You are not trivial, you are not vain! And whoever said you shouldn't wear dresses must not have got a close look at your GORGEOUS GAMS! My god, if I had legs like that I'd wear mini-dresses every day, damn my age. You go, Laura <3
My mother also was naturally thin. Tall - 5’7” with a 34” inseam - even though born in 1913 and a childhood that was almost Dickensian until she was adopted at almost ten. Me? Almost 5’7” yet am like my dad’s family, naturally round. Most of our life together, she would - and I have to use the word - nag me about weight. Even when I was a very fit 160 lbs in my early fifties.
She was very clothes conscious, and until her health got very iffy (she was then 95) she never had a day without being attractively dressed with well applied makeup that enhanced her beautiful skin.
Circumstances have resulted in me being less clothes conscious, but I will not leave my apartment without dressing for public viewing. She would approve, although she dressed with care even when she had no plans to be seen by anyone except her self. Me, I am not as rigorous.
I love all those dresses. You look amazing in them. And the red top and those red shoes with the shorts and the glam jewelry and sunglasses are just the best! 10/10 no notes. Which is a silly thing to say because I don’t have notes on anything. We should all get to look the way we want to look. Still, I think you look fabulous. I don’t yet know how to love how I look. When I was younger, I was big on vintage outfits. I pretty much live in jeans and a pullover sweater. I’m not sure I have the confidence to pull off a dress, even though I own several. Perhaps I should practice. Anyway, please keep sharing. About your clothing, about your location, and any of the stories you want. It’s always a wonderful read. Thank you so much!
I am going through a rough time- husband is in care with dementia. It is great to see you smile and wear all those great clothes. A real zest for life.
I miss Writers in Paradise and St Pete where you always had a kind word for me.
This is another fabulous piece. Thank you Laura. Also enjoyed the linked post with research into various clothing companies.
I literally picked up Murder Takes a Vacation at B&N in Tulsa day before yesterday and am enjoying it so much (I live in Paris, so it's funny to read about home). Alas, I am also home in Oklahoma to start emptying out the family home after my dad's passing. So you see, I really need your book and am so grateful it is taking me somewhere else every evening.
Love those selfies (and the dresses). Not weirdly, I read "...and when I deleted myself to a smaller size..." and so glad you're not still trying to delete yourself! x
In the recent words of Donna Mills, "style doesn't have an expiration date." You have style. Truly. It looks effortless, and it's beautiful. As are you. And the happiness enhances it.
I enjoy your fashion show. I grew up in a fashion family and clothes were important, too important I thought. I rebelled in art school and wore jeans and the same sweater every day. But as I grew up I realized I liked clothes and that putting on nice ones made me feel better. I recently wrote a Mother's Day substack about my mom. Though she was a truly wonderful and loving person she was wildly concerned with appearance. Here's a snippet from the post that I think you may like.
'Her concern with appearance (hers and her children’s) bordered on a fetish. To this day, I shave every day no matter what and I care (perhaps too much) about how I look. But on a more serious note, she often said “How you present yourself to the world is important, because you become that person."
So keep dressing up, Laura, because you look great - and happy!
Your mom wasn’t wrong and I touch on this in the Mrs. Blossom books, the importance of how we present ourselves. Says the woman who wore her gingham sundress to a baseball game on Sunday and so many people treated me like a big ol’ weirdo.
Only one of the reasons I love Mrs. Blossom! If and when you ever write that book about your clothes, fashion, and what it all means to you, I'd be happy to do the illustrations!
This has nothing to do with anything you said but you always look SO PRETTY. Also wondering which company has questionable politics. Not that I ever buy clothes but....
Oh, it’s the Urban Outfitters group, which owns Anthropologie and Free People. Learned about this by following Alison Gary here — terrific fashion writer, incredibly inspiring. I got paid this week and bought an incredibly linen outfit recommended in her newsletter.
I enjoy your fashion selfies, and the first thing I noticed on this post is that you were smiling in all the photos (first group). Had never considered that you weren't before, but it was so apparent this time. Being happy is a fabulous accessory.
I do — I think it’s a remarkable first novel — but now I’m trying to remember if there was anything problematic in it. I revisit Ellen Gilchrist’s work a lot and it’s challenging because I loved her early short stories so much, but some have aged quite poorly.
I read Kinflicks several times when I was a teenager, and all the Ellen Gilchrist my small town library had. I'll have to reread and see what I think of them 40 years later.
I love that Kinflicks is listed here. I’ve had it in my TBR forever after reading her book of conversations with Françoise Gilot, looking up Alther, and learning that she grew up a block from where I live now and the novel is based on this town. I need to read it now!
You are not trivial, you are not vain! And whoever said you shouldn't wear dresses must not have got a close look at your GORGEOUS GAMS! My god, if I had legs like that I'd wear mini-dresses every day, damn my age. You go, Laura <3
My mother also was naturally thin. Tall - 5’7” with a 34” inseam - even though born in 1913 and a childhood that was almost Dickensian until she was adopted at almost ten. Me? Almost 5’7” yet am like my dad’s family, naturally round. Most of our life together, she would - and I have to use the word - nag me about weight. Even when I was a very fit 160 lbs in my early fifties.
