Saturday, October 18, 2008

Sunday Scribbling - "Style"

I am so out of style I often chuckle at how much being trendy used to mean to me. I wore suits, heels, nylons, jewelry and the latest trends. That was back when I could button buttons, zip zippers and clasp clasps. I also never left the house without make-up, nails glued on tight and hair done. That was before I retired and still frequented trendy places and events.

Once I had to retire I gave pieces of my style away. It felt like I was shedding a part of me I didn't want to let go of. I felt powerful, sexy and wanted in my old style. As I stood there stripped naked of my old lifestyle, I wondered if I would ever feel the same way again. I needed to feel those things from the inside and pair that with a more functional look. Boy, did I save money trying!

I had to find a new style to fit my deteriorating body and still feel good inside. I refused to wear polyester pants with elastic waistbands and slippers. OK, I'll admit I do slippers more than shoes, but never in public. Cutting my hair short and not having my nails done anymore was surprisingly liberating. Searching for fashion that you can hang around in and sleep in at the same time was easy too. Lounge wear is everywhere. It's the going to town fashion that got tricky. Once I married, I could not take Dave into the restrooms so I had to go with easy on my bottom half. Dave does the top half, with jewelry and I must coordinate the bottom to be assessable. I'm trying to teach Dave how I do my hair, with little success, but he can dye it well in 15 minutes flat. We are a team now and Tim Gunn would be proud.

This is my style now. Easy restroom access with skirt, low heel boots (hides winter hairy legs)and the top half was done for me. I can still do my own make-up, but when I can't anymore I will do the tattoo eyeliner. I'm disabled, but I refuse to give up looking and feeling like a woman. This is my buddy Pam who has also managed to maintain her style with ALS. We should be on an AARP cover. :)

1st photo - http://winterland.deviantart.com/art/Out-of-style-32407562

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41 comments:

Devil Mood said...

You look fantastic Tammy! You really haven't let go of your inner sense of style. But isn't it better to walk around more comfortable and having a easy beauty routine? I think I gave up on being very trendy, it was such a pain ;)

Debra said...

Just love your haircut. I keep mine short too.

I don't know what it is about getting older, but often, I just want to be comfortable and without "paint" on my face.

Problem is, I find, I need more and more "paint" to be presentable! LOL!

Forgetfulone said...

The short hair looks fabulous on you, though I don't know what you looked like before.

I would actually refer to you as ENabled to create your own style. You look great!

Pear tree cottage! said...

Tammy short hair is SO!! easy to look after as you can see with one of my last posts my hair cut gave me a lot of fun!! Even a grandson told me I looked almost as young as his mummy!! (well that was good!!)

I think you both! you and your buddy Pam are dressed lovely and its called down here in our home "personal comfort!!"

talk to you soon!! Lee-ann

Anonymous said...

I've always preferred comfort over fashion! But it doesn't mean you can't look and feel good AND be comfortable!! And you look great, btw!

Lucy said...

Hey Tell Dave I could really use his talents in my salon! 15 min. color! You guys are both my heros! YOU can't go wrong, no matter what style you wear!
Those boots are HOT mamma! xoxo

Anonymous said...

Your beautiful Tammy. I have no sense of style, never did, so I admire those who do. I admire you, you always look so beautiful and put together in your pictures. I'd be the one in he elastic and slippers!
XXXXXX

Tabor said...

You still have a great style in spite of the compromises you must make. I am beginning to have no sense of style and maybe I should not have given back that gift certificate to meet with a style maven that my daughter gave me...?

anthonynorth said...

Well, you look good to me. As for me, I was a rocker in my youth, with all the style that went with it. When I packed it in, I cut the hair, put on a suit, and I've been the same ever since.

paisley said...

while dave might not be much at styling hair,, i am thinking he has a lot to do with your being able to fulfill this statement:

" I needed to feel those things from the inside " and after all isnt that the most important part?????

xxoo

Anonymous said...

I love your thoughts about style. Trying to be 'stylish' can become so ridiculous, and it seems like you just have an inner style that is always there

Chris said...

Don't feel bad, my wife has bought all of my clothes since 1995ish. That and Alexis picks out my clothes for me each morning. I'm fashion illiterate.

Geraldine said...

You look lovely Tammy. What a pretty woman you are, whatever you wear.

I think a lot of us have left our heels and suits behind.... There is comfort to be found in nice clothes, they can be both.

