I'm so sorry for you, Anika, trying to stuff the spirit of Pippi Longstocking into cross-trainers and black pants "of a polyester and cotton blend." UGH! What a perverse assignment! But this is a costume you're assembling for a character life's calling on you to play-act at this point in your life.

I've been there. I can inter-act with these college Provosts and Presidents when I put the right costume & get into the right character--then go home and "wash the greasepaint off."

You can do this, dear Anika. YOU will always be the essential you under it all.

Roadie