Sitting outside at Salty Cowboy waiting for a table. Neck scarf, belt, leather-like jacket.
My incessant curiosity about fashion helps keep me vibrant.
I’ve never been a true fashionista, as I refuse to wear certain clothes and styles just because they’re “in.”
I’m more into dressing nicely or whatever you call “put together.” I like to dress for the occasion and I like to buy a few new pieces every season to be “in style.” Just two seasons for me though – fall/winter and spring/summer. Budgetary reasons. Oh, and before I forget, my favorite accessories are belts and neck scarves.
All of this helps me feel vibrant.
Waiting at IND airport with Jeff and grandson. In my favorite orange Superga sneakers. Still wear them today and they’re 4 years old.
When I travel, I like to feel comfortable, yet stylish. I also splurge and buy the current InStyle magazine. Just to see what’s “in.” But mainly to get ideas for how to put together new ensembles or combos with what I already have. “Oh yeah! I could wear that tan belt with that striped top and my ankle jeans! Why didn’t I think of that before?!” Inspiration without spending a dollar. Well, ten dollars for that dastardly expensive magazine.
My curiosity about fashion goes farther than clothes and accessories though. Books, movies and documentaries make the list.
Books.
Just a few of my favorite fashion-related books.
I want to highlight the top book, I’ll Drink to That – A Life in Style, with a Twist, by Betty Halbreich with Rebecca Paley. Betty was a personal shopper/stylist for 40 years at Bergdorf Goodman in New York. The book, published in 2015, was a combo of her life journey, peppered with stories about being the shopper/stylist for unnamed wealthy clientele. Absolutely fascinating and enjoyable. She wears certain clothing pieces over and over even if they’re “old” because they are in great shape and look great on her. Sustainability at its finest.
My red lace I.N.C jacket from Macy’s clearance. $17 in 2014 and I still wear it today. Love it.
This book led me (and Jeff, too, as he is quite the dapper dresser) to…
Movies and documentaries about the fashion world.
One movie that was particularly impactful was the 2013 documentary Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s. In addition to fashion, it featured their famous holiday window displays. How they were developed, built, set-up and revealed. LOVED it. Even bought the CD by the artist of the final song in the documentary, when they revealed that season’s holiday display.
Other fashion movies and documentaries include:
Men of the Cloth – about the (vanishing) profession of Italian master tailors and bespoke men’s clothing.
The Tents – New York Fashion Week.
First Monday in May – about the creation of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s most attended fashion exhibit ever, China: Through the Looking Glass. Absolutely fascinating.
And too many documentaries to remember, but recently we watched ones about Christian Louboutin and his famous shoes.
I’d love to hear how fashion keeps you vibrant.