A lovely read Lyn, thoughtful and thought provoking. I wonder if humans all spend the second half of life discovering the threads that need to be rewoven into the tapestry of our lives. We have time for reflection and an observatory eye that can revisit without harshness, just curiosity. Absolutely love the photo. It’s a beam of colour.❤️💛
Excellent! You have found your way back to you, and that is the best thing. Connections and a way back to the core of who you are make you whole again! What a great feeling.
This is what I miss.
Having spent the last fifteen years traveling, while fun and looking good on Instagram, had no center, I feel the essence of me lost and need community to connect with. Still finding my way back.
Loved your story Lynn, love how you are connecting the threads, and showing how fashion is more than frivolous fun. I have always felt the same. It’s tied greatly to our identity and that is why the thing that I have carried with me everywhere I’ve gone are my favorite clothes, like a vagabond traveler from the past, you have to have some talismans to center you on your travels.
I love this post. I left academia in 2017 of my own accord. Like you, I had had enough of academic institutions. I’ve found meaningful work but I still felt adrift. Only in the past year have I realized that, also like you, I’ve been grieving the loss of that career and that self. Moving back into a research project has been healing and satisfying.
I love the line, "... My mouth will recall..." You do have a way with words.
I remember when I was working in law with offices I was always dressed in fine men's clothing. I was told many times that you're not supposed to dress better than the attorneys. It should have been put to the attorneys that they should be dressed as well as I. Surely their clients would have appreciated it.
I love the line, "... My mouth will recall..." You do have a way with words.
I remember when I was working in law with offices I was always dressed in fine men's clothing. I was told many times that you're not supposed to dress better than the attorneys. It should have been put to the attorneys that they should be dressed as well as I. Surely their clients would have appreciated it.
Lyn: Thoughtful essay, interesting. I am a retired English teacher who also at one time was a model and owner of a boutique dress shop. So, as you, always interested in fashion. I enjoyed your Accidental Icon era and the Japanese designers you wore. Their clothes looked like so much fun to wear....actually performance clothing. My taste centers on classic, long wearing, beautiful tailoring yet current. My wish for your thesis and research is to explore the psychological aspect of fashion: the 'need' to buy 'new', the bottom line $$ for the designers, the disregard of the buyer to see, sometimes, the foolish offerings of the designers and finally, the effects of the world economy on design and choices.
I am particularly thinking about this year's designs which are mannish and overly large. I know it is to bring a 'new' perspective to 'the look' and entice buyers to be part of the parade. I saw in a fashion magazine an Oscar winning actor dressed in a suit such as this, accessorizing with granny shoes and I believe a men's tie. It made me laugh. The look was ridiculous, and I wondered if this beautiful woman looked closely in a mirror. So, the deep reason why in all areas interests me.
Your recognition of your failure to grieve the loss of your academic career really hit me in my heart. I completed my PhD in English literature in 2019, at 54, having recognized along the way that I didn’t think I had the hustle I would need to become a professor at this stage given how few jobs there were. At the same time I thought I’ll just take some time to think about that decision, and then COVID hit which completely derailed me (deaths in the family, my teens’ mental health) . Four years have passed and I still miss the thrill of those first graduate seminars, the minds of my fellow candidates, even studying for comps. I have been thinking lately about grieving my younger self but neglected this much more recent incarnation that never fully got off the ground. I love your idea of a syllabus to bring structure to our ongoing learning.
You have done it to me again with your beautiful and reminiscent filled writing. Thank you for having me remember my aunt taking me to orbachs for my first ‘going out in the city fancy dress’. It was lilac organza with embroidery on the bodice. How we remember such sweet moments!
A lovely read Lyn, thoughtful and thought provoking. I wonder if humans all spend the second half of life discovering the threads that need to be rewoven into the tapestry of our lives. We have time for reflection and an observatory eye that can revisit without harshness, just curiosity. Absolutely love the photo. It’s a beam of colour.❤️💛
That was spectacular. The brocade is shimmering!
Excellent! You have found your way back to you, and that is the best thing. Connections and a way back to the core of who you are make you whole again! What a great feeling.
This is what I miss.
Having spent the last fifteen years traveling, while fun and looking good on Instagram, had no center, I feel the essence of me lost and need community to connect with. Still finding my way back.
Loved your story Lynn, love how you are connecting the threads, and showing how fashion is more than frivolous fun. I have always felt the same. It’s tied greatly to our identity and that is why the thing that I have carried with me everywhere I’ve gone are my favorite clothes, like a vagabond traveler from the past, you have to have some talismans to center you on your travels.
This post and the wrap-up wisdom from one of the great thinkers, brought tears to my eyes. Good ones ;) Thank you,Lyn
I love this post. I left academia in 2017 of my own accord. Like you, I had had enough of academic institutions. I’ve found meaningful work but I still felt adrift. Only in the past year have I realized that, also like you, I’ve been grieving the loss of that career and that self. Moving back into a research project has been healing and satisfying.
I love the line, "... My mouth will recall..." You do have a way with words.
I remember when I was working in law with offices I was always dressed in fine men's clothing. I was told many times that you're not supposed to dress better than the attorneys. It should have been put to the attorneys that they should be dressed as well as I. Surely their clients would have appreciated it.
Sorry. I didn't mean to post twice. Must be these holy jeans I'm wearing.
I love the line, "... My mouth will recall..." You do have a way with words.
I remember when I was working in law with offices I was always dressed in fine men's clothing. I was told many times that you're not supposed to dress better than the attorneys. It should have been put to the attorneys that they should be dressed as well as I. Surely their clients would have appreciated it.
Magnificent. Your reminiscences swept me into my own.... I think it was the eclair. 😎
Lyn: Thoughtful essay, interesting. I am a retired English teacher who also at one time was a model and owner of a boutique dress shop. So, as you, always interested in fashion. I enjoyed your Accidental Icon era and the Japanese designers you wore. Their clothes looked like so much fun to wear....actually performance clothing. My taste centers on classic, long wearing, beautiful tailoring yet current. My wish for your thesis and research is to explore the psychological aspect of fashion: the 'need' to buy 'new', the bottom line $$ for the designers, the disregard of the buyer to see, sometimes, the foolish offerings of the designers and finally, the effects of the world economy on design and choices.
I am particularly thinking about this year's designs which are mannish and overly large. I know it is to bring a 'new' perspective to 'the look' and entice buyers to be part of the parade. I saw in a fashion magazine an Oscar winning actor dressed in a suit such as this, accessorizing with granny shoes and I believe a men's tie. It made me laugh. The look was ridiculous, and I wondered if this beautiful woman looked closely in a mirror. So, the deep reason why in all areas interests me.
Your recognition of your failure to grieve the loss of your academic career really hit me in my heart. I completed my PhD in English literature in 2019, at 54, having recognized along the way that I didn’t think I had the hustle I would need to become a professor at this stage given how few jobs there were. At the same time I thought I’ll just take some time to think about that decision, and then COVID hit which completely derailed me (deaths in the family, my teens’ mental health) . Four years have passed and I still miss the thrill of those first graduate seminars, the minds of my fellow candidates, even studying for comps. I have been thinking lately about grieving my younger self but neglected this much more recent incarnation that never fully got off the ground. I love your idea of a syllabus to bring structure to our ongoing learning.
You have done it to me again with your beautiful and reminiscent filled writing. Thank you for having me remember my aunt taking me to orbachs for my first ‘going out in the city fancy dress’. It was lilac organza with embroidery on the bodice. How we remember such sweet moments!