Have you ever given any thought to the origin of the voices in your head…
THE STORY
…really, that’s a totally serious question. I don’t mean the ones that tell you to do insanely wild things that you’d never actually do in real life (although I sometimes think it might be kinda fun to listen to those voices once in awhile), I mean the voices that oftentimes dictate what we do and how we feel about ourselves and the world.
I’ve always fancied myself to be somewhat of an armchair psychologist. The why’s and how’s of the mind have always fascinated me. Actually, there was a point in time that I truly wanted to go to college and medical school to become a psychiatrist. Do you know why I didn’t? My high school guidance counselor told me that I wasn’t smart enough for college and medical school; nor did I even have what it took to be a teacher. No, I’m not making that up. Give that guy an educator of the year award, am I right? How’s that for a voice in your head? I had a pretty heinous childhood and came from the wrong side of the tracks (both literally and figuratively) and coming from a small town, people had no qualms about letting me know that all that was expected of me was to spend my life in the trailer park producing numerous babies and living off the system. Add to that a significant family member who always made sure that I knew that no matter what I did I was never enough (good enough, smart enough, pretty enough…you get the idea) and you have a recipe for disaster, right? In this case no.
As epically awful as all of that was, those voices actually served me well. They made me who I am today. That rebel voice that tells me I can wear ripped boyfriend jeans over 50? Ya, that’s the very same voice that told me I was better than everything they said I was. That voice told me that living in the trailer park barely getting by on minimum wage wasn’t good enough for me. Those awful nasty voices gave birth to the voice that told me that come hell or high water, I would put myself through college and become everything they said I couldn’t. And you know what? I did.
No, those voices aren’t gone. I don’t think they ever truly go away. But over the years I’ve learned how to ignore them and on the days that they are hard to ignore, I find ways to work around them. Yes, I have days where something happens or someone is cruel to me, and in my head I’m again that young girl who was never good enough, but now I’m wise enough to step away for awhile and get my head back on right. And whenever possible, I entirely avoid situations or people who make me feel that way. The reason I have worked so hard to get to the place in my life, that for the most part, I honestly don’t care what other people think of me is that you cannot ever let other people define who you are. Do not ever give someone else that power. You define who you are. The only voice that really matters is your own.
THE OUTFIT
Enough serious stuff. Let’s get to the style. Dusters, in particular plaid dusters, are one of my go-to items. While I’m crazy about them I can see how what amounts to an uber-long plaid shirt might be overwhelming to style for the less adventurous amongst us. Don’t fear the duster…I have some ideas for you to make it less intimidating.
Although this plaid duster is probably the trickiest one to style in my collection due to the long sleeves, it’s the one I’ve gotten the most mileage out of. It’s a lightweight sheer fabric so that makes the sleeves easier to layer under other things like the white cardigan I’m wearing with it in today’s post. I loosely tied it with the belt that came with it so that the white tee and faux leather leggings would be visible. Last summer I wore it loose and entirely open over a striped tank dress. Not only did it add a fun hit of print mix, but it also provided a light layer when I hit the air conditioning inside. Finally, last winter I styled it as a full-on dress. I simply layered it over a turtleneck and leggings for warmth and coverage, added a few strategic pins to secure it and cinched it with a belt…like magic, it’s a dress. See, nothing to fear here.
THE TIP
If you don’t already own one, give a duster a try. And if you do own one, look at it as more than a long shirt. Try layering it both over and under other things in your closet. Belt it, don’t belt it. Add a scarf or a statement necklace to change things up. The possibilities are endless. Okay, maybe not endless, but there are a lot of options for styling it.
THE LINK UPS
Check out the weekly link ups I participate in for even more fashion and style ideas…
Striped tank dress original post, Duster as dress original post
Plaid duster: Boohoo (Similar); Cardigan: JCPenney; Leggings: Nordstrom; Boots: Pink Blush (Same)
