What Is a Girl to do?

Some people are just born “good”.  These are the folks who naturally heed “the advice” and lay out the clothes the night before that they will be wearing the next day.  Everything in one place and always perfectly matched and color coordinated, which automatically assumes the elimination of any undue stress, strain and anxiety in the morning.  These types are the ones who start their days bright and early and probably sunny and happy – no fashion faux pas here and no caffeine direct injections… and seamlessly smug about the whole ordeal.  I hate ‘em! (in actuality I am extremely envious of this somewhat natural fashion feat and have been working through it, with a professional, for years).

Then, there are the rest of us.  Since I have no clue: a) how my state of mind will be (sexy, sophisticated, PTA-ish, understanding and genuine friend, stylish euro, frumpy, etc); b) what my hair will turn out like; c) if I will be feeling sincerely svelte or shall we say, not; d) what the overall plan for the day will be (i.e. if something put on for a morning activity will transcend into the afternoon and/or evening commitments) or, e) what is clean, pressed and in my drawers… can I accurately forecast what the mood of the mode will be for any given day or time?  Forget predicting 12 hours in advance, I would be thrilled to just be getting out the door, dressed, in a timely manner.

How then, do people who travel do it?  Other than thinking if I pack a completely black wardrobe (one that also will stretch and has a forgiving memory – who invented lycra anyway?  I want to give them a big smooch) that can withstand harsh conditions, including hang drying, no ironing and multiple day wearings, could I manage and maneuver a fashionable persona in far away and exotic lands.  The countries filled with the international style trend setters (you know, the ones filled with women who “throw on rags” with pizzazz, chic ness and an air that doesn’t seem to blow as abundantly in the USA?).  But what if I don’t “feel” like black, I would be up a major creek with no paddle, sinking quickly into the murky underbelly of Vogue for all to see.

What is a girl to do?  When in doubt, I say accessorize!  Necklaces, scarves, shawls, etc… all legitimate “dress-ups” for those trendy, in-the-know style mongers.  This would add color, style and a modish flare to the basic black and put to use the 47 scarves I have knitted up myself (not much else to do to keep my hands occupied in the long, cold winters… and long, hot summers, during those dreaded reruns or long periods of self imposed procrastination) that are hanging on my hallway coat rack, remotely looking like Cousin Id from the Addams Family.  In addition, these items are relatively small and can flatten without losing anything in the translation when the overstuffed luggage is zipped open on the far side of the journey.

I would say that this accessorizing could be a perfect “fix” for the travel-bound, packing challenged, basic black devotee.  Now the only “opportunity”, since I can’t take all my scarves and shawls, is to determine which of the lucky ones gets to come on the trip.  Back to square one and deciding how I am going to be feeling on a given day and time, only now it could be 5,000 miles from my closet.  Guess then I might acquiesce to plan B, and plan on doing my part to fuel the local economy by procuring some colorful, trendy duds from the indigenous boutiques and purchasing a new suitcase to bring all my new finds home.

Cynthia A. McClelland, curious observer of the obvious with interpretations of the oddities of daily life.  Mother, wife and lover of the furry, resides in the north Lake Tahoe area.

Cynthia A. McClelland © 2003-