The right note.

So I went on a date last night, which is not the point of this story, but nice.  It was a good date.  Which is also nice.

Restored steam locomotives left unattended in the wee small hours of a fine spring night are a good place to kiss someone.  Make a note.

Anyway, in order to go on a date you have to get dressed for a date, which is a challenging thing.  Attractive but not overt,  appealing but not too sexy, like you made an effort, but not TOO much of an effort.  And for me - no heels, as I have a tendency to trip if I turn out to be attracted to someone.  Injury is not a good outcome. (Alternatively I will drop my keys, spill the wine or similar.)

I know some people just wear whatever, but I dunno.  I think its nice to show up like this is something you're really there for.   I realize that optimism in the face of dating is counter to the prevailing ethos, but I say dudes, if you haven't got the balls to hope for it, you ain't never going to find it.  Whatever your it is.  And for me showing up un-groomed is going in with LOW expectations.

So I worked out some variation on my normal theme of basic black with some stuff.
Wrap dress.  Mohair shawl made by a freind.  Nice earrings (one of which I lost, dammit.  Maybe the etsy lady can make me another?).  Chunky ring.  Ridiculously expensive suede bag I bought literally under the influence (never shop with a label conscious friend after three cocktails.  Tip from me) about 6 years ago and still love. 

And these great flat-heeled knee high, unlined black suede boots I bought over the winter.  Now, I've worn them before, to walk around the city, to go to dinner - very comfortable.  But always with black tights.  Last night - as it is April - I did not wear tights.  I wore legs.

I was out for oh, 6 or 7 hours. And I came home and took off my boots and checked my email and took off my jewelry and sat down.

And happened to notice something. 

My legs were black from the knee to the ankle. Like, ink-black.  Squid ink black.  Crocked, by gum.  My boots are crocked.

I forgot to take a picture (It was two am, when I thought of you it was already too late.  Forgive me.) but when I get home tonight I will show you the formerly white towel I scrubbed down with.

If it were yarn I could try rinsing, and a setting agent.  But suede? 

I'm at a loss.

 

Comments

[wryly]

So - - did you lose the earring before, during or after kissing on the unattended, restored locomotive during the wee small hours of a fine spring night?

Glad to hear you had a good date. Pity about the boots. Loved the "I wore legs" line, too.

[Dr. Steph]

My boots do this too (also black suede). Friend at the shoe repair has no solutions. I do advocate socks in boots to save said boots from premature wear (foot juices and all that) and to keep your legs white. I still get a black gand at the calf though.

[Laurie]

Oh yes I can't imagine if the unveiling of the legs had been public. Just wear knee highs, or the leggings or stockings or whatever.

[Helen]

Oops. Well at least you were on your own... :-) I've had this with shoes before...black feet, nice, and the only thing I could do was wear tights or black socks, the dye still came out but at least it's not on your skin. I think wearing them against bare skin makes you sweat more which REALLY fetches out the dye. Well, I sweat more, I'm sure you would never do such an unladylike thing. :-) Maybe talk to a shoe repair place, see if there's something they can put on the suede?

[charlizeen]

As usual, you described exactly how I feel about getting ready for a date. I don't know how, but you manage the perfect descriptions every time. Brava!

[Rose]

I've had some dark blue jeans that did that to me. No advice, but glad the date was good!

[lizbon]

I had the same problem recently with a feather boa. Not on a date. I haven't been on a date in months. But - dark blue neck plus smudges on face from where the ink had stained my hands and I'd rubbed my nose.

I bet you looked great, though. Wrap dress is the perfect thing for a date.

[Manise]

I agree with Erin. That would have been...... interesting. Sounds like you had fun :-)

[Kate]

Hahaha, yikes. Yay for dates! But, man, those boots? Maybe investigate knee-highs or something?

[cari]

Good thing it wasn't the third date. That might have been awkward.

[elizabeth]

The same thing has happened to me! I agree with PumpkinMama - at least you were alone when you made the discovery!

[claudia]

You got me. If the boots fit you loosely enough, I might consider trying to line them with something. Otherwise, black tights over the legs, not legs only.

[Jennie]

This reminded me of a date where I was wearing my French blue FMPs (in the days when I could wear FMPs and actually walk), and stepped down from a curb, and... snap. Broke the freakin' heel.

I guess it's a good date if you have to buy new shoes halfway through.

Sorry about your legs!

(Sweater update? )

[Michelle]

Man, that always happens to me. You'd think I'd have learned by now how to make it right, but I simply accept that it happened and will continue to happen for as long as I own the pair of offending footwear. Not that that's a metaphor for my life in general, you understand.

[Jackie]

Good thing you weren't taking off your boots in front of your date... ;)

I have a pair of dark blue jeans that turn my legs blue. Blue like it looks like my circulation's been cut off. I keep thinking that with each wash, it will stop, but it doesn't. A shame, because I really do love the jeans...

[Jessica]

I suppose suede and vinegar don't mix, eh.

[Abby Franquemont]

Well, on the bright side, I guess, you didn't discover your legs had been crocked upon in the COURSE of your date. Ahem. Oh, everyone else already beat me to it.

Seriously, that's just not right. You have to do similar things with dyed leather, but I don't have a clue how you'd do that with suede that is already boots.

[nipper jenn]

"I wore legs."

Fantastic. Every now and then your turns of phrase remind me exactly why I love you.

Sorry about your boots, lady. That sucks. Hopefully someone has some suggestions for you.

[Jocelyn]

Black legs, how goth! Maybe with the right guy...? I'm glad the date went well, though (or at least, kissing on a steam train sounds like it went well!). I'm assuming there was no wine spillage (for me it's always spaghetti sauce on the bosom; not classy)?

[Marin]

My, you were out late for a school night!

I'm inordinately pleased with your (seemingly) happy dating situation. Yay, you!

And I've duly taken note of the locomotive thing. That may come in handy...

[PICAdrienne]

Make a note, do not wear those boots when a date could get intimate. I think socks are your best defense.

[Grace]

oh my! At least you didn't take the boots off while you were with the date.
I'm sorry that I can't help you with solving the problem of the color coming off. Would knee-highs under the boots partly solve the problem? I'd hate for the dye to come off on a pair of handknitted socks. Yikes!

[PumpkinMama]

Sounds like its a good thing the date didn't lead to the removal of said boots. That would be worse than tripping or spilling wine, I think.