Rut-Ditching; or, Pattern Mixing

Draft:

Earlier draft:
I wore this skirt and belt together when carrying my favorite bag.

Composition: 
black cami (Kohl's)
zebra print tank (Express via sister's closet)
green cropped cardigan (Express via sister's closet)
black and white print pencil skirt (NY&Co)
faux patent black belt (NY&Co)
black leather wedges (Lauren by RL)
nail color (OPI Can You Tapas This?)

Usage:
Anne-Marie's recent hair metamorphosis got me thinking.  Cut bangs, dye it a different color, and post pictures online for the world to evaluate?  I could never.  Sympathetic types might say "Liz just knows what she likes."  Less sympathetic types might say "Liz has trouble dealing with change," and downright  blunt types might say "Liz gets stuck in a rut."  All of them would be correct, I think.  Teaching high school helped me learn to prepare, prepare, anticipate, and prepare.  Teaching high school should have taught me that things don't always go according to plan.  However, I either didn't adequately learn that lesson while I was teaching, or I forgot it in the two years I spent as an Master's student.  This has been problematic lately, because this semester has been a constant reminder that I can't make things happen just by planning them.

Thankfully, the semester's not over yet, and there's still time to salvage my attitude toward it.  I might not be bold enough to make a change as significant as AM made with her hair, but her willingness to try out a new look made me think to myself: what is one thing I could do tomorrow to take me outside my comfort zone?  to remind myself of the benefits of sometimes pro-actively stepping outside the rut?  I decided on pattern mixing... with animal print.  I know this is kind of cheating, since the pattern on the skirt is very neutral, and combining two black and white pieces is not exactly experimental.  To my non-pattern wearing self, though, it felt like there was a LOT going on here.  All day long, I felt a slight unease, like "Oh, boy, yes, I am still wearing this crazy patterned outfit."  (Though I wore the cardigan all day, I took the second photo in an attempt to prove that this outfit IS kind of crazy.  The photo doesn't lie, though-- it was mostly in my head.)  I thought that uneasy feeling was good.  I still felt like me, but a more adventurous me, maybe.

So when I was confronted with more news this very day that suggested my plans had kind of backfired, I should have looked down at myself and thought: "It's okay.  I'm channeling Anne-Marie, who knows how to manage uncertainty much, much better than I do."  I didn't.  I got mad at myself for yet again insisting on trying so hard to plan ahead.  I hope that one day I'll actually learn the lesson.  Maybe the clothes can help.  If not the clothes, maybe the literature.  After all, I know what Robert Burns and John Steinbeck have to say about the best laid plans.  If not the literature, maybe the style blogging.  Because if Anne-Marie's post about her hair wasn't enough to convince me I should live a little more "in the moment," Sara's post on OiB today about being "mindful of where [she is] right now" should help.

Prompts:

• How do you respond when your foresight proves to be in vain?  
• What do you do to help get yourself out of a rut?  
• Do you have any pattern mixing suggestions?

Red, White, and Meeeow!

Draft:

Composition:
jeans (JC Penney's)
white long sleeved shirt (Old Navy)
red scarf (street vendon in NYC)
animal print flats (Minnetonka)

Usage:
After the controversy over my last post - and the ensuing questions about appropriate attire for being seen around one's department in an unofficial capacity (not teaching, not for class, etc.) - I thought I'd post an outfit that I think pretty adequately represents my normal departmental attire. 

First, though, a few notes about our departmental culture and my current position within our department.  I mention these things because I think that departmental context is absolutely key to reading clothing.  First of all, I'm a graduate student still in coursework.  I used to work as a graduate assistant in an administrative position, and I began a TA-ship this year, but I have a course release for this semester, so I have few formal obligations on campus.  So when I'm actually around campus, I'm attending class, meetings (with professors, reading groups, and as part of a big departmental service obligation I took on this year), or talks...or I'm just doing work in my office.  Our departmental culture values style - we have some great female professors for scholarly and stylish role models - but it also tends to be a pretty welcoming, laid back department. 

That said, I have few reasons to really "dress up," and our departmental culture doesn't really require it.  So I try to look casual but still put together.  I consider this look to be representative of my current "uniform."  If you see me around our department, I'm probably wearing a long sleeved t-shirt or another type of simple top, jeans (usually a medium to dark wash), and flats.  If I have time that week, I paint my nails during a reading break (this week: OPI An Affair in Red Square).  Most often, I throw in some bright colors or prints.  Sometimes, I'll substitute the flats for heels.  I usually wear my glasses, but every once in awhile, I'll wear my contacts.  As for this outfit, I've mentioned before that I love the combination of animal print and red, and I think that the combination of the bright scarf on top and the fun pattern on the bottom gives this basic uniform a little personality.

