Sunday, February 18, 2007

Single Girl On A Saturday Night: The Ugly Sweater Party

As you know, I like to pirate ideas from fellow bloggers and today's post is no exception! The "Single Girl On A Saturday Night" is a regular feature on Amy's blog. And yes, I do realize it's Sunday already.

Last night my sister Kirsten and I went to an Ugly Sweater Party.

We spent a small chunk of time (quite possibly 60 minutes in total) at three different second-hand stores in a quest to find the ugliest of the ugly to wear.

We found a strong contender at our first stop - a flowered synthetic thingy. And best of all, there were 6 identical sweaters so Kirsten and I could do the "twin thing" which we haven't done since university (probably because we're not actually twins). Unfortunately, the sweaters were $12 each (a bit pricey for second-hand even if they were Tommy Hilfiger and still had the price tags on.) I tried my best to wheel-and-deal offering to take both for $10 total. The shop keeper disappeared out back for a minute and returned to announce that $7 each was as low as she could go and still make money. So we pulled the old "we'll think about it" routine.

Two shops later, we'd found something suitable (in ugliness and in price). My pick was a retina-burning blue and baby diarrhea green striped pullover with smaller lines of mustard yellow thrown in. My sister literally stumbled upon a low cut greenish blueish knit sweater that tied at the elbows, and resembled something a bar wench would have sported back in the 1700's...

We were able to take our time getting ready (a rarity with the kids). Kirsten assisted with my hair which she hasn't done since university (I didn't know it could defy gravity like that). And I didn't even get burned by the curling iron.

My sis even offered to do my makeup too but I'm still scared from when she did a practise run through of my makeup for my wedding 10 years ago - she wanted to achieve a "different" color and opted to add a touch of eyeshadow to the gloss. My lips ended up stained black and goopy. So, I maned the makeup brushes myself. Not that I'm completely hopeless and don't know what I'm doing or anything.

People put some great thought into their sweaters! One guy (who shall remain nameless) wore a black women's sweater, complete with beading and baubles and sequins on the front. Funny part is, he pulled it off, and looked radiant. I never thought I'd say that about a man. The host (a lanky 6"3+ guy) sported a women's cream cashmere belted cardian which made him look like a pimp, albeit, a very soft one.

It was a great time. And gave everyone a great opening line - "That's one ugly sweater!"

I ended up becoming quite attached to my sweater which I was alble to pull off with a sunny yellow collared polo shirt and jeans. In fact, I got lots of compliments.

I guess ugly really is in the eye of the beholder.

6 comments:

Amy said...

Oh my, on your very first Single Girl On a Saturday Night post you managed to leave the house. I have not yet done that on mine. Your life is so much more exciting than mine.

Sean said...

i need to get out more. i never knew such parties existed.

Eddy said...

The image of your party reminds me of the parties my parents used to throw in the '70s, with us kids sitting at the top of the stairs in our pyjamas watching when we should have been in bed. The 1970s, the decade that taste forgot! (Or should that be the '80s?)

Erika said...

Amy: Yes, yes it is ;)

Sean: You should try throwing one! It's the most fun you'll have with [ugly] clothes on.

James: My parents threw the same parties except my sister and I would come downstairs and dance with the adults! I'm inclines to think it should be the 80's. Neon, legwarms, puffy hair - it was not kind.

Kirsten Sampson said...

Only you could pull off that ugly sweater and make it look fashionable. You've got to let that makeup thing go. Please, all I'm asking for is a chance to redeem myself.

Erika said...

Ok...but only because you're my sister. PS - nice pic!