I've wanted to do a blog for awhile. A blog celebrating stylish women at mid-life, but I didn't know how to begin. Then an epiphany, begin at the beginning.
My mother, Marguerite, was my first style icon. Tall, thin, innately chic she had a clean, classic American style...a splash of Babe Paley...
and a heavy dash of Katharine Hepburn.
I became conscious of her style when I was around ten years old (probably before) and she was 45. So her mid-life style became a template to me for what was, and still is, chic.
She dabbled in some trends but she wasn't trendy. Her style evolved with the times. She lived in New York City in the 1940's after the war. In photos taken at that time she is wearing fitted suits and gloves.
With her youngest sister Pat in New York, 1946, age 21.
In the 1950's, dresses, cigarette pants with cable knit sweaters, a beautiful frothy tulle tea length dress worn to a holiday dance at the Country Club with my father. She wore her brunette hair parted on the side like Lauren Bacall in "To Have and Have Not."
With her younger sister Ruth in 1951, age 26.
1954, age 29.
My first sartorial memory, indeed my very first memory, is her returning from the hospital with my newborn sister. She wore a navy blue dress with white polka dots..she was 37, I was 2.
Also 1954, age 29.
I remember the late 60's, black and white Pucci-esque dresses, palazzo pants, several black evening mini-dresses and a grey flannel Geoffrey Beene dress that she wore to lunch in the city. Maybe she was wearing that dress when Cassius Clay invited her to join him for dinner.
In 1975 she was 50.
She wore midi-skirts with boots, and midi knit dresses that looked fantastic on her long, lean frame.
She wore maxi coats and head scarves.
As long as I can remember her casual look was jeans, a denim or white man's shirt and topsiders.
Cape May 1964, age 39.
Her day attire consisted of tweed hacking jackets, silk blouses, cashmere sweaters, flannel trousers, riding boots, pencil skirts and heels..lots of heels. Her colors were navy, white, black, grey, camel and an occasional splash of color.
Leaving Vienna, 1984, age 59.
She had high cheekbones and a generous mouth. Her jewelry was simple and understated. Always a watch, a dainty watch in the 60's, a man's watch in the 80's. Some gold bracelets. She was unfussy. A ruffle dared not approach her.
My 20th birthday, age 55, 1980.
My mother went grey in her late 30's, not completely just around her face. She never dyed her hair which was right for her.
Although she was older than all of my friend's mothers in many ways she was so much younger. It wasn't just her style, it was also how she moved, what she read, her openness to new ideas; her willingness to grow. It was her interest in the world and in our own young lives.
In 1991, with my niece, a year before she died, age 66.
xo
I still look through old pictures and love memas style XO
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness did she love you!! xoxo
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