She was very clothes conscious, and until her health got very iffy (she was then 95) she never had a day without being attractively dressed with well applied makeup that enhanced her beautiful skin.
Circumstances have resulted in me being less clothes conscious, but I will not leave my apartment without dressing for public viewing. She would approve, although she dressed with care even when she had no plans to be seen by anyone except her self. Me, I am not as rigorous.
I love all those dresses. You look amazing in them. And the red top and those red shoes with the shorts and the glam jewelry and sunglasses are just the best! 10/10 no notes. Which is a silly thing to say because I don’t have notes on anything. We should all get to look the way we want to look. Still, I think you look fabulous. I don’t yet know how to love how I look. When I was younger, I was big on vintage outfits. I pretty much live in jeans and a pullover sweater. I’m not sure I have the confidence to pull off a dress, even though I own several. Perhaps I should practice. Anyway, please keep sharing. About your clothing, about your location, and any of the stories you want. It’s always a wonderful read. Thank you so much!
Hey Laura,
I am going through a rough time- husband is in care with dementia. It is great to see you smile and wear all those great clothes. A real zest for life.
I miss Writers in Paradise and St Pete where you always had a kind word for me.
Keep being dazzling!
Jane Jann
Jane, I’m sorry — that’s so tough. Sending you love.
I always think I'm the only person who remembers Sweet Polly Purebred!
Remember we share a brain!
Also try to unsee the resemblance.
Total Kim Gordon vibe, especially the B&W outfit with the thigh-high boots! Plus, dresses are magic when it comes to getting dressed.
At 68, I love this post so much. Thank you. ❤️
This is another fabulous piece. Thank you Laura. Also enjoyed the linked post with research into various clothing companies.
I literally picked up Murder Takes a Vacation at B&N in Tulsa day before yesterday and am enjoying it so much (I live in Paris, so it's funny to read about home). Alas, I am also home in Oklahoma to start emptying out the family home after my dad's passing. So you see, I really need your book and am so grateful it is taking me somewhere else every evening.
Love those selfies (and the dresses). Not weirdly, I read "...and when I deleted myself to a smaller size..." and so glad you're not still trying to delete yourself! x
In the recent words of Donna Mills, "style doesn't have an expiration date." You have style. Truly. It looks effortless, and it's beautiful. As are you. And the happiness enhances it.
I enjoy your fashion show. I grew up in a fashion family and clothes were important, too important I thought. I rebelled in art school and wore jeans and the same sweater every day. But as I grew up I realized I liked clothes and that putting on nice ones made me feel better. I recently wrote a Mother's Day substack about my mom. Though she was a truly wonderful and loving person she was wildly concerned with appearance. Here's a snippet from the post that I think you may like.
'Her concern with appearance (hers and her children’s) bordered on a fetish. To this day, I shave every day no matter what and I care (perhaps too much) about how I look. But on a more serious note, she often said “How you present yourself to the world is important, because you become that person."
So keep dressing up, Laura, because you look great - and happy!
Your mom wasn’t wrong and I touch on this in the Mrs. Blossom books, the importance of how we present ourselves. Says the woman who wore her gingham sundress to a baseball game on Sunday and so many people treated me like a big ol’ weirdo.
Only one of the reasons I love Mrs. Blossom! If and when you ever write that book about your clothes, fashion, and what it all means to you, I'd be happy to do the illustrations!
This has nothing to do with anything you said but you always look SO PRETTY. Also wondering which company has questionable politics. Not that I ever buy clothes but....
Oh, it’s the Urban Outfitters group, which owns Anthropologie and Free People. Learned about this by following Alison Gary here — terrific fashion writer, incredibly inspiring. I got paid this week and bought an incredibly linen outfit recommended in her newsletter.
Oh, I have to find her newsletter. Okay,I am safe, I don't buy those brands (my son is the fast fashion police)
Here’s the starter pack, as it were. So inspiring. https://alisongary.substack.com/p/where-i-shop-as-a-midsize-woman-in?r=4iiz&utm_medium=ios
Fantastic!!! Subscribing now!
I enjoy your fashion selfies, and the first thing I noticed on this post is that you were smiling in all the photos (first group). Had never considered that you weren't before, but it was so apparent this time. Being happy is a fabulous accessory.
I think it might because I am particularly happy in New Orleans? Also, that powder room is just perfect for selfies.
I have "Kinflicks" on my TBR - I assume since you're re-reading that you'd recommend it?
I do — I think it’s a remarkable first novel — but now I’m trying to remember if there was anything problematic in it. I revisit Ellen Gilchrist’s work a lot and it’s challenging because I loved her early short stories so much, but some have aged quite poorly.
I read Kinflicks several times when I was a teenager, and all the Ellen Gilchrist my small town library had. I'll have to reread and see what I think of them 40 years later.
I love that Kinflicks is listed here. I’ve had it in my TBR forever after reading her book of conversations with Françoise Gilot, looking up Alther, and learning that she grew up a block from where I live now and the novel is based on this town. I need to read it now!
The Underdog reference is sending me tho…
Smoking hot