I bought a jumpsuit!
And so began my next chapter
Remember when you’d be taken shopping before the start of a new term at school? I’d usually be carted off to Clarks around mid August for new ‘proper’ shoes and make a stop at Woolworths for a new pencil case and, if I was lucky, the latest smelly gel pen and a pick-a-mix. Not only a necessity to get ready for back to school at the start of September, it was a sort of a ritual to signal the start of something new.
I still feel this way when September comes around to be honest, it’s the time of year that I feel most motivated to get organised. Maybe that back to school feeling never really leaves? Anyway, I digress.
What I’m getting at is the ritual of it all. Much like when you get a new job and celebrate with a new set of stationery (well, that’s what I do) or treat yourself to a new handbag to take to the office, attaching the newness of life’s happenings to something more concrete like a new notebook, diary or tote, or even a new haircut, seems to solidify it all somewhat, making it all the more real.
I love the moment in the film Confessions Of A Shopaholic (out in 2009, can you believe?) where Becky Bloomwood, played my Isla Fisher, buys a green scarf that later becomes part of her (hard-won) success story, even if we all know she *shouldn’t* have bought it because she was skint. But the symbolism of that new item doesn’t wane.
When I made the decision to quit my job and go it alone as a freelancer, it was no doubt a big shift in my life. And I found myself organising my stationery and setting about plans for an improved home office spot. And I bought a jumpsuit.
“The confidence that I had in my decision to try something new is, in some ways, encapsulated in that item of clothing”
I knew I’d be launching my very own website (which went live this week by the way - shameless plug) and as part of that, I’d decided I’d get some photos done for personal branding. So naturally, I needed something to wear. Of course, I could have found something in my wardrobe that fit the bill – I have quite the collection of midi dresses, even floral ones which I love, even if the bods at John Lewis say they’re ‘over’ – but I needed that ‘pencil case moment’ that said ‘this is something new!’ in a much wider sense.
I tried on more midi dresses but none felt right. Although I stand by that I don’t think they’re now a fashion faux pas. Then I found an olive green jumpsuit in Oliver Bonas which I knew was a bit of me. I snapped a photo in the changing room to send to my sister who confirmed that yes, this was it. I wore it for my photoshoot and have worn it for a few other things since too. I know it’ll be a wardrobe piece that I’ll go back to time again, and one that will remind me of a big life change and the feelings that come with that. The confidence that I had in my decision to try something new is, in some ways, encapsulated in that item of clothing.
Isn’t it strange that we attach certain feelings, memories or even motivations to such objects? I like it. I like to look back on my possessions (ones that don’t fall victim to my obsession with Vinted, that is) and remember what stage of my life they were a part of. Among them is a bag I saved up for and bought when I landed a new job, a bangle with special meaning and a diary that’s been through many career moves. And you know I love a diary.
In my home, there are similar things like trinkets picked up on travels, mementoes of family times and art prints that have come from one house to the next but retain the story from whence they came. As for the jumpsuit, I know it will be a longstanding part of my wardrobe. I’ve heard it said that everything you own should be loved or tell a story. The jumpsuit checks both.
If you fancy checking out my new website, you can do so here: lindsayblair.co.uk