Prompts:

• We've discussed uniforms (or lack thereof) before.  Do you have a casual "uniform"? 
• How do you dress around your department when you're not there in an official capacity, say just doing work in your office?
• How do most people dress in your department (or work place)?

Body Insecurities

Draft:

Composition:
royal blue bridesmaid dress (Exquisite Bride)
silver heels (BCBGMaxAzaria)
chain and pearl bracelet (gift from bride)
on nails: OPI Russian Navy Matte

Usage:
Apologies for my extended absence.  Due to several factors - including, but not limited to, traveling, recovering from the constant motion of this summer, and my general laziness - I haven't been in this corner of cyberspace.  However, there is one other reason that made me a bit gun-shy regarding posting.  You see, I've been going through a small bout of body insecurity. 

It's funny - after writing those words, I feel like I've betrayed some of the general precepts behind this blog and others like it.  After all, we've discussed loving our bodies just as they are, and we've celebrated our varying shapes, sizes, and styles.  In fact, one of the things that I love the most about the fashion blogging community is the body-positive environment it presents.  However, this atmosphere of body confidence, while refreshing and something I wish to see more in the media, also creates a space where discussing insecurities about our bodies, the things that we may occasionally wish we could change, becomes taboo (at least it seems that way to me).

Now, the type of body insecurity that I'm feeling right now is nothing extreme, consuming, or even particularly acute.  Just a run-of-the-mill occasional dissatisfaction with the way I look right now.  Pangs that I think everyone feels at one point or another to be thinner or curvier, to be taller or shorter, to have a smaller nose or longer legs, to have more muscles or thicker hair, etc.  These sporadic desires to just be different are, I think, natural and human.  When they become all-encompassing and cause people to take drastic, self-destructive action (as opposed to healthy steps - like if you want to lose weight and you start eating healthier versus developing an eating disorder) or when they really cause self-esteem to plummet, that is when body insecurity becomes dangerous.  Otherwise, I think it is just part of the ups and downs of life.

The reason I chose this particular outfit to post has nothing really to do with the outfit itself.  I actually think this dress looks quite nice on me.  The color really suits me, it highlights my curves, and I really liked the jewelry the bride gave us.  One thing, though, that bridesmaids dresses do is invite comparison between women.  When four women are standing together wearing different outfits, the eye may not naturally take in their varying shapes and sizes as much as it does when they are wearing the same dress.  The four women wearing this dress did, to some degree, represent different shapes and body types.  However, I was definitely the biggest one of the four - not to say that I am large because I am not - but next to three other women wearing the same dress as me only four sizes smaller, one notices it more.  Or rather, I noticed it more. 

Please note: this is not what "set off" any insecurities.  Nothing in particular acted as a trigger.  Just part of an ebb and flow of my ever-changing self-image.  I'm not worried about it, and I know it will soon pass.  I can change what is in my control, and I must accept what is given.  I will never be a size 2.  My nose will always be a bit larger than I want it to be.  My hair will always be baby fine.  But change that and you change what is uniquely me.  And I don't want to give that up.

Prompts:

• What do you feel insecure about?
• How do you overcome insecurity about your looks or really about anything at all?
• Has blogging changed your self-image at all?  Does it make you more confident about your body? (I think it has in my case).

Visiting the Parents

Draft:

Composition 1:
purple dress (Rumors)
beige tank top (Old Navy)
green ruffled t-strap wedges (Steve Madden)
Divot (Ossa cat - courtesy of boyfriend's mother)

Composition 2:
black tank top (NY&Company)
purple skirt (H&M)
sunglasses (Liz Claiborne)
flip flops (Rainbow)

Usage:
So sorry for my absence on the blog.  Due to unforseen circumstances, I was without a decent internet connection for the past five days.  My boyfriend and I are on what I've been calling Great Family Tour 2010.  We just left his parents' house and are currently in my hometown.

I wore this purple dress out to dinner with boyfriend's mom and stepdad.  I love the criss-cross on the front of the dress.  I usually wear it with a beige or black tank top underneath, but I would like to try it with a more colorful tank top too.  Since I just got the green ruffle wedges, I decided to throw those on too.  My boyfriend said that I looked like the Joker because of the color combination, but I like it.

