I Know It's Summer But...

I'm sure that whenever the weather warms up we're all more than happy to shed those pesky fleeces, pants, boots, knee socks, long sleeve shirts and all other winter garb that weights us down through the frosty months like the tilting, overused coat hanger near the back door. And I'm no different! At the slightest hint of warm weather in my hometown of Sheboygan I gladly shed all layers until all I have on is a short-sleeved shirt and capri's. And don't forget the sandals!

You see, winter is like that musty, mothball-infested wool coat you didn't know grandpa had in the back of his closet, so you decide to try it on. The wool is scratchy and thick, the smell intoxicating and sinking into your skin and it weighs on every inch of you like dew-laden fog in the morning. You're struggling with the closures, trying to get it off, but it won't budge. Finally...it's off! And you can breath again. Now I don't want to come off like I hate winter completely because frankly...if you live in Wisconsin and hate winter you might as well move to San Francisco and say you hate warm weather! It's pointless is what I'm trying to say.

Each season has its own beauty and benefits. Winter's being that sparkling blanket of white layered upon everything, insulating the world like a pair of fluffy, white earmuffs. And the cold air is energizing as well, a drink from a crystalline lake tumbling from a mountain's edge. But....before I get too carried away and start rushing the seasons - God knows summer is short enough as it is right? - let me get to the point of this week's blog post.

At the beginning I talked about the liberation of shedding those layers of clothes. And I like shorts as much as the next person, and here's the 'but' - you knew it was coming! - there's a point when your shorts become more like hot pants.

I'm going to write this post assuming none of you wear those infamously short shorts we all see girl's wearing, though if you do, I would like to know how you can walk around and not feel self-conscious! Maybe such an opinion comes from the fact that I'd much rather wear bermuda-style shorts versus actual shorts, but recently I bought a pair of the latter and wore them today. I felt entirely too self-conscious, even though they were nowhere near as short as some other shorts I see girl's wearing. I'm just not used to wearing them is what it comes down to.

If manufacturers are putting this type of summer clothing on the market, why do girl's buy it? The skimpy tank tops, the ridiculous shorts and let's not forget the short skirts! A while back I went to JC Penny's with my parents and was looking around my section and found the shortest skirt I had ever seen. I'd meant to try it on - just to see how it would on me - but forgot to. I could imagine it would've hit just below my butt though, just as some shorts would. I mean, if your shorts don't have an inseam shouldn't that be telling you something? Also, there are better ways to cool off than to expose that much of your legs, or anything else.

I'll admit, I love to shop at American Eagle. But some of the shorts and skirts there? Are pretty ridiculous. The same can go for the tank tops. During that same trip to JC Penny's I bought two boyfriend style tank tops and once I got home realized the neckline is too low. What's the point in that? I want to wear a tank top because of the warm weather and not have to worry about my bra showing or what people can see when I bend over. Now my mom has to sew material there, and it's taking her forever to do it. It'll be winter by the time she finishes them!

The media is no doubt a huge influence on how women and girl's dress in general. But for myself? I've never felt that pressure to wear this or buy that. I also think it depends on how you were raised and what type of environment you grew up in. Who says you have to give in to social pressure? Who says to be cool during the summer you have to wear skimpy clothes otherwise you'll overheat? I haven't bought a pair of actual shorts - not bermuda's - since probably middle school, and I've been graduated from high school for two years now. There are ways to be stylish without compromising your modesty.

Personality could be another big influence. You see, I've never been one to make waves where my clothes are concerned. Plop me in a crowd and I wouldn't stand out at all. Just the way I like it! Though in my head? I conjure up all kinds of outfits I can wear. I've even thought of a few dress designs here and there. If you want more on that go back to my blog post entitled Side B of Me. I explain that inner person that hides within my quiet, shy demeanor. And even though we're all told not to care what other people think, I can't help but to do just that! So when I don those new heels I bought or wear that slightly short skirt with black leggings I find myself cautious, wondering what they think when they see me. It shouldn't be that way though! We should dress to express ourselves and no one should judge us for it.

But...like I've said previously, it should be within reason. One infamously expressive dresser that comes to mind is Lady Gaga. Now, I won't even begin to try to understand why she dresses the way she does, but there's no one else out there that's like her. And apparently - as far as I know - every outfit she wears she designs herself. I'm no fan let me tell you. I shunned pop music long ago, but her songs are ubiquitous and entirely impossible to avoid. Lady Gaga is definitely not a good influence on girls in our culture today. I've seen some of the outfits she wears, it's disgusting to say the least. Why do so many artists - or so-called artists - feel that not only do they have to sell their music, but their bodies too? Excuse me but, I didn't come to your concert to see that, I came to see you perform. Somehow over the years the music industry has been grated down like a pair of molars in the back of your mouth. Someday soon it'll strike the nerve beneath and maybe then someone will do something about it and artists will start selling music again. And maybe it'll be music too, and not the sludge scraped from the bottom of the talent pool that was once so plentiful and crystalline.

I am afraid this post has turned into a rant. I hope not! Because that is certainly not my goal with this blog of mine. As always, I ended up talking about music. Funny I didn't find a way to work old houses into it too! :) I hope all of you reading this enjoy the rest of your summer, and thank you, as always, for reading my blog!