During the pandemic, while everyone else was making beautiful sourdough loaves, I invested in feathers.
So to speak. Does anyone remember, not saying you should, that I bought this dress? Perhaps I never told you. On deep sale, from an unknown designer in New York City, it required alterations–duly implemented–and never made it out of my closet.
Global pandemic, what can I say?
But my daughter’s wedding has given me a real desire to Gussy Up and Go Out. So for Christmas my present will be dinners at restaurants as fancy as the SF Bay Area allows, which is to say, not very but celebratory and free from “performance” hoodies. Performance in this case meaning both a moisture-wicking fabric and the I Am So Powerful And Brilliant Also Rich I Don’t Have To Care look our tech industry sadly invented.
This morning I practiced Style for trip later this month to Boulevard in SF. Goals:
- make sure I didn’t feel funereal. I didn’t.
- see if I was psychologically ready for a bright lip. I was.
- figure out which jewelry would suit. I did.
The somewhat slapped-together results?
You can’t see my left arm, but I’m wearing this:
And a makeup closeup below. Eyebrows darkened as much as I can tolerate without startling at my reflection, and red lips. You can see from the photo–makeup is serious business. What you can’t see, because the light at this angle wouldn’t cooperate, is the long feathers attached to my hip by a black beaded ornament. While I needed the bracelet and vivid coloring to liven up the part of me not in the dress, so as to show up along with my clothing, in keeping with the Do Not Try Too hard maxim I wanted minimal earrings. Little pearl drops reporting for duty, ma’am.
Now to think about what I might eat. There’s plenty of room at this waist.
Have a good weekend everyone. I haven’t forgotten what’s going on out there. Except the runup to the afore-mentioned wedding I have bought no new clothing and have no plans for any in the upcoming 3-6 months. What I might have spent on new clothes now goes monthly to Democratic candidates via a site where Charles Gaba has created what we might call “donation baskets.” I know Charles via social media, and he’s an exceptionally dedicated and nice person. 11/10.
We can’t do it all. We can do what we can do , and let our imaginations run a little wild at the same time.
12 Responses
Looking Good!!
Thank you ma’am!
You look gorgeous!! I remember the dress, and “Who would wear this?”, but not that you had bought it. Now we know who! It suits you perfectly: creative, intellectual, fun with a little mystery. <3 That sounds like such a fun Christmas.
I'm not having a fancy holiday at all, but for housewear I've finally given completely up and bought little fleece jackets with collars that stand up. I love them and wish I'd done it sooner. I have a shoulder/upper back injury and also, my neck gets so cold if uncovered. I hope the mailman won't mistake me for a tech bro.
Happy weekend!
Thanks, Jess. I love your description of who it suits and hope I can become her in these decades of life;). Comfort is key at home! Stand up collars sound sublimely cozy.
Elegant, discrete and original. A lovely look.
Oh my gosh, thank you so much.
Yes to all of this! You look great in the dress and accoutrements. Nice balance of interesting, unusual but not overly flamboyant. Bonus points that it can be called plumage.
I have a similar problem with Seattle dressing. Love your summary of “performance clothing”. Even at the ballet, theater, or fundraising fetes half the patrons could walk directly to a hike. Too bad for them. With my roots in New England old school I can’t go full Advanced Style. But I can enjoy dressing up and I’m old enough not to care how I fit in. Thanks finally for a practical way to organize donations for action to repair the country. Sorry to go on and on-your little essays do rev me up. Thank you for that!
Yes. Let us all look for occasions to use the term “plumage.” Resolved. And I did notice that about Seattle, when my daughter was up there for the 7 years of her residency. Exactly that I will never be Advanced in style but I do love to dress up. Put so well.
You are welcome to go on as long as you possibly please. We are all just walking each other home, and revving each other up, as needed.
Oooh! Boulevard is our go to restaurant whenever we’re in SF (which has been a looong time ago) and want to celebrate. Except for having to buy new jeans and pants because of putting on weight , I’ve not bought anything new this past year. Instead, shopping my own closet for stuff that still fits. Love your bracelet and the drop earrings. As always you look amazing.
Thank you! Guess you need to come back to SF soon;). I feel like putting on a little weight after 65 is a goal!
I love it! The pearl earrings and bracelet give the dress something special.
You look great as always Lisa. I spent an hour today shopping my closet to decide what to wear to a holiday party tonight. I have options—not sure if any of them are up to date or even acceptable. I’m going with one of the option anway!