Normally I would be a little hesitant to wear a dress this short out to dinner with my boyfriend's parents.  The first time I met them I wore a pretty simple, conservative outfit: a short-sleeved white ruffled button down, dark wash jeans, and black boots.  Last time we visited, I wore this dress out to dinner with them.  Now that I've known them for a little longer, I feel a little more comfortable wearing different styles with them.

I wore the second outfit on a wine tasting excursion with my boyfriend's dad and stepmom.  I'd say this outfit is more what I would typically wear around a boyfriend's parents.  Cute, comfortable, and slightly more conservative.

As for accessories, I wore one of my new signature items - a garnet ring I received as a birthday present abroad.  I love the different, modern design.  I also wanted to show off the octopus necklace my boyfriend gave me.  OPI's You Don't Know Jacques, a gift from Liz, served as a great neutral polish for a parent visit.

I've found that in dressing in situations like this one - dressing for a significant other's parents - I don't really change my style much.  I don't tend to dress flashy; I don't really accessorize a lot; I don't wear skimpy clothes.  Maybe I'll tone down the heels, but normally not much changes.

P.S. My boyfriend outted the blog to his mom and stepdad, so A and G, if you're reading - we had a wonderful time, and I hope you liked my outfit!

Prompts:

• How do you dress for visits with your significant other's family?
• Do you change your style much in situtations where you want to make a good impression?

Shorts and Summer

Draft:

Earlier Drafts:
I wore this tank top in my first(!) post
OPI's My Chihuahua Bites! is my favorite summer polish

Composition:
blue shorts (Old Navy)
green tank top (Old Navy)
purple flower wedges (Payless)
octopus necklace (ModCloth - gift from boyfriend)
on fingers: OPI My Chihuahua Bites!
on toes: OPI Pamplona Purple

Usage:
Summer brings higher temperatures and higher heamlines.  It also provides the perfect opportunity for backyard barbeques.  These three summer standards came together for me this weekend when my house hosted a cookout.

I have not worn a non-athletic pair of shorts in maybe four or five years.  For warmer weather, I dress exclusively in skirts or dresses.  I'm not entirely sure why I've eschewed shorts for so long, but I have two theories.  Part of it stems from the fact that I tend to dress a bit conservatively due to my curvy figure filling out certain clothes a bit too much, making styles that look fine on less busty women look inappropriate one me (I discussed this issue in this post).  Thinking this way about clothing over an extended period of time has made me a bit gun-shy about all fashion choices, and I feel uncomfortable if I'm not covered up.  The second reason is that while I like my calves, I don't like my thighs at all, and wearing shorts makes me feel self-conscious.

Then, this week I bought not one, but two pairs of shorts.  I'm happy to say that SSG significantly influenced my decision to revisit shorts.  This project has really driven me to rethink and push my (self-imposed) fashion boundaries.  So I purchased and debuted this pair at our party.  Along with a simple tank top, they made a nice, casual look for outdoor festivities.

This statement necklace completes the series of sea creature necklaces (sting ray, seahorse, octopus) I received from my boyfriend for my birthday.

The octopus added a quirky kick to the outfit.  I also decided to play with non-sequiter shoes.  Nothing about them really connected to this outfit, but I thought that they would complete it nicely.  It needed a cute pair of shoes, and I love these wedges that I got for $10 at Payless, especially the flower detail and the strapes around the ankle.

My shorts experiment definitely went well.  I felt comfortable in them, and I definitely plan on incorporating shorts into my regular wardrobe for summers now.

Prompts:

• Do you wear shorts?  What kind of shorts - longer, shorter?
• Are there any articles of clothing that you do not wear, for whatever reason?
• What kind of clothes do you like to wear for summer get togethers?

Gifts

Draft:

Composition:
gray studded bag (Marshall's)
OPI nail polishes - from right to left: Russian Navy (matte), Jade is the New Black, Pamplona Purple, An Affair in Red Square, My Chihuahua Bites!, Japanese Rose Garden
sting ray charm necklace

Usage:
After my semester ended, I decided that I needed some serious retail therapy.  A lot of big stuff happened during spring semester 2010, including getting into a PhD program, defending my MA project, and getting my MA degree.  So, with seminar papers and my thesis behind me, I decided that I wanted to buy a present for myself.  Normally, I gift myself with shoes, but after scouring the usual sources - Zappos, Piperlime, Shoes.com, ShopItToMe, etc. - I couldn't find any pair that I really wanted.  Ahem...with the exception of these Betsey Johnson wedges (size 7) which I am utterly obsessed with and have been for some time.  However, I am a graduate student, and I'm in two weddings this summer, so I'm not in a financial situation to really indulge myself.  So, I had a splurge lite (a diet splurge?), which sounds like a contradiction, but welcome to grad school reality.

