Strike a Pose

But don't lose your balance

Image via Freepik

Lately I’ve become interested in fashion again. I blame Girls of a Certain Age Substack and scary world news. I’ve only been following Girls a little over a week but, so far, it seems to reflect my style - classic, casual, minimal. I realize the content might change but it’ll be fun to see what’s in style now because I don’t have a clue.

Shortly after we moved to New Orleans, in my early twenties, I started working in a local boutique near our apartment, convenient because I was afraid to drive our standard shift Datsun in the city. The boutique was one of five stores in different areas of the city owned by a local family. I was paid a salary plus commission on everything I sold, but the best part for me was I got to dress the windows and create interior displays. That was what I loved to do. Staging themes and putting together gorgeous clothes made of luxurious fabrics was creative and fun. I never was a good sales woman because, honestly, I didn’t like waiting on people or making chit chat. Still don’t.

A big plus was a nice discount on the clothes, shoes, handbags, and accessories we sold. I loved the pencil skirts, sundresses, swim suits, corduroy pants, and gorgeous sweaters that I could only wear two or three times a season because of our climate. I loved the clogs, boots, and Etienne Aigner shoes and handbags. (I just googled to see if Aigner is still around and it is!) I remember certain items: a grey wool pencil skirt with slits up both sides that I wore with a ruby red turtleneck sweater and navy belt and heels. I remember wearing this when a popular girl I knew in high school came in the store unexpectedly and I was so glad I looked good. I was not popular in high school but it didn’t matter anymore because I felt confident in those clothes, in my new life. As a teen I wasn’t into clothes much except for jeans, Chukka boots, and a few trippy tops I’d buy at a little second hand shop in Jackson when we went there occasionally. My closet was pretty skeletal.

Having access to such variety pushed my fashion sense into high gear. I remember several sundresses because I loved sundresses and how I felt happy in them, like a flower, when we’d go out with friends. I had an Aigner trench coat like this one that made me feel like a film noir spy and I kept until about 10 years ago. I gave it to Goodwill but I wish I had it back now. I’ve always been a purger so over the years I gave away all the clothers from back then. I don’t think it was only because I worked in fashion that I loved clothes at that time. It was also because I finally could afford to buy what I wanted and buy higher end clothes than I usually wore. I was used to buying clothes from discount stores.

I worked in the boutique almost the entire decade. For the remainder of my working life I was in healthcare where I wore scrubs or a uniform. I felt anonymous in uniforms but I still had weekends for street clothes. Since I quit the working world, it’s been cargo pants (KÜHL has the best), tee shirts, and Keen Whisper sandals, for the most part. Since lockdown in 2020, I can’t remember the last time I bought anything other than that until yesterday. I bought these sneakers. And I’m eyeing this Chanel-ish sweater that I think would be versatile. I’ve always liked J.Crew. Thing is, I’m living a low-key, home-based life at the moment so I can’t justify much variety apart from cargo pants and tees. It’s a waste to buy things I love but won’t actually wear. When I see huge closets that are actual rooms filled with rows and rows of clothes and shoes on TV, I’m blown away by the excess. No one can wear that amount of clothing….can they?

Perusing fashion blogs and magazines is harmless, frivolous fun. Did you know you can look at magazines online through your library for free? All kinds, not just fashion ones. Honestly, I’m finding that right now looking at fashion is a good way to divert my thoughts from this crazy world for a time. That’s a good thing.

And then life suggests that you 
remember the 
years you ran around, the years you 
developed
a shocking lifestyle, advocated 
careless abandon,
owned a chilly heart. Upon 
reflection, you are
genuinely surprised to find how quiet 
you have
become. And then life lets you go 
home to think 
about all this. Which you do, 
for quite a long time.
                 —- from “Starfish” by Eleanor Lerman