I love your concept here, Josh. Not sure that one needs to go back to the 1950s, though. I was born in the early 1950s, so I am more than familiar with how fashion morphed every decade or so for the past 70 years! In fact, my teen years, the second half of the 60s, was the era of miniskirts and psychedelic. Then my college years from 1968 to 1972 saw bell bottoms and eventually midi skirts! Perhaps my taste in clothes was always some sort of mix between classic and boho, and I’m glad to say that even at 71 I get unsolicited compliments on my “style”. From 20-something young women, to older gay men who happen to be Black. Seriously. A couple of weeks ago I was in Florida for a leadership workshop and get together for an organization I am very active with. Coming back to NYC on Jet Blue I was wearing a pair of soft loose slacks with a linen tunic with hand embroidery and a floppy straw hat (I must wear brimmed hats outdoors because my eyes are overly sensitive to sun and bright lights), with a pretty silk scarf around the base. As I walked down the aisle to exit at JFK, one of the flight attendants, who was herself a rather beautiful tall red headed woman (yes an actual woman) who was standing at the plane door wishing passengers a good day, smile at me and said, “I really love your style!”. Yes, that felt really good. I happen to live not that far from JFK on a major bus line and it just so happens that many airline people who are stationed in NYC live in my neighborhood. As I was wheeling my bag down endless corridors toward where I pick up the bus, the flight attendants from my flight actually caught up with me. The same elegant attendant who complimented my style called out to me “Hi, again! I so love your style”. Two weeks later I’m still smiling at the memory.
Aside from trotting my own horn, which I don’t do a lot, my point is that there are many ways to looks put together and stylish at any age and for any body type (me, petite but womanly). Does not have to be a cinch-waisted 1950s dress (for a woman) but something that expresses who you are without being extreme or trashy. Or mousy and drab, either. You might even be 71 and get compliments that are completely freely given. What a treat!
Final observation: we all clothe and adorn ourselves in ways to say: here I am, or I want to fade into the woodwork and not be noticed. Anyone who denies that doesn’t understand human nature and the biological art of “signaling”. Prof. Gad Saad probably has a lot to say about this.
I could not agree more. A friend of mine says my sartorial affectation is bohemian aristocrat, which is to say preppy with style. Always feminine and always what suits my frame despite what trends say is chic. Timeless.
I like what you say and truly would love to see Americans throw-back to the days of pride in appearance - how about a Pride Century for Good Grooming? I amuse myself no end, probably to no one else's amusement, by sporting a calm, controlled and carefully combed coif. Almost but not quite "helmet hair" ha ha. Only since I reached my mid-70's have I loosened up enough not to put on make up (barely there, not garish) for a trip to the grocery store or a long walk. Same for wearing clothes that, at least to me, are well put together and present an image of respect for my personal appearance as well as those who must look at me.
My younger son when growing up always liked bowties, vest and suits. Always thought it made him look good! Hats too. The old fashioned kind not those darn ball caps!
At the bar last night, met a woman in a sleeveless green shirtdress, cinched at the waist, hair swept up and sparkly dangly earrings, sneakers on (because it’s 2023).
She looked AMAZING, and the confident comfort conferred by her outfit gave her a relaxed friendliness that instantly endeared her to our group of friends.
The dress looked vintage, but upon inquiry she cheerfully conveyed that she’d got it at TJ Maxx.
I took instant inspiration from her outfit & her whole elegant but not snobbish demeanor.
Yes yes yes!!! Classy, neat and put together. My grandma always had hair done, red lipstick, a simple yet neatly tailored dress plus clip-on earrings and matching brooch. She presented beautifully at all times.
I love the "eyebrow identify crisis" expression. I die inside every time I look at photos of myself with thick dark Instagram brows. Basically, I looked insane from 2015-2020.
Agreed! We raised all of our kids with this classic sense of style. It’s so important and so very freeing!
