In the 45 minutes I've been at work this morning, two of my co-workers have independently walked in the front door, stopped, stared at me, and said, "Nice color." They both looked surprised and amused, and when I gave them questioning looks they remarked that I don't often dress like this.
My typical work outfit lately has been solid black Dickies, boots, and a solid-color long-sleeve t-shirt. I have black t-shirts, grey t-shirts, and t-shirts in various dark colors like maroon and deep purple. I also have a thin black sweater that I carry around in my bag and layer over my t-shirts if it gets too cold at my desk. It's been cold fairly frequently in the last few weeks.
Today I'm wearing solid black Dickies, boots, and a solid-color long-sleeve t-shirt. As it happens, the shirt is new; it's the same style as my other shirts, but in royal blue. This is not a bright color. Against my pasty-white skin it's practically navy, but, then again, it isn't quite black.
Apparently seeing me in it is as surprising as seeing the town widow trade her mourning clothes for a strapless red number and go out dancing. I'm fighting a powerful urge to put my (black) coat back on over it. My goodness -- my blue is showing! I'm so ashamed!
Posted by dianna at December 8, 2005 09:50 AMI only get comments on my clothes when people tell me I'm not dressed warmly enough. I find this needlessly paternalistic; I can fully well tell how cold I feel, thank you very much, and I'll make my own decisions about how many layers to put on. Further, I would wager I know better than you do what temperatures I am comfortable at, so I'll thank you not to tell me how comfortable you would imagine yourself feeling if you were in my clothes. Finally, telling me I need to wear warmer clothes is an excellent way to get me to continue to not wear warmer clothes out of sheer obstinacy.
That having been said, it is fucking freezing outside, and I need to get a warmer coat.
Posted by: Zach S. at December 8, 2005 11:50 AM*sigh* Make that three people; someone else got in late and had to chime in.
Zach, you need a warmer coat! (Ha.)
Posted by: Dianna at December 8, 2005 03:40 PMAh, but the context of your exhortation has shifted its character. If you were to tell me unbidden that I should get a warmer coat, you would be making a judgment about my level of warmth and the proper adornment to deal with such matters. Here, I have already asserted that I'm cold and need a coat. By telling me I need a warmer coat after I have already told you I'm cold and need a warmer coat, you are merely processing information and judgments I have already given to you and relaying your own assessment of the matter. It's still advice, but it's not advice predicated on paternalistic assumptions about my feelings and preferences.
Ergo, I need not delay a coat purchase because of your statement.
Posted by: Zach S. at December 8, 2005 04:59 PM