September 2008

I have nothing to wear

I have nothing to wear. Seriously. It's my birthday and quite appropriately, my only option is my birthday suit. Or maybe not. In less than 24 hours, this single mum is going to enjoy the rare occasion of dinner and drinks with a wonderful group of people and I'm leaving it in the hands of my capable stylist (read 'friend whom I am borrowing half a wardrobe from') to come to my rescue. You've been there too, haven't you?

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I could blame it on the fact that I have had a child and my body shape has changed. Or that I now eat (read 'indulge'). Yes, food and I are well acquainted friends. Or perhaps it's the muscle that has grown from my gym sessions where half-way through my 10km Olympian-qualifying cycle, I realise it will take me years to obtain those "So You Think You Can Dance" legs. Yet this doesn't stop me from hoping that in 4 months, my bikini-clad body will be running down the beach, hearing someone yell "look at you girl, you're on the HOT TOMALI train!!!!"

My body shape has changed. I have put on a couple of kilos. But damn, I am more healthy and happy than my former self. No longer am I suffering an eating disorder as a result of domestic violence. No more am I eating food my body is intolerant to. No longer is my self esteem crushed into a thousand broken pieces. I have learnt to love my own skin and live - really live - in it. And in doing so, I am cooking up a storm!

The other contributing factor to my cry for Trinny and Susannah to drop in and take me for a shopping spree, is that recently I went through my wardrobe, minus any emotional attachment, and took out 80% of what I had. Ditto for my daughter's fine array of princess garments. We then bagged it up, along with toys and books, and donated it to a women's refuge.

These are the women and children who really do have nothing to wear. Who turn up, sans shoes, toys, nappies, food and money, just to be in a safe place - a haven - where material items don't matter, but their safety and survival does. In months to come, these same women have to reintegrate into society and find work. Have you ever found yourself before a meeting or job interview, declaring "I have nothing to wear!"? Let's get a grip - these women truly don't.

It's time for your spring clean, girls. Bag up last year's suit that doesn't fit or that scarf that you feel won't be "in" next season. Then drop me a line. You'll feel so much better knowing that your once-treasured garments will be helping to build another woman's self esteem - and perhaps her career.

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Rachel Kayrooz Founder & CEO, Shout! Speak Out w www.shoutspeakout.org