Standing the test of time: Six at 61
Because I celebrated my 61st last month, I'm thinking of things that I hope will endure. Health, abiding love and life in a place of peace is all I could hope for, and more.
And there are also a few objects I would like to invite along, standbys that continue to provide joy and comfort.
At 61, these include:
1. Metallic sandals or shoes. They dress up the simplest clothes, go with anything, and pack easily.
(Tahari "Nyla" sandal from Bloomingdale's.)
2. A statement necklace that says, "I enjoy life".
Statement for on
e woman is a Tahitian pearl pendant, for another, a lavish string of lapis discs.
Make it real; real stones have 'zat', a term originally applied to the life in fine turquoise, a quality that can't be photographed, but is as evocative as fog caressing a riverbank.
(Irene Neuwirth 34-inch Lapis Necklace from Barney's.)
3. A black lace bra: you will know, if no one else.
4. A fragrance that gently but persistently whispers I'm here!
(Quartz by Molyneux)
5. A well-cut soft sweater. Keeps you cozy, looks luxurious, wears well.
And you can wash it yourself.
(Ultrafine cashmere v-neck, Eric Bompard.)
6. A watch. This may be the generational ma
rker; the phone or BlackBerry will tell you the time; the watch reminds you what you want to do with it.
(Hermes Cape Cod watch on double-tour band.)
Fashion cycles inexorably repeat: platforms, round glasses, leggings: hello again? The latest fad no longer incites skittering desire. If people think, "Oh, her: shawls, pearls, black jersey", that's fine.
I'll try to keep proportions current, attend to grooming, and not do too many little-old-lady-in-training things like scrabble in my purse for a stim-u-dent.
What are your enduring favourites?
And there are also a few objects I would like to invite along, standbys that continue to provide joy and comfort.
At 61, these include:
1. Metallic sandals or shoes. They dress up the simplest clothes, go with anything, and pack easily.(Tahari "Nyla" sandal from Bloomingdale's.)
2. A statement necklace that says, "I enjoy life".
Statement for on
e woman is a Tahitian pearl pendant, for another, a lavish string of lapis discs.Make it real; real stones have 'zat', a term originally applied to the life in fine turquoise, a quality that can't be photographed, but is as evocative as fog caressing a riverbank.
(Irene Neuwirth 34-inch Lapis Necklace from Barney's.)
3. A black lace bra: you will know, if no one else. 
4. A fragrance that gently but persistently whispers I'm here!
(Quartz by Molyneux)
5. A well-cut soft sweater. Keeps you cozy, looks luxurious, wears well.And you can wash it yourself.
(Ultrafine cashmere v-neck, Eric Bompard.)
6. A watch. This may be the generational ma
rker; the phone or BlackBerry will tell you the time; the watch reminds you what you want to do with it.(Hermes Cape Cod watch on double-tour band.)
Fashion cycles inexorably repeat: platforms, round glasses, leggings: hello again? The latest fad no longer incites skittering desire. If people think, "Oh, her: shawls, pearls, black jersey", that's fine.
I'll try to keep proportions current, attend to grooming, and not do too many little-old-lady-in-training things like scrabble in my purse for a stim-u-dent.
What are your enduring favourites?
Comments
I think all six are wonderful. I'd add earrings--diamond studs or some classic hoops. And a well-made handbag that goes with everything.
By the way, thanks for your lovely comments on my blog. Toronto is on my short list, so I'll take you up on the shawls someday!
StyleSpy: Mmmm. Red does add a kick!
Pseu: These are great picks too. I wear the Hermes Cape Cod that's shown. And always wishing for a great bag!
I think finding one's personal style and eschewing fads is possible even for those of us who can't afford expensive watches.
Earrings, always, in silver or gold. As for the necklace, I have a real, roughcut turquoise necklace but never wear it. The person who gave it to me thought it would bring out my (turquoise) eyes, but it does the opposite, and the nice chunks are too massive somehow. I'm thinking of restringing it with some smaller silver beads and some other semi-precious stone to make the turquoise a bit more subtle. There is a bit of brown in the turquoise so perhaps something brownish.
Since I ride my granny bicycle most of the year, leggings are not a fad item but an essential in chilly weather - under skirts, of course. I don't even like leggings worn as trousers on young girls, or on anyone not dancing, performing circus acts or working out.
Oh, I do love red.
Turquoise mixed with silver would be great, also looks smart with amethyst (coral makes it brighter whi I'm guessing you don't want). Pearl is beautiful with turquoise too. Whatever you do, so hope you can find a way to wear those beautiful chunks!
No, of course your watch was a wise purchase and not at all an extravagance, but my friend and I probably don't net much more monthly income than that. This is the case for many people working in the arts, and I work in community groups with people who earn far less, so I wasn't saying that either to whinge or out of envy. People should by quality goods if they can afford them; it is a saving in the long run.
Red shoes.
A clean-lined, functional, but distinctive bag -- no logo ever.
The silver First Nations carved cuff my husband gave me fifteen or so years ago, worn almost daily.
Like Lagatta, I have to find my style-setting pieces on a budget somewhere below the Hermes watch (although I agree that it's well worth saving for and pays back very well). With a good eye, bags can be found that do the trick for me at $3-500, and ditto for boots at $5-800 and jewelry from $400 upwards. And with our maturity we've learned the pleasures of delayed gratification, right?
Your chain necklace keeps resonating with me, too. Are you a David Yurman fan? Fairly common, but more affordable than Hermes!
Fritinancy: This might be a native American (Navajo?) world, I ran across it many years ago reading about turquoise. Word of the Week, ME?
lagatta: My jewellers have a very long term and flexible layaway plan. They have even offered to let me take an item before I pay fully, but I just can't do that.
My musts: - clothing in colours that always feel like "me," no matter the trends: charcoal gray, dark brown, camel, cream, navy, black & brick red
- cuff bracelets: one at a time or a matching pair (one on each wrist)
- a supportive, comfy bra that make my "girls" look their finest
- handsome leather boots
- I had a Cartier Tank and *gulp* lost it. Whatever watch I buy next MUST be waterproof, since removing for swimming & bathing = recipe for absent-minded me losing it. Also, prefer to have date on the watch face. Any suggestions?
s., I pretty much agree on your colour palette but I really need some purples/violets (yes, I know some are harsh and horrid), reds and foresty greens. And lots of Parisian leadpipe grey, which is so flattering and so hard to find.
We all need those comfy but not hideous bras, but they are so bluidy expensive and the staff make you feel like a deformed bloated eel. A friend had the joy of being treated by mum to a fitting at the world-famous London corsetière Rigby and Peller: http://www.rigbyandpeller.com/ Looked like she had lost a good stone, in Brit terms.
Enduring for me are watches - I think a gorgeous watch is a must.
Good quality knee-high boots - I was fortunate 13 years ago to discover a Gucci warehouse moving sale and managed to snaffle a pair of knee high suede black boots for the princely sum of $95 (reduced from $1200) and they're still going strong.
A great coat - these can last and if a heroine - be admired by many for years.
A beautiful handbag - I have a wardrobe of them and alternate regularly, but having bought some of quality (including one from that Gucci sale 13 years ago) they last and last.
s: Van Rijk on Eglinton has a good selection of vintage watches. Try Toronto Antique Centre (276 King W.). Also, local auctions (Richie, Worthington).
Check eBay too; enter style you want into search engine to research prices. Though there are reputable dealers, some sellers cannibalize parts so you get Rolex case but not works. Be sure to ask and look for a dealer with 100% feedback rating.
Belva: Thanks for the second opinion! Mine is quite impervious to wear but did fall on it once and repair bill was more than I paid for it.