Is a Plaid-Glad heart really all that bad.....??

I've been given hints over the years about my mad-for-cozy-plaid ... uhhh ... "obsession", although I now much prefer to call it the 'O-word' (in the style of Rick Lagina who doesn't like to have to admit to obsession). I honestly don't know when it became an actual need for the comfort of plaid to hold me, but it did become exactly such. I do remember when I was waaaaaaaay back in seventh grade, my best friend and I both snuck our dads old buffalo plaid flannel jackets and started wearing them, or I really should say we started swimming in them to school every day. I remember those old worn jackets reaching our knees, the sleeve cuffs folded up so many times it was as though we were wearing water wings around our arms... but boy, were we the COOLEST!!! We were total idiots! Because my dad was a professional lumberjack turned forestry consultant, he had lots of plaids for us to steal without being found out... even after we were found out, it just got even more fun to dart into the house, grab a couple plaids and be off again in a flash! Oh, those days of awesomeness. My plaid-glad fashion phase was just one I guess I never really grew out of; the only real change was that I somehow went from sneaking them to collecting them..... and now I can't stop. Or, I don't want to stop. Either way, I love plaid and plaid loves me; I know it's true 'cause it never lets me down!

Anyhow, this whole plaid post came about in my mind a few days ago when we were settling the boys into the car for a ride out to our camp. I realized it was a little chillier out than I had first thought and asked Enz to bring me out a heavier plaid than the one I already wore (the shores of Lake Superior are always much cooler than at home) since he was heading back inside to get the cooler.

"Which one do you want?"

"I don't care, whatever one as long as it's a little heavier."

Enz was back out in no time and opened the back-seat door to set the cooler inside before hopping into the driver's seat while passing me my plaid... angrily.

"I feel like I just walked into a MAN'S closet, Gillian!!" He said in annoyed disgust while shooting me a look of complete disbelief.

"What? ... Why?? ... Wait, what the fuck are you even talking about???"

"I'm talking about YOUR fuckin'  closet... THAT'S what the fuck I'm talking about! It's absolutely ridiculous how many plaids you have! Don't you even DARE tell me you ever need another plaid... and I mean EVER!!"

"But I don't have a purple one..."

"I'm serious, Gillian!"

"I was being serious, too... I really don't have a purple one....... so I actually do need more."

"Can't you just do some shopping in the, y'know, women's side of the store??!"

"I'm wearing a sundress right now; pretty certain it DID come from the chick-siiiiiiide..." (I was actually wearing a sundress I made myself but the fabric was girly fabric)

"This is not a joke, Gillian! Who even wears men's plaids over sundresses? I never see that around town... unless it's you... men's plaids or jean jackets, never just the dress like everyone else....."

"I like it. And anyhow, what's the big deal about it now?? My closet stays open and you face it directly it every time you walk out of your closet... why is it even suddenly pissing you off?!"

"I never actually looked in there before to notice but now I saw... No more plaids!!"

"Unless I find different colours I still need."

"No different colours, Gillian!"

"Well, except for purple, though... and maybe navy....."

He was pretty mad so I stopped reasoning then, but I still WILL be looking for purple, and navy, and maybe green... but definitely purple!

After this fun little chat we had a very quiet drive out to camp and the plaids were not mentioned again. Still, it started me wondering about my style, or lack thereof...

I don't think my closet looks like a mans closet...
So what, if every plaid came from the men's department?



I really just don't see a problem here... all I see is comfort!



Top left - Spring and Fall plaids mean who needs a jacket?!!
Top Middle - Plaidly cozy while waiting for my annoying mass of hair to dry!
Top Right - Mix'n'match with a turtleneck for Winter chilliness warmth; seriously, plaids do all!
Bottom - When I'm not wearing plaid, I'm holding plaid!

Sometimes one plaid just isn't enough, so I bundle in two 'cause it doubles the love!

Well, of course I think that because I love plaid my boys also love plaid...

...and even they can't help how handsomely they wear it!

Play plaidly lets me cuddle him on up!



Day is usually excited to wear his plaids but he decided
these plaid rain shoes were a little much and he told me upon refusing
to walk... "That's IT, I'm DONE! I'm finished with your
plaid 'cause I'm going PLAID-MAD!!!"

Turns out maybe plaid wasn't quite all that bad.....

But, plaid is so great, I mean, who could seriously disagree? There is nothing like the comfort of old worn-in plaid. I've never been entirely comfortable in my own self; I've always been too tall, too awkward, too giggly, too... plain. But none of that matters in my plaids. So what, if I'm not tiny, petite perfectness! So what, if I'm not pretty to look at! So what, if I'm a little chubbier than society dictates I be! It's aaaaaaall good..... as long as I'm safe in my plaids.



Plaids are PERFECT for cuddles!



My best conversations happen in or near plaid!

I can't wait to skate back out onto the track,
decked out in our team-plaid of red, white and black!



My boys have plaid beds to keep comfy while dozing...



.....and, I love making plaid quilts to keep us all cozy!

I noticed in this picture, some might have a point... boys both in PLAID, bed of PLAID, curtains of PLAID and two hanging jackets of PLAID (both mine)... all in one tiny frame. Maybe I really do have a plaid problem.....

The outfit I wore on the day of the plaid blow-up conversation which I didn't think was so bad and is, in fact,
one of my favourite outfits; a white cotton with black flowers sundress I made, topped with the
perfect black and white brushed cotton plaid... How can this be wrong??!

Even if I haven't convinced anyone yet that PLAID is the greatest invention ever... I hope these two plaid-clad-bustling-bums might just make you rethink...

I think plaid is not bad, not bad at all! But if plaid is a problem, Plaidzilla I'll be and I'll Plaidzilla along smiling so cheerfully!!!

I want to know... what is YOUR greatest comfort???