fashion in the field

Last weekend I was invited to attend the Happy Valley Fiddlers' Convention which takes place in a cow field- nope, I'm not lying. And it's not so much that a cow field is so unusual to me, I live in NC and I went to a high school where tractors were considered "first cars" and cow patty bingo was an actual fund-raising activity. Just wrap your mind around that for a second. If the cow relieves himself in your square, you are the winner... Anyway I truly loved my high school and the memories made there, but as I have gotten older I realized my heart has always belonged to the city. Nothing makes me happier than being immersed in the hustle and bustle beneath towering sky scrapers. And oh how I am deeply in love with fashion! I dream in Dior and believe that Coco Chanel is the 8th wonder of the world. The Devil Wears Prada is not only one of my favorite movies because Meryl Streep is so Haute in it, but because the clothes are just as much a character in the film as well.

 This being said, you can imagine my skepticism to attending a function where hay would be one of the main attractions. Immediately I allowed every stereotype to enter my mind. I was about to embark on a journey of hee-haw proportions.Would there be out-houses? Would there be full sets of teeth? As we approached the venue I whispered to my partner- "Don't let them know we're gay because rope doesn't look good on anyone." Normally when attending functions I embrace bow ties and dress shirts, however, I decided on my most inconspicuous A&F ensemble of a t-shirt and cargo shorts. Besides, I've never seen Tim Gunn wearing overalls so I wasn't about to. I did wear a toboggan to complete the look because accessories are what tie an outfit together. 

Alas, I could have been wearing a paper bag for all anyone cared because the focus of that function was one of pure harmony amongst the musicians as well as the attendees.It was an atmosphere where surprisingly there were all walks of life and economic statuses- we weren't even the only gays there! And while there was plenty of hay, tractors and overalls, there were also port-a-johns with antibacterial soap, full sets of teeth, food from hotdogs to prime-rib, and most importantly, friendliness. We were embraced by those around us who even held our hands as we participated in the cake walk and square dancing. We took a hayride along the river, and I even hung out with a band backstage.

 And although this Eva Gabor has no desire to go all Green Acres, it was definitely an experience that left me feeling richer. My heart still beats for the city, but there is a small piece of my soul at the base of a mountain in a cow field.