Very Superstitious

Image by Sequoya

You know that old saying, "Well he puts his pants on one leg at at time, just like everyone else." but I wonder if that is true. While on the treadmill today, I was listening to Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" (great song), and it got me thinking; do you have any dressing superstitions? It may not be a superstition per se, but it may be a system that without adherence, you are thrown off all day.

When I first thought about it, it seemed to me that I didn't have any, but they are just not so obvious in their existence. If I start the day getting out on the wrong side of the bed, things just don't feel quite right. I don't have a set morning routine in terms of the times and order in which things get done, however idyllic that can be. Given that my day can start at 5.30 a.m with a poke in the eye and a request for immediate pancakes by Miss Four, I have to try and stay on my toes. So what are some of the little quirks that make that happen?

I've noticed that when I brush my hair, I always start on the left, I wonder what would happen if I took a walk on the wild side and started on the right? I always get dressed before I do my makeup. I don't know if this is a superstition, but I have to get the feel for an outfit before I can decide on the details of the makeup. On the odd occasion that I have applied it first, (even if it is fine) I still feels wrong for the rest of the day. Even the way I put my makeup on has a specific order, and I always, always put my lipstick on last. Those few times something has been out of order I forget something critical, and end up spending the day without mascara wondering what the hell is wrong, before realising hours later. But I think these are more quirks than supersitions.

When I looked further into dressing related superstitions (mostly found in the theatre), I've discovered that my way of doing things is the antithesis of these. Here's some of the traditions I've uncovered.

It's unlucky to wear blue - Well, as you know blue is my new favorite colour. So much so that I have just painted my entire bedroom peacock blue.
Three candles on the dressing table is considered to be unlucky - Well, I always straighten the three candles on my vanity so they are arranged just so.
It's unlucky to carry a makeup box like an amature actress - I always carry my own makeup box. I'm worried that the artist won't have just the right shade of pale for my foundation or red for my lips. Prepared and pedantic.
Peacock Feathers are very unlucky anywhere indoors - In the absence of my taxidermy peacock, I've put in an order for a very large sheaf of feathers for the bedroom.
Whistling is extremely unlucky in the dressing room and means that someone will soon be out of work - Whistling, singing in the shower, even a little iambic pentameter can all be heard in my dressing room.

While it seems I flout many a superstition, it seems that without my rituals I am lost. So long as I had my little rituals, I am sure I'd be right at home living in a Bedouin tent on a camel train. I'd just better make sure I get off the right side of the camel.