Function Vs. Fashion

Winter blew in, all at once, a few weeks before Christmas this year. Snowing for 8 days in a row. (I think the weatherman should tell us when it won't be snowing.)

All this snow means lots of shoveling, and walking where people haven't bothered to shovel. Boots are extremely helpful this time of year. Although, I've been able to sneak by without them for the past 4-5 years.

This winter, though, I'm not pregnant, breastfeeding, or have an infant in the house. I am free to help shovel and play with the kids outside. (insert sigh here) Needless to say, the sneakers I've been wearing will not do for long periods in the snow.

I finally broke down and purchased a pair of boots. Tall enough for wading through at least a foot of snow, waterproof, and good for temperatures down to minus 5. (I hope not to be out at temperatures colder than that!) They're not exactly the kind of boots I'd normally wear, but by this time in the continuing snow I did not have much choice.

My husband saw me wearing them to go out to shovel. His response, "Going out to cut down some trees? 'I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay.'" (Insert more sarcastic comments on the "fashion" of my boots.)

That's when it hit me. I had purchased a pair of boots without regard to fashion. When did that start? I started thinking...I prefer my mini-van over my husband's sports car. I wear flannel pj's to bed instead of a negligee. (although not a flannel nightie) I like the electric blanket, so I can crawl into a warm bed. The list goes on.

When did I grew so old that I sacrificed function and comfort for fashion? and Does these mean I now have to buy from the woman's clothing section?

I don't feel old. I still think of myself as being in my mid-twenties. (Although it's been a long time since I was mistaken for a high school-er most people I meet think I'm closer to 25 than 40) Now I need to decide, do I continue the downward slid into fashion-less function or do I fight to remain fashionable?

Only time will tell...