Of Metropolitan Meanderings January 17, 2008
Posted by Jen in : Journal , trackbackBloomin Nora, I have a dose of the trembles. Well, maybe not the trembles. The grumbles, perhaps.
Tomorrow evening, I’m going out on the tiles. I visit the metropolis of Londinium far too rarely. That is a Bad Thing. On the other hand, it is a Good Thing because I get to wriggle in my seat with excitement and smile like a spaz as I spot the wheel thing and the Japanese tourists taking photos of each other on the bridge. It never fails to make my tummy bubble with excitement.
(Please do not read any more of this, lovely bf. It will make you sigh.)
I’ve nothing to wear. I used to be quite with-it. I suspect my use of the term ‘with-it’, in itself, gives the game away that I’m not ‘with-it’ anymore. In fact, I may be entirely without it.
The thought of drinkies in Covent Garden is making me angsty. Somewhere on my wiggly timeline, I have turned into a muddy bumpkin. My range of Boden sparkly cardies and tailored trousers has disappeared into another dimension.
What do people wear in the outside world these days? I’ve really no idea. I can manage daytime without too much trouble. But going out in the dark? Hmmm. I don’t do ‘dressing up’ anymore. More lame than lamé, that’s me.
Part of me, I confess, would like a shot of glamour. But it sounds rather like hard work. I shall have to have a wash and everything.
I have decided to spend the whole of tomorrow beautifying myself. It takes a long time to make it look as if you haven’t made an effort, apparently.
In the meantime, I had better go shopping.
Comments»
Hi Jen. If you like trips to London, then why not come and join the Wannabe Writers’ Meet-Up?
One of the joys of my sweetheart … one of a great many … is she knows how to dress. Indeed getting dressed usually involves performing a mini pick-n-mix fashion show: messy but fun. She does:
Funky Art Student Hobo
Metropolitan Wine Bar Sophisticate
Little Black Cocktail Dress
Oh This Old Thing Casual
Ragamuffin Street Urchin
Belle of the Ball Gown
Office Professional
Soccer Mum MILF
Gym Hottie
Bikini Babe
Sloppy Joe
and several outfits I’m under contractual obligation not to disclose, least I be put on the naughty step, again. Mostly using rich hot colours: purples, violets, magentas, maroons, pinks. I really love her diversity of looks.
Hope that’s not raising the bar too high. But The Point is —-
Go Shop More and Lavishly
(Possibly in Charity Shops)
Your lovely bf will enjoy it
This post made me laugh out loud……I used to live and work in London and although I had the suits and stuff for work when it came to meeting people in Covent Garden (or the like) I always felt that I looked like I had been dragged through a hedge backwards compared to everyone else. In the end I just went with it and hoped that it was a look that would catch on
Have fun shopping and beautifying…..I’m sure you will have a ball
C x
Oh sweetheart, come charity shop shopping with me. This is right up my street. Together, we will create a look that will make them all green with envy, if not a little angsty themselves. I am sure your lovely bf thinks you are beautiful just as you are.
H
xx
Hmmm I can relate to this. I left the UK in 2005, when I eventually return I think I will come back with all the fashion sense of 2005 (and which wasn’t a lot anyway). It’s superficial and fickle to judge people on their clothes! Just don’t forget that.
JJx
No help here I’m afraid we’re all muddy bumpkins. Have a good night out
I no longer have my finger on the fashion pulse. My daughter has taken to telling me I ‘don’t make the best of myself.’ Oh dear. She’s promised to become my personal shopper this year, and as long as we’re not talking strappy crop-tops and thong-revealing skinny jeans, that can only be a Good Thing.
Hope you have a lovely time!
Captain Black, I would have loved to, especially as there are some nice Lane & Fiona names I recognise. Grrrrr, have just signed up for two weeks of terrible temping… sigh. What a pity. I’ll come when you organise the next one
Bobo, your young lady is indeed a chameleon of coolness. Sadly, I am more manky than funky and the ‘this old thing’ is me. Sigh. I do believe you’re right. A shopping extravaganza is called for.
Carol - isn’t it awful? I can do work clothes and dinner party stuff perfectly well. And jeans. But, ugh, I am not designed for this type of marlarkey. Especially when it’s raining
Oh, Miss Hullaballoo, I am soooo coming coming with you! Actually, I truly hate shopping and buy most of my clothes from either eBay or weird websites. Shops don’t sell what I want to buy. Bastards. Or it could be that I’ve outgrown the whole high street Jigsaw thing now but haven’t quite decided who I am instead of it?
JJ, you are most funky and will have a treasure chest of marvellous pointy shoes. If anyone mentions your retro fashion skills, you can kick them with your plasticky, pointed toe.
Breezy - Fanks. Muddy bumpkin… hmmm… d’you think I could pass it off an as organic trend?
Karen, hello! I’ve been lurking about on your blog for yonks. ‘Tis very good. Perhaps I need to get a daughter. Brutes of sons are used to me dropping them at school in my jim-jams and really not much use at all. Ugh, the very phrase ’skinny jeans’ makes me feel a bit weak. A thermal thong might be ok though?
You just wear what you want to wear! I’m sure you’ll look lovely!
Have a fab time! I would LOVE to live nearer to London! I loved my time down there last year and would jump at the chance to go again!
Oh, the joys of living in crappy Dundee
I will bet that lovely bf read it to the end.
You’ll be fine. Put on a bit of slap and stare lovingly into his eyes at all times.
Have fun and try to forget that the outside world is a scary place.
x
Oooh, Covent Garden, I am envious!
Haven’t been to London for donkey’s years. Have to go at the end of this month, and am in much the same boat as you. Ah well, I guess I’ll have to go shopping too. Shame.
