I see that the Vancouver Opera Blog hasposted about Blogging Night at the Operaand has linked to me and to mythree fellow Bloggers at the Opera. I wish I didn’t have to head to campus this morning — I just had a peek at their blogs, and I’d like to spend more time seeing the world through their eyes. At a quick glance, though, I’d say we represent a range of interests, and it will be fun to see our different perspectives from our seats in the lobby tomorrow night. One thing is obvious: I’m representing a different generation than the others. And if you think Opera is for the blue-rinse set, think again!
Anticipating extra traffic now that the VOA Blog links are up, I’m feeling weirder than ever about posting my weekly What I Wore. Especially since they’ve “outed” me by linking my IRL name to my supposedly anonymous Blogger name (yeah, I never really count on anonymity, but imagining it can be a comfort). One of these days, I’ll notice a group of my students sniggering in the back of the classroom, clustered around a netbook, and I’ll know I’ve been busted. You can imagine what a group of 19-year olds will think of a Woman My Age posting photos representing her supposed Style!
Edited to Add: To be clear, this was an ‘outing’ with my permission as well as my trepidation. I thought about the consequences when I agreed to participate, and I decided the experience would be well worth overcoming any shyness.
But breaking those stereotypes, stretching the imaginations about what we Aged Folk might do, that’s part of what these WIW posts are about. Did you happen to readThe Women’s Room about the youngsters’ response to Sart’s recent older-woman photo? Bang on! Is it really so amazing that we care about clothes at an age when we can finally, if we’re lucky, afford them?
At any rate, this was me, Tuesday. Pseu earlier offered some much more sophisticated ways to wear a motorcycle/cavalry boot to the office, setting up her clever Polyvore-on-the-Floors. Remember that my workplace is a much more tolerant venue, a university campus, and that my style, much as I’d like to go Classic with a Twist, tends more to funky than sophisticated. These Fiorentini & Baker riding-type boots (in their 3rd year) are not particularly flattering with the length of this Sandwich dress, but I felt strong and cheerful in the combo, and that can’t be bad! Plus you’ll note that I’ve restrained the funky (the boots, the structural playfulness of the dress’s hem, pockets) by sticking to a neutral palette.
The sweater’s Wilfrid (Aritzia) — 2 or 3 years old, the scarf I got last spring at my local boutique, ditto the acrylic bracelet you can’t really see properly here.
So there you have it: my What to Wear for this second week of October. I think Lilian would have found my boots pretty useful on her amazing journey, but she would surely have needed a cobbler along her way. Tomorrow night, though, I expect to see an entirely different range of footwear. After all, it’s Opening Night of a World Premiere AND it’s the Season Opener for the VOA. I’m thinking about channelling some Lilian for my own outfit, but I suspect there’ll be plenty of bling being channelled as well. If you’re there, come say “hi” — if not, tune in later this weekend for a report.
Meanwhile, happy weekend!
Hello you cutest of all possible people! Any new visitors coming here from the Opera posting, Mater's a doll:).
you go, frances–you look great!
that last one was from Lisa!
I love the balance of fun and restraint you've achieved here! There's just something about boots that give courage and strength, n'est-ce pas?
How had I never seen the Women's Room blog before now??? It's fabulous. And thanks for the link!
WIW posts are, IMO, about two things: first, providing inspiration for others, second, affirmation. How few (non-anonymous) commenters ever say anything even tentatively negative?
The occasional time I have ventured an honest-and not complimentary remark- (not to you, mater) I've been called "mean".
That's just a general comment about WIW posts, not this one. I really like your layered,textured darks.
I love 19 y.o.s who think they're the arbiters of style. They're so adorably wrong (if slim and youthfully glowy).
Few people have style before life experience. (Strangely, my kid is one of them – I don't know how she comes up with her crazy outfits. Today she wore 3D movie glasses with the lenses cut out. She was like this wacky scientist librarian who really needs to wash her hair.)
You look so lovely in your outfit post. The colour suits you, and the season, perfectly!
LOVE the toned down funk–its what I try and achieve everyday!
I absolutely love this outfit – dark neutrals, but still funky. Can't wait to see what you wore to the opera …
Must also add I, like Pseu, hadn't seen The Women's Room blog before – it's now on my favourites! Thanks.
You look energetic and youthful…have a fabulous time at the Opera!
Love your ensemble here and such a warm and winning smile…cheers!
You have incredible personal style. You know what works on you and you wear it with tremendous confidence and certainty. The colours, textures and shapes all work together so well. It pays to really know who you are and to do that takes time and energy and honesty. You inspire me.
Lisa and Lisa: Thanks! (and Lisa 2, we should crank up the e-mails soon!)
Pseu: Absolutely — like that cat of the fairy tale with the seven-league boots! They just make me feel I can stride anywhere! And yes, isn't TWR great?!
Duchesse: This is complicated territory — I'd like to be able to follow up with a post on this, depending on my schedule, in the next week or two. I know you would never be mean, and anyone who says so hasn't been fortunate enough to get to know you.
K: Not at all surprised that your daughter's style-savvy already — you'll obviously be an inspiration plus there's going to be some genetic stuff going on — the style gene!
Funny how adorability and slim youthful glowiness doesn't always mitigate effectively for wrongness;-)
F>50: And you do!
Tiffany: Thanks! And you're welcome re TWR — I really like it, quite professional but comfortably, realistically so. And fun.
Thanks, Hostess, we're looking forward to it.
LBR: Aw, shucks! You're making me blush, again. But seriously, I am quite happy with this outfit. The boots, indeed, always make me happy! Is that alright for a Lacanian-Freudian-slightly Marxian? Good thing I'm not a therapist, eh, or who knows what yoúr neighbouring professional would say! 😉
I love your WIW posts and you do have great style. This particular outfit look very dashing and I like the boots with the layered neutrals which set off your lovely smile. It all fits. I thought of jaunty puss 'n boots, striding confidently along. And I think the boots, which proportionately aren't what one would think worked here, actually work well as you've mixed everything. I think throwing in things that aren't technically perfect and making them work together is the epitome of style.
Looking forward to the opera posts.
Mardel: Thanks! I was a bit jarred, I'll admit, when I first saw the photo because I felt entirely confident and comfortable with the outfit before that. We're so trained to look for lengthening and slimming, at least we are if we're my body type. But it's not as if I'm going to wake up tomorrow and suddenly be 5'8 — or 5'5 for that matter. I do have short legs, so be it!