I love shopping at Marshall's because while they tend to be, in my experience, hit-or-miss, I almost always manage to find at least one or two items that I really like for low prices.  I never particularly liked the bags with a lot of hardware, but I've been looking for a non-black neutral bag, like a light beige-y brown or gray, like this one.  I was drawn to it for the color and the size - big enough to hold my essentials, plus a small notebook and/or books, essential for class going, but small enough that it's not a Bermuda Triangle bag where my lipsticks can never be found.  The metal doesn't overpower the bag; it just gives it enough interesting texture to separate it from a plain neutral purse.  And for $30, a major steal.

Since I got a great deal on the purse, I decided to get a second "self gift."  Liz and Anne-Marie always have cute manicures, and they've inspired me to pay more attention to my nails.  I consider buying several new nail polishes a splurge for me since I would never normally spend money on them - thus, making them the perfect, relatively inexpensive "Woo-got-my-MA" present.  In total, I spend less than half of the cost of the aforementioned Betsey Johnson wedges.

The necklace was not a self gift, but rather part of my (early) birthday present from my boyfriend.  I love all aquatic animals.  I jump and coo and generally act like a 5 year old when in an aquarium.  My roommates joke that I missed my calling as a marine biologist.  Of all sea creatures, I particularly adore sting rays.  I think that they are so cute and adorable (yes, I realize that I am in the minority here).  The chain of the necklace is the perfect length, and the charm is just quirky and cute and totally me.  I love it.  Normally, I'm wary about other people buying jewelry for me.  I have my signature necklace and ring and some other fun pieces, but I'm pretty particular about what I wear.  This necklace, though, is a great little piece that I'll definitely use to switch up my necklace choice.

Prompts:

• Do you buy gifts for yourself?  Do you call them gifts to justify spending money, like me?
• What style related gifts do you receive?  Do you get them from men or women?  Do you like your significant other to pick out jewelry or clothes for you?

R-R-R-Remix

Draft:

Earlier Drafts:
I pulled this dress out of the closet on the first day that was warm enough for bare legs.

Composition:
eyeglasses (Kate Spade)
acrylic necklace (Kohl's)
print sheath dress (H&M)
boring, uncomfortable white wedges (Michael Shannon via DSW)

Usage:

I'm experiencing a shopping slump.  I keep going to all my favorite stores in search of a few new summer dresses to spice up my warm weather wardrobe, and I keep failing.  Everything costs too much or doesn't fit well enough.  Even when I find something that fits at an affordable price, I just can't get myself excited enough about it to actually take it to the register.  Does this happen to you?

I've identified the following as possible reasons for my shopping slump:

• I have switched my brain over to "money-saving" mode, so unless something is a steal, it seems too expensive.
• I already love my own clothes much more than I like anything I'm finding in the stores.
• I know that if I buy something I like but don't love, I probably won't wear it more than 2 or 3 times this summer.
• I'm conscious that I might be trying to buy new things just for the sake of buying new things, so I can't decide if I really want to buy anything or not.
• I've just seen SATC2 and am becoming increasingly afraid that shopping turned the interesting women I met in season 1 into the mindless consumers I just saw in the theater. (There are great conversations about the film going on at Cohabitating Closet and Fashionable Academics, btw.  My blogging buddies are helping me remain confident that loving clothes and thinking critically are not mutually exclusive.)

So I've decided to take a new approach: embrace the fact that I really do like much of what I already have in my closet, but give those items a fresh feel by adding some key accessories.  I really like the way my new-ish turquoise necklace is giving old tops a new look, and this acrylic necklace "goes" with everything.  I love this dress.  I've worn it to weddings, showers, work, and probably other places I'm forgetting.  I like the print, the fit, and I even kind of like the strange pouchy detail on the front.  (It makes a big lunch look like a conscious fashion choice.)  Can you tell it's belted?  Probably not.  The belt is totally disguised by the print, even IRL.  But we know I love a belt.

