Recently during an Escape Plan TV episode I excitedly purchased a pair of red Chuck Taylor low tops. Love ’em! (Yeah, I know I have BIG feet.) It’s just plain fun to wear them. But an unexpected free prize has proven to happen every time I sport these playful sneakers. Inevitably someone comments on them… every time. Perfect strangers are giving me the thumbs up, big cheesy grins, and sharing stories of their favorite pair of Chucks. It’s almost like they are partaking in the fun as well. I honestly wasn’t expecting this to happen, but it’s turned into an insightful social experiment.
I love this quote…
Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
Why do we wait until we are retired to finally muster of the courage to be a little bold?
You’ve seen them… the smiling ladies in the big red hats (aka the Red Hat Society). They rock! It always brings a smile to my face to see a group of ladies all decked out in their purple and red. They are obviously enjoying life and surrounding themselves with other playful people… a great strategy for staying young.
What about you? Does your closet reflect your personality?
Even if you have a “dress code” in your 9 to 5, what about amping up the accessories… socks, shoelaces, jewelry, neckties, purses, cufflinks, etc.
Challenge #36 from The Escape Plan is “Accessorize your wardrobe today with a touch of childhood.”
What can you do to add a little touch of playfulness to your attire?
If you “kick it up a notch,” you will soon see just how contagious playfulness really is.
[tags] Chuck Taylor, fun, Escape Plan, accessories, playful clothing, Red Hat Society[/tags]
I just found this site, and I instantly subscribed to your rss feed. Good stuff.
Anyway, one of my favorite shirts is a “Where The Wild Things Are” t-shirt. It helps me remember what used to get my imagination going.
I love your Chucks! And don’t worry, you’re not the only one with big feet. Big, being a relative term. Hehe. :) Anyway, I think the way you dress has something to do with the sort of people you hang out with. There was a time when I would go to school wearing unconventional clothes (but still stylish, me thinks). Back then, I was hanging out with a group who had free minds and eccentric tastes as well. Then, I met my boyfriend. Since then, I’ve started to dress a little more… commercially (for lack of a better term at the moment). After being out of the box for so long, I have to admit dressing up according to the usual trends can be pretty fun as well.
My red patent leather Dansko clogs get stares and smiles everywhere I go – especially from little kids. I wear them a few times a week, and they go with lots of my clothes – they add that kooky accent that I love.
I also wear red sunglasses every day, and because the lenses are dark, people don’t realize that I can see them staring at me. :-)
Then there’s the chunky plastic ring I’ve been wearing for about ten years. Business or pleasure, it doesn’t matter; I’m always wearing the plastic ring. I make lots of friends due to conversations that start up about my ring.
I really don’t like purple; red is the color that expresses my personality!
Michael,
Jason also has a “Where the Wild Things Are” shirt. That was his favorite book growing up, so it’s one of his favorite shirts.
We love our retro/childlike t-shirts. In fact, today I have on a shirt featuring the Super Mario Bro’s guy, and Jason has on an Incredibles shirt.
Jen,
Very interesting perspective here!
I think you are correct about your friends/colleagues having a large influence on your dress code.
I can think back to some instances of this in my life.
The coolest thing about kids is that they wear whatever they want, no matter how out of style or inappropriate it is. I just chuckle when I see a four-year-old in the grocery store with her mom, proudly wearing a Cinderella dress and tiara. :)
To be that bold again!
Lisa,
WOO HOO! Red is so much fun, I agree!
Sounds like you are spreading childlike joy wherever you go!