Just the thought of picking out a back to school outfit makes me sickeningly nostalgic.
The idea of debuting yourself to your new and old classmates in the lens of fashion and styling– often at an age where everyone looks terrible and can't dress themselves– is so funny to look back on, but felt so sincere to experience. I wish as an adult I had a back-to-school-type day to dress up for that wasn't like:
-a professional event
-a party
-work
-brunch
-etc.
I feel like the "adult" situations I have now where it feels important for me to dress up/do my makeup/hair are really calling for a particular dress code. Meanwhile, as a child dressing up for a first day of school, (aside for any dress codes, went to public school in the US) this environment feels way more like open theme, if that makes sense. In these adult environments, I'm often nervous about how I'll be judged, so I'm attempting to look professional, fun, smart, sexy, or intimidating all at the same time. Alternatively, though in school I was still nervous about being judged, I had less of an idea of how I wanted to be perceived because I suppose I just didn't know myself very well yet.
It was more, "I have a really cool shirt with a shark on it!" and "maybe I should wear this hairband.... just to get people talking....". I think I was far less concerned with painting a specific picture of myself/meeting any brief and just making sure they're clothes I could learn and make friends in. Also, it probably helped that it's just a special day as opposed to like.... a thing! Like instead of it being a Gallery Opening or a Party or a Night Out or BRUNCH with a capital B, it's just honestly a regular day that happens to be the first one. But without fail, I can assure you like 75% of kids will be dressed up with intention.... and I love that <3
My spy phrase was originally "The arrow has sizzled," but I ran it again and got "Mother has arrived," which I think is hilarious.
I just want to start with "A lovely swan has melted the ice." which was my random spy phrase and it matches the balletcore Bunheads aesthetic mentioned in this post. I love that show, btw!
I'm loving to see all your pretty drawings and know where they came from. THE BALLOONS hahaha Dead.
I never had good "back to school" memories. Going back to school was hell on earth to me (it followed me through college too). But your drawings gave it a layer of peace and serenity. And I very much appreciate that!
What a smart word for a baby to say, they could have said just BALL. I don't know what my first word was, and being the third kid, I bet my parents don't either.
I'll try to draw my spy phrase so I can join you.
I'm enjoying this month we are spending together! When my financial situation improves I'll be happy to support your substack financially.
Lovely! Happy one month! That spy phrase generator is great, and I will now be saying “the bacon sizzles at dawn” as nauseam. I audibly loved at “...ballet (I can only do nothing)”
"The last bottle of wine has given permission."
That sounds less like a spy phrase, and more like a hilarious attempt to excuse drinking more.
I'm curious to see what a comic-style post would look like.
The butterflies have taken the bait. I repeat, THE BUTTERFLIES HAVE TAKEN THE BAIT!!
Pssst! The cruel fox has licked the stamps.
Just the thought of picking out a back to school outfit makes me sickeningly nostalgic.
The idea of debuting yourself to your new and old classmates in the lens of fashion and styling– often at an age where everyone looks terrible and can't dress themselves– is so funny to look back on, but felt so sincere to experience. I wish as an adult I had a back-to-school-type day to dress up for that wasn't like:
-a professional event
-a party
-work
-brunch
-etc.
I feel like the "adult" situations I have now where it feels important for me to dress up/do my makeup/hair are really calling for a particular dress code. Meanwhile, as a child dressing up for a first day of school, (aside for any dress codes, went to public school in the US) this environment feels way more like open theme, if that makes sense. In these adult environments, I'm often nervous about how I'll be judged, so I'm attempting to look professional, fun, smart, sexy, or intimidating all at the same time. Alternatively, though in school I was still nervous about being judged, I had less of an idea of how I wanted to be perceived because I suppose I just didn't know myself very well yet.
It was more, "I have a really cool shirt with a shark on it!" and "maybe I should wear this hairband.... just to get people talking....". I think I was far less concerned with painting a specific picture of myself/meeting any brief and just making sure they're clothes I could learn and make friends in. Also, it probably helped that it's just a special day as opposed to like.... a thing! Like instead of it being a Gallery Opening or a Party or a Night Out or BRUNCH with a capital B, it's just honestly a regular day that happens to be the first one. But without fail, I can assure you like 75% of kids will be dressed up with intention.... and I love that <3
My spy phrase was originally "The arrow has sizzled," but I ran it again and got "Mother has arrived," which I think is hilarious.
I just want to start with "A lovely swan has melted the ice." which was my random spy phrase and it matches the balletcore Bunheads aesthetic mentioned in this post. I love that show, btw!
I'm loving to see all your pretty drawings and know where they came from. THE BALLOONS hahaha Dead.
I never had good "back to school" memories. Going back to school was hell on earth to me (it followed me through college too). But your drawings gave it a layer of peace and serenity. And I very much appreciate that!
What a smart word for a baby to say, they could have said just BALL. I don't know what my first word was, and being the third kid, I bet my parents don't either.
I'll try to draw my spy phrase so I can join you.
I'm enjoying this month we are spending together! When my financial situation improves I'll be happy to support your substack financially.
Lovely! Happy one month! That spy phrase generator is great, and I will now be saying “the bacon sizzles at dawn” as nauseam. I audibly loved at “...ballet (I can only do nothing)”
swag month
nice!