What started out as a simple search has turned into what is sure to be a comedy, unfolding later this week. Kathy and I are headed to New York City for a few days and when hotel suggestions from various friends didn’t pan out, we turned to our well-trusted travel agent, Joy. I know, I know – should have gone there first. She had lots of ideas for us, so we scheduled an appointment in her office. The conversation went like this.
Enthusiastic Joy: “I’ve got just the perfect place for the two of you. It’s in a great location, the price is better than the others, and it’s this fun little, hip and trendy place.”
Pam, the skeptic, looks around the room to see who Joy was talking to. She then looks at Kathy to confirm what she already feared: “Hip and trendy? Are you talking about us? I think you mean frumpy and dowdy.”
To be fair, one would never use those words to describe Kathy, so I can’t drag her down in my own personal dilemma. But ever since we signed on the dotted line for “hip and trendy,” I’ve been at a loss as to what to wear on this trip. Kathy has assured me that we only have to look hip and trendy around the hotel. So does she think I’m going to change my shoes going into and out of the hotel, because it’s all about the feet for me.
After the meeting with Joy, I came home and did a little google search: hip and trendy clothes for pudgy plus, 60 plus year old woman from the upper Midwest traveling to New York City in September.
Admittedly, it was a little long, but I did get some helpful suggestions. To my great consternation, tennis shoes, crop pants, Alfred Dunner knit separates, and quilted vests, polyester or otherwise, didn’t make the cut. Nor did my heavily soled black leather walking shoes that have seen plenty of action in Europe and Asia, but have yet to hit soil on this continent. Among other reasons, they make my feet look like I should be officiating a basketball game. Another reason – I have some pride, but apparently, I lose that when I travel outside the US.
So what clothes and shoes did make the hip and trendy list? Clothes that have a sleek look. Did those google elves not see the word pudgy? Pudgy will never be sleek. Fortunately, jeans are ok, but only of a certain style. After a quick look in my closet, I fear they could only qualify as trendy if we were to step back in time.
Other suggestions? Monochromatic; good, I’m going with black. Ankle booties, ponchos, capes, leggings, over the knee boots, and fringed skirts. Oh good heavens, none of this is working, plus it’s going to be 88 degrees one day!
I’m not sure what I’ll wear yet, but I will leave the fashion forward looks for this fall to someone else. I’d rather look frumpy and dowdy than silly and foolish.
Now, I get that worrying about what I’ll wear sightseeing in New York is triviality at its worst, especially today, September 11, 2016. The first tickets we bought were for the September 11 Memorial and Museum, and no one will care what I look like. I will stand there with great pride, that I can stand there, remembering one of this country’s most significant events of its 216 years. I will remember that life isn’t about where we stay or live, what we wear, where we work, or anything similar. I will merely remember the choices we have, including whether to be hip and trendy … or not. And it matters to no one.
There will be more to come as this trip unfolds. See you next week with my post-trip analysis.
Sad but true. Even as I plan to move to Turkey soon, what I’m taking a supply of is favorite shoes styles (Clarksville) and most comfortable bras. Everything else I can get there.
Shoes and bras. Yep, we’ve reached that age. Thanks for taking to time to comment.
This was very clever. After looking at the New York Times fashion section, sloppy, ill fitting seems to be the trend so it turns out we are “in”. I forgot to tell you that you would “fit in” at the upscale and trendy hotels I have stayed at. The great thing about big cities, any thing goes.
The most affluent, hip people will be in outfits we would not be caught dead in.
Not to mention toursist from around the world who come to the US with only carrly on luggage and duffle bags.
You are right, at the memorial respect trumps fashion.
Fun and being comfortabel also trumps fashion. ENJOY!
Thanks, Joy. We will seek out areas where we do fit in… which will be most everywhere. Appreciate you taking the time to comment.
I laughed til I had tears. Why are we so obsessed that we look like we fit in. I was at an “Elvis Explosion” in La Crosse this week-end. Anything goes, but black with lots of bling works the best. Why did I think anyone would be looking at my non-Elvis wear?
Thanks for the sobering message at the end. So true.
You make me laugh. Ah yes, I imagine there would be lots of bling at an Elvis Explosion. I’m glad you liked this one. Thanks for writing!
” And it matters to no one.” Truly loved it. My daughter lived in NYC for 7 years, and at first I worried about trendy, but after a few visits I realized that anything goes in NYC–actually, it was very freeing. I feel more conscious about my style in Cincinnati in NYC or Manhattan. Love, love, love that city. Have fun. A tip for the museum: We spent way too much time in the beginning where they show the architectural features that were there on that day. The artifacts are near the end. An excellent museum in every way. Very moving.
Thanks for the read and taking the time to comment. Also, for the tip at the museum. Truly, everything and anything goes in NYC, but it was all prompted by the hip and trendy hotel. So far, so good.
This is great…funny but a bit serious as only you can do. Thanks for remembering 9/11 and first responders. When I went to ground zero it was about to rain so we ducked into the nearest church. It happened to be an Episcopal Church that had helped take care of so many first responders on that dreadful day. Just as we walked inside the thunder rang out and it was an eery but real sign of what went on that day with the innocent and my fellow first responders. Inside the church I observed a plethora of patches left there from first responding agencies who worked during 9/11. One of my first responder coworkers went to ground zero to volunteer but our department patch was missing from the collection. I asked my brother, living in NYC at the time if he would take a patch I mailed to him to the church. He, a naval academy graduate responded “I would be proud” to take the patch to the church. I had no idea the importance my brother put on first responders until that time. 9/11 was a day I wished never would have happened but did result in some good and this is just one tiny example.
Thank you. Further, I visited that same church just as a noon service was ending. I didn’t see any patches though, but I did at a nearby bar! Thanks so much for commenting.