Body-Con

Working retail, or any form of customer service, is difficult without a question. You have to be patient and respectful even when the people you are paid to be polite to are rude and disrespectful. The hours are long, you don't have weekends, you stand all day, you're not making much money, yet you bust your bum working really hard. I truly think the people who disrespect or complain about customer service employees have never worked in our position. Granted, there are times when we do suck at our job, and there are people out there who have zero business in a field that involves being nice to people. People like myself though are trying quite hard, and I would never intentionally offend someone.

Ok, that is a tangent beyond the point of this post.

I think one of the most challenging aspects of working in a clothing store is when customers are insecure about their bodies. I work in a women's fashion store, and you learn really quickly that when your mom told you that once you got past your insecure teenager phase, you'd begin to feel better about your body--well, she was lying. Lying might be the wrong word, and sure some people surely do grow out of it, but it's amazing, and sad, how many women still hold onto these insecurities. I have helped women my age, their thirties, forties, fifties, sixties, tall, petite, pregnant, athletic, etc. and the self-consciousness is ceaseless. It's tragic how society pressures every single woman to look and feel a certain way about their body.

The sometimes difficult part is when I have to build up a customer's confidence. I will do it willingly because I think people deserve to have clothing that makes them feel comfortable and like themselves, and I dislike when women feel as if they cannot buy clothes because of something they dislike about their body. There's a body dysmorphia epidemic going on so it seems.

 

Sometimes I feel like a fraud when I'm trying to uplift my customers when I'm as self conscious as I am about my body. I'm constantly pinching fat on my back and stomach (yet I can feel my ribs pretty easily). I'm self conscious about the paleness of my legs, as well as my stretch marks and cellulite. Sometimes I'm insecure about my teeth, my breasts, my arms, thighs, etc.  I pick myself apart.

 

Have I gotten better though? I think so. I actually like shopping for clothes because I know what makes me feel good about myself, and cuts that flatter me in a way that I like. My poochy stomach doesn't bother me everyday, and I do actually like having hips that contrast with my smaller waist. I feel better about myself, and it's a tremendous improvement from where I was as a teenager. I remember when I was at my worst, just obsessed with my body beyond belief. Pure anxiety. And I thought I wasn't worthy of anything because I hated how I looked (not good grades, friends, fun, happiness, boyfriends, etc.). I was a downright bastard to myself, and I still can be, but I do think I'm a little bit less intolerable.

 

It makes me a little sad meeting women who don't think they are allowed to wear pretty clothes, or who won't get a different size in order to get the right fit. If there's anything I've learned in all of the jobs I've worked that involve selling clothes it's that sizing really isn't significant. There isn't a standard involved. In my store alone, I wear anything from a size four to an eight, or an extra small or small. In other places, it's strictly a six, or nine, or medium. Whatever. It's irrelevant at this point, and you look thinner if your clothes actually fit.

 

 

And so we don't end on a sad note, here's a fashion tip from Amanda: it doesn't matter if you're a size two or a size twenty--if you wear undergarments that don't fit you correctly then you will have rolls and lumps when you put clothes over them. It's fact. Start with a smooth canvas, and undies that actually fit you then you're set! Easy enough, yes?

The "Dress" Secret

Those who know me know I wear a dress a good 96% of the time. Well, even people who don't really know me can figure this out if their eyeballs work. I think the reactions people give me are pretty funny. Usually people say things like "You're always so dressed up" or "Aren't you uncomfortable?" Believe it or not, I don't find my dresses lacking comfort, and I don't qualify myself as being "dressed up" unless the occasion I'm dressing for involves heels and possibly toned down makeup (as in, no red lips, or a less bright of a red).

There's this dress...

 

This dress...

 

(This is from my first semester a uni. A modified version of my closet, but I can spot at least fifteen of my dresses here).

 

You get the point. I own a lot of dresses. If I were to count how many I have, I've probably go over fifty. The thing is I actually wear them all. Also, I feel more comfortable. I don't wear some dress made of fabric that doesn't stretch or breathe every day, and most of mine are made of comfy fabrics. But I'm going to let you in on my dress secret: wearing dresses takes less time! When I get ready in the morning, or whenever, I do my hair and makeup, and then I pick out my clothing for the day. When you have a dress all you need is a pair of shoes and you're set (maybe tights depending on weather). It's takes me a lot less time. I find jeans generally uncomfortable because I don't like the way they dig into your gut. Also, if some pants give you the muffin top, you have to find the right shirt to hide it. Not all shirts go with all trousers. Dresses, on the other hand, you get your top and bottom covered, and all you need is a pair of shoes and BOOM outfit.

