day. When I flip on the flat iron after my morning bathroom break, he starts sulking immediately, knowing that means it’s just him, his Kong, and the dog walker for the day.
I try to find a balance between being comfortable and looking reasonable, so that if I bumped into someone I knew I wouldn’t be embarrassed. Make-up for me is almost non-existent.
Also, my work environment is very casual. The other day I had an appointment in another part of the city. Seeing the women in skirts, heels, and blouses made me feel quite inadequate as I was dressed in jeans, a blouse, and demi-boots. While they look fab, I wouldn’t want to put all the effort in to just sit at a desk all day.
I agree with the pet comments – I never cared how I looked while walking my dog – I was far more interested in having a good time and bonding with him. Hopefully someone would find the love and care that you show to another living being is far more attractive and important than the clothes you’re wearing.
This morning walking Rose, I checked out what my neighbors were wearing, and EVERYONE looked like we just rolled out of bed.
I at least try to make sure that my face is washed, my teeth are brushed, and my hair is either combed or pulled back into a ponytail before leaving the house. I’m in the process of losing a lot of weight, so none of my clothes fit, so it doesn’t really matter how I dress – it always looks less than stylish or ideal. However, wherever I go, I usually see all the same people anyway, and very few of them ever look any better than I do, lol.
I am a total wreck when I walk the dog in the morning which is why I always wear a cap, so no one can see my face.
However, I took her on a long two-hour walk the other day. Lots of people were out and then I noticed when I got home that my sweatpants were on inside-out the entire time. And it was obvious; big tag at the back.
Such a proud moment.
So funny, Trixie! I can totally relate.
When I hit my 40s I started doing a lot less. I never used much make-up and now hardly anything, maybe some lip gloss, I air dry my hair on the drive to work, I wear as casual as I can get away with. I never liked to shop for clothes and shoes. I like comfort, and I can’t stand make-up on my face…I just hate it! I feel like I have dirt on my face if I wear it, and I can’t imagine wearing globby mascara all day. Ewwww! I’m sure some people would say I should do something to perk up my looks, but I’ve always been a natural look woman except for about 2 years in high school when I piled on the make-up and slept in hot rollers–how crazy is that? Then I’d spray it until it was helmet hair! I was going through my really trying hard to look good phase. 🙂
Natural is beautiful. An excellent option.
(Though, I like mascara.)
I’ve tried convincing myself to use a little mascara and lip color just to brighten my appearance during the day but it hasn’t gotten past the thought stage. A loose, comfy dress is my lounge clothes because it doesn’t require matching. I’ve never been into sweats because I overheat easily. Lazy for me is running an errand without a bra – one of those out and back home sorts of things. Anyone else ever dare that?
I’m quite into fashion, so I normally pay attention to the clothes I wear when I go out. As for make up, I don’t wear it if I’m going shopping or to lunch etc during the day, but I do wear it to work or if I’m going out.
The gym is a totally different thing. I refuse to put in any effort past what’s functional, because that’s what the gym is about to me. I see women there wearing short skirts and full make up and feel kind of sorry for them. I think it sucks that so many of us feel the pressure to be on all the time, even when working out or popping down to the shops for some milk…
I go to ballet class first thing in the morning with barely a washed face. I just don’t see the point.
Once upon a time when I had a steady job and money, I always made a good effort wherever I went, but I’ve never liked make up. Now, a very tight budget stops me from wearing the clothes I’d like. I don’t have to follow trends or designers, but finding flattering, clothes that fit is not happening right now. 🙁
A lot of style is attitude. I’ve seen people spend lots of money on clothes, but don’t know how to wear them. And visa versa. I really believe you can be chic on a tight budget.
I recently read about an affliction the victims of which grotesquely exaggerate, in their own minds, their physical flaws. I mean, it has a name. Wish I could remember it.
Um, no I don’t. I may have it – OK, at least a very very most of the time not noticeable version of it. You know what? I don’t pay attention to what I think; I pay attention to others’ reactions.
I think based on those I don’t have too much to worry about.
i like to look good for myself, not to impress others. I routinely put on makeup (a little is all I ever wear) and earrings before walking the dogs, even if it is, as usual, at 530 am or something. Then it is done for the day. I don’t like the attitude that caring about one’s appearance is some kind of externally imposed tyranny. It isn’t … or doesn’t have to be. You need to care about yourself enough to realize that.
Yes. You’re right, it’s not tyranny. And I applaud your self care. When I walk my dog first thing in the morning, I don’t have the enthusiasm to primp.
I don’t have pets so there’s no dog-walking going on and while I have a professional job with a university, I kinda see the same people with the possibility of seeing others also affiliated with the institution. That said, I’ve actually been trying to be “on” a bit more. Being “off” can be such a slippery slope. Next thing you know you’re never turning it up because 1) you no longer have the wardrobe for it and 2) you sink into the “why bother” mindset.
I see my “on” efforts as an investment in me. I used to not wear any makeup but now I use a matte finisher, powder, mascara and a light lip tint. Nothing outrageous but I feel better, you know? Like there’s more to my life than throwing water on my face and putting on some moisturizer. Shoes, dresses, sweaters and handbags are all next on my list. I feel like I’m rediscovering femininity when I put myself together. It’s like I’m declaring to the world ie, me “I’m a girl and I’m still here!”
I’m into clothes whether dating or not, and don’t expect that to change. But now that I live in L.A. where everyone is so casual (sweats and flip flops), I’ve gotten out of the habit of wearing heels. When I do, my feet are screaming.
If time is short, then it’s jeans, a tee, a ball cap, and lip tint. Otherwise, I enjoy primping. I actually think it’s kind of lazy to not take care of yourself when you are single and have no kids. I think that most people want to be beautiful and to eschew self-care just because you think you are not the loveliest of creatures seems unreasonable to me.
Then there’s a line from Thunder Road:
“you ain’t a beauty but hey you’re alright, and that’s alright with me”
In L.A, jeans and a tee (especially if they’re nice) is how we dress up.