"The Visual Embodiment of Femininity"
"I believe in long at-home clothes--pants, dresses, or skirts. They create a mood of comfort, enjoyment, and companionship which reflects on everyone--especially your own family . . . Long dresses, because of their traditional role in history and literature, are the visual embodiment of femininity, which is why I've always been partial to them . . . .
--Anne Fogarty, Wife-Dressing: The Fine Art of Being a Well-Dressed Wife
11 comments:
Thank you for this wonderful encouragement! I'm always being asked why I like to have long skirts and dresses. My sisters have come up with the idea that it's because they can hide in it, but I've had such trouble explaining to others that I feel more like a lady, more feminine whilst wearing longer, flowing skirts and dresses. I think it can help even with the attitude of being a homemaker; when I'm dressed for the job appropriately, it's easier to feel like doing that job. When I'm dressed like a mechanic, it's hard to feel like a homemaker. Thanks so much for this.
-Laura
I definatly feel more feminine when I wear long skirts as appose to short ones (not that I wear short skirts that often), and it's also more practical to get on with looking after the house without constantly pulling at my clothes.
My daughter called me recently as she was in the van to drop the children off at their other grandma's house (they live close to them in New England).
Her mother-in-law was giving her the gift of free hours to go to Borders and to do a little shopping alone.
She said after she had dressed in a long, flowing skirt and a cotton top she looked in the mirror and realized she looked like her mother. (I hope she meant that in a good way.)
Also, she had bought the skirt at a thrift shop so she said she REALLY thought of her mother (neither of us inherited the sewing gene).
You find the best book quotes!
I prefer long skirts and dresses, especially if they're "flowy" and "swishy". :o)
I always reach for a twirly skirt first. The other day I came "floating" down the stairs and my 18-year-old daughter just smiled up at me and said, "I love watching you come down the stairs, it's just so pretty." And that's why I wear pretty ALL THE TIME. : )
Thank you for the timely lending of words to an on-going conversation I am having amongst friends.
There is no bondage to it...
just let me be a woman!
I couldn't agree more!
I have heard so many women say they are more comfortable in pants -- and for certain jobs (usually involving crawlspaces or ladders) I might agree, but on a day to day basis I want a dress. It's faster to get ready in the morning (only one thing to put on) and costs less to wear -- $39 = a dress, or $39 for a blouse + $39 for pants/jeans. Practicality aside though, you hit the nail on the head with this quote -- it's just more feminine to wear long flowy clothing. And when you come down to it why wouldn't I want to look feminine? I like my hair and my skirts long, and I like feeling that little bit old-fashioned and womanly.
Just below the knee is about as short as I will go, and only if the skirt is full and twirly then. However, I do love my long, full skirts and dresses, and I try to wear them more often, even though this summer it has been more about a swimsuit and a sarong than flowy dresses!
I really enjoy going up and down stairs in my long full skirts. The care it takes creates a very graceful air -- except when my hands are full!
Also, when I'm at the playground digging in the sand with my son, I feel completely modest and comfortable since I can be assured nothing is showing.
Just finishing sewing a long dress out on my deck yesterday. I felt so pretty afterwards when I was wearing it. My sons always notice a new dress right away and their eyes light up while they ask me if I made it.
Not much beats that!
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