You won't find a trench coat in my closet.
This is despite reading list after list from fashion 'gurus' who insist every woman in America needs a trench coat in her closet. Tim Gunn, Oprah's style guy, those folks from Bravo...all list the trench as a must have.
Trench coats are boring in my humble opinion. I've never needed to pretend I was a spy in post WWII Europe.
I actually did own a camel London Fog in the middle eighties during my "Dress for Success' phase. (Talk about must have lists!) If you knew me then you'll remember I dressed in power suits a lot. In those days I was running a small company where young me had to ask older dads and moms to trust in my abilities. It was necessary to dress with authority, or so I thought. So I wore a trench coat, sensible closed toe heels, power suits, and pantyhose. And, quite often, a hat. Fortunately, my photography spoke volumes about my creative soul and provided a terrific outlet.
Then there was the day my friend, Susan, came into a room wearing a red wool coat. It was stunning, beautiful, and powerful. It made my creative soul lust for that same panache, flair, and color in my life.
So, here's the lesson I'm still learning 25 years later, 'to your own heart be true.' Don't wear it, buy it, use it, or try it unless you really want to. On the other hand, be alert to the red wool coats out there in the world. Don't be afraid to grab one when the opportunity presents itself. And you know I'm not just talking about clothes or coats here, don't you?
Make a statement.
Do it your way.
Listen to your heart.
Go For It!
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4 Other Creative Souls are Saying:
Then again, you have to pair the trench coat with an awesome hat a la the fabulous Ingrid Bergman in "Casablanca". Now THAT's an inspiring look.
Sometimes you really make me think so hard it hurts!
I think it was Fitzgerald that said "The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function." In the last two posts, you seem to have accomplished this.
In "2009 in my rearview mirror" when discussing the split in your church, you commented, "what part of unity don't we get as Christians??? Sigh" Unity, the good of the many outweighing the good of the one, sacrifice self for the good of the group -- is a noble value indeed, and has been associated with most organized religions for centuries. It's one of the values that formed the Catholic church, and the US Government. In our house, it is central to the concept of family, too.
By contrast, in "Trench Coat Mentality", you present us with the exact opposite premise: "Make a statement. Do it your way. Listen to your heart. Go For It!" These comments seem to promote the value of individualism, with no comment/concern about the ramifications on others near you. I think of the late 60's and the "Me Generation" is the best example of this mindset.
It makes my head spin some days to keep up with you! I bet the characters in your stories are really complex, with your ability to step into, and out of, opposing values like these!
Keep up the good work. --Jan
LOL! Jan, welcome to my world! I'm a split personality most days.
Joanne, the fabulous Ingrid is the best reason to wear a trenchcoat...and a hat. Ooo, la, la...
Pretending to be a spy in post WWII London sounds pretty exciting to me...
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