She Taught Me Gangnam Style
The older I get, the more I see a resemblance to my umma.
She remains a housewife living the island life. I’m on the other side of the world trying to climb the ladder and stay stylish at the same time. She continues to spend a lot of time shopping, memories I remember so distinctly as a child. Most of the time, I was carried along with her purse to the mall. I can’t count the number of hours we spent in Macy’s dressing rooms, and I wouldn’t take it back. ”
Fashion show!,” we would exclaim before retreating to our closets then returning to the mirror for some afternoon reflection and fun. Where did the time go?
So if you think there’s a reason why I take so many selfies and get shopping-bag happy, blame my mother. Because of my mom, I have an affinity to dress up. While I don’t have a sister, I still get some hand-me-down luxury items and care packages full of beauty goodies. I’ll get asked about a blouse or something and reply, “Oh, my mom got it for me.” Now that I have a paycheck, she gets something in return, too.
Of course, we have our differences. She prefers separates and a more conservative look. She’s more an Ann Taylor; I’m a Kate Spade perhaps. Maybe it comes with age, although I don’t know when I’ll give up the flips-flops, sleeveless and maxi dresses. But she can still hold her own with the trends.
The blogger and her mother (Ko Im/DC on Heels)
Case in point — one time we were meeting another mother-daughter duo for lunch and got dressed separately. The camera
went snap and upon looking at the screen, we laughed at how our outfits turned out to be so similar (see right). I guess the apple didn’t fall far from the clothes hangar — both of us embellished by metallic tops with puff sleeves and dark, wide-legged pants. It’s too bad I can’t borrow everything because for some reason, I’m still an inch shorter yet wear a half-size bigger shoe.
Even today, much of our exchange revolves around shopping and clothes. Maybe it sounds materialistic, but I love it. They say style can’t be bought, so thanks Mom for the shopping gene!
This Mother’s Day, here’s a collage tribute — an outfit made for mom put together via Polyvore. I think she’d like the neutrals and the BB cream. Even though you don’t speak English fluently, you helped me with my Spanish flashcards as well as picked out my prom dresses. She’s a classy looking woman for life. Let’s just say, thank goodness she’s not adept as technology as she is whipping out a credit card. Online shopping, anyone?
An outfit made for mom (Ko Im/Polyvore)
Fashion Editor Ko Im dreamed of becoming a designer as a child, but ended up becoming a broadcast journalist. In her free time, the island girl-turned-two-time Ivy Leaguer loves wearing sundresses and finding quality items at bargain prices
