What if...

Seattle has a reputation for being a pathetic fashion city. I've found this to be both true and false. On one hand, it's a pretty casual place where, because of the frequent rain and mild climate, people wear a lot of hiking gear as everyday clothing. It's not uncommon to go to dinner at an expensive restaurant and see someone at the table next to you in a North Face fleece.

That said, this city is also all about culture and art, and we've got a lot of very expressive people here. Piercings and tattoos are par for the course, but also some interesting and trendy fashions are on display all over the city - from Capitol Hill to West Seattle, you'll see a lot of funk and flair. In the end, I'd say we have a true hybrid of the funky and the casual, the business professional and the ghetto-riffic. 

Personally, what I enjoy about this town is the way it seems to embrace everyone, just as they are. It's totally cool if you want to walk around downtown and stop in a Sephora wearing hiking boots and carrying a pack like you're about to hike for 4 days in the Cascades (and that lady probably IS about to do just that). It's also fine to strut your stuff in 5" heels and a Prada suit. And few businesses will reject a potential employee because she's pierced her septum or dyed her hair green. It's a real anything-goes kind of city, and I love that.

So an interesting thing has happened to me, as a result of moving to an eclectic, accepting city. My style is changing. I'm not sure how to describe the style I had before - I guess it was sort of a classic preppy style. I wore a lot of Gap, American Eagle, J Crew and Ann Taylor before I came here. A typical weekend outfit for me was a pair of jeans and a plain-colored top, maybe layered over a tee or tank, maybe with a pretty necklace or something. For work, knowing I had to be business/casual, I favored cute flats, a-line skirts and light, fitted cardis. Pretty, classic, and easy.

But in the past year (and it has almost been a year now, wow!) that has changed so much. Suddenly, I wear dresses and skirts most of the time, even on the weekends. I wear leggings and skinny jeans with flats or tall boots. I wear tons of layers, I shop at Anthropologie and H&M. I've gone bohemian, kids, and I LIKE it.

I have commented to Jay more than a few times that I feel like moving to Seattle has finally allowed me to embrace and express a part of me that never really showed before. In Charlotte, looking classy is key. Women don't go out without makeup and they don't wear things that aren't colorful and well-pressed. In the south, it's madras plaids and bright prints, sundresses and straw hats. And that's fine. But it's not really me. Apparently, I like tattoos! Who knew? I just got one on my left ankle and I'm amazed at how much I love it. I've grown my hair super long and I wear it wavy and wild most days. I've contemplated piercing my nose. At 30, I feel like for the first time I'm actually getting to express myself through my clothing and accessories, without judgment. It's AWESOME. I still have those cardis from J Crew but I'm wearing them in much different ways.

Have you ever lived in a place where you just couldn't quite find your style, or you didn't really have one? Or, furthermore, you just didn't quite feel at home or like yoursef? Lots of people don't move much so maybe they don't know this sensation. It's weird how you might not even recognize that this is happening till you move somewhere and things click. And it's not just about clothing, it's about being who you are in so many ways. And for me, the clothes on my bod are just a small fraction of the things that have begun to change and click for me since coming to Seattle last February. It's my religious and spiritual beliefs; the food I buy, cook and eat; the politics I believe in; the kind of exercise I do and the amount; my taste in music and art; and of course, my shoes. I don't feel like I have to apologize at all for who I am, not to anyone. Part of this could be that I turned 30 and I just don't give a shit what people think about me anymore.

But there's another thought I've had for a while now...what if the girl who loved to move has finally found her place?

P.S. Did I mention people knit in coffee shops and bars here, too? Bliss!

Comments

[Jen]

And *that's* one reason why I can't move back to NC. I heart Seattle and am glad you do, too!

[Julie]

I love any place where hiking clothes are acceptable all the time! I don't know my style and it bugs me. Or maybe my style is NO style and that bugs me. I have noticed that clothes I wouldn't wear in Oregon, I feel perfectly comfortable wearing in PA. Don't think it's a good thing either :)

[Amanda]

You are just convincing me more and more that the Pacific Northwest is where we want to be. I'm hoping maybe our next duty station can be Tacoma and we can be up that way for a few years.

The Mister and I have had quite a few interesting discussions about how different people dress depending on where in the country you are (also the expectations for dress code). We always know we're home because there's just a certain Madison look that we haven't seen in the other places we've been. Style can be very distinct. Madison is pretty anything goes as well, and I definitely miss that.

You should do some OoTDs! (Outfit of The Day) I'd be curious to see your style and have recently developed a love for fashion blogs.

[Tanya]

That's a really interesting post, Sarie. I feel more at home in a lot of the places I visit than I do where I live. I visited Portland this summer, and I LOVED it. For a combination of reasons, my husband & I have chosen to stay here for the foreseeable future, even though the vibe isn't necessarily either one of us. On the other hand, my brother feels the same way about Austin that you do about Seattle.

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