Since I am trying to focus on why accessories matter, I decided that these shoes are giving me a bad attitude toward my summer wardrobe.  They're not comfortable. They're not interesting.  Because they only have front straps, I feel like I have to use my toes to grip them as I walk.  So, they're on their way out.  I purchased a new pair of summer wedges this week to replace them, and if all goes well, I'll debut those on the blog soon.  I hope to wear them to death this summer as I experiment with remixing all the clothes I already own (but many of which you haven't seen yet)!  I've also ordered some new nail polishes in bright, summer hues that I am hoping will add some much-needed pops of color to my summer attire.

Prompts:

• What puts you in a shopping slump?  What gets you out of one?
• What role do accessories play in how you think about the clothes in your wardrobe?

(Post Script: I considered naming this post "Hot and Fresh Out the Kitchen," as in, "This is the remix to Ignition, hot and fresh out the kitchen... it's the freakin weekend baby, I'm about to have me some fun," which pops into my head every time you guys use the term "remix" in your blog posts.  But I've got you all convinced that I'm a thoughtful person (right?) so I can't very well quote the despicable R. Kelly, even though this song reminds me of fond memories of my undergrad days... can I?  Well, in the interest of full disclosure, I just did! : ))

In the Buff (with a Side of Americana)

Draft:

Earlier Drafts:
Liz channeled Americana

Composition:
red chinos, Bermuda Shorts style (Old Navy)
blue cotton peasant top (H&M)
grey blazer (Gap)
flesh-toned suede heels (Seychelles via Piperlime)
nail polish (OPI "Parlez-vous OPI?")

Usage:
Advocates of nude shoes everywhere: I am a new convert to your doctrine!

Today I had intended to riff off of Liz's post on "national" style, so I had composed what I considered an Americana color scheme - red and blue, plus the peasant top has a jean look to it - with another 'national' classic - the blazer - thrown in for interest.   On my way to a haircut appointment, I donned the flesh-toned heels as an afterthought.  Let me tell you, I am convinced of their miracle-working power.

Before purchasing these shoes several weeks ago, I had discounted the advice of style sages who recommended nude heels as a necessity for every woman's wardrobe.  A skin-toned pump will elongate the leg and, what's more, will act as a true closet workhorse, they said.  I liked my patterned kicks and colorful wedges, thank you very much, and I didn't see the need to shop around for what inevitably would be the palest skin-toned sandal ever.

Then I caved.
Almost.
These heels sat in my Piperlime shopping basket for three days.
I debated.
(They really won't make me look paler?)
And then I conceded.

Having only worn these sandals three times, I'm already pleased with my purchase.  I have officially identified my summer staple.  Now I know what nude shoe advocates mean when they say "nude equals neutral."  It means, "Yes, in fact, I can wear this with absolutely every item in my closet."

Which leads me to ask, what are your closet 'neutrals,' the items that pair well with anything and everything?

Prompts:

• Tell us about 'em!  What are your closet 'neutrals'? 
• Any other nude shoe success stories you'd like to share?  We're all ears!
• What do you think of my interpretation of the Americana color scheme?  
• I'm also wondering how the nude shoe trend acts as an extension of the nude makeup trend, which Katie alludes to here.  Does our collective fashion conscience think nude equals most beautiful?  If so, why?  Do we feel an impulse to down-play our assets or do we simply like our au naturale selves enough to gesture at them in our dressing habits?

Projecting Versus Performing Professionalism

Draft:

Composition:
blue "embossed" cotton dress (J. Crew)
necklace (gift from husband)
cream cardigan (Ann Taylor)
brown woven stretch belt (Forever 21)
snake print platform heels (Nine West)
taupe polish (OPI You Don't Know Jacques!)

Usage:
I can't believe Anne-Marie posted her snakeprint heels yesterday, before I got the chance! : )  We found them on super clearance last summer and bought them in different colors, but I have only worn them a handful of times.  I wore them earlier this week, though, for my Master's Project Defense.

At first, I thought I would wear a very "professional" outfit for the defense.  Then I decided against it because the professors on my committee know me better than anyone else on staff, and they've worked closely with me on the project for the past year.  So instead of trying to dress in a way that would project the professionalism I've demonstrated to them all along, I put together an unabashedly girly outfit that I loved.  I wore my favorite dress, my favorite nail polish, and one of my favorite pairs of shoes.  I thought the comfort and confidence I felt about this look would help me to absorb any criticisms they might offer and respond professionally and thoughtfully.

