July 10th, 2024

In the Mood to talk about Fashion again?   This will be the Part II to last week's fashion post.

Last week I did say that Fashion is fun.  And I stand by that. It's true.    But sometimes clothing purchases are more about a specific goal than having fashion fun.  Like, for instance, buying a dress to wear to a wedding or a new suit to make a presentation.  Perhaps you recently lost or gained a few ellbees and need to accommodate that.  Or maybe you are on vacation and the weather you packed for is in no way the weather you are experiencing.  Been There, Done That!

Or maybe your new clothing purchase is even more practical than that.  For instance, maybe you recently had a surgery that results in needing some different clothes.  Not the most fun reason, but hey, new clothes is new clothes!

Two years ago when I was about to undergo a bilateral mastectomy, a kind and wise person suggested that I might want to invest in some button front shirts because after surgery for awhile there would be No Way in Heck that I would be able to put on a pull over shirt.  (AND they were absolutely correct!)  At the time I owned only 2 button front shirts; one had long sleeves, the other one itched.  Yup new shirts were needed.  It was an unexpected expense but absolutely essential as it turned out.   We ended up buying six button front shirts ultimately.  And I am still wearing them.

My surgery this time was abdominal and nobody mentioned anything about certain clothing options being better than others so I just  didn't give it a seconds thought.  UNTIL the day prior to surgery when the hospital called to give me the time I needed to arrive (5: 30 am !!) and the usual no food or drink after midnight speech and at the very last she said, "You will probably want to bring a loose summer sundress for comfort".  I said" ok, I can do that."  And I did. And I am so glad I did.

I ended up wearing nothing but dresses for two weeks.  The very idea of something pressing against - even gently - or rubbing against the incision was unimaginable.  And then too, there was the swelling.  Suddenly my abdomen instead of being almost flat (not completely I will admit) was all pooched out  thus limiting what I could even get on, even if I was willing to risk the pressing and rubbing. Dang!

I asked the surgeon about it at a follow up appointment, as in, how long is this going to last?  And When can I start working out again?  and the response was, first, "hell no you cannot work out yet you crazy person" and  The puffy tummy thing can go on for awhile. The area is inflamed and irritated from surgery and can take - get this - up to a Year to completely heal.  A YEAR???

I know how to dress in disguise.  I am well versed in how to hide anything I don't really want anyone else (or frankly me either) to notice.  But I cannot imagine wearing the same dresses over and over every day for even 3 months let alone a full year.  The impracticality alone makes it crazy.  So I went through my closet.  

Ultimately I found 3 pair of shorts with elastic waistbands.  They sort of worked.  Unlike the loosey goosey-ness of a dress, they definitely  press on my poor tortured belly, BUT luckily, all three pair are rather loose and as long as I wear the right top with it, not too bad.  I decided that I could alternate the dresses with the 3 pair of shorts at least through the warm (hot!) months and then I could reevaluate when the weather begins to cool off. 

 I mentioned these thoughts to Tim and added that if the budget could bear one more pair of shorts, I thought I would be pretty much all set. He thought that would be just fine and the very next day, off we went to our local Beall's.    We bought headed off to different parts of the ladies clothing section and met back up at the fitting rooms. Over and Over and Over.  Ultimately I found one more dress (couldn't resist)  and 4 pair of bottoms that fit nicely, were comfortable, not horribly expensive and, I felt, would go with tops I already owned.  I asked Tim to help me choose.  He bought them all for me because he is a Very Nice Man.

I had the best time walking each piece through my closet to see what would "go" with what.  The goal is always to have at least two tops (minimum) for each bottom and woohoo!  Success on that!    I even took photos for you guys to see my haul!

I ended up with the one dress of course, two skorts (skorts are awesome! Where have these been all my life?) one actual skirt - it's like cargo shorts only a skirt and one pair of actual shorts.  Tim chose 3 of the 5 items I bought. He has Great Taste!

Ready for the fashion slideshow?

Photos were taken on different days, which is why the different hair styles. The day of the green cargo skirt I hadn't even combed my hair yet when I took the photo for heaven's sakes. I have some nerve!  

Anyway, I lovelovelove my new clothes and I had fun sharing them with you!    Have a great day ya'll