Feminism is a tricky thing. And it means many different things to many people. But in these modern times, I would have to have to say I am who I am and that is a feminist who likes to wear pretty things – albeit second hand and eco-conscious and as anti the ever-changing capitalist factory of fast fashion.
And for as long as I can remember in my adulthood, there have been two wardrobe essentials in my life: a robe, and an apron, and a hardy pair of denims.
As a teenager I would covet the pure silk black robe my mom wore with an orange dragon trailing down its back.
When she went to Bali she brought me one back – though a bit of a knock-off – in pale blue, the orange dragon all the more striking for the blue. How I loved that robe until one day it was stolen, a broken car window and my luggage for a stayover inside. Taken.
In my later years, I would come to find one in the most delicate of pure cottons. A man I loved most of all had picked it out for me.
It was white with abstract dusky blue birds adorning it.
I once put it in with a red skirt and it came out mellow pink.
I minded not too much for it still looked pretty.
I wore that to absolute death until it had far too many tears to avoid any longer.
I had to face facts. It was time for a new robe.
And the perfect robe is no easy thing to find.
Eventually my mom came to my rescue yet again with bargain second hand find in London.
It would become my very favourite robe of all. An almost lavender-tinged blue with orange and pink cherry blossoms and billowing sleeves reminiscent of a kimono.
Working from home as I did then, and still do, I would sometimes spend entire days in my robe.
And some weekends I never took it off.
Sadly, when I was manic I gave it away to a friend who was suffering from depression.
I wouldn’t say I regret it entirely.
I wanted to pass on the joy it had brought to my life, the feeling of luxury and its sheer beauty. To a good friend in need of cheering.
But the search for the perfect robe has continued and I am yet to find another.
But I shall find it one day. I will keep trawling those second hand shops until it avails itself to me and I make it mine.
Call me girly, call me precious, but to my mind, every woman deserves a luxuriant robe in her life, to make her feel like the reigning queen she really is.
Woman in a Turquoise Robe by Rick Perez
Comments