I just finished reading Alexandra Shulman's memoir of her years as Editor-in-Chief of British Vogue titled Clothes and Other Things that Matter. I wanted to read what others had written on the topic of clothes, and Shulman's book seemed to overlap in so many ways with my own interests in the topic. Even the title, which indeed announces a primary interest in clothes, but then takes off in many other directions, including used clothes, career choices, relationships, and some family history, overlaps with my tentative title for a book I'm trying to write (based on this blog) in which I want to expand on used clothes but also on material culture more generally.
Anyway. I finally relaxed on the back porch with the book, and my cat as loyal companion. I also wore some used clothes: an older acquisition (the pink Talbot's blouse) and a new one (a pair of truly vintage Liz Claiborne linen shorts).
I found the shorts on that recent trip to Montpelier, VT. They're high waisted and have belt loops (here I go providing details about the clothing, after reading Shulman: I wonder, what's taken me so long?), and they're very comfortable, as shorts should be. So, to continue "à la Shulman," analyzing clothing one type of garment at a time, shorts (which she doesn't write about actually, her chapters are themed around specific garments and accessories) have been a problem for me for years. There was a time when I couldn't find comfortable women's shorts, mainly because they were very tight at the waist, only to open up too much at the hips and buttocks area. I have often bought men's shorts which are also longer down the leg. At long last, designers are making shorts for women that are comfortable and stylish. I found a light blue pair at COS with an elasticized waist and nice deep pockets and paid full price for them. They're perfect on a very hot day, walking around a sultry city (like Boston, a few weeks back). And of course, I now have these vintage linen shorts.
Back to the Shulman book and some insights from her: I love how she makes the reader think about their favorite dress, coat or pair of shoes. In thinking about these favorites, I realized that I don't own my favorite coat (yet) because it's an expensive fantasy: a long, belted, black or navy blue or grey cashmere, buttoned piece. Max Mara makes one, and the moment I find one in a vintage store at a reasonable price, I will acquire it. As for my favorite dress, I think that I do own it, I just haven't worn it yet. It's an Eileen Fisher silk shift, green and navy blue print, that is "dry clean only," which is why...I haven't worn it yet. I am also waiting for the special occasion to wear it (maybe a retirement dinner or a wedding). It's very flattering, and makes me feel confident when I wear it. (Shulman explains the role clothes play in building confidence). As for the shoes. That's a tough one. My first pair of fancy shoes were Ferragamos that my father bought with me as consolation for not going to ski camp (I had gotten the flu). They were bone colored T strapped mary janes with a one inch heel. I don't have them any more, I don't remember wearing them and what happened to them, it's very odd.
As for my current shoe collection, I love the Birkenstocks I wear for gardening, a blue metallic pair that I found on a discount shoe web site. If I had to choose one pair of shoes in a house fire, I guess it would have to be those Birkenstocks. I also love a pair of winter boots that I also found on an online web site, lace-ups, waterproof, resemble old-fashioned men's spats.
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The overlap between Shulman and myself is very limited. Besides our ages, she is slightly older than I am, hence we both entered the work force in the 1980s, her career and mine are worlds apart. But that doesn't mean that we don't overlap in our thinking about clothes. Her insights on her first "suit" reminded me that a jacket and matching skirt were de rigueur for certain mid-level and high level jobs back in the 1980s. Maternity clothes in the 1990s (awful, not that the current tight tube look is much of an improvement) reminded me of my quest for something presentable and comfortable (I remember a jumpsuit made out of sweatshirt fabric). Where we find inspiration for our dressing style varies from person to person, but we look in the same places: celebrities, rich people, street wear if you're young, a beautiful teenager back in the day...
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I'll close on an idea that I developed in my newest graphic novel (Empty Nesting II) regarding self-care. I buy used coats -- I am a coat "rescuer" and one time, when I wasn't feeling well, I imagined that all my coats were piled on top of me to keep me warm and feeling "enveloped." Shulman also writes about a coat -- a trench coat in this case -- that gives her a sense of security.
Needless to say, her book was a fun read, and I wish we could all share our reactions including our own favorite ... coat, dress, shoes...shorts. What is your favorite garment and why?
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