Louise Macdonald / My Carrie Bradshaw Moment - Had to Happen Sometime…
Here it is - the post most of the folks who know me have probably been waiting for: How does a woman who spends her life in skyscraper designer heels and maintaining a fairly unhealthy manicure habit cope with challenging values around consumerism? Answer is…none too coherently.
This is likely to be a ramble again, but if you’re sticking with me people, you’ll know that’s nothing new - and at least it means it’s honest, not crafted right? I offer all this up as a “snapshot of consciousness” - an insight into where I am right now with this whole project. And this is a big dilemma for me- it perhaps represents the first major challenge and the area where I feel the most discomfort, in all kinds of ways.
I subscribe to all the glossy mags - Vogue, Elle, Harpers - love ‘em. I adore the sheer drama and beauty of high fashion, especially haute couture. I think a lot of it can be breathtakingly beautiful - amazing, flamboyant, delightful demonstrations of creativity and craftsmanship. Equally, I know all the bad stuff about immersing yourself in that world and its values. I know it plays its part in feelings of “not good enough” if I’m not wearing the latest look, never mind the Size 0 and airbrush issues…
So yes, I consume in order to chase the parts of the dream I can - generally high-end, high-street adaptations and homages with the occasional high-octane designer purchase thrown in, usually as a reward to myself. And it does make me feel better. I walk taller. I’m happier when I look in the mirror. I can face the world with my chin up. Bring it on. It’s an absolute, intrinsic part of my identity.
So, of course, the discomfort from the project is manifold on many levels, ranging from the relatively shallow (why are outdoor clothes so bloomin’ unflattering????); to the more intense - I despise some of the hairshirt frugality of the eco-movement (it doesn’t feel very nurturing to me) and resent being made to feel guilty over my informed choices.
Loads of issues here to unpack - and I’m sure my fellow bloggers will have views! - but I suppose I’m trying to work out if going green has to mean abandoning luxuries and human desires that have been around since time began - the desire for beauty; fabulous clothes etc - surely they aren’t incompatible? Please tell me that reassessing my values in relation to sustainability doesn’t mean having to wear fleece and ugly shoes?
And of course the even bigger - and possibly more controversial - question is: is living a sustainable lifestyle harder if you’re female?
Carrie would be so proud of me…now, gotta run. Where are my Jimmy Choos?
There are 9 comments on My Carrie Bradshaw Moment - Had to Happen Sometime…:
Well you could recycle all your glossy mags, and discover charity shop chic(re-use, discover that you can have enough Jimmy Choos
And maybe discover some informed flattering ethical luxury:
November 4th, 2008 at 11:57 pmhttp://www.peopletree.co.uk/category/hers/
I had a really fun clothes swapping night with some girl friends so replenished my wardrobe and got rid of some stuff I never wear which frankly looks better on my friends anyway. Love to have a clothese swap with you, sounds like there might be some goodies! Feeling good on the outside is like armour for me but I do aim to feel good on the inside and then I wouldn’t need the armour to hide behind but if only it was that easy.
November 5th, 2008 at 1:29 pmWho’s Carrie Bradshaw?
November 5th, 2008 at 3:42 pmFUnny, I was just blogging about findings in Barnardos vintage. Remember the real Carrie Bradshaw? She was much more about experimentation and expressing her identify and personality before the product placement of the haute couture and designer labels realised what they were missing out on. No? I am still with you on the fleeces though - I think you have hit on a niche - stylish outdoor clothes made from recycled materials? Maybe you and Tiso should get together!
November 6th, 2008 at 10:54 pmPS - Dave you have to make me laugh - Who’s Carrie Bradshaw? How can you have escaped Sex and the City?
November 6th, 2008 at 10:55 pmhi Louise
November 17th, 2008 at 5:44 pmMy husband is an artist who makes fantastic collages out of magazines, so if you want to contribute to art and my stach of brownie points, let me know.
;-)
Don’t forget that Carrie wore a second hand vintage suit to her wedding with Big, although I didn’t think the film was very good and I like to think it didn’t happen!
Probably the best place for more stylish green/ethical clothing is Adili, it’s like an online department store for this kind of thing. I have to say I’m finding some of the People Tree stuff a bit too stylish for my liking, if that makes any sense, but I suppose that’s now a plus point for many!
February 6th, 2009 at 6:32 pmDoes anyone know where you kind find pics of the vintage suit Carrie wore when she married Big? Also, are there any places that offer knock offs of this?
February 26th, 2009 at 9:05 pmI too am desparate to get more photos of that suit! I have one if you want it
April 23rd, 2009 at 11:09 pmComment on this post...