What a great post, Rebecca! That 70s picture brings back some memories for sure. lol!
As much as I always wish people would go back to dressing up when they go out in public (as they did in the 40s and 50s), I totally understand the need for comfort...especially as we get older. Working from home (in Florida), I can usually be found in shorts and a t-shirt. A few months ago, I decided I was going to dress as if I were going into the office on Mondays. I did it for a few weeks but then decided it was a bit silly, so I went back to just being comfortable at work.
While I don't know much about fashion, your wedding dress was truly rocking! Looks like it was a fun day :)
Great story about how you grew up in the perspective of how you dressed. Loved the angle of your father the pilot and the pictures that are sprinkled throughout. It is good to see you have gained confidence. BTW, I bet more than a few people look at you!
I always marvel at old pics and films where people are at sports events in 3-piece suits when I now see people at the coffee shop literally in their pajamas. I've never been especially fashionable either, and it's a rarity for me to put on a dress. I'm happily in jeans most days. I've also banished all traces of uncomfortable shoes, especially heels! There's a time and a place for a little formality and dress-up, but I'm with you on being practical and comfortable most of the time. But if I start wearing my pjs in public, please stage an intervention!
Well, at the risk of making myself unpopular, that check-in person was right! Standards need to be maintained. Every time I travel by air I ask for an upgrade, and even though I usually dress smartly, I make a special effort on such occasions. It's worked several times. But I remember once being admitted to business class, and several of the other blokes there looked like they'd just come off the beach. I don't think they should be allowed on, regardless of what they paid. It all brings out the teacher in me, I'm afraid. I would refuse to teach students if their tie was at half-mast or they were slouching. Give me that check-in person's name because I want to recommend her for an MBE for services to decent presentation in public.
You should never worry about how you look in certain clothes. I'm sorry to hear you got picked on for it.
We always worry about what we look like when we go out and then I see all these people who look like they just blindly took something out of their closet and put it on. They obviously don't worry about their outfits. Chances are, you'll never see these people again.
Liked the photos. I'm glad you went with something comfortable and what you wanted for your wedding. You shouldn't be restricted to the usual traditional wedding garb. You can take it as you wanted to be fashionable and trendsetting. You both looked great!
Love the story about flying. Our family was an airline family and when my son Jordan was about 14, I took him and my daughter Amy to Arkansas to visit friends. Jordan wasn't dressed properly for first class because I didn't think there were any openings. When the gate agent assured me there was an opening in first class, she asked if my son had a jacket. I replied yes, even though he had no jacket with him. I returned to where my kids were seated and told Amy to give Jordan her jacket. Mind you, the jacket was definitely feminine. He balked. I asked him if he wanted to sit in first class. He put the jacket on. The whole ensemble looked pretty funny. And of course, Amy and I cut him no slack, laughing all the way down the jet bridge. When we entered the plane, inflight took one look at him and told me that my daughter and I could sit in first class, but Jordan would have to sit in the back-- because of his SHOES. Not the jacket. I just giggled at the absurdity of the whole situation and said, no, that's okay, we'll all sit in the back. It was a gallant effort on our part. Next thing I know, the inflight attendant was ushering us into first class, and telling my son to take his shoes off. We had a wonderful flight and a story I've retold many a time. Funny memories!
I loved getting a peek at your childhood here, Rebecca. The floor length yellow dress with tiny feet peeking out! The rumpled uniform. The "it's-my-wedding-i-will-do-what-i-want" clothes! I can't wait months to see you in your knee-length fitted flowered dress. How about a little sneak preview just for your readers. pleeeeeeeze
Happy New Year, Rebecca! I am catching up on reading. I am right there with you about comfort and dressing more for myself than others, especially as I approach 48.
Dressing up for flights! When my Grandfather or Great Aunt would fly in for visits, they were always dressed in their best clothes and I distinctly remember my Grandfather complaining about how poorly dressed all the “young people” were.
