There are just some days when I have a restless aggression. It reminds me of growing up with four brothers who could never contain their bodies from what was called “horsing around”. Though on the surface playful in nature, the behavior always contained elements of competition and belligerence. My mother at some point would kick them all out of the house and tell them to come back when they got “it”, what ever “it” was, out of their system.
When I feel this way, usually an artifact of too much to do and too many academic meetings and committees, I need to go out and run it off since horsing around with my peers is not an option. In these moments I do rather feel like a boy and dress accordingly. One of the ways my brothers would get the “it” out of their systems was to skateboard which first came into popular use in the 1960’s. I remember experimenting with my brothers’ skateboards riding down various hills in our neighborhood. My parents never would have thought I might want one. The challenge when skateboarding is needing to stay balanced and go fast at the same time, not unlike the one that comes from the way my life seems to be running lately.
Although I don’t currently have a skateboard and probably would not risk my bones to it at this point, the restless energy I had got expended at a skatepark where I ran up and down as if I had a skateboard before the real skateboarders came out to play. Whether it came from dressing like a boy or having a great deal of physical exercise I finally got to the point where my mother would think it acceptable to let me back inside the house.
What do you wear when you want to “horse around”?
Hahaha! I love this shoot, what you’re wearing and the process. It’s so odd how we seldom see adults running unless they are in an official running space like a gym. It’s a pity really, like we have to protect our dignity or our clothes or something, only kids run. I hope you didn’t completely dispell "it". Great play suit!
Such a great point. As adults we are often told we should play more but then as you say the options are then circumscribed. Seems to me like rules that need to be broken!
Hahaha! I love this shoot, what you’re wearing and the process. It’s so odd how we seldom see adults running unless they are in an official running space like a gym. It’s a pity really, like we have to protect our dignity or our clothes or something, only kids run. I hope you didn’t completely dispell "it". Great play suit!
Such a great point. As adults we are often told we should play more but then as you say the options are then circumscribed. Seems to me like rules that need to be broken!
I agree with Melanie, although admittedly I can’t horse around in my own house for some reason… one thing’s for sure, overalls are the best!
secret-hipster.blogspot.com/
Oh yes! Aside from the bathroom issues there is nothing that makes me feel like a little punk than my overalls!
Oh yes! Aside from the bathroom issues there is nothing that makes me feel like a little punk than my overalls!
Thanks — your questions often push me into new thought spaces about behaviour and clothes. I’m also an academic (no horsing around) and a mom of boys (quit horsing around!). A cook out of necessity, I relax when I am wrapped up in my no-nonsense apron. (My fav Canadian designers – Comrags – often nod to aprons in their designs.) The snug wrap-around protection of a sturdy apron lets me loosen up!
Thanks so much, your first comment helps me to evaluate outcomes and having you think about behavior and clothes is my favorite one. Thanks for introducing me to Comrags they have some lovely clothes. You comment about feeling wrapped and secure as the base needed to let go is brilliant. Even more is the idea that you can get that feeling from clothes!
The incredible lightness and buoyancy of water YES!
Thanks — your questions often push me into new thought spaces about behaviour and clothes. I’m also an academic (no horsing around) and a mom of boys (quit horsing around!). A cook out of necessity, I relax when I am wrapped up in my no-nonsense apron. (My fav Canadian designers – Comrags – often nod to aprons in their designs.) The snug wrap-around protection of a sturdy apron lets me loosen up!
Thanks so much, your first comment helps me to evaluate outcomes and having you think about behavior and clothes is my favorite one. Thanks for introducing me to Comrags they have some lovely clothes. You comment about feeling wrapped and secure as the base needed to let go is brilliant. Even more is the idea that you can get that feeling from clothes!
My swimsuit (which is made for playing in the water)!
The incredible lightness and buoyancy of water YES!
Ah the real movers and shakers our feet!