Londinium you say? May I suggest a toga although might be a bit drafty around the nethers this time of year:-) Boden may also do sparkly ones!
You’ll look razzly dazzly I’m sure and I envy your ‘going out ness’ this week.
Sorry you can’t make the wannabe meet. Next time:-)
Have a fab tummy bubbling evening:-)
x
A Writer, I love being so close to London. Am only a 40 minute drive from Brighton too which is rather fabbo. Just not sure why I don’t get out more! Dundee can’t be that bad though, can it? I’m afraid I’ve never got as far as Scotland though I intend to, one of these days. You have been warned!
Caroline - Yeah, I might actually pile on some make-up, good thinking. Everyone will be drunk anyway. Hurrah. The outside world is most scary indeed. Thanks for reminding me
Leigh - I thought you were suggesting I go dressed as a donkey for a moment. It’s nice going somewhere different for a change, isn’t it, especially when we have to shop as a matter of necessity…
Lane - Oh yes, bring on this razzle dazzle. That’s a phrase I haven’t heard in ages. I’m going to use it tonight since lovely bf has banned me from engaging people in talk about the fitting of ladies’ pantaloons. Thank you.
Jen, I feel your pain, I’m heading to London today for the weekend and I just don’t have the clothes. This writing lark has taken the pounds from my pockets and put them on my hips, meaning that I have about two going out tops that I have worn to death. But at least we’ll be in the same city! W00t!!!
Yvonne - you’ve hit the nail on the head! If you spot a scruffy-looking, slightly bewildered-looking bird, covered in mud and clutching a notebook and pen anywhere between Charing Cross and Covent Garden, that’ll be me
Have a most groovesome time… X
Have a fantastic time, Jen. I’m sure you will look bootiful!
My mum says, ‘With it’.
She’s in her seventies.
Oh I can really relate to spending all day getting ready, and it always shows doesn’t it? Always looks like you tried a little TOO hard!
Hope you have a lovely time looking cool and nonchalant in Covent Garden!
Pigx
I’m so jealous! You are close to London and Brighton! Best of both worlds! Dundee is awful. There’s nothing appealing about the place. I need to escape!
Scotland as a whole is lovely - you’d like it!
Thanks Maddie - it was, um, interesting… more partying tonight. No stopping me this weekend. Hope you’re having a bootiful weekend too. (Ooh, I sound Californian. Don’t I? No? Oh.)
Clive, it’s very easy to go off a person, you know?
Pig, hello! You’re right, that all-day-preening look is a bit nauseating really. I dyed my grey hairs and had a bit of a wash. ‘Twas fine. ‘Twas very dark…
A Writer - I am a lucky lassie really. And no, I don’t mean I’m a dog. Sigh.
More partying tonight? Good lord, Jen. Steady on! I haven’t been allowed out since I got back after Christmas. Have fun anyway, think of me, sitting inside, bored witless, picking the fluff out of my belly button.
Mya x
Mya, worry not! ‘Tis but a gentle knees-up in the oh-so-civilised Tunbridge Wells. And it looks like I’m driving. Again. Sigh. I’m sure your belly button is most delightful, relatively speaking. I suspect we may be on an equal fun footing…
Oh I know exactly how you feel. I never seem to have anything appropriate to wear either. I hope you found something that you felt happy in and had a lovely time though. How lovely going to Covent Garden and only living 40 mins away from London. I’ve just arranged to go over in April with the children and himself and it’s costing a fortune and it’s only for two days.
Awwww - I know how you feel! I’m not exactly the pinnacle of ‘fashion’ either. Haven’t got a clue. I have friends who occasionally try to take me out and ‘dress me’. LOL. I often feel like a little bit of a frump when I’m out and that’s annoying when you didn’t feel too bad as you were getting ready. Make up and shoes are my biggest terrors though. I haven’t got the confidence to like either of them!
An indication - I’m sitting here typing in a Nike top I’ve had for possibly 12 years now. I got it while I was still at uni, and I graduated in 1996. It’s somewhat frayed around the cuffs, but I love it!
Debs, it’s actually an hour and a quarter to London but that’s kind of the right distance to make it feel I’m going somewhere. Everything’s such an expensive business getting off the rock, isn’t it? Your children will love it though!
Nez - ooh, your old Nike top sounds lovely! There’s something really homey about wearing really old, battered clothes that you’ve had for years. Much yummier than fannying about with all that high-heels business!
How exciting! I wish I had a social life. When I do go out I don’t take my coat off to cover up the fact that I am muddy bumpkin (yes, even in the summer) and that I have the same clothes as I did a decade ago. So, I look suspicious and strange instead.
Needless to say I don’t even think I can spell glamour anymore. I look dirty 5 minutes after I wash. It’s pointless! *sigh*
So, how was it? I want to go to Covent Garden and London (all those book shops!)
There…officially delurked!
Pacha, hurrah and hello! ‘Suspicious and strange’ is a good look. A good combination. It was really good, thanks… I want to go back for more mooching. Book shops are bliss, always full of non-trendy people. Sigh.
I’ve recently started working again, in an office, a proper office.
I’ve never really worked in one before.
I’ve been an actress - no office.
A circus performer - definitely no office.
And then a journalist - a newsroom isn’t really an office, and the clothes are much more casual.
I thought I’d managed to scrape together a few acceptably officey type combinations of trousers and tops for my new job.
But after a couple of weeks my line manager asked me if I minded a bit of feedback.
“No” I said, in fear and trepidation.
“You dress very casually don’t you? I think you need to be a bit more formal.”
So. My stepmother gave me a few old skirts, and a friend gave me some clothes her sister didn’t need any more.
And hey presto. Skirts and jackets.
I don’t like them, but they scream “office” at you and they were free.