A coat and handbag

Until one has comfortably accepted one's place in age moyen there is a tendency in our youth obsessed culture to dress young. Here in the great white north that generally entails some sort of jacket and for women a shoulder bag, knapsack or some other flung-over-the-shoulder stuff holder. That works for a long time and is extremely functional when you're herding around small children. But when that phase ends it is time to dress in l'age. While it is important to dress for your 'age' it is critical not to look like you just came out of Talbots. Talbots is fine for the aging boomers but not for the middle-aged Joneses. (More on that demographic in a separate post.)

For me dressing in l'age began with a handbag. I dropped the shoulder bag in favour of a well-constructed, somewhat boxy, beige leather Tod's bag which I scored at Value Village for $6.99. It is a beautifully made bag with the right length of handle that prevents it from swinging around when I walk, it hangs neatly in the crook of my arm and, in a pinch, can slip over my shoulder when only two hands will do. It has the right number of pockets for small items and the main pouch is big enough for wallet, reading glasses, sun glasses and a paperback or collapsible umbrella. The sides are somewhat rigid so it never collapses when placed resolutely on a store counter or restaurant table. In short, it holds its own.

In addition to switching to the handbag I nixed the jacket for a coat. A jacket says I'm on the run, a coat says I'm making careful decisions and won't be rushed.

And that's it. You can make other changes but it's not necessary (although good shoes or boots help the cause). The coat and handbag represent experience, practicality plus style and, as my dear friend at Mid-Read observed, you are welcomed into most environments with a degree of gravitas, warmth and respect.

We often forget how those in l'age jeune are frequently treated with disrespect and poor service. Recently on a lunch hour excursion to the AGO my dear friend Mid-Read witnessed the less than hospitable treatment on the part of the security/front door staff towards some college students who found themselves in the door on a school trip stood up by their teacher who held the admission tickets. The students did not receive the same greeting as did those in other age brackets. In fact, the differences were notable and so insulting that my dear friend gallantly stepped in a bold effort to sweep them in under her membership umbrella. Even with our combined memberships we couldn't get them in (and such a missed opportunity for the AGO who would not budge to let these students and potential life-long members in for free) and they made do with strolling through the public spaces and being ignored.

Would the coat/handbag strategy have worked for these 19 year olds. I think not. They are the symbols of l'age and require years of effort to be able to brandish about. It is important to note that there are advantages to l'age and it is equally important to enjoy them responsibly.

Cool Britannia arrives in America

When Tony Blair was elected Prime Minister in Britain after years of Thatcherism it was as though a pall had lifted from the U.K. All of a sudden, Britain was cool. Cool Britannia ruled.

With Tuesday's election of the ultra-cool Barack Obama, 'cool' has crossed the Atlantic. The U.S. is about to become very cool. More cool than it has been since JFK and Jackie were doing the twist on the 2nd floor of the White House. Fundamental Christianity, hawkishness and old white guys are so yesterday.

My predictions on the new cool:


1. Casual fridays are finally over. Men, even young men (under 30) will don suits with crisp shirts (white) and ties. The bar has been raised even for casual attire. When walking the kids to a Halloween party or speaking at an outdoor rally in the rain, Barack's has a classic casual uniform, black pants, a white shirt (open collar) and a black windbreaker. That's as casual as he gets. Cargo pants or worse, shorts, XL t-shirts and baseball caps are not clothes for grown men. RIP.

2. The waist is back: For women and men. The days of the baggy-ass pants are coming to an end, and not a moment too soon. It would be nice to see some young, shapely butts again. Lord knows, we women have had to squeeze our hips into ever smaller versions of everything during this miserable era. The thwarting of female power continues unabated ... that's a topic for another time.

For women, dresses are in. Michelle likes them and she looks pretty Jackie O. And they're pretty comfortable, versatile and, like the man suit, can hide lots of flaws. Plus you just have to throw one thing on instead of three (pants/skirt, jacket, shirt) Hilary's pantsuit can take a rest.

3. Public service is in. (O.K. the Wall Street Journal predicted it, but it is a nice shift from financial services)

4. Chili. Barack whips up chili for the family. cute.

5. Cool is not about age. Stephen Harper is about the same age as Barack and look what an old fart he is!


Amidst the financial crisis, the mortgage fiasco, young men and women being killed or maimed in Iraq and Afghanistan, at least the misery can be balanced with a little cool.

My love for les voluptueux

To begin, I am the very antithesis of the full-figured gal. Of course that means there's nothing I love better than les voluptueux - big bones, full breasts, round hips preferably combined with a waist that slides in, even a little. I love it and most of all love it when the woman has the confidence to capitalize on the utter femaleness of her assets. Skirts, belts, jackets that cynch in at the waist with unabashed feminine flutter - lace, ruffles, frilly collars, all that stuff that makes me wish I was that sort of woman.

When I was about 14 years old my sister brought one of these voluptueux home and I followed her around like a love sick puppy. The few times that I saw her she always wore the same dress, it was kind of flowery and flowing with a belt, some kind of a fluffy collar and always always always, even in the house, mary janes with high heels. This was the '70's of course so the look was totally 'in' and utterly fabulous. She was about 18 at the time and new how to wear a dress and, most importantly, recognized that this way of dressing played to her assets. I remember her brother coming in to the house to pick her up a couple of times and he seemed just as entranced as I was.

The next time I spotted one of these babes in a little boutique on Bloor St. (there were still boutiques on Bloor st. back then) in the early '80s where this lovely woman was trying on hats. Again, like her predecessor, she wore a skirt and very feminine blouse, her hair was short and she was uttely feminine and completely lovely. I saw her again waiting in line to pick up tickets at the ballet. She was there with her daughter who must have been about 8 years old. I was so impressed that this 'mother' was still so feminine and attractive. Lucky little girl to learn from such a woman.

Then recently I found another such woman. I would guess that she is mid '30s (not age moyen but no girl) and she was not tall but completely voluptueux wearing a beautiful beige suit with wide legged pants, a short jacket that belted way in and an almost Tudor-like collar setting off her pale colouring. She was so stunning and so comfortable in this outfit that didn't cling, was elegant yet modern and emphasized every curve she had. Such an inspiration.

I regret (again) not having a camera with me so I could show you just what I mean.