How often do you get all dolled up just for yourself because it makes you happy?

I am trying to imagine myself locating a cocktail dress or evening gown (I haven’t owed one in 20 years), donning it, putting on my gems (having trouble finding them too), my best shoes ($120 Sauconeys) and full make-up in order to stay home and watch TV…alone. There’s a sit com in that.

When I shave and get a haircut. I’m in a bit of a weird place now. I just shaved my head with a #4. My beard on the other-hand is glorious and a hell of a lot longer than the hair on my head.

It’s been a while since I put on a cocktail dress to just hang around the house.

getting “dolled up” doesn’t make me happy. so…..never.
when it comes to what makes me happy? clean and comfy!

Twice a week

I’ve done it, but not so many times that I could actually count. Typically, it happens when I’m bored or wanting to try a bolder look that I’m too scared to actually wear out of the house. I’ll also attempt to do my hair for the hell of it, since I never tend to do anything with it at all.

That said, if it makes someone feel good, I don’t see anything wrong with doing it. Who says dress up is just for little kids?

I think I know why you’re asking this.

I don’t put on anything other than “house clothes” unless I’m leaving the house. For sitting around the house or doing stuff in the house, I will never wear “street clothes,” jewelry, or any shoe other than maybe slippers or socks. I only wear makeup when I leave the house.

Never.

When I was younger I did once in a while. Trying new make-up colors that sort of thing.

Hey, @DrasticDreamer is here! Hi there.

The closest I get to that is when I slip on a cotton maxi dress to henna my hair or try on a new dress as I’m sewing it.

I haven’t owned evening attire of the normal sort since I was 19.

Never, but I thought about getting into it.
What sort of lipstick do you use?

for myself? never because getting dolled up is my job, and it’s a pain in the arse.

“If dolling and dressing to the 9s up is just for sake it makes you feel good or your own personal happiness, why not do it more often?”

Because the argument “I do it for myself” doesn’t translate to “I do it by myself”. Most people enjoy looking good when there’s someone there do see it.

I don’t even own a cocktail dress and pearls.

Also, what @longgone said.

Never. Not one single time. How about you @Hypocrisy_Central? How often do you lounge around the house in a suit and tie with some snazzy cuff links, a smart tie clip, fancy socks with garters, maybe a pocket watch, top hat, monocle, and drenched in Aqua Velva?

I always have a good reason to get dolled up and my wife is one of the best reasons.

We did it as kids, as did my kids. We called it “dress-up” and we had the “dress-up” box, my mother’s make-up tray and the loan of her high-heeled shoes, if we promised not to fall while wearing them and break our ankles.

My dolled up happens by accident most of the time these days. haha
I’m the type that the harder I try the less it works, but, then…on a random Tuesday, with virtually no effort, I realize I look pretty damn good.
This happened last Tues.

Since it was a random event, woke up without my usual allergy puffiness, felt good, just tossed on a skirt, top, some fun jewelry and a pair of boots and viola….hit the jackpot. lol
Sooo…I took full advantage, stopped by a biz. to meet with the owner that I had been having some email correspondence with, made a good impression ( of course it’s my sparkling personality that dolls me up best…lol )
Really….what makes all the difference is feeling good from the inside out, not the other way around.
The external is always a manifestation of the internal and one must be dolled up on the inside first. :-)

Almost never anymore—no reason to—but I smiled when I saw the words “dolled up.” It was one of my mom’s favorite expressions and I hadn’t heard it in years.

@Coloma: The OP was asking how often you get dolled up to just stay home, not to go out.

@jca

Oh…well…basic answer is still, the same, it’s accidental, either/or. lol

To stay home? Never. At home I am usually in shorts and a tee-shirt, often unshaven and, occasionally, not showered.

Pajamas and nudity make me happy. I only make myself attractive when I have to go somewhere.

@zenvelo It’s been a while since I put on a cocktail dress to just hang around the house.
I am sure you have a tux, or some very nice ”go-to-the-funeral” suit, with tie, cufflinks, pocket hankie, wingtips, etc. when have you lounged around in that type of stuff?

@longgone Most people enjoy looking good when there’s someone there do see it.
Why? There are friends I know who like to play music, they are nowhere near professionals but when they do get together and jam they don’t care if they are playing to the TV set and there are no other people around to hear it; they do it just for the joy of playing for themselves. Why would you need someone else to see it to get enjoyment out of it or better enjoyment, elucidate?

@FlyingWolf How often do you lounge around the house in a suit and tie with some snazzy cuff links, a smart tie clip, fancy socks with garters, maybe a pocket watch, top hat, monocle, and drenched in Aqua Velva?
I am not afraid to be honest; I never do. I only dress in a smart suit when I have to for a function, to fit the part of the group I am with, or to make an impression. If there is no one around, why go through the trouble; a smart suit is not comfortable anyhow?

