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Monday, November 4, 2013

Why I won't be doing Frocktober again





It’s a bit of a negative title that one. A bit anti-fun, a bit anti-do-er.

I took on the challenge of Frocktober knowing that I would find the task of wearing a dress for 31 days a, well, a challenge. I also decided to do it because I like showing my girls how they can take part in community events in so many ways.  It is a fundraising cause that does not include me giving up anything, going anywhere, running or adventure sport of some kind. The cause is also important to me, cancer of any lady bits could affect me, my daughters or their daughters, working towards cures to such things is worth it. Without the work and the effort of people today we don’t make any progress.


There were many days that I just didn’t want to wear a dress. Some days I considered just flinging on a pair of tracksuit pants and hiding inside all day. The only reason I didn’t was because at each of those moments I told myself that the women with ovarian cancer, they don’t get to take a day off. They have to fight the disease every minute of every day. All I had to do was throw on a dress.

And that is the problem.

Melbourne is still cold in October. There were few days when I was free of leggings or tights and cardigans. The number of dresses that suit cold weather in my wardrobe is less than a handful. I had to wear the same outfits over and over. Sometimes I felt really over dressed, other times I felt like Punky Brewster with odd cardigans that didn’t match my dress or wearing leggings with dresses that usually wouldn’t be teamed together.




I tired of thinking about dresses. But I learnt quite a bit about the frock. I learnt that most females have quite distinct feelings about dresses, many will say ‘I don’t wear dresses’ as though the humble dress is something to stay well away from. Others love the pretty or the vintage, some love the well cut styled suit, some love a floral pattern others like bold block colours. For many people dresses are so much more than just a piece of fabric.

If you live in a hotter climate than you should certainly give Frocktober a go. If you are looking to take part in a challenge that you can do no matter what, even when you are tiring of the challenge, than Frocktober is certainly for you. If working towards a cure for cancer is important to you than you should get on board or if you haven’t given it a go before I suggest you stock up on dresses through the year and be prepared for next October. You will learn more about yourself than you expect.





20 comments:

  1. You are so inspiring and I took my hat - if I was wearing one- off to you for completing this challenge. A flannelette nightie would kind of count as a dress. You looked beautiful on the days I checked in.

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    1. Flannel dresses need to get in fashion for Melbourne Frocktober people!

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  2. I should do Frockober, I love wearing dresses! But it is a little cold in October.

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  3. your report is more what mine would be if i was up for the challenge - would have been repeats and odd combos - i was in awe of those posting awesome outfits every day - i don't own THAT many dresses lol

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  4. I take my imaginary cup day hat off to you Claire - I have 2 dresses in my entire wardrobe and one is my wedding dress that I will probably never fit in to again! But considering I live on the Gold Coast and the weather is lovely in October, maybe next year I'll give it a go, it will sure turn a few heads that's for sure, my husband might even enjoy seeing me be a little more feminine! Em :)
    #teamIBOT

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  5. I was thinking of frocktober next year but like you I would have limited wardrobe choices.....so I think I am going to do Liptember next September- lipstick every day for a month? I can rock that xxx

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  6. I'm thinking of doing it next year but will be tricky on the days I work as a plumber... Would make for some good blogposts I guess...

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  7. You did it that's what matters.

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  8. Wow I'm impressed! It was been a pretty cold Melbourne month and I can't imagine how it must have been wearing a dress on some of those days! Good on you! :-) Lucy from Bake Play Smile

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  9. wow! A whole month (and a 31-day month at that) wearing dresses would be tough. Good on you for doing it for charity. I love wearing a dress but only have about 5 in my wardrobe. That would get super boring. I have heaps more skirts though so could manage that.

    I used to work a four day week and so would trousers on 2 days and a skirt / dress on the other 2. My life is governed by silly rules like that.

    Hope you raised lots of money.

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    1. I did allow skirts Jess, I just don't have enough options without the odd skirt here and there. I also didn't raise much money as I was doing this one more to share information about ovarian cancer, and also to teach my daughter about the idea of fundraising, as she loves dresses right now, it was super fun for her, she did really easy!

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  10. Claire, I think you did fabulously, especially in the cold weather! I loved seeing everyone's dresses on IG, and think I will definitely have to do this next year. Good on you for inspiring your daughter too.

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  11. Good for you on getting involved! Whilst I support getting a cure for cancer, this is not the fundraising activity for me. I think i have about 10 dresses in the wardrobe!

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  12. Well done on doing it - I would struggle too.

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  13. Great cause and well done on getting involved. Yes, I too would struggle with dresses - I probably have 4 that fit and would be appropriate for wearing on "regular" days.

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  14. Claire, I take my hat off to you! Well done. And you look mighty fine in a frock, as does your gorgeous girl. I really wanted to do it this year but didn't due to lack of organisation. So let it be known here, that I will absolutely do it next year, OK!? It would be so easy to just contribute financially but I love that this is harder (it would be for me to find and wear a dress every day for 30 days!) but not nearly as hard as what cancer victims have to go through on a daily basis. Mel x

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  15. It is definitely something I would enjoy doing - I had never heard about this before! Although I feel I would be more successful at 'Movember' than 'Frocktober' - it'd be way easier for me to let go of myself and grow my moustache in than to wear a frock each day! So kudos to you!

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  16. Well it sounds like you did a great job! I wear dresses once or twice a week, but I think I'd have to seriously stock up to do Frocktober. You never know. Let's see what next year brings.

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  17. I think blogger ate my comment!
    Anyone good on yo for doing it. I fit the warm weather requirement, but most of my dresses are very dressy, and I only have about two other ones I could wear, so I would fail dismally I feel!

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  18. I had no idea what Frocktober was until it was half way through. I can totally get why it's hard to do - I'm just not sure I'd have enough frocks to get me though 31 days. I fabulous cause though and well done you for giving it a go xx

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