A conversation keeps playing in my head about a dress I had for sale (still for sale) on the garage sale. This is a dress I bought years ago for a cruise. Long, beaded gown in navy blue. Very pretty. But deemed as “matronly” by others. I feel the need to defend my dress choice. I bought the dress in the Midwest several years ago now. Low-cut, breast-baring styles just weren’t the thing at the time.  I’m a mom, not a hoochie momma. Also this cruise was a family cruise. One we never got to take. So my then nine-year-old son was going on the cruise. had this been a cruise just for me and other adults, my clothing choices would have been much different, but I still would have had to deal with what was available.

A year before I had worn a Chinese style dress to a concert that I took my son to for Christmas. His eyes popped out of his head. Yes, just like a grown man. I wasn’t inclined towards baring a lot of skin on a family cruise nor around my son. As my son has grown older, he has to deal with friends who think his mom is “hot.” I never had to deal with this. I can’t even imagine what it is like. Even going shopping with him can be bothersome for him as he sees all the men staring at his mom. As he has gotten into his teen years, he notices more and knows exactly what they are thinking. He doesn’t think much of them. In fact, he stares them down. So everyone will have to pardon me if I pick more conservative outfits when I’m out with my son. It’s more for his comfort than mine.