First of all, Wow! I’m both gratified and — to be honest — a bit intimidated by the response to my last post, in which I began to set out my responses to Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In. I had not bothered with the book until a colleague pressed it on me, mainly because I have much other reading but also because the reviews dissuaded me for numerous reasons. But I had no idea she had aroused so many strong feelings. Clearly, we’re still working through some of the Mommy War issues I’d hoped might be a thing of the past. I know how rancourous those were, having been a stay/work-at-home mom at the time.
I’m going to persist with thinking about the issues Sandberg raised for me, although with trepidation given the context of her message. These issues seem to me important regardless of who speaks them. Regularly, in my classrooms young women distance themselves from feminism, thinking its work irrelevant to them, its goals supposedly achieved. But watching my daughters juggling children and careers, I know this is not true. IF Sandberg’s message were that all women should stay in the workplace, leaning hard into it even as they yearn to be home with children, I would raise my voice against that message. And perhaps that’s her underlying wish, expressed explicitly or implicitly elsewhere. It’s NOT what I read in the book, and I’m not known for being an obtuse reader. It was never my intention to be an apologist for Sandberg. I know little of her besides what I read in the book. I’m simply trying to weave my way between the feelings the book raised in me; the messages I find useful in her writing; and the hopes I have for my daughters and granddaughters.
That said, I’ve written more answering the last post’s wonderful, thoughtful, often emotional, always insightful comments than it would have taken to set out two new posts. So I’m putting Serious away for a day or two, and we’re looking at What She Wore instead. . . okay?
And since we’re relaxing, how better to do it than in a pair of silk pyjama pants I picked up in Bordeaux last spring on my Retail Therapy Day — again, they’re from the Spanish company, Nice Things. I paired them with an easy Eileen Fisher silk tank — silk and silk, mmmmmm, and what better for beating the heat?! Not cashmere, but that’s the fabric of the Club Monaco cardi (both tank and cardi are a few years old). I switched up my usual arm party by adding some cheapo red bangles to my gold First Nations bracelet, and punched the red up again at my neckline by adding a sautoir-length pendant I bought in Lisbon many Junes ago in a sweet little shop. Happy Memories. And, of course, my Wendy B fleur-de-lis. . .
And these favourite, favourite, favourite red loafers bought in Paris 7 or 8 years ago and looking their age. I wrote a post in 2007 about how they’ve acquired talismanic status for me because I bought them while taking a much-needed break before my dissertation defense.
Right now, I’m off to Lean In to a run before heading off to campus. Thanks for contributing to wonderful, lively discussions. I appreciate all of your comments so much.
There's nothing like silk to feel relaxed and luxurious both. Still love that red pendant necklace!! I love buying wearable souvenirs…not only are they different than anything I see at home, but they evoke fun memories of travels.
And cool, silk is, wonderfully cool!
It's so much fun to wear our travel memories back home, absolutely!
I think that these are my favorite of your outfits, relaxed, playful, artistic, but disciplined.
Definitely relaxed, and I'm delighted you find it artistic. . . thanks!
Silk is such a sensuous fabric…
I saw a gorgeous silk chemise with masses of ecru lace on the bodice and I did not buy it because I thought it too delicate to wear regularly. Seeing you in your silk today brought back that memory.
Your Wendy B necklace is fun.
Hmmmmm, if you're still thinking of that chemise, perhaps it's worth the care its delicacy requires. . . . đ
I do not think that Sheryl Sandberg means that all women should work outside the home. I think that she said that Either partner could choose to be at home if it worked for the couple.
I do think she's been misconstrued, but that may be due to the many appearances she's made to promote her cause. I've missed these and came to the book having read only a review or two. I'm impressed you got your hands on a copy so quickly — it's work reading it, though, isn't it, what with all the personal stuff it seems to dredge up in us?!
Happy that you're still enjoying the necklace!
I haven't read the book … got too many other things to read first!
Oh, I get that — honestly, I wouldn't have read it at all if a colleague hadn't insisted. . . . and yes, I wear the necklace almost every day and I still love it!
I love this look- on you.
Here, silk feels good about 3 days per year, way too cold in fall, winter and spring (except maybe as a padded jacket) but hot when we have steamy heat in our brief summer. As for pyjama cut,the gathered waist makes my already flat but big enough butt look dreadful. (Pants with a waistband hang differently than pants without.) On women who can wear them, the pj cut is a wonderful casual pant.
I usually avoid a gathered waist like the plague, but perhaps because the material is so thin, the bulk is not there to be a problem. Or maybe it's just that I always make sure my seat is mostly covered when I wear these. . . đ
Your outfit looks really comfortable and yet also dressy. I like that. It looks like you hardly thought about it!
I came back to add that I didn't mean to imply you didn't think about it, because I know you think about every detail, only that you convey effortlessness in putting outfits together :).
I knew you meant that, Susan — and I was flattered by the comment — as close to a Jane Birkin-y vibe as I'll ever get! đ