@Cruiser I always have a good reason to get dolled up and my wife is one of the best reasons.
I second that, because you do it for her 1st, you are certainly doing for you. The video sums it up quite nice.

@AshLeigh Pajamas and nudity make me happy. I only make myself attractive when I have to go somewhere.
Thank you for a straight forward honest answer :-D

“Why would you need someone else to see it to get enjoyment out of it?”

Well, are you looking good if no-one’s looking? If a tree falls and no-one hears it, does it make a sound?

I don’t know. I’m just giving you my opinion :]

Well, are you looking good if no-one’s looking?
Why would it or should it be any less enjoyable just because only you and maybe the cat sees it? Just wondering how the enjoyment changes.

@Hypocrisy_Central, you can always count on me to be straight forward about laziness. XD

@Hypocrisy_Central I haven’t worn a tux since I got married; that was such a mistake I’ve not been inclined to replicate it.

And getting all dressed up in a suit and tie isn’t comfortable. Getting “all dolled up” doesn’t make me happy.

Whenever I go out. But if I’m staying home,hardly ever. I don’t wear a lot of make-up. I find as you get older, make-up can actually make you look older. But I do like to pull up my hair and do different things with it on a daily basis.

As for getting dressed nicely and putting on makeup and fixing my hair. I like to do that anytime I go out. But I think it has more to do with not wanting to appear unkept. As for doing the whole 9 yards, I probably only do that twice a year for some special events. But it is too much trouble to do it just for kicks. I love dresses, but hate stockings and really pretty fancy shoes are never made for comfort. The prettier the shoe the more it probably is going to hurt your feet.

@Hypocrisy_Central could it be considered somewhat misogynistic that you would assume that women do something that you (as a man) would never even consider? I mean why would you assume that women care more about being “dolled up” than being comfortable even when we are alone?

@FlyingWolf […could it be considered somewhat misogynistic that you would assume that women do something that you (as a man) would never even consider?
No, there are many things a woman would do that I would never consider doing.

I mean why would you assume that women care more about being “dolled up” than being comfortable even when we are alone?
I am not trying to assume anything, which is why I am asking. It is not that I am asking if a woman will get dolled up over comfort, as is to be uncomfortable while alone. I have never heard a man tell me that they dress to the 9s just because it makes them happy. They dress to impress. Men I have met who were into all the designer garb did so to outshine other men they were around, to say ”I am better than you”, and/or stand out to the females over those they are saying they are better than. None has ever said they put on their finest just because they do it for them because it brings them joy or happiness. If women toss that out, I want to see how genuine it is, would they go through all that trouble, getting their hair and nails done, putting on their finest gown or dress, evening makeup, etc. if there were no place they were going to use it at, no function to attend, or no one else to see It, they are going to be home alone; hence, just because it makes them happy to do it, not for any other reason.

Hey…feeling good about oneself is nothing to be ashamed of. I am going out today to buy a few new summery things and ramp up my appearance so I feel GOOD after the winter frumpy scene. haha
It is going for 80 degrees today and mid-week and I need some new springy items.
Need…not want, but nothing wrong with wanting either.

I have a lot of skirts that need summer top offs.
One does not have to be overly concerned with being all dolled up to still enjoy feeling good about how they look, to themselves and others.
One can be comfortable and still look really nice at the same time, these factors are not mutually exclusive, they can be inclusive.

“Why would it or should it be any less enjoyable just because only you and maybe the cat sees it?”

Because being looked at is part of the fun. Can’t you relate to that? There must be something you enjoy doing in front of others. I don’t dress up much. I like writing, though, and I also like people saying I write well. Part of the fun.

Getting dolled up isn’t fun. For me, the clothes are uncomfortable. I don’t feel good when I get dolled up, so I don’t do it for fun.

For me, my “fun” clothes at home are my pajama pants and loose top. I’m happy in those.

When I was younger, I used to put on pretty lingerie under my hoodie and jeans. Not for anyone else to see. I just liked being secretly dressed up.

I would also dress up on laundry days when I had run out of tee shirts and jeans. Kind of fun doing laundry while wearing some crazy 80’s prom dress.
(I used to sell vintage clothes on eBay.)

Nowadays, it’s mostly playing dress-up with my four-year-old. Last week I let her give me a makeover. Haircut, make-up, nail polish and a dress.
It was probably a good thing that I stayed at home!

@fluthernutter You let your four year old give you a haircut? I’d like to see pics of that!