Francesca, thank you so much for this invitation to slow down and take a closer look at style. I read it earlier today on my phone, but I am glad to have a chance to read it again on my large computer screen in my office.
"There’s more to style. Style is how we confront dullness or danger. Style is a fresh way to navigate dull or dangerous realities and remain true in a world that tries to flatten us - in my reading of the poem." Love this.
The words "remain true" went straight to my heart. I am not entirely sure I know what my style is. I cared very much for fashion when I was in my teens and twenties. At one point in high school, I had aspirations to become a fashion designer. And then some time in my adult years, after leaving the corporate world, I began to see fashion as superficial. Yet, I still appreciate the aesthetics of a beautiful dress, a delicate fabric, a craftily hand-sewn hem.
I feel as though I compromised a lot growing up and in my younger years, but now I see things a lot more clearly. I feel myself speaking up more, and I intend to continue to do so.
I loved meeting Jeanne from your post. You are both so beautiful and radiant.
"Style is ethics, aesthetics, poetics – not fashion, not at any age. Even if we wear purple - or just a tasteful shade of grey." This is summed up so perfectly.
Thank you Lisa for such heartfelt comments. Also, thanks for the fabulous compliment to Jeanne and I! Yes, it’s so great to feel we are braver now - it’s one of the beautiful things of age. Here’s to more sharing and stronger support! ❤️
this was the perfect saturday reading so thank you as always ❤️
reading this, I see style less as the value itself and more as the visible trace of something deeper. Even when someone’s aesthetic is not conventionally beautiful, they still have a style. That makes style feel less about appearance and more about the relationship a person has with themselves.
The fearless, unapologetic style you describe feels like an expression of self-love. It is the daily decision to remain faithful to who you are, even when it would be easier or safer to conform. I see this in my 94 yy grandmother, who holds on to life with dignity, humour, and a style that is unmistakably her own. Not because she follows rules of beauty, but because she fully inhabits herself.
Perhaps style is not the value in itself, but what becomes visible when someone refuses to abandon who they are.❤️
Francesca, thank you so much for this invitation to slow down and take a closer look at style. I read it earlier today on my phone, but I am glad to have a chance to read it again on my large computer screen in my office.
"There’s more to style. Style is how we confront dullness or danger. Style is a fresh way to navigate dull or dangerous realities and remain true in a world that tries to flatten us - in my reading of the poem." Love this.
The words "remain true" went straight to my heart. I am not entirely sure I know what my style is. I cared very much for fashion when I was in my teens and twenties. At one point in high school, I had aspirations to become a fashion designer. And then some time in my adult years, after leaving the corporate world, I began to see fashion as superficial. Yet, I still appreciate the aesthetics of a beautiful dress, a delicate fabric, a craftily hand-sewn hem.
I feel as though I compromised a lot growing up and in my younger years, but now I see things a lot more clearly. I feel myself speaking up more, and I intend to continue to do so.
I loved meeting Jeanne from your post. You are both so beautiful and radiant.
"Style is ethics, aesthetics, poetics – not fashion, not at any age. Even if we wear purple - or just a tasteful shade of grey." This is summed up so perfectly.
Thank you Lisa for such heartfelt comments. Also, thanks for the fabulous compliment to Jeanne and I! Yes, it’s so great to feel we are braver now - it’s one of the beautiful things of age. Here’s to more sharing and stronger support! ❤️
Love this! Style is a lifetime of experimenting and learning that gets better as we age x
That’s such an interesting take, Amanda. Experimenting… definitely. I like that!
this was the perfect saturday reading so thank you as always ❤️
reading this, I see style less as the value itself and more as the visible trace of something deeper. Even when someone’s aesthetic is not conventionally beautiful, they still have a style. That makes style feel less about appearance and more about the relationship a person has with themselves.
The fearless, unapologetic style you describe feels like an expression of self-love. It is the daily decision to remain faithful to who you are, even when it would be easier or safer to conform. I see this in my 94 yy grandmother, who holds on to life with dignity, humour, and a style that is unmistakably her own. Not because she follows rules of beauty, but because she fully inhabits herself.
Perhaps style is not the value in itself, but what becomes visible when someone refuses to abandon who they are.❤️
NEVER abandon who you are! Thank you for your beautiful reflections @Kamilah. (I love this sentence ‘the visible trace of something deeper.’)
Plus… GO NONNA!!! ❤️
love it ax
Thank you Anne. Your comment means a lot!
Such a stylish and fearless piece!! (Did Bukowski inspire your piece because it feels like you inspired bukowski’s poem !!)
Awww… That’s funny - maybe the bit about the herons! Then again, I don’t stand quietly around much. Thank you for your wonder-full comments Erica!