Maxi skirts are IN this summer and I couldn’t be more delighted. I’ve always loved long skirts. When playing dress-up as a child long skirts were my thing. Not hats, not heels, not jewelry, not even makeup. Long skirts. The last time I remember maxi skirts being popular was 40 years ago and I had quite a few to wear out to dinner or on weekends, and a couple dressier maxi outfits for work.
This week I was able to maxi-it three times – after I sat down and made a long skirt that is actually a bit too long for a maxi yet will be the “go to” skirt until I can hem it to the right length. I wore the skirt on Wednesday to a meeting and again on Mother’s Day. On Saturday I went to a special event and choose a black knit dress with a coordinating chiffon jacket in black, grey, and beige. The funniest thing. The knit dress had been hanging so long that it had gotten longer and longer and I received several compliments on my trendy maxi. I didn’t tell anyone, except all of you of course, that the dress and jacket were first worn during Commissioning Week at the U.S. Naval Academy in 1998. Good things last!
OK, so back to the story. No problems on Wednesday when I wore my new skirt to lunch. No problems on Saturday when I wore my black dress. But Sunday, Mother’s Day, I got my come-uppance. I’d forgotten about non-stretchy fabric and that is what I’d used to make the maxi skirt. My hubby, Mom, and mom’s caregiver were in the car waiting while I went into the market for a few items. I came out and proceeded to get into the back seat holding my purse and the 3 items I’d purchased in my arms since I’d forgotten to take a tote bag with me (where we live there is a bag-ban at grocery stores, so you bring your own or buy they recyclable bags for 10 cents).
We’d already been to brunch, so I’d gotten in and out of the car a couple of times. Well, this time, I guess I forgot about the lady-like way of sitting down sideways and then lifting my legs into the car and didn’t have a free hand to raise my skirt a bit. My brain used the method that works when wearing pants or a very stretchy and shorter skirt or dress. Standing next to the open door I lifted my right leg and attempted to put it into the car. At that point, in mid-air, my right leg stopped. The fabric holding it tight. But my brain was already moving my left leg, so there I was in a split second not in, not out, and without both feet on the ground.
Luckily, I did not fall. Graceful – well that is another subject and no I did not look the least bit graceful. I just sort of crumbled into the car feeling as though I had 3 feet and not enough arms.
Plunk! At least I was in the backseat and, surprisingly, still holding the items I’d purchased. My body turned sort of sideways, my legs somewhat crumpled, and apparently a very funny look on my face because everyone asked whether I was OK, or what was I doing, or made some reference to whether I’d forgotten how to get into a car. Grumble, grumble, grumble. I’m fine. Thank you. Grumble, grumble, grumble.
I still love maxis but that skirt needs to be hemmed a few inches and I will be sure to check for stretchiness in future garments.
Every Day Is A Good Day – VJ
everydaywithvj 