Why is there a compromise between fashion and comfort?

How come we so often have to compromise between either style or comfort? And why don’t we put the two together instead?

As I search through a pile of clothes, carelessly thrown on the ground I realize again how our clothing standard had gone down the drain over the last few decades. It is a Sunday morning in May somewhere in France. The pile of clothes seems to interest no one, but myself, I can’t blame them. The shady spot on the floor behind a van doesn’t invite to forage.
Meanwhile I enjoy all the peace of the shady spot by myself, as I pull out one cashmere jumper after the other. Distracted only by a few silk shirts that equally excite my seamstress spirit.

A little selection made it back home. Of which a two piece in baby blue cashmere.

Skirt with a jumper. Very old fashioned. The skirt covers my knees while the jumper has a little shirt like neckline and some flower, glitter embroidery on a chest pocket.

Touching the blue and soft fabric makes me forget any old or outdated associations I could have with this two piece. They make me dream instead. About how to bring the two together, fashionable but cozy.

The lady who wore it in the past must have known about combining comfort and style. I imagine how she might have left the house on early cold spring mornings dressed in blue, wearing a light hat crowned with blue flowers and a bow for her daily walk to the bakery. Effortlessly comfortable, she might have worn the same outfit to her sons wedding in Autumn. Fitting in to both scenarios, as if the dress she wore was only made for it.

Meanwhile, if I put on that knee length skirt and the jumper with the flower I just look like a grandma in a young body.

I reinterpret the two piece and take of the pressure that you will leave the house in it. Fancy pyjamas are totally underrated, in my experience. Just because I am comfortable at home, doesn’t mean I don’t want to feel good or fashionable at the same time.

In long hours sewing next to the fire, by hand, I place every stitch along the pinned lines.

The skirt into trousers. A piece of the jumper has to go to add some length to them.

A small top, only covering the shoulders, combined with some dark Gray of another jumper. The replacement for a shawl? Or it might have to be over-interpreted a second time.

On freezing clear days, my trousers try to compete with the blue sky. While wearing them feels as if I was covered in clouds. At least my legs and my shoulders. And who knows I might still wear them out to go to the bakery, pick a little evergreen on the way there. Someone might look at me and think: “Why did she leave the house in pyjamas?” but then they would look a second time and consider: “It’s a very fashionable pyjama, though. I wonder where she got it!”.

Why is there a compromise between fashion and comfort?

Thanks for stopping by, have a lovely Monday!

All photos and words are owned by ©kesityu taken and written by myself.