So far in the challenge lots of people seem a bit concerned about what I’m wearing
out. Not OUT out – everyone’s clear I’m
far too conventional to allow myself to be inappropriately dressed for a
wedding, and they know I’ll have made sure I have smart enough stuff for
presentations and work events. People
are worried about what I’ll have t for evening drinks in town.
It’s true that there isn’t much in my wardrobe that’ll work
for a cutting edge bar in Shoreditch – but I thought I’d got it sorted. Double
denim . Jeans, denim shirt, heels and a slick of lipstick. It’s a classic no?
Every year a glut of fashion magazines announce that we’ll
be amazed to hear double denim is back. And we aren’t because it’s never really
gone away. Yes, there is a risk you look like you’re dressed up as a cowgirl –
but I’m ok with that. So I’ve full on embraced the looks other nickname – the Texas tux.
I love a bit of bluegrass, and deeply uncool as it is I also
have a lot of time for 70’s country and western. Rule of thumb – if my dad
played it in his car I love it. One of my happiest childhood memories is me,
Zoe & Jason in the back of the spacecruiser roaring along to Grandma’s OldFeather Bed – that is what family is all
about right? And I’ve always wanted to do the old City Slickers cow herding
thing – so the name always felt cool to me.
Until I met my lovely friend Leah for lunch on Sunday. Leah
is a full on Yankee, with all the epic coolness that implies. She’s sharp, she’s
got a filthy sense of humour and has insanely good hair. Sickening all round
really.
When Leah asked the- “But with that few clothes what do you
wear to bars?” question I replied almost cockily “the classic texas tux”
And Leah attempted to stifle an enormous snort. “that is not
what we call in in NYC – in New York it’s called ………..
……A CANADIAN TUXEDO”
Her face made it very clear this was not intended as a
compliment.
Thing is I’ve always had a soft spot for Canadians – they
take a lot of stick for Celine Dion – but really what nation doesn’t have a
star that they are a bit ashamed of – David Essex anyone? When I first traveled with friends I met
countless Americans who wore a Canada pin because they knew people would be
more friendly to them if they thought they were Canadian. This was in ’99 – it
wasn’t political. It was about politeness- that’s the reputation Canadians
carry (excepting the odd crack smoking mayor) – that they are polite. I’m not
ashamed to hang my hat there (even if I’d rather it was a Stetson).
So regardless of NYC disdain you’ll find me at the bar rocking my Canadian tux.
So regardless of NYC disdain you’ll find me at the bar rocking my Canadian tux.
P.S. Philanthropy is well cool – you can
donate here.
