Poetry: Ode to a Man in Dress Clothes

“Ode to a Man in Dress Clothes”, by Gretchen Marquette, published in the Summer issue of The Paris Review. Marquette lives and works in Minneapolis. In Harper’s 2013 Aug, p. 22.

 

When I see a man
in a dress shirt, I want
to walk up behind him,
place my hand
between his shoulders,
to rest it there
for a moment. I think
about his socks, how
he chose one pair
that morning and the rest
are still at home
in a drawer.
And his shoes —
god those shoes, they break me,
especially when they’re polished, what
does he do to make them shine
like that, yes, all it takes
is a pair of shiny black shoes and such
a wave of tenderness
collapses over me that I see
his ties, at rest
on their little carousel, imagine
that he held them up
in the mirror
at the department store,
unsure.

 

 

On clothing and fashion

Source:  USAirways Magazine, date/issue unknown, p. 25; Sally McGraw, alreadypretty.com.  

Our brains are constantly being filled with information about aesthetics, dressing, sexiness, trends, fashionability, fitness, and beauty. There are too many sources to count, and they’re all dumping powerful – and sometimes contradictory – messages about style and figure flattery into our psyches. It can get damned overwhelming, and make a girl want to wear the same black pants and gray cardigan every day from now until forever. And style blogs like mine contribute to that morass of confusing information, I know. So here’s a bit of an antidote:

Fashion may exist as an art form, but clothing exists to make you look your best. Any clothing that does not make you look your best is absolutely not worth your time. When you look amazing, you feel amazing, and clothing that works with your natural assets – not against them – will help you look and feel amazing more often.

Fashion may exist as an art form, but clothing exists to make you look your best. Any clothing that does not make you look your best is absolutely not worth your time. When you look amazing, you feel amazing, and clothing that works with your natural assets – not against them – will help you look and feel amazing more often.

…

Find what works for your fabulous figure and sassy style, and embrace it with both arms.  But dont’ be afraid to try new styles.   In fact, do your utmost to try new styles ALL THE TIME.  Because your body shifts and your style shifts, and something that looked like a mess on you five years ago could be just the ticket right now. … Your fabulousness is a work in progress, and the more garments you amass that make you feel powerful…and phenomenal, the better.  

Style should not feel oppressive; it should feel liberating.  It is another way to celebrate your body, your identity, your self.  It is the simplest way to communicate to the observing world who you are, what you are like, how you feel about yourself.  It is a tool for self-expression and self-love, and it should buoy you constantly and never drag you down.

Looking good and feeling good are linked. …Wearing clothes that work with your figure is a surefire way to look and feel fantastic.  So learn what suits you, wear what suits you, feel awesome.  The rest is details.

I am a fan of Sally McGraw for having said this so convincingly!