I have been in full-on hibernation mode this January and February, leading me to dress very casually and practically, layering head to toe. The Great Indoors calls for a whole ‘nother style ballgame. I dubbed this style approach “it’s-OK-to-wear-your-pajamas-around-the-clock.” For someone who loves to be stylish, I don’t mind my slovenly winter months’ uniform, just as long as I brush my hair and apply red lipstick. Mind you, I work from home so I feel I can get away with it.
Last week I came across a post on WhoWhatWear.com – a must read to stay current on celebrity and fashion trends. The post was titled: What Do Your Pajamas Say About You? Before I started clicking through the slideshow, I laughed at the 8 pajama categories the blogpost proposed. It asked women which category suits their personality. I was convinced there would not be an “I wear actual concert T-shirts from the 80s and granny underwear” category for pajama wear. But, s-u-r-p-r-i-s-e…there was a category for me!
#5 Vintage T-Shirt and Underwear
According to WhoWhatWear.com, these are the women who ascribe to this category:
“You’re exhausted. You get home from a long day that included gridlock traffic, a masochistic spin class, and an aggressive email exchange with Larry from sales, and you can barely make it into bed, let alone coordinate a chic sleep outfit. Don’t worry pal, we’ve all been there.”
I concur. While I am not usually in gridlock traffic, but am answering e-mails all day, my idea of a spin class is spinning in circles in my wheelchair, screaming at the ceiling like in a scene from “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane.” (Forward this video to the 2 minute mark to see what I am referring to.)
In this movie, actress Betty Davis serves a dead rat on a silver platter for her sister, Joan Crawford. Naturally, Joan loses her mind and starts spinning in circles in her wheelchair while screeching to the ceiling.
While eating boiled rodents is not a personal delight, my main reasons for spinning to the point of insanity are as follows:
1. Will the coats that I salivate over go on sale and will they be in my size towards the end of the winter season?
2. Will it stop snowing in March so I can get back to NYC with ease?
3. Will American women keep leaving the house in track sets to show that they go from workout to workout without pause?
4. Is it possible for suburban women to consider purchasing a hand bag other than Coach with repetitive humungous “C”s, MK (Michael Kors) with its transparent aspirational wannabe gold logo or the boringly ubiquitous status-seeking brown and mustard LV monogram bag? News flash, Louis Vuitton does have a varied and well designed collection which doesn’t broadcast status with its tired logo pattern.
WhoWhatWear envisions women in that category to wear A UCLA Heathered Vintage Joe T-shirt ($20) in Graphite and Urban Outfitters Daisy Love Boy Short ($8.)
My version:
What was at one time a white T-shirt is now yellow with a portrait of comedienne Ruth Buzzi from the 1960s hit show, “Laugh-In”. Ruth Buzzi’s priceless expressions appeared to be as elastic as the stretch in my granny panties. Some people have t’s with an image of an A-list celeb or Miley Cyrus or pithy one liners in all caps: “Unicorns are lame.” I have had this T-shirt since 1991 when it was custom designed. Using an 8×10 movie glossy purchased at Movie Star News, which specializes in Hollywood memorabilia, and a T-shirt transfer technique, I was able to achieve my final result.
If you have seen Ruth in action, watch this classic episode of her wearing a hair net, while beating up prize-winning boxer Muhammad Ali.
Now let’s talk panties. Some women love thongs, lacy sexy ones or comfortable sports underwear. I like ones that are high waisted like the pair worn by 1950s pin-up model Betty Page. My leopard granny panties have more stretch than all the Abdominoplasties performed last year in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, mine are so roomy and misshapen, they resemble something an octogenarian would wear lanai-side in Florida.
Expensive lingerie brand L’agent Provacateur can keep their $150 lace panties. I am going GRANDMA for a fraction of the hefty price tag.
I purchased this Hollywood Babylon T-shirt at a concert tee-punk rock shop at the Paramus Park Mall in NJ around 1989. I first saw this shirt worn by one of the band members of the rock band, The Butt Hole Surfers and was obsessed with finding it. I love Old Hollywood beautiful and iconic actresses. When I am on a mission to find something, I seek it non-stop until I find it. When I found this shirt in the store, I created a scene. Hence, the beautiful Jayne Mansfield is still against my bosom as I sleep.
I am pretty certain there are a legion of women who identify with me. So certain was I that I canvased 10 of my besties what they wear to bed. Would you believe they wholly agreed with me? Track sets, sporty panties and old tees are the choice du jour. A few misfits preferred the conservative flannel or silk PJ category.
Whatever you wear at night, you should be comfortable. With more and more American women suffering from sleep disorders, toss out the Ambien and wear something that is not constrictive, something sentimental, worn and roomy that will lull you to sleep.
The lingerie industry wants women to wear lace and silk in order to feel sexy. For me, sexy is all in the mind. I feel sexy in granny panties that sit so high above my midriff they serve a dual purpose–underwear and bra in one.
If you agree with this week’s post, join me on my Twitter page and let’s talk about a comfy existence as seen through the eyes of granny panty subscribers at #GrannyPantyMovement.