Style: Graham Street shows how to give a damn

Recently, when we considered the elevation of Frump Style, several readers noted it is the province of the young, because that's the time of life for experimentation—but also, has adherents much later in life.

Leslie said, "I agree that it tends to pool around the poles of being; very young and very old, when comfort and Idontgiveadamn tend to dictate choices." 

As I took my habitual dawn walk in Idon'tgiveadamn exercise gear, I wondered, How does it start? Does vanity move from the driver's seat to the back, and eventually to the trunk? How much of Idon'tgiveadamn is tied to physical and mental health, and the everyday energy dips of ageing?

Whatever the cause, the antidote—if one wishes—is a generous serving of inspiration.

Here is the photo that I returned to while pondering Leslie's comment: a shot of Sue Graham. Her daughter, Hannah Macleod, founded the site Graham Street, to present, as Macleod says, pieces that catch her eye, especially for women past age thirty. (Sue Graham is in her sixties.)

I thought, "Now there's a vital, interesting-looking woman. I'd like to meet her." It was not just the clothes as much as the animation and spirit in her expression. 

And yet, she is wearing several Frump-favoured items: maryjanes, a loose dress! When I looked at more photos, I saw that the vitality and quality of Sue Graham's outfits instead amplified her joie de vivre: 

Left: Note the baroque pearl earrings! The pattern of the scarf against the stripes, the tonal variation: this is the antithesis of moth-eaten resignation. (It helps to have a daughter who is a professional stylist.)

Top right: Whether a midi-length dress is your proportion or not, the pattern mix is the lesson. 

Bottom: I especially enjoy the mother/daughter shots; each looking terrific yet comfortable. Colour is always at hand, not in the obvious "pop", but as a subtler waft.  

Much of the success of Sue Graham's clothes is down to this refined colour sense. Look at the accord of blue and green in this shot!

Here are ideas to use, even if you would change the scale, prefer your hair long, or wouldn't want a jumpsuit. Sue Graham has not been an eager model; Hannah Macleod says she had to be "dragged kicking and screaming" to shoots—and let's be thankful she has agreed.

Some pieces shown are pricey (e.g. Toast, YMC); others are mid-range, like Cos. You can hunt for similar at thrifts and consignments. I've found a few since I took that three-new-items-a-year pledge. I'll show them in January; for now, just take heart that it can be done.   

I'm fan and ev-Grahamgelist, not just because I admire how Sue Graham dresses, but because Graham St. delivers an alternative to blah, generic (my spell checker keeps correcting to "geriatric") attire and the dreadful "wearable art" grown women are advised will make them look "modern" or "interesting". 

You know it's coming: pearls are kryptonite to dontgiveadamn:

This blog and Instagram account, like Alyson Walsh's excellent That's Not My Age, includes links, tips and industry knowledge. Collaborations often promote small, local businesses, and seem to be carefully-selected, because the aesthetic is consistent.  This isn't a flog-blog.

Facing a long winter, depending on that black v-neck and dark jeans, I need a bit of coaxing. It's all there in my closet; the Graham St. team reminds me to revere and revive it. As Hannah Macleod says, "I'm a firm believer that it's not so much about what you wear, but how you wear it."

(All photos retrieved from the Graham St. site.)

PS. What if you're just too low to make the effort? A big mitten clap to stylist Bridgette Raes for her timely post "Clothing Won't Make It Better But It Will Help". Though written for women going in to work, her ideas also encourage anyone having an off day.