Unfortunately, I crashed and burned in this outfit.  During the defense, my (male) reader said he had some criticisms about my paper, but wanted to assure me first that he recognized and admired all the hard work I had put into it.  I was emotionally overwhelmed by the praise that preceded his questions.  I tried to stifle my tears, but by the time he got to the criticism, I was wiping them off my cheeks.  I know this made it seem like I couldn't handle criticism, when really, I think I would have responded to straightforward criticism much more easily.  This complete breakdown of professionalism is still so troubling to me (even though I passed the defense) that it's hard for me to admit it here, but I think it raises some interesting questions.  Afterwards, when I tried to explain myself to my (female) director, she said that many women in academia have to learn to get used to their own work being taken seriously.  She thinks women are more likely to expect criticism than praise, which was certainly the case for me.

I've never thought very much about dressing in a way that would help me take myself seriously; I have always been more conscious of projecting professionalism to others.   I can't help wondering, though, if I might have felt more prepared to accept criticism and praise had I been suited up in a tailored, pressed, professional outfit.  If I'd been wearing a jacket over something structured, I would have been performing professionalism in a way that I simply was not in this look.

Prompts:

• Does your own experience indicate that women have a difficult time accepting praise for their work?  If so, why might this be?
• How conscious are you of performing professionalism as opposed to simply projecting professionalism?
• Any stories you'd like to share about looks you've worn that have crashed and burned?

Look Like a Professor

Draft:

Composition:
eyeglasses (Kate Spade)
nail polish (OPI Over the Taupe)

Usage:
My presentation went well!  Thanks to those of you who weighed in on my conference presentation look via comments, email, facebook, and in person.  Your perspectives were definitely on target! I felt perfectly attired for my presentation, and that helped me feel confident about delivering my paper, too.

My professor stopped in during the Q&A because he knew I was nervous about fielding questions.  He is generally encouraging and enthusiastic, and afterwards, he said I did a good job answering the questions. He also told me "You looked like a professor up there!"  I think he meant to imply that I had handled myself well, which I certainly appreciated.  Since I'm a scholar interested in style, though, I couldn't help but notice that he said I looked like a professor rather than seemed like one.

Since you already know what I wore, I thought I would address two "accessories" issues that were particularly important to me for this important styling moment and which I think may have helped me "look like a professor": polish and eyeglasses.

I confess to possessing an incurable nail biting habit.  I'm aware, though, that nothing says "amateur" like badly bitten nails.  I keep my nails polished at all times because I cannot stop myself from biting them otherwise.  I generally pick at my nails most when I am thinking, reading, and/or writing, so as you can imagine, graduate school is a recipe for disaster.  After destroying them during my second semester, I decided that polish was a necessary answer.  I spent a lot of (read: too much) time thinking about which polish to choose for this conference. I have been obsessed with OPI's You Don't Know Jacques for the past six months, but I thought it was a little too dark for this event.  I went with YDKJ's lighter sister, Over the Taupe, because it felt like "me," slightly trendy, and yet fairly neutral.  A few women complimented my nails at the conference, which surely would not have been the case if they'd been chewed up.  All but one of these women were European; are they more nail savvy across the pond?

I consider eyeglasses a serious style choice because I only have one pair and I wear them about half the time.  I like these frames because their brown hue is not too severe for my complexion, the branding detail is interesting but subtle, and the frameless bottom keeps them from overpowering my small face.  Unlike my polish decision, though, I didn't have to spend any time thinking about whether to wear glasses or contacts for the conference.  Anytime I feel like I'm going to be under academic pressure, I'm wearing glasses.  The reason for this is two-fold.

The first reason I wore glasses is that I believe glasses and academics go hand in hand.  About half of the attendants at the conference were bespectacled, and this ratio is about the same amongst my professors and classmates.  We tend to favor serious frames, too, which I think must be a way of owning our status as "four eyed" nerds who like to read books.  It seems like glasses have projected an image of intelligence, bookishness, and seriousness for time immemorial.

The second reason I wore glasses is more personal: I feel a lot more comfortable in them.  I have mentally constructed my glasses as a mediation between me and the people who are staring at me.  I think of them as a sort of separation between my interior thoughts and the way others perceive me exteriorly.  It's not that I'm trying to hide behind my glasses, but having them on helps me feel a little bit protected from the intellectual prowess and possible criticisms of the people out there, beyond my glasses.  Sometimes I think this is a little bit crazy, but nonetheless, it works for me as a self-soothing strategy.

Prompts:

• Do you wear polish or do you prefer nude nails?  What's the logic behind your preference?
• What are some of the factors you consider when choosing eyeglasses for yourself?
• Is my construction of glasses as a mediation between interior/exterior completely crazy, or can you at least see where I'm coming from?