aura
Maya Villiger for Turned Out
"I think "aura" is something that only somebody else can see, and they only see as much of it as they want to. It's all in the other person's eyes" - Andy Warhol
I like this quote. I thought of it today because:
i) I was wearing faded jeans and a white loose linen knit pullover and someone (whom I don't especially like, she being catty), said with a (catty) laugh, "You really love that top don't you, you don't seem to wear anything else. And with the exact same jeans too."
I would have rather not said anything, because, really, did such a comment deserve a response at all? But to ignore an acquaintance in front of plenty of people we both know would be rude (as if she cared when she made that comment). So I responded: "Oh, I don't know what else I'll rather wear." And I meant that in the most neutral, matter-of-fact way possible.
I don't think she'd get it the way I meant it. For instance, Maya Villiger's girls on Turned Out are so appealing to me, whereas other people may just see a bunch of girls with messy hair, awkwardly baggy clothes, and a profusion of grey sweatshirts. But it's all in the other person's eyes. When I look through Turned Out, I feel like I've found a tribe of women who understand why the right pair of shorts and the right t-shirt is the best outfit in the world, and for whom a fraying grey sweatshirt is a beautiful thing. Imagine if I tried to explain this to my acquaintance. She'd just think I'm being pretentious.
ii) I found an old bracelet I bought at the V&A museum in London in 2007. It cost maybe GBP3, I can't remember. I do remember that I liked it because it was described as a medieval design, a example of how a typical woman of that time began adorning herself (something like that). It looked so simple, so unassuming, and yet decorative. I found it touching, compared to all the ornate jewellery sitting nearby.
I wore it for the entire trip and for nearly a year after I got home, and then I put it away and haven't looked at it since until yesterday. It's curiously modern no?
I like the idea that if I looked back a thousand-odd years, a woman would be wearing this going about her business, and today, I could wear it, and go about my business. It doesn't mean anything to anyone but me. And I liked that thought and decided to wear it today.
Picture from turned out
Comments
One of the things I've always liked about clothing is the potential for a positive connection to someone else - either the designer, the seamstress, a fellow admirer, or the original owner, etc. For the pleasure of those connections we can endure the jerks. xoxo
I love turned out - really, I do - and it's for the same reasons as you. it's the recognition of being comfortable in yourself and your clothes, no matter what they are. it's a comfort that can lead to confidence, but the most important thing is to be happy, that makes the clothes look the best. It's something I've realised more and more at the moment. It's why I don't mind so much that I don't really dress up and I always wear flat shoes (it used to bug me that I had so many casual clothes). I'm a dag. It's fine!
I really enjoyed this post.
X
The bracelet is lovely and timeless. I have the same piece in silver, and one in brass with an amber stone. Just good solid design.
i completely get what you mean by aura and the beauty of imperfection. i think that's why Marc Jacobs resonates with so many people, industry insiders and otherwise. the story of the medieval bracelet is quite moving. i'd love one in gold.
I have a very similar bracelet, and I go through the same cycle of forgetting it...and then rediscovering it and cherishing it even more.
min 1:59
I would rather be personally attached to a garment--and to be unfashionably attached to that garment--than to look like I just have a lot of...stuff. It's certainly a personal preference that not everyone shares. Different people have different values. But I kind of like it when people say, "It seems like you wear nothing else," because it means I look like a girl who loves a certain garment--not like a girl who just likes...fashion.
I love the story about your bracelet.
Amanda: I agree. When I'm persistently expected to be impressed, then regretfully I feel a bitchy comment coming on.
editor: You say it best, as usual. I love those connections too, and I can never describe it but I know it when I feel it and it's completely different from passing fancies.
hannah-rose: Thanks! I agree with what you said and comfort > confidence > happiness. The best revenge too, to be happier than the haters.
Pret a Porter P: That's a pleasant way to look at it :) It's terrible, if you're getting insulted on a daily basis, but I suppose as you said, it's sometimes unintentional as well. I think commenting too much on people's appearance should generally be avoided, because you never know how people well take it.
Ammu: Agree. And your bracelets sound fantastic, the brass sounds luxe and gritty at the same time. I saw a bracelet like this made of brass by Philip Crangi (or maybe his second line Giles) and was rather tempted, because I love a bracelet you can just snap on. But I decided jewellery isn't enough of a passion for me to spend on.
miss sophie: I think we all have a little story like that to share. Sometimes I think, gosh if what I wear bothers you so much, say whatever you want, if it means that much to you. I feel that way about people's clothing sometimes (why would a girl wear jeans, sneakers, and a cardigan to a church wedding????) but I rarely feel that a spoken word is called for.
That bracelet in gold would be so beautiful. I love how the design allows it to be interpreted in many different ways.
Stephanie: Thank you! And I think the value of keeping things I don't wear around for a little longer is that sometimes we can have a little moment of rediscovery.
Austere: I usually have nothing to say either, which can be so frustrating, because people think they have you in a corner, but really, it's because it's too complicated to explain. I'm sure we all have these moments, and maybe you'll find your line at the right time :)
alicia: Thank you!
fashiontidbits: You said it :)
0000: Looking trendy holds no appeal for me too. My sisters like checking out trends and working it into their style, and I respect the different approach so long as they're not falling into consumerism victim category. I can see the bright side of catty comments - it's the malicious intent I find galling.
Lindsay: Thank you! The anecdotes you shared about your colleague sounds worse than mine. Your handling of the situation probably inspired my response :)
milly: I agree, when it comes to dressing, it's completely satisfying to know you have a closet full of things you love to choose from.