Bridging The Gap

There are days in Glasgow, though exceptionally rare, when you could quite feasibly wear a dress and sandals. This nearly always means bare legs in between. I try to never bare my legs or my arms. It’s best for the population at large that they are not subjected to Grandma’s bare, white skin. Trust me on this one.

After accepting an offer for a full time job, I treated myself to a dress from Nasty Gal, which I’d wanted ever since I first clapped eyes on it. It’s short but with modest bell sleeves and lace up front detail. If I were 20 years younger I might jolly well consider it wearing it with bare legs, but I’m not so I won’t.

Wishing to wear it with my ASH sandals however, I looked to my trusty black stirrup ballet tights to bridge the bare skin gap. I get the best of both worlds - sandals/dress combo and legs kept undercover. These tights have come in so handy outwith the ballet studio.

Dancing has changed my figure a lot and not in a good way - my waist is now 3" thicker than it used to be, as well added inches onto my back and calves, all thanks to extra muscle - so finding a flattering dress which doesn't accentuate the fact my hips and waist are now indistinguishable from each other is incredibly hard. But this little dress seems to do the trick.

I've worn it to work a few times on colder days with big stompy boots and a top underneath too. 

QMichelle

Comments

[Amanda]

Michelle you are such a babe. Looking amazing! And I love the dress, the lace up detail is just perfection.

[Kingdom Of Style]

Oh thanks very much. Grandma don't hear that very often!

[Kingdom Of Style]

I think it's pretty safe to say, we're all with Amanda on this one!
Grandma my arse....

Queen Marie
x

[Char]

Agreed! If that's the grandma look, sign me up now.. :)

[Kingdom Of Style]

The Grandma look is the whole mess happening UNDER the clothing! Lol!

[dust]

On one hand, it's good to hear how other people dress their imperfections and handle their body issues, on the other hand we have no right to complain since we didn't even have children.
Last weekend we ended up in some club and both guys that approached me were in their 20's. Of course, that's because you weren't there in THAT dress, with that hair and that smile.

[Jessica]

Stunner!

[Lucy]

Hello there Michelle!

I live in Seattle and have been reading this blog religiously (daily) ever since I first discovered it (about 7 years ago)! I've loved watching as your style has evolved and changed and I appreciate you sharing your thoughts the whole process. I'm turning 35 in just a few days and am just starting to glimpse the direction my body is going as aging becomes more obvious.

I've always kinda looked up to you as a role model (strange I know, given that I only "know" you via your blog!). One reason I've stuck with KOS over the years is the pull no punches, no bullshit attitude you and Marie bring to fashion blogging. I love that you share raw feelings mixed up in everything else! That said, the frequency and type of your body comments is really starting to bum me out. I want to honor your perspective... it's just so sad! And as the comments above note, you still look so insanely fabulous! Reading the negative body comments is just... very strange. Plus I mean, I can't even order from Nasty Gal in the first place due to sizing... so if you feel so ugly, what does that say about me?

KOS has been a real bright spot in my online life for many years now and I just want to find a loving way to say, "GET YOU HEAD OUT OF YOUR ASS MICHELLE! We're all always getting old and our bodies are always changing and we'll just have to adapt just like we always have. Faith: Stone cold foxiness will out no matter what is going on biologically!!!! I am very sorry you are so bummed about getting older though.

Umm, yes. With many, many, many, many regards,
Lucy

p.s. I wish I had written you a proper fan letter earlier so this wouldn't be my first hello. ;/

[Dana]

CONGRATS ON THE GIG!!! And you look fab as ever. All best

[annemarie]

I know it's not for me to say, but I think you said that in a very loving way Lucy!

[Lucy]

Just realized I could have emailed privately instead of posting in the comments and now I can't take it down! Boo. I very rarely comment on anything ever and the etiquette eluded me. So sorry for writing publicly Queen Michelle!

[Kingdom Of Style]

You're reading waaaaay too much into it! Most women decide what they show and what they hide. It's just the way women tend to dress. It's perfectly natural and I'm no different. So I think you're over thinking it a bit.

I have never, at any point, said I felt ugly. Do I like the changes my body is experiencing as I reach my mid 40's? Hell no, and anyone who says they do are liars, but as you can see, it doesn't stop me wearing cute dresses. I simply modify the way I wear them.

I also very rarely talk about the changes in my body due to age, it's actually the changes in my body due to ballet I dislike as it's made finding clothes actually very difficult as I am now no longer able to fit standard sizes: what fits my calves is too big on the waist, what fits my waist is too small across and my back, what fits my shoulders doesn't fit anywhere else at all! Most dancers experience the same issues. My body has a propensity to bulk up when I exercise - I don't get long lean muscle but rather bulky muscle - Is it annoying I can no longer fit into my most beautiful clothing? Fuck yeah! But I love ballet more.

Fact is, we all moan about bodies so I wouldn't think too much into it. Some days you feel great, some days you don't. Would I like smaller calves and my small waist back? Yeah obviously, but if that meant giving up dancing then it's no contest.

[Kingdom Of Style]

Cheers Dana. It's great to have the security of a full time job again!