Tapestry of Selves

I am one of those people that always has their inbox open as the first tab in their browser. therefore I am perpetually checking my email. Junk mail arrives and I delete it. I get all the coupons from stores I shop at, and most of the time they go to trash because I tell myself that if I delete it right away I wont know the deals and I will save money.

Yesterday I decided to open an email I got from American Eagle about some 30% off. I was confused of its contents.



Since when did Glam or party girl mean a baret and a button down? I understood that it is American Eagle and their style is usually very plain aka "American" So I decided to give them another shot on click on the Ad. Yet, still- Their party shop was nothing party like. I know the brand is appealing to a specific type of American girl. The girl next door who doesn't have much creativity except to wear whatever the store says she should put together. The clothes ARE BORING. They can look really cute- but the thing is, not on all women. I know this because when I try on this American girl look it just doesn't match. I feel and look like I am in high school. It works for tall, chest less, petite women; maybe. They are leggy have straight hair and it looks really fresh and clean on them. Ill admit I have bought a few pieces from there only because I needed the basic sweatshirt that will keep me warm. I used it for its functionality, not their style.

Get Glam?? Party Girl?? Were they serious??

I used to work at Bebe. I can understand what glamourous may mean to some, but I am tired of glamorous being laced with sleazy/sexy. bebe is also way over the edge with their advertising.



So now we are told that to get attention from a man we have to wear these dresses and be this thin. So we can guarantee a kiss? I know this is not a new concept. But so many women fall for it every day. The point im trying to make is that the entire concept of glamour and sexy has been so obscured in our minds that we no longer can decide for ourselves what looks sexy. Its not about us anymore, its about everyone else's image of us. And are we so desperate to get a guys attention solely by the clothes we wear? I wonder if women went out to clubs wearing very basic plain clothes. Will they feel sexy? confident? Able to approach men? Probably not. Why?

I am not saying that its okay to look innapropriate in public. For example, I have seen women go out in public in what they think is appropriate for them. Whether it means her not wearing a bra and wearing long hippie skirts and not having her hair washed for 10 days. -Or wearing clothes that are too tight, or too sleazy for a saturday afternoon. I can agree there are certain rules of decorum. And this description would fit those who are just mentally ill. Get with times too, ya know

I had a conversation with someone about the meaning of originality. The concept of a mall defeats the entire concept of being original. A mall is a place where all "accepted" stores are. It is a foolproof place for people to go to get an idea of the current trends. It is a place where people go to buy prepackaged individuality. There is nothing original about all the stores in a mall. Its societies stamp of approval of what is acceptable to put on your body. Its a conglomerated place of social acceptance. Now, if you are one of those people that go from store to store to put pieces together, then I can give you credit for trying. But again, if you do that - you are also trying very hard to be original. So what does original mean when it comes to fashion and style?

I think I have come to the conclusion that original doesn't exist unless you are the one designing your own clothing. If you have a favorite designer in which you can identify with their styles and you wear that clothing, then good for you in supporting that designer, and good luck on your journey in finding identification in clothing.

I have gone very astray from my original idea here. I want to address glamour. What is it? How do your choices in clothing reflect your identity?

I wont go further. Please Ponder :)

Another Playground

I always write the title of my blogs by randomly choosing words, by the way the sound- at the end of writing my post.

Its Black Friday. Every year I get into the hype of it before the actual day. I then make an attempt to take advantage of the doorbusters. Today it ended immediately after walking into one store and waited in line. People are totally disgusting when it comes to shopping. Especially women. I worked retail for a long time in college- seeing women scramble in lines and spend money that they dont have is indicative of this consumer driven society we live in. (Is that what makes us powerful as a country? Our customer service skills? Our fake attempts at making the clientele feel special and taken care of at the store? Is it that "personal touch" that makes us buy more? Why are we constantly trying to prove to others - when it comes to spending? Women get so weak when someone is trying to sell them...Ive been that sales person, I dont like doing it.)

Holidays in the states turns people into a frenzy, and instead of everyone buckling down and preventing themselves from drowning in bills, they run out to get more more more. Its a sickness. Today I refused to be a part of that. If the holidays are about giving, then give to yourself. And for the people you love, do something thoughtful that they will appreciate and remember.. Cuz the gift you give them will end up on the floor in a few months.

I got flooded with well wishing thanksgiving text messages yesterday that varied in context. One of them :

"Happy commemorative day of genocide of an indigenous people. Our greatness as a country was a result of mass murder. Enjoy your pie. "

Ha Ha! I laughed out loud- But, has anything changed this year? Actually, has anything changed in the history of America? Oh wait- we are still doing that. Oh yea! I forgot! My roots hail from the country of Iraq! How silly of me to forget. Lets keep invading countries, and stealing their resources. Is that what we are made of? It makes me so sick. What are we built on? I have no room to be cheery right now. Ill admit I love the holidays, the spirit, and my salted caramel hot chocolate from Starbucks. I just constantly avoid the thought of the dreadful state of the rest of the world. One of which I come directly from. Iraq. I am first generation. Ultimately it saddens me because there is nothing I can do except sip my freaking latte. I love the spirit of this country and its that feeling that keeps me preoccupied and distracted. Is that a good thing? Is it an emotional survival mechanism? God forbid we think about whats happening in other parts of the world.

Happy Holidays America.

Love,
your Iraqi American friend.