The First Fashionista
It’s that time of year. The award shows are hitting the airwaves and thoughts are turning to … fashion, of course! Those gorgeous dresses floating by in front of the cameras make me salivate.
Growing up in a small city gave me few opportunities to get gussied up—prom, bridesmaid duty, my own wedding, and a few Christmas parties at one of the local country clubs summed up my chances. And living my adult life in small rural towns has diminished the possibilities to nearly zero.
But a girl can dream, can’t she?
Watching the Golden Globes tonight made me realize I’ve been dreaming for a long time.
About every other actress they’ve interviewed is wearing a mermaid dress—one of those long, slinky creations that fits like a second skin to mid-calf, then flairs out like a full miniskirt from there to the floor.
I’ve dreamed of wearing a mermaid dress since … okay, I’ll admit it. Since Barbie and her Solo in the Spotlight fashion doll haute couture. Was there ever a dress more gorgeous? Even at seven, the black, strapless, sequined number hinted to me of excitement and mysteries I was still years away from.
Now, I’ve had to resign myself to the fact that wearing a mermaid dress is probably not in the cards for me. I’m probably never going to be invited to the Golden Globes, the People’s Choice, or the Academy Awards. And the style isn’t exactly proper mother-of-the-bride attire in my locale.
But, in my stories, my heroines can attend fancy shindigs, win awards, and sing in the spotlight–solo, if they choose.
And through them, I get to do it, too.
Eat your heart out, Barbie.
Jan 14, 2013 @ 05:39:10
I can’t watch those shows. I get too jealous. It’s not the dresses: it’s the army of personal trainers and private chefs I want. And Siphia Vergara’s rack. I’d love having those 1950s missile boobs.
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Jan 14, 2013 @ 08:32:19
I hear you, Keri. I alawya tell my husband that I could look great, too, if somebody paid me thousnads of dollars to do it
And Sophia Vergara is beyond human–she’s in the goddess catagory.
Jan 14, 2013 @ 06:21:06
Pam, you have one more chance – when you win the RITA!
Jan 14, 2013 @ 08:33:54
Oh, yeah, that’s right, Laura. I totally forgot about that! LOL! There was a nominee this past year in Anaheim who wore a drool-worthy mermaid dress. I may have just set myself a new goal!
Jan 14, 2013 @ 11:03:40
Wooohooo, well said, Laura
Jan 14, 2013 @ 13:21:03
I was thinking the exact same thing, Laura! The RITAs are our version of the Golden Globe.
I’m not really big on dressing up–I prefer to be comfy–but it’s fun to be a girl every once in a while. As long as I don’t pass out from sucking in my stomach.
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Jan 14, 2013 @ 18:20:16
And that’s why God invented Spanx–though I can’t imagine you needing them, Gwen!
Jan 14, 2013 @ 16:19:56
Yes!! Go, Pam, Go!!!
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Jan 14, 2013 @ 11:05:07
Pamela, love this, isn’t writing fiction for us romance writers, in a way, like playing Barbies. We just change Barbies and Ken’s names, and of course they dress fabulously. Great post!
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Jan 14, 2013 @ 13:21:26
So true, Donnell!
Gwen Hernandez recently posted..2012 hits and misses
Jan 14, 2013 @ 18:23:15
LOL! Exactly, Donnell! I think I’m writing the same stories I let my Barbie and Ken “live.”
Funny thing, I have one of the original Ken dolls–he had a fuzzy substance on his head for hair (later, Mattel gave him painted hair). Now the fuzz has all worn off, so my Ken doll has grown bald in his advanced years!
Jan 14, 2013 @ 16:22:07
My girls and I love to watch and ooohhh and ahhh and “What the heck?” as they walk in. LOL
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Jan 14, 2013 @ 18:24:13
Yeah, we do that, too. “Love that!” and “What was she thinking?”
Jan 14, 2013 @ 18:11:33
I haven’t really watched red carpet stuff since Lord of the Rings. I do like to glance at the dresses in People magazine afterward, but I won’t buy the magazine just for that.
I haven’t had a body that any dress flatters for over a decade, so I go all comfy, too, and when I have to do the RITAs or the Harlequin party and stuff, I just pray I don’t look as bad to everyone else as I do to myself.
As for writing about them, I confess, my characters are lucky if I ever describe their clothes at all, never mind put them in fancy garb. LOL I am so not a girly girl!
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Jan 14, 2013 @ 18:28:15
Natalie, I’m the ultimate tomboy. Growing up, my neighborhood had seven boys and me:-) But, like Gwen, once a year I like to dress to the nines. Any more often than that and I fear it would lose its appeal.
Jan 14, 2013 @ 19:07:29
never been a fan of the mermaid style. I think my legs are too short so it would look weird on me.
I’m still lusting over the yellow dress in How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days. That beautiful open back? *melts*
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Jan 14, 2013 @ 19:30:35
Nooooo, Keri, my theory is that the mermaid was made for short bodies like ours (5’2″ here)! It would make us look long and slinky instead of short and stubby like most long dresses do:-) Can I hear an “Amen?”
Jan 15, 2013 @ 10:41:17
I’m not a dress-up girl in general, but formal attire is my one weakness when it comes to the girly stuff. I love the classic gowns, Doris Day-type styles. Of course, I’d wear whatever I had to wear to be surrounded by handsome men in tuxdeos. Nothing tastier!
Jan 15, 2013 @ 11:22:20
Nothing hotter than a guy in a tux, Margaret–except maybe a whole bunch of guys in tuxedoes! Maybe you’ve hit on the underlying appeal of all formal wear:-D