A
few months ago, my sweet, little grandma and I went shopping for some
party dresses. Some of you may know, even though I've clearly not a
dedicated blogger (full time job, family, social life, experimental
cooking - stuff gets in my way) that the Viking & I opted to no
longer "live in sin". But that's another story, for another time. Today,
we're discussing shopping with Grandma!
My
grandma had mentioned to me that she wanted to go shopping for
something to wear for my wedding and the surrounding festivities (Mmm
hmm, festivities, again, another story). So, my grandma, like any
living, breathing woman on earth wants to feel great, but has parts of
her body she doesn't feel great about. (Good to know that doesn't
change, even when you're an 85 year-old Grandma? Nope. Not good.) She
and I have been having discussions about healthy eating (lean protein
& green veggies!) and positive body image, etc.
The
thing that was really getting her down was that, not only does she not
care for the current trends (mind you, my grandma is sassy - red nails,
sporty little outfits, and always a nice blazer when going out to eat)
but they stuff she does like, is not made for someone with her body
type. She is the very definition of petite, with her spiked hair she
might juuuuust graze 5 feet. After moving to Florida when I was a kid,
she did a radical transformation and lost a ton of weight. Obviously you
can see where I'm going with this. When you lose weight, there is
always excess skin. And at eighty-something, stuff just doesn't quite
sit where it used to.
Our
discussion from food and body image took a path to discussing clothing
choices - personally, the older I get, the more traditional my taste
gets. Don't get my wrong, I lurv an avant garde statement necklace...
But give me a pair of cropped skinnies and some ballet flats, and I feel
like Ms. Audrey.
For
grandma, we decided an A line with an empasisized natural waist was the
way to go. That way, she could still feel like she was keeping up with
the times, but still keep a shape she was used I, but more importantly,
was most flattering on her. Everything we picked out, fit into those
strict guidelines. As she tried things on, dresses were good - but I
knew they could look better.
Then
came the discussion of shapewear. Now, I realize that most people only
wear them for special occations - and unless you are a movie star, you
don't always have those occations.
Did
you know that in the 1950's, everyone wore shapewear, even men? How
else do you think Dior made such gorgeous flower inspired dresses with
such tiny waists? (It surely wasn't their diet - sugar was being
advertised as a health food!)
Now,
I'm happy to write a little disclaimer that having to fit into
societies' perceived, yet near unobtainable attractiveness norms for our
body shapes and sizes is sexist, chauvinistic bullshit - because it is.
Unfortunately, I A) really love how a frilly tutu party press makes me
feel inside (like a 4 year old with a spinning dress) and B) Have a job
where I have to look professional and see other people - so I can't wear
shapeless frocks the color of oatmeal (I mean, I could, but they don't
elicit the same spinning response.)
Whew. That was nagging me a little bit.
The
next step in my adventure with Grandma was to approach the topic of
shapewear. Was she interested, has she tried it, would she what it?
Thankfully, one of the lovely associates in the department store we were
patronizing brought us a pair of Spanx to try.
We
wiggled her into those things, little by little. We then picked a wrap
dress for her to try. She looked at the mirror and barely even
recognized herself. Her posture was improved (her head easily reached
the 5 foot mark this time!), the dress skimmed her body, and most
importantly, she was comfortable! She told me she felt like she could do
anything. It's pretty magical when a woman you love so dearly, who
hasn't been feeling that great about herself lately has that ah-ha
moment.
Grandma got three new dresses that day. And a body shaper. It was a complete success.
Now she wants a leather jacket to go with her wrap dress...
