Throwback Thursday #53 – It’s A Formal Affair

Lauren’s our host this week and you can join in here
She says:

I am proposing a different way to write to the prompt today. Because we all had very diverse upbringings, I am going to list several reasons why you might get dressed up. Please feel free to add any occasion you had to get dressed up.

What were your special clothes like? Did you get your hair done for the occasions? Was a mani-pedi part of the process? Were you instructed on how to behave? Did you have any input on the formal attire? Did you feel comfortable in your special outfit?

Ah. the memories!

As kids growing up, we had three of everything……… wearing, one in the wash and one clean. We wore our Sunday best for church/Sunday school, something similar but not as posh if we were having visitors, and playing clothes which we changed into as soon as we got home from school.
If we were going to a birthday party, we usually wore one of our better frocks, and if it was a wedding or special occasion, might have something new.
We would also ‘dress up’ for Christmas Day.

We were never scruffy, not even in our play clothes, but some of the stuff I had to wear was so ‘not me’ and I had little choice. You can read of the yellow frock with the daisy collar here that I had to wear to a cousin’s wedding in 1970.

When I was first married, if it was a special occasion I would get my hair done and as Ex Hubby was on the Sports and Social committee, always wanted to look my best for him in front of his work colleagues.
For the first bash, I bought a long navy blue dress with a chiffon cape and he wore his wedding suit. Most everyone else was in jeans and tees, so we were very out of place, but I tried not to let it spoil my evening.
The second year I played safe with a smart pair of trouser and a blouse, he wearing dark flares and a shirt, Everyone else was dressed to the nines in long frocks, furs and suits, dripping jewellery and Chanel, and again I felt out of place and uncomfortable.
The third year I didn’t go, and the fourth, we were divorced.

I’ve never had a manicure and the chances are if I had a pedicure I’d knock them out as I have very ticklish feet with uncontrollable reflexes.

Since Hubby and I have been together, I have had my fair share of dressing up and would have a new frock for the firm’s Christmas Party, then later recycle a previous one from about three years before that hopefully nobody would remember.
Not so much now.
My current ‘posh outfits’ are below, leggings and a top plus my one and only frock.

Left: New Year’s Eve get together 2016 Right: for my niece’s wedding July 2017
 
My going out smart clothes are probably my jeans and a top I bought at a market some 25 odd years ago which is still going strong, mainly because I only wear it for special occasions I guess. Even better, it still fits!!!