My only real "inspiration" behind this outfit ...
... was my desire to wear my brand new blouse ...
... which I really like. Sometimes an outfit has no more to it than that: I like something and I style it as I see fit.
However, when I found this great second hand, "moto" (is it a moto?) jacket for $38, I thought ...
... Joan Jett! Biker chic!
Boots: Ecco; Jeans, blouse, and gloves: Reitman's; Jackets, sunglasses, scarf, and earrings: vintage; Engagement ring: Britton Diamonds |
Check me out. Just like Joan Jett on her hog. Am I right, or am I right?
Such a tough duo, right, me and my hog?
I'm all street, in my leather, right?
Just like Suzi Quatro.
And Joan Jett.
Yeah! That's me, baby. Badass!
Okay, not so much, not in appearance anyway.
But the truth is that I'm tougher than either of them. You just can't tell by looking.
My life was like Tiny's in the documentary, Streetwise. She was an innocent child, a slave, trafficked and surviving -- barely. Her mother knew and did nothing to try to stop it. Some mothers are the ones to start it.
Any kid who can survive that is tough -- even if she never did manage to look like a junior Joan Jett the way Tiny did.
That's how I ended up in this scooter: all those gang rapes ruined my back. So I'll call the damn thing a Harley and say I look like a biker chick if I want to ...
... even if I look more like this ...
... than like this. Dykes on Bikes, baby. I'll never look like them.
But I've had my lesbian relationships, and even femmes can be tough as nails.
You don't have to be butch to be tough.
Heck, you don't even have to be able to walk!
It was a beautiful day, even if I wasn't walking well because my pain was bad, so I went out on my scooter ... I mean my wheels, my hog, my bike, man ... to enjoy the day.
The view was beautiful, as it always is when it stops raining here.
The day was rather blustery ...
... very blustery in fact ...
... which is why I needed the head scarf. Tough chicks know how to use a head scarf, baby! Yeah!
The thrift sellers were out in the sun. I love thrift shopping, and always have. I left "home," such as it was, at seventeen with no money, no job, and no home. I know how to thrift -- and how to dumpster dive.
I got that colourful cane for $10. The coat was free.
Thrifting feels a bit like stealing, or tricking the system: the "find" is such a thrill. A great leather jacket for $38? I was pretty excited about it.
It matched my entire outfit.
It matched my gloves and my (vintage) scarf.
It matched my new blouse.
It matched my "vintage" sunglasses.
It matched my (vintage) earrings.
It even matched my bra!
And I matched the wall mural.
I was having a rough week. My back hurt badly, my skin was behaving poorly because of physical and emotional stress, and, worst of all, Christmas was and is on its way.
Christmas is horribly triggering for me, and I've been feeling increasingly depleted by all the horrible memories of abuse that it conjures up for me.
So.
So if I want to pretend this isn't a mobility scooter, I'm gonna. It's a tough ride and I'm a tough broad.
So if I want to pretend this isn't a mobility scooter, I'm gonna. It's a tough ride and I'm a tough broad.
Whatever gets me through the season is all right, and I'll feel butch if I want to.
(I'm sharing this with Share In Style, Spy Girl and Visible Mondays at Not Dead Yet.)
Love it!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog, Have you ever thought of having Christmas on a different day? I have mine on new years eve. Im wondering if you have ever confronted your mother since you have been an adult.. keep strong.
ReplyDeleteLily.
I have, yes, but a long time ago. I long ago found that the healthiest thing with people like that is simply to cut off all contact with them. We all want those who have wronged us to see the error of their ways but some never will, at least not in this lifetime anyway. It's too painful to watch them continue to believe in their own goodness in the face of the evil they have perpetrated. My hope is that God will be able to make them see what I cannot. Isn't it ironic that some of the worst offenders are those who most loudly proclaim their religious piety?
DeleteYou have triumphed over so much, Charlotte. I like the color coordination you have going on with this look. Thrifting can be so rewarding so to me it is worth the time spent looking for those hidden treasures.
ReplyDeleteSharon
http://www.afashioncrowd.blogspot.com
I don't feel that I've triumphed, but nor have I been defeated. That's the most I can say just now.
DeleteYou shine so bright on your ride, you tough broad! Thanks for helping me see again that those who ride mobility scooters are the toughest of all.
ReplyDeleteReally love your colourful cane, scarf and background. That jacket is a find! Embroidered leather? Hello!
The icing on the cake, as you say, is the matching top, bra, gloves and embroidery!!!
So glad you had time in the sun. Keep up the fight...you never know who is watching. xo
JJ
I love that blouse and your gloves!
ReplyDeleteYou're so right about people in pain and with disabilities being so badass. So many, for whatever reason see us as saint-like or sweethearts, but we are super tough to face all that we do and keep pushing through. You have been through so much and still make me and so many smile with your posts. Thank you for being a beautiful kickass badass!
I think a lot of people want the disabled to be sweet and happy with their lot in life. I think it makes the able-bodied feel better somehow. But that's not my role! If I make you smile, well that's more important to me. And I am SO badass. The average life expectancy from the moment a child is trafficked is 7 years. I'm 44. That's badass.
Delete