Looking Like Worzel Gummidge

and realising it really doesn't matter

Jon Pertwee as Worzel Gummidge courtesy of Film Juice

Before I begin I should explain who Worzel Gummidge is for those who have not yet had the pleasure. Worzel was a scarecrow created by Barbara Euphon Todd. She who wrote a series of books between 1936 and 1963 about him. Rebooks were first televised in 1953 with Frank Atkinson being the first actor to portray him, followed by Jon Pertwee between 1979 and 1981 and more recently Mackenzie Crook from 2019. My favourite was Jon Pertwee, rather than saying I looked a state I would cry I look like Worzel. The words were accompanied with more than just a hint of “sort yourself out Linney”, now in the words of Rhett Butler at the end of the film Gone with The Wind: “Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.”

This is another benefit of getting old: I don't worry so much about what I look like when I clamber out of the rabbit 🐇 warren first thing in the morning. That is a very good thing at this time of year when they have been spending all their time down there. I will reassure you that I care what I look like in the company of others or if I am going out. Anyone meeting me somewhere does not have to hide behind a pillar in dark glasses and a baseball cap to check it is okay to be seen in public with me.

However, if it is just me, the dogs and my son, who cares. I can put on my leggings, things definitely not to be paraded in company, as the Michelin Man, would be proud of those short, stumpy legs, the old jumpers with holes I can't bear to throw out, odd socks and hair like Worzel’s. If I am honest not only do I not care I enjoy it, because it doesn't matter, even if it is for a couple of days. There is an ele,ent freedom. I have even been known to open the door to Amazon deliveries without rushing around to change out of the leggings. However, I would not step outside with them on. Don't panic you wouldn't need a clothes peg on your nose, I do wash, shower and brush my teeth.

I used to have to think about how I looked a lot - for work, suited and booted for clients, smart casual but reassuring for users, and a bit of both some days. It was a real pain if you had a 5am flight to Edinburgh for an 11 am meeting. I would never be scruffy as I am now even on days when I was working from home.

Have dress codes changed and become less formal? In the past going out for a meal used to mean dressing to the full nines when I was first married. Now it seems more informal and/or we dress as we like within reason, including full finery. It is great for people watching, you can see how varied people dress in many different settings.

I realise age as made me far less judgemental about what people wear, I love seeing the daring ‘I don’t care what you think this is who I am’ attitude. I realise there was an element of my jealousy kicking because I would never have dared wear a short skirt, high heels or shown off my cleavage. Now I look and think go for it if that’s how you want to dress, you feel comfortable and you are dressing for yourself. It won’t change me I am still not wearing short skirts, boon tubes or even leggings in public.

Maybe I ought to go down the rabbit 🐇 warren to see if the thoughts according to Linney are correct. An article by Staedterstyle The Evolution of Dress Codes: From Formal to Casual and Everything In Between - interesting, or maybe not so interesting fact - dress codes can be traced back to ancient civilisations. The article confirms things have changed, however as they are all about fashion they plug the need for fashion stylists. Nonetheless an interesting article.

Apologies I ended up in the otter 🦦 holt and discovered an article by Stanford legal scholar Richard Thompson Ford called Dress codes can reveal social aspirations, political ideals including the following YouTube, which even discusses the dress code for Zoom.

I will now get my towel, dry off and move back into my world.

In summary the realisation that I can let myself go and not worry has been a real eye opener. I have never had full length mirrors in the house and absolutely detest photos of me. In groups photos I am always the pair of shoes at the back with the rest of me hidden behind anything. Although, the no mirrors and no photo rules still apply. Now it doesn’t bother me, it is ok to dress how I want to when I want to.

Prompts

The prompts are for you to do with as you wish, ignore them, share them or mull them over for a while

How do you feel when you are scruffy

a) liberated

b) grumpy

c) something else?

What is your most comfortable piece of clothing or footwear,

1. now,

2. as a younger adult,

3. as a teenager and

4. as an childand in the past? How do they make you feel? Without looking describe them smell, touch etc?

I hope you enjoyed my ponderings in the rabbit 🐇 warren of life. If you haven’t please do subscribe and/or share with others & make an old curmudgeon smile