Wednesday, August 1, 2012

50 Days Part 3 - A Style Makeover

In 50 Days To Change My Life Part 1, I showed you what I didn't want to look like on my 50th Birthday in 50 days time (including pictures of one of the offensive tshirts). In Part 2 - Fad Diets, I told you how I was going to tackle the weight loss thing. The weight loss thing, due to my doing it so sensibly (i.e. slowly), is beginning to be very frustrating. I could see that familiar giving up point on the near horizon. Something had to change now! I needed instant gratification and a boost to my morale. So obviously I went shopping.

I've hardly bought any clothes in the past five years because I was always waiting to get back into the smaller sizes I have in my wardrobe. My sister once advised me to buy nice clothes in the bigger sizes so that you at least feel good about yourself (and have things to wear) while you work on getting slimmer. Good advice. I ignored it - waste of money.

The clothes I have bought over the past few years are mostly giant tshirts in the summer sales to cover up giant me. I remember, about 25 years ago, I bumped into a sophisticated and glamourous friend in the supermarket. I wasn't too badly dressed. I had on a black skirt and a big salmon coloured cotton sweater. However, my coat was bright green. Salmon and green!?! I told a (male) friend on the phone, how shlumperdiken I felt with my bright green coat on and I will always remember his answer. "The point is not that you accidently wore the bright green coat with the salmon jumper. The point is that SHE wouldn't even own a salmon jumper or a bright green coat. Get rid of them both!"

I feel this way about tshirts. I once met a friend in the restaurant at the Cinemateque. You can't get more sophisticated in Jerusalem than the restaurant at the Cinemateque. (I once sat on the next table to Debra Winger and two tables away from Phyllida Law.) I was wearing, among other things, a tshirt. It was not sophisticated. She was not wearing a tshirt. It occured to me that this friend doesn't even own any tshirts. I vowed never to wear a tshirt again. Have you noticed how I'm not very good at keeping vows?

But now that I'm desperate, with only 34 days to go until the big 5-0, I decided not to wait for the elusive size Y (mind your own business), ditch the tshirts and go shopping for floaty, feminine, sophisticated and glamourous togs. As usual I ended up in my favourite shop - Hagara - and bought two summer dresses. For someone who's been living in jeans/leggings and tshirts for the past ages, this was a big step.


Here's a little detail of the red one like they show in the fashion magazines.


When it gets cooler (and for religious occasions where more modesty is required) you can pair both dresses up with cotton cardigans and/or leggings.



I thought of getting my hair cut but it's actually cooler in this heat to be able to scrape it all back and put it up. And that doesn't look wholly unsophisticated.

Next job: gather all those tshirts together and chuck them out!

50 Days Part 4 - Happiness Shows
I'm linking this post to Inner Truth over at Liska's New Mum Online.

28 comments:

  1. Gorgeous dresses. I also once swore off t-shirts but it didn't last.
    My aunt once told me to get rid of all my black skirts. Which is funny because all she ever wears is black, black and black.

    I have a small private weight loss group on FB if you want to join.

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    1. Thanks Netanya. What's wrong with black? And yes please about the fb group - I'll try anything!

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    2. I don't know. I wear a black skirt every day. She seems to think I should mix it up a little.
      Where is Hagara? I've never heard of it!

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  2. I love those new outfits, very stylish. And good luck with the weight loss, I'm in need of doing the same.

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    1. Thank you. I always say that I'll look in all the shops and I always end up at Hagara. We should have a ditch the t club.

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  3. One on Jaffa Rd opp Kikar Zion and one on King George near the top of Ben Yehuda.

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  4. Nice! I especially like the red one! :)

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    1. Actualloy I'm wearing at this very monent - my legs feel naked.

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  5. Like the button details on the red one - still think you need to get a fitted number for special occasions. Fitted works well on the larger frame it shows you have confidence even if you don't and gives you shape. That is your mission. Do you accept? x

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    1. I know that theory and I agree with it - in theory. I'm not ready for it just yet though. Give me a few more months.

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  6. Gorgeous. You can dress them up or down and use necklaces and scarves. I hate T shirts too. And I love dresses with leggings. Very funny about the salmon and cucumber outfit.

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    1. LOL - Salmon and cucummber. It was actaully even worse than that. Bright primary colours green with primary colours blue trimmings, coupled with the salomon - ugh!

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  7. I LOVE those dresses. You could go anywhere and meet anyone in those ;-)

    xx Jazzy

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  8. I like the dresses, I think they are lovely. Good for you. Shopping can be a great boost. I find accessories help too. I think those dresses would look good with a chunky beaded necklace.

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  9. You are so right. I have some beads. I wish I'd thought to hang them from the hanger when I took the photos. Oh well, I've only just started my career as a fashion photographer so I'm still learning.

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  10. Re: the hair thing. I also hardly ever get my hair cut but when I do it reminds me how great a simple hair cut / tidy up can make you feel. Treat yourself it's your birthday!

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    1. Maybe in September, when it really is my birthday and the weather starte dto cool down.

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  11. Those dresses are fabulous, and look even better with the cardigans! I am sure you'll look wonderful in them. I am very impressed with all these self-esteem enhancing things you are doing for yourself!

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    1. Thanks OM. I'm actually enjoying the process and each thing motivates me for then next. Wearing the new clothes helps. I feel more energised and worthy in them somehow.

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  12. I left a long reply yest and can't find it! I think the dresses are great and you are looking fab - like you've really lost weight coz it's come off your face. I can't remember ev else - soemthing about wearing make up really helps and people treat you differently! Anyway, countdown looking on track for you X

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    1. IN read your long reply OSM and I replied. I think it may be on the next post. Thanks again though. xx

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  13. Good for you! I've just started thinking about the dreaded diet/losing weight thing once again. Heavy sigh. Looking over my photos of me in Italy recently I was quite shocked to see that the weight has just crept on and pushed me over into the next size up. The size I said I'd never go to. So, I either never buy clothes again, or I lose weight. Love your dresses, they are really lovely and great colours and perfect for mixing and matching for trans-seasonal wear. Good for you! Vix x

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    1. Thanks Vix. The only good thing about buying clothes here is they have sizings from 1 (small) to 5 (very big). These numbers do not carry the pride, satisfaction or shame that the 10s, 12s, 14s, 16s and 18s in M&S evoke. 1 - 5 is basically meaningless.

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  14. As soon as i saw the headline i couldn't wait to get to start reading
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