I love your concept here, Josh. Not sure that one needs to go back to the 1950s, though. I was born in the early 1950s, so I am more than familiar with how fashion morphed every decade or so for the past 70 years! In fact, my teen years, the second half of the 60s, was the era of miniskirts and psychedelic. Then my college years from 1968 to 1972 saw bell bottoms and eventually midi skirts! Perhaps my taste in clothes was always some sort of mix between classic and boho, and I’m glad to say that even at 71 I get unsolicited compliments on my “style”. From 20-something young women, to older gay men who happen to be Black. Seriously. A couple of weeks ago I was in Florida for a leadership workshop and get together for an organization I am very active with. Coming back to NYC on Jet Blue I was wearing a pair of soft loose slacks with a linen tunic with hand embroidery and a floppy straw hat (I must wear brimmed hats outdoors because my eyes are overly sensitive to sun and bright lights), with a pretty silk scarf around the base. As I walked down the aisle to exit at JFK, one of the flight attendants, who was herself a rather beautiful tall red headed woman (yes an actual woman) who was standing at the plane door wishing passengers a good day, smile at me and said, “I really love your style!”. Yes, that felt really good. I happen to live not that far from JFK on a major bus line and it just so happens that many airline people who are stationed in NYC live in my neighborhood. As I was wheeling my bag down endless corridors toward where I pick up the bus, the flight attendants from my flight actually caught up with me. The same elegant attendant who complimented my style called out to me “Hi, again! I so love your style”. Two weeks later I’m still smiling at the memory.
Aside from trotting my own horn, which I don’t do a lot, my point is that there are many ways to looks put together and stylish at any age and for any body type (me, petite but womanly). Does not have to be a cinch-waisted 1950s dress (for a woman) but something that expresses who you are without being extreme or trashy. Or mousy and drab, either. You might even be 71 and get compliments that are completely freely given. What a treat!
Final observation: we all clothe and adorn ourselves in ways to say: here I am, or I want to fade into the woodwork and not be noticed. Anyone who denies that doesn’t understand human nature and the biological art of “signaling”. Prof. Gad Saad probably has a lot to say about this.
Ditto! I love my sweater vests, pleated pants, and roomy leather shoes.
I could not agree more. A friend of mine says my sartorial affectation is bohemian aristocrat, which is to say preppy with style. Always feminine and always what suits my frame despite what trends say is chic. Timeless.
I like what you say and truly would love to see Americans throw-back to the days of pride in appearance - how about a Pride Century for Good Grooming? I amuse myself no end, probably to no one else's amusement, by sporting a calm, controlled and carefully combed coif. Almost but not quite "helmet hair" ha ha. Only since I reached my mid-70's have I loosened up enough not to put on make up (barely there, not garish) for a trip to the grocery store or a long walk. Same for wearing clothes that, at least to me, are well put together and present an image of respect for my personal appearance as well as those who must look at me.
This column should be forwarded to the Senate staff of John Fetterman.
My younger son when growing up always liked bowties, vest and suits. Always thought it made him look good! Hats too. The old fashioned kind not those darn ball caps!
At the bar last night, met a woman in a sleeveless green shirtdress, cinched at the waist, hair swept up and sparkly dangly earrings, sneakers on (because it’s 2023).
She looked AMAZING, and the confident comfort conferred by her outfit gave her a relaxed friendliness that instantly endeared her to our group of friends.
The dress looked vintage, but upon inquiry she cheerfully conveyed that she’d got it at TJ Maxx.
I took instant inspiration from her outfit & her whole elegant but not snobbish demeanor.
Aw, “louche” is *such* a great word.
Yes yes yes!!! Classy, neat and put together. My grandma always had hair done, red lipstick, a simple yet neatly tailored dress plus clip-on earrings and matching brooch. She presented beautifully at all times.
It's notable when you see a classy, well-dressed person. Mostly because you almost never see them. Unless you work in the corporate world I suppose
Sometimes I laugh way too much at a phrase that normal people merely finds amusing. Currently laughing hard core at “eyebrow identity crisis.”
I love the "eyebrow identify crisis" expression. I die inside every time I look at photos of myself with thick dark Instagram brows. Basically, I looked insane from 2015-2020.
I've always liked the way Robert Crumb dresses. Also, Veronica Lake and Lauren Bacall were killing it.