With so few posts in 2024 and 2025, I have a pile-up of new (newish) things to show you. But today, I am going to show you some very old things to remind you that I am loyal and greedy. Two things can be true at once!
Behold: An old jacket from Anthropologie, looking as bright as the day I bought it in . . . I don’t know? 2012?
Actually, this jacket is so old — I think I bought it when I was an associate. Which means before 2007.
It hasn’t appeared on this blog since 2016 and at that time, I said I bought it ten years earlier.
Directrice scholars may remember that it has a wonderful lining.
The first lesson of today’s post is: A bright colored coat lifts the spirits of you and those you encounter during your day. It is also a smart buy for a person whose wardrobe favors neutral colors.
And here’s another lesson: An Hermes scarf tied around your neck dresses up a striped sweater and jeans. The RealReal has, on any given day more than 100 Hermes scarves on offer, which is how I got this beautiful Tiffany blue “Robinson” patterned one.
Note the charming pleats on the sleeves. I remember that when I bought this jacket, these sleeves were on the cutting edge of the puffed sleeve revival — so I do think we are talking about the Aughts.
I also remember that I seriously considering removing the sleeves and having them trimmed and re-set as fitted sleeves.
I am so glad that I didn’t.
That’s lesson number three: Take a beat. Hold that beat 17 years.
For those of you who are thinking, your sermons are all well and good, Directrice, but give us something we can buy — here’s something you can buy! Anthropologie’s amazing Colette pants are available in denim. Aren’t these cute?
These high-waisted, full legged pants look best with something short and fitted on top. A striped sweater or jersey is just the thing.
And that brings me to something even older than my coat: the brooch. I’ve had this brooch since I was in junior high school.
I bought this little enamel pin at the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen shop in my hometown. I don’t know if the artist intended it as a tribute to Izod, but that’s certainly how I saw it then. I was an enthusiastic tennis player.
And now we move on to our final lesson: Perspective!
I was looking over my many pairs of sunglasses a few weeks ago, looking to prune a little, and I found a pair that I had not worn for some time. I bought these lovely yellow glasses around 2007-2008 when visiting a friend in Berkeley, California. At the time they seemed both expensive and very daring. I hadn’t seen anyone in Washington DC (or New Hampshire!) wearing yellow sunglasses.
I give Younger Self full credit and high marks for s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g herself.
But looking at these modest oval glasses today, they read more classic than daring to me.
But one must begin somewhere. Flashing forward 17 years, here we are.
Feel the fear, Photographer. Feel the fear.
Jacket: Anthropologie; Scarf: Hermes “Robinson” from The RealReal; Jeans: Anthropologie: Colette Pants; Sweater: Rag & Bone; Shoes: JCrew; Red sunglasses: Lapima Paula