Crafty Green Poet said...

you look great Tammy, very stylish. I agree a personal style is important, but it needs to fit in with your life and needs.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I got the feeling of a wonderful style emanating from within.

Granny Smith said...

I love your total look - young and ready to go wherever life leads you. I, too, know the inestimable value of a supportive husband. He is four years older than I am (he is 92), but I seem to be aging faster with many of the infirmities that that implies.

I feel sure that you will continue to have a distinctive and beautiful style.

Tammie Lee said...

Tammy,

Your style is tangible and winsome in every post you share. I find a lovely lady in your style.

anno said...

Possessing a sense of style means knowing yourself, and knowing what is important to you & what is not. You have a highly refined, and very lovely, sense of style. You are beautiful!

threesidesofcrazy said...

You look great and I love your attitude! To me style isn't about the trends it's about the attitude and yours is right on the mark.

Joyce Ellen Davis said...

You are BOTH beautiful, inside and outside! Thank you for carrying me in your pocket tomorrow ~ I am going to be there!

Joyce Ellen Davis said...

Okay, on the 25th, then....

Joyce Ellen Davis said...

I am just SO excited!...

Sherri B. said...

You look absolutely beautiful, and you are an inspiration...

Giggles said...

Dearest Tammy....the essence that is Tammy is beautiful from the inside out! You are still "WITH IT" my dear, in all you do and say! You look fabulous dawlink!! FABULOUS. We are adaptable women, that's all there is to it. You do what you need to! You do it SO WELL! Kudos to the lovely Dave who assists in your needs. What a loving partner and dear man!

Big hugs and love to you!
Sherrie

rel said...

Tammy,
I gotta say, you've got plenty of style! The ability to roll with the punches and come up smiling is your style and you do it so well.
rel

Rambler said...

glad I came across your post..it was just lovely

Anonymous said...

YOu got style, tammy! I mean it!

Nancy said...

Well, I got to see you up close and personal...and you're way more in style, and beautiful, than you could ever know.

Love and Gucci Kisses,
Nancy

Unknown said...

Tammy! COURAGE is its own fashion statement. Though with that said your entry touches a critical concern for so many.

In our story, fortunately Patti went to perms long ago. All I have to do run a pick through it and feel like a world class stylist.

Caregivingly Yours, Patrick
http://caregivinglyyours.blogspot.com/
http://patrickleer.blogspot.com/

danni said...

thanks for visiting me, tammy - i needed that more than you know --- hats off to your sensible style which looks like you're still stylin' wickedly!!! you look great - you've been on my mind often even though i'm not able to blog as regularly as i'd like - and so often the thoughts of you become prayers - read with great interest your blog about furniture, but be damned if i can find the handle to the dining room no matter how often i enlarge and search - that guy of yours must be a magical wizard!!!

Becca said...

Style is all about attitude, and you have that in spades!

You and your buddy look great :)

Amber said...

I love this post, T!It is so you. Because your "style" is survivor. It should remind us all about being a little tougher, and looking good doing it. Like you.

:)

JP/deb said...

You've got verve babe! Your style reflects the smart, spiritual, sassy, sexy, sweet, and warrior spirit that spells T.A.M.M.Y.!!

Great pic!
xx, JP/deb

paris parfait said...

That is a great photo! And you have your own unique style, Tammy - love the haircut. You are beautiful and don't need "trendy" for that. xoxox

rebecca said...

That is one stylish outfit that's also practical and easy. Just my style as well. I also keep my hair as short as yours bcuz I've never had the patience to fuss with it much - I prefer wash and go! And as far as makeup - minimalist chic. ;) and with that face of yours my sweet, you can wear a potato sack and still look cute!

Kay Cooke said...

You are beautiful, chickadee! And so creative and innovative.

Roan said...

Personally, I think you have great style...and not just your hair and wardrobe. BJ

Anonymous said...

Majorly inspiring, this piece, this site. The melancholy farewell to your power-wardrobe here reminded me of my own sad goodbye to my corporate life. All the beautiful dresses, sharp outfits, jewelry, barrettes, and oh the shoes! all packed away. Now my address is the back of beyond and I mostly live out of a suitcase packed with Lands End clothes. I admire your resolve to be beautiful inside and out, regardless :-)

Anonymous said...

Love your style. I am all about comfort. Great photo of you and your friend.

daisies said...

girl, i love your style!! you are so beautiful :)

Anonymous said...

Tammy, what an awesome site! Your page looks great and I love the boots ;) Sheila T