The other morning, while riffling through my closet for something to wear, it occurred to me that roughly half my clothes are just too pretty. In the last five to seven years, I have experienced a fundamental shift in style, and all the items I bought before the great schism are polished and tasteful, but totally boring to me now. I have learned that I want more out of my clothes than simply to look nice.
It’s probably not a coincidence that the shift coincided with my starting to draw and engage with the world in a more visual way. But I also think it may have had something to do with turning 40 and losing interest in trying to blend in with everyone else. I feel a freedom I haven’t felt since I was a little kid to wear whatever makes me happy—and, generally, that means colours or shapes or textures that are a little unexpected, whether they are conventionally flattering or not.
Side story: Once, at lunch with my friend Jeff, I was talking about goal-setting and how for several years, I had given myself these vague, sweeping goals, like be more visual or go where you’re invited—and pursuing those goals had brought about some pretty tremendous changes in my life, including getting published. And then I realized I had never once thought to make happiness a goal, which was mortifying in a way and telling, too. I wondered out loud if maybe I’d rather be interesting than happy—and whether that impulse would lead to my ultimate downfall. Jeff looked straight at me and deadpanned, “What makes you think you’re interesting?” 😭😭
But yeah, I guess there isn’t necessarily a hard line between pretty and interesting. And maybe, in reality, both are equally out of my reach. But it sure is fun to daydream about who I want to be and how I might go about achieving that vision. For example, I’ve already come up with at least five interesting outfits I could make with this pre-owned Comme des Garçons armless sweater I found online today. The only thing I can’t figure out is how I’d put on my coat. Or drive. Minor details.
Where do you fall on the scale of pretty vs. interesting? Have you always been this way? If not, what changed?
:) Teresa
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I think my definition of what’s pretty has changed. When I was younger I liked a lot of details—embroidery, lace, beading. Now I am much more interested in noce fabrics, the way something drapes. I have a very si ole black silk crepe shift that I bought a couple of years ago that I think is the prettiest dress I have ever owned.