 

And everyone thinks you're classy and a dressed up fabulous human being. You're welcome.

 

PS To those who are curious, all of the dresses pictured I have found on ModCloth throughout the years. However, you don't need to buy a dress that is more than your monthly student loans to look like a fancy pants...dig around and you do find nifty deals on their site.

 

I'm a Clothes Horse

One of my personal goals for myself is to be a little more frugal with my money, and to spend it less on pricey clothing.  Everyone who knows me knows quite well that I absolutely live on ModCloth. I love their clothing because it's so unique, yet comfortable.  I very rarely have quality issues, their support teams are great and very helpful, and their information about sizing is nearly flawless.  Shopping online is always risky because you cannot try the garment on in the store, but ModCloth actually tells you if you need to size up or down in whatever shoes or clothing you're purchasing.  While some of their clothing can be a bit pricey, you can find moderately priced items, and when they have a sale, they really have a sale.

I figured because I'm often asked about where my clothes come from that here and there I will post pictures of some of my attire so you may know just where it came from!  For example, my ENTIRE outfit on Christmas is brought to you from ModCloth.

 

The dress, and the sweater came from their domain.  I don't know if the dress is still available, but the sweater is, and it comes in millions of colors. Super comfy and a great investment because they aren't super heavy.  You cannot see my necklace well, but it came from Charming Charlie some time ago, and I was wearing these shoes. Super comfy.

 

If I wear anything particularly remarkable, I'll make effort to share it. However, the picture will likely be terrible, and a self-portrait.  I'm not going to make people take pictures for me! I'll be back to retail soon, and my job requires you to wear whatever color you want as long as it's solid black.  Unfortunately, my rainbow of clothes won't get to come about at this job...but I still manage to make some spiffy outfits.  I am going to make an earnest effort not to spend money like a fiend (ahem, loans).  Do I wish I had been less frivolous with my money at times? Yes. If I were better at saving over the years, I probably would have a decent amount saved to start paying off loans now! However, when I was eighteen, had you told me the direction my life would take...I probably would've thought you were Bedlam-bound.

 

Also, the fact that I actually began to feel good in clothes...that's a pretty profound deal right there.  I have always been self-conscious about my appearance.  I very rarely felt pretty growing up, and I thought I was fat.  In high school, I became crazy about exercising and eating healthy. I would starve myself, and if I over-ate or skipped a day of exercising, I would make my workouts two or three hours longer.  I also stopped getting a period for a while...which should have been a sign. At my thinnest, I hit 124lbs at the beginning of my sophomore year...pretty damn skinny by my standards! Then because of anxiety and depression, I wound up gaining weight because I would overeat and I felt bad about myself.  I ended 10th grade around 160lbs...which really isn't that big, but when you gain a significant amount of weight in a short amount of time, AND you're an insecure teenage girl...that weight was hard to handle.

 

When I graduated high school, I was near 175lbs. I generally hated clothes because I didn't feel good about my appearance.  I always have had a little flare for fashion so I managed to find things and make it work, but it could be really hard.  During my first semester of community college, in Fall 2008, I started working my first retail job.  By the end of 2009, I was in my second retail stint, and also in the 140lb range. The day I zipped up a medium dress perfectly made me feel so good.  I didn't change my eating habits too terribly, but standing on my feet for 3-6 hours a few times a week I reckon contributed to my weight loss.

 

I managed to keep the weight off for several years, and sometimes I'd fluctuate a little, but my clothes always fit.  When I went away to Longwood, I didn't gain weight at all. I actually lost a little during my last semester because of healthy eating, and unfortunately because of stress.

 

I don't know how this manifested into a weight post, but alas. My big point is, I think that my clothes-loving ways are a reflection of my getting more comfortable with my body. Not only that, but finding clothes that I feel great wearing.  In my opinion, if a dress makes you feel great, then it's worth a little splurge. However, I will definitely be embracing what I already have.

 

So yes, posts about body/weight will be coming, as well as clothing.