although Trinny and Suzannah helped a bit too.
Until about six years ago, I was Mrs Sloppy Jim. Then - I can't remember what the spur was - was it daughter's wedding? Or was it a slow realisation that I was an old frump? Whatever it was, it kicked me into action: I visited Madame Foner's.
Now, girls, are you wearing the right size bra? It's a fact that the majority of women aren't. I certainly wasn't. I was making the mistake of buying a larger size rather than a larger cup size.
I've written here a slightly fictionalised account of my first visit; the fact wasn't that far removed from the fiction. Apart from my description of the woman fitting me: she was much nicer than the dragon in the story. But she did womanhandle me.
But I left the shop with a 'phwoar' chest.
Then I took the advice of Trinny and Suzannah and chose clothes that showed off my figure rather than hiding it. The change was amazing. Suddenly I was taking an interest and pleasure in what I was wearing. I made an effort. It was a new me. I felt good about how I looked.
And - and this is the important bit - I suddenly had confidence. Not just about how I looked but about lots of aspects of my life. Life seemed to suddenly open up for me.
Over the last 18 months I've received compliments from 20-year-olds, 50-year-olds and every age in between. It's brilliant!
Now I know that I am more than how I look, that how I look doesn't or shouldn't matter. But what I'm trying to say is that changing my appearance has changed how I feel about me. In this instance I am the most important; it's my opinion that counts. I feel good; I get complimented; I feel good. It's the opposite of a vicious circle.
I'm not this wonderfully glamorous, made-up, face-lifted woman. I am a middle-aged wife and mother with grey hairs, love handles and furrows for wrinkles. And, sometimes, when I'm slopping around the house or walking the dog, I have to avoid small children for fear of frightening them. (Fortunately Husband can't see far without his glasses and I 'misplace' them whenever possible.) But when I want to and I make the effort, I'm pretty passable.
And it all started with a bra.
xx
7 comments:
I've just got to go shopping for some new bras. I'm long overdue!
There's nothing wrong with feeling good about yourself, Liz. It always shows if we feel good about ourselves and others do pick up on it. And that's how the circle begins...they compliment you on your appearance, you feel better and so on and so on. :)
Don't worry...sometimes I even scare myself here at home when I'm being scruffy! Even the cats do a double take! ;)
BUGGER. Sorry. Had just written a long comment when the page refreshed itself and it disappeared. I HATE BLOGGER.
Anyway. The wonders of modern technology. I love shopping for underwear (though not when the woman in M&S told me that "they didn't have any in my size and maybe I should try the teenage range", whilst looking at me as though I was a despicable size 0, when really I had been ill for about 3 months) and need to find the "right" bra to make an outfit work.
This is a really positive post and cheered me up - which is nice considering the doom and gloom I've been posting recently!
(quick, post it before blogger eats it again!)
You are completely right about this, Liz. During the depths of despair four years ago, I sauntered into a shop called "Intimacies" and had a bra-fitting. Honey. Changed my life! I looked so much better - I walked differently, more confidently. My whole life perspective changed. And - as you say - all because of a bra. Pay 'em what ever they want, girls, just get a good bra-fitting!
I need something like that...gravity has taken it's toll along with weight gain and other horrible fates worse than death.
But you're so right when you say it makes you sit up and take notice of yourself...and we can never have too many compliments, I say.
Good for you, Liz...here's to a new bra!
What ... no pics? ;P
I agree, Liz - show off what you've got while you can! And the right bra really can make you feel good!
Sadly, a bra has never changed my life but there's still time.
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