Your Prettiest -- All Dressed Up or Down?

on December 1, 2009 at 4:48 PM

Photo by Jeanmarie1975

I had to dress up last weekend for a special event, including lots of makeup, a glittery dress and hose. And I felt like a goofy clown. I'm just so thankful I'm not some famous, rich celebrity who has to walk the red carpet. That would be the absolute worst!

Strange as it sounds, I feel I look my best when I'm wearing jeans, sweats, clunky boots, pajamas, no makeup, my hair in a messy bun. I have no problem going to the store, to the movies or even a party dressed that way. One of my girlfriends won't even leave the house without makeup. It's funny how differently we feel about that.

I'm not going to get into all the pychoanalytical explanations that probably go along with my dressing-up insecurities, but I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that I hate to call attention to myself. As JazzlikeMraz said in an Answers thread discussing this, I generally feel "awkward and out of place."

It seems as though I'm in the minority among CafeMoms.

Moms in Answers overwhelmingly said they feel prettier and more confident, "like a rock star," one of them said, when dressed to the nines.

"I have kind of a unique sense of style and will NOT leave the house in sweat pants or anything of the sort," says CafeMom MamaSyn. "I'm more comfortable and confident being dressed up. I'm only dressed down at bedtime and in the mornings or if I'm cleaning."

An anonymous mom added, "I feel good when am dressed up, but dressing up to me is also jeans and heels and a nice top or sweater."

Do you feel prettier and more confident dressed up or dressed down?

About the author Cynthia Dermody

is The Stir's Managing Editor who has trophies in her home for her skills at the Irish Jig. She makes cupcakes with as many fattening ingredients as possible, doesn't comb her hair for months at a time, and was probably a faerie in a former life.

Filed Under: clothes, hair, style

Comments (5)

mommyheymommy

on Dec 1, 2009 at 4:52 PM

I hate dressing up!!! I'd rather be comfortable, and I feel much better in dressy-casual than dressy-dressy.

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pen

on Dec 1, 2009 at 9:03 PM

give me comfy shoes and jeans,

NooYawka

on Dec 2, 2009 at 5:16 PM

I pine for day hats, evening veils, over-the-elbow velvet gloves, and could easily be talked into merry widows and corsets...with stays.

*sigh*

Rhinestone stilettos or over-the-knee boots will have to do. How I suffer.

LuminousMom

on Dec 3, 2009 at 1:59 PM

I feel confident in both.. I refuse to dress like a slob though. I think there is a fine line between dressing for comfort (like my yoga pants which are quite flattering) and dressing like a slob (aka sweat pants with paint on them or wearing pajamas to the grocery store.) I dont really care whos offended by that.. I personally feel like its not that hard to pull some jeans on or a skirt before you leave the house. I also wont leave the house without brushing my hair/washing and cleaning up my face, maybe putting on some tinted moisturizer. It takes SECONDS and it makes me feel better. And I love getting dressed up every once and awhile.. I have so few chances to do it, it makes it really special.

Totsy

on Dec 7, 2009 at 11:07 PM

I always feel more on my game when I am dressed up. While I do adore denim, I try to pair it with cute shoes and at least lip gloss. But I love pulling together a full outfit.