The day after the election felt like a bad dream.  I know that sounds cliche, but truly that’s what it felt like.  From the time I walked out of my door, I felt like I was in an alternate universe.  It felt like the city of New York took one long exhale, and fell into a collective emotional slump.  The subway ride into the city was uncharacteristically quiet.  New York prides itself on its strength in the face of adversity.  You can flashback to the days that followed 9/11 and the ways in which this city showed its resilience, yet the day after the election the entire city felt defeated.  We all walked around in a haze of fear and uncertainty.  “I spent all night trying to comfort my wife.  She was in tears the entire night,” I heard a coworker say.  Whispered conversations could be overheard throughout the office as we tuned in and out of post election coverage, and we all sauntered home to unpack the feelings of the day.

 

Given the state of social unrest in our country, it is only fitting that I wore a Mod look reminiscent of British-bred 60’s counter culture. If you have no idea what I’m talking about think Twiggy and Mary Quant. While some were embracing the refined style of then First Lady Jackie Onassis, across the pond suburban teens were wearing mini skirts, shift dresses and cropped hair. Hence why many refer to Mod and hippie clothing of the 60’s as sub culture or counter culture fashion.  I have always loved Mod 60’s fashion, especially when it made a resurgence in the 90’s via Cher Horowitz and the Olsen twins. As an adult; however, I didn’t really think I could pull off a shift dress look. Shift dresses have no defined waist, and given my unrelenting fear of looking pregnant, I try to stay away from them. Even if I choose to indulge in a dress that has no waist, I belt it to create one. I said all of that to say, this was my definition of taking a fashion risk, and it was okay. I’m still not confident I don’t look like I need to stop by Planned Parenthood, but hey I tried.  And for under $20 (Zara end of season sale comes through once again) what’s the worst that could happen?