I like your idea of skateboarding as a metaphor for life — "stay balanced and go fast." Very interesting post in concept and execution. Like Leslie, a swimsuit is my play suit and fun suit. SO different from the work armor. There is something freeing and feeling-like-a-kid again about moving through the water and also seeing so many shapes and sizes of people in the pool!
There is nothing like feeling the weight of the world leave you when you enter the water and your body can float. Something other than your will takes over and if you let yourself go with it it is amazing as you suggest.
I like your idea of skateboarding as a metaphor for life — "stay balanced and go fast." Very interesting post in concept and execution. Like Leslie, a swimsuit is my play suit and fun suit. SO different from the work armor. There is something freeing and feeling-like-a-kid again about moving through the water and also seeing so many shapes and sizes of people in the pool!
There is nothing like feeling the weight of the world leave you when you enter the water and your body can float. Something other than your will takes over and if you let yourself go with it it is amazing as you suggest.
Any pair of exercise shoes or boots. I feel like my feet are going to get a workout.
I love this movement shot of you and the formation of the sleeves.
Ah the real movers and shakers our feet!
Well, on goes a pair of jodhpurs, boots and I then literally get on a horse. That way I am of course dressed ‘a la fash’ at the moment. I have suspected for some time that there has been some borrowing of apparel ideas from the equine world. Love the photos, you look fabulous as always.
Yes contextual dressing at it’s best! You cannot find better tailoring!
Well, on goes a pair of jodhpurs, boots and I then literally get on a horse. That way I am of course dressed ‘a la fash’ at the moment. I have suspected for some time that there has been some borrowing of apparel ideas from the equine world. Love the photos, you look fabulous as always.
Yes contextual dressing at it’s best! You cannot find better tailoring!
Catching up with your posts and letting them sink in! The photos and your writing always make me think in new ways. I grew up with three brothers, and know of which you speak.
I enjoy the freedom, energy and colors displayed here. Thank you for the early morning inspiration.
Thank you for your always colorful perspective. I really love your hair and following you through the process was great fun!
Catching up with your posts and letting them sink in! The photos and your writing always make me think in new ways. I grew up with three brothers, and know of which you speak.
I enjoy the freedom, energy and colors displayed here. Thank you for the early morning inspiration.
Thank you for your always colorful perspective. I really love your hair and following you through the process was great fun!
Your post reminds me of "Forever Young" by Youth Group – oh to turn back time and ride a skateboard! https://youtu.be/rQi8wEHMm5Y
Yes indeed! I will stand on one but since a hip replacement that is all I dare!
Your post reminds me of "Forever Young" by Youth Group – oh to turn back time and ride a skateboard! https://youtu.be/rQi8wEHMm5Y
Yes indeed! I will stand on one but since a hip replacement that is all I dare!
Faded jeans with work-induced knee-holes, a smooth-fitting singlet, and a big, loose white shirt over top that will flap happily in the wind. I have a pair of faded purple kids’ slip-on sneakers by Tucker & Tate that I love. Barefoot in these babies, I can skim the ground or sneak up on the enemy… or hunker down in the garden to watch a worm meander through one of the raised beds. One of the benefits of being an odd size is having access to the best that other age groups can offer. For sunny days, I use a khaki ball cap with admission stickers from my favorite art museums stuck under the visor.
A perfect description of unadulterated comfort and ease.
Faded jeans with work-induced knee-holes, a smooth-fitting singlet, and a big, loose white shirt over top that will flap happily in the wind. I have a pair of faded purple kids’ slip-on sneakers by Tucker & Tate that I love. Barefoot in these babies, I can skim the ground or sneak up on the enemy… or hunker down in the garden to watch a worm meander through one of the raised beds. One of the benefits of being an odd size is having access to the best that other age groups can offer. For sunny days, I use a khaki ball cap with admission stickers from my favorite art museums stuck under the visor.
A perfect description of unadulterated comfort and ease.