Bad Raps

To take an interest in the upkeep of your appearance, particularly if you’re a woman, is not only entirely normal but also a result of both anthropological predispositions and socio-cultural stigmas. To go beyond the norm may be seen as being “vain,” or having an extraordinary and inflated involvement with one’s perceived beauty. Here at www.morevanities.com we feel a need to defend the vanity from the negative connotation it may take on with the origin of its name.

A vanity could be seen as a woman’s grooming table that took a wrong turn somewhere when acquiring a simple and distinctive name, unknowingly taking on a “bad rap” by suggesting the owner has a fixation with her beauty. I’m sure we can all agree, however, that being considered vain is a misnomer much more easily worked through than being known as a killer.

The “killer whale” is the most inaptly named animal on the planet. If this was even remotely not the case I, in fact, would most likely be a victim as I have been fortunate enough to dive with these magnificent creatures on two occasions. “Killer” is about as bad a rap as you could suffer. Orca whales are no more killer than the seals that are their dish of choice. Every carnivorous mammal kills to eat. Yes, we grew up on the coast and we’re all aware it’s the large, dark and fearsome nature of their appearance that earned them the nickname, but that doesn’t make it any less sensible. They are not the wanton, indiscriminate sea slayers their name suggests.

Nor is a vanity a bedroom fixture exclusive to the private quarters of the self-absorbed. These classic bedroom pieces are commonly a tasteful mix of function and style and often feature a large mirror for commonplace tasks like brushing and styling your hair and modeling accessories. The name may suggest that the seated person is pre-occupied for the entirety of their stay with primping and preening, but in reality the majority will be going through ordinary and obligatory actions like those mentioned previously. Quite simply, there’s nothing “vain” about making oneself presentable for the day and having an attractive station at which to do so doesn’t preclude a woman’s being too wrapped up in herself.

The fact that your routinely style and groom yourself at an attractive bedroom fixture like the Powell Nostalgic Oak Armoire Bedroom Vanity isn’t going to necessarily lead to others thinking you’re a little too high on your looks. Your teenage daughter’s learning the ins and outs of makeup at a Lea Katie’s Place Vanity isn’t going to see her labeled as a prima donna.

While no orca has ever been a “killer” to the extent where it could even remotely warrant the name, I’m sure there’s been more than a few overly self-absorbed women (and men perhaps) sitting at vanities over the centuries. Nonetheless, I’m still not sure it justifies being labeled so context-dubiously. Pieces like a Powell Black Antique Vanity with Mirror often complement the style and function of a bedroom so well that it’s tough to see them with the negative connotation the word vanity entails.

What’s done is done I suppose. Perhaps we should consider ourselves fortunate the mirror didn’t come to be referred to as a “narcissist glass.” We’d all be guilty of being in love with ourselves then, wouldn’t we? What I will say is this; each and every one of us, men and women alike, can appreciate the value of good grooming and accordingly I say let it remain a vanity.