Is this special to our family, or is there just something about mothers wanting to interfere in how their children dress?
I have always had a predilection for a somewhat gothic style, ever since I was young (and picked up the predilection for the music as soon as I had access to it, which was significantly later). This was largely suppressed at my mother's insistence for a long time, in her ever-present hope that I'd grow out of "that all-black phase." Seeing as that didn't work, I have of course updated my wardrobe to the dark tones and styles that I prefer, and donated much of what I used to wear.
This, for some reason, drives my mother absolutely nuts. She seems to have taken it upon herself to teach me how to "dress properly," and is somehow entirely convinced that I'll never get anywhere because of the massive bad effects of my clothing. It gets quite silly at times. For one, she seems to be convinced that my tastes in clothing mean I have no idea how to dress in different situations. One time, she saw an outfit I had on to visit a friend from college while I was in the area - striped tights, a flared purple skirt, black top, and black cloak. This immediately launched into a lecture about how I couldn't wear clothes like that to work and expect to keep a job. She also seems to be terribly afraid that any clothing that "stands out" at all will lead to employment problems, despite my being in a field where the dress code lecture we got was "please refrain from wearing anything with stains or noticeable holes in it."
I could go on with the stories. What amuses and slightly irritates me is the constant advice on my clothing. As though in my mid-20's I still had no idea how to put together an appropriate outfit. Or alternately, as though this is some remnant of childish rebellion, that really should have been outgrown a while ago. We've pretty much gotten to the point where I ignore her whenever she starts up on it - engaging and trying to explain just provokes more outlandish responses, along with the firm certainty that I cannot possibly know the actual responses my clothing will get. It's probably handled as well as it could be, but...aaaaargh mothers!