Loved these snapshots and memories that resonate with some of my own. I think my sisters and I had the American version of that 70's nightgown. And your school uniform reminds me of what my high school singing group wore—something I really need to write about. Glad we've connected through Substack!
What a snazzy story!!!! ;)
What a great post, Rebecca! That 70s picture brings back some memories for sure. lol!
As much as I always wish people would go back to dressing up when they go out in public (as they did in the 40s and 50s), I totally understand the need for comfort...especially as we get older. Working from home (in Florida), I can usually be found in shorts and a t-shirt. A few months ago, I decided I was going to dress as if I were going into the office on Mondays. I did it for a few weeks but then decided it was a bit silly, so I went back to just being comfortable at work.
While I don't know much about fashion, your wedding dress was truly rocking! Looks like it was a fun day :)
Best wishes and Happy New Year!!
Great story about how you grew up in the perspective of how you dressed. Loved the angle of your father the pilot and the pictures that are sprinkled throughout. It is good to see you have gained confidence. BTW, I bet more than a few people look at you!
Wonderful! What I especially like is all the physical detail, the specificity of it: I could see Jo heading to the airport. Does she read this?
I always marvel at old pics and films where people are at sports events in 3-piece suits when I now see people at the coffee shop literally in their pajamas. I've never been especially fashionable either, and it's a rarity for me to put on a dress. I'm happily in jeans most days. I've also banished all traces of uncomfortable shoes, especially heels! There's a time and a place for a little formality and dress-up, but I'm with you on being practical and comfortable most of the time. But if I start wearing my pjs in public, please stage an intervention!
“I swear that this slackening skin of mine is becoming more comfortable the longer I inhabit it.” YES! ⭐️
The best part of aging is the confidence.
Also loved all the pictures.
Well, at the risk of making myself unpopular, that check-in person was right! Standards need to be maintained. Every time I travel by air I ask for an upgrade, and even though I usually dress smartly, I make a special effort on such occasions. It's worked several times. But I remember once being admitted to business class, and several of the other blokes there looked like they'd just come off the beach. I don't think they should be allowed on, regardless of what they paid. It all brings out the teacher in me, I'm afraid. I would refuse to teach students if their tie was at half-mast or they were slouching. Give me that check-in person's name because I want to recommend her for an MBE for services to decent presentation in public.
You should never worry about how you look in certain clothes. I'm sorry to hear you got picked on for it.
We always worry about what we look like when we go out and then I see all these people who look like they just blindly took something out of their closet and put it on. They obviously don't worry about their outfits. Chances are, you'll never see these people again.
Liked the photos. I'm glad you went with something comfortable and what you wanted for your wedding. You shouldn't be restricted to the usual traditional wedding garb. You can take it as you wanted to be fashionable and trendsetting. You both looked great!
The wedding photos! 🤩🤩🤩💫 super interesting post! Cx
Great post. I’m also a jeans kinda girl but living in South Florida will wear Jean shorts in the summer. 😀
Happy New Year! 🎉
Love the story about flying. Our family was an airline family and when my son Jordan was about 14, I took him and my daughter Amy to Arkansas to visit friends. Jordan wasn't dressed properly for first class because I didn't think there were any openings. When the gate agent assured me there was an opening in first class, she asked if my son had a jacket. I replied yes, even though he had no jacket with him. I returned to where my kids were seated and told Amy to give Jordan her jacket. Mind you, the jacket was definitely feminine. He balked. I asked him if he wanted to sit in first class. He put the jacket on. The whole ensemble looked pretty funny. And of course, Amy and I cut him no slack, laughing all the way down the jet bridge. When we entered the plane, inflight took one look at him and told me that my daughter and I could sit in first class, but Jordan would have to sit in the back-- because of his SHOES. Not the jacket. I just giggled at the absurdity of the whole situation and said, no, that's okay, we'll all sit in the back. It was a gallant effort on our part. Next thing I know, the inflight attendant was ushering us into first class, and telling my son to take his shoes off. We had a wonderful flight and a story I've retold many a time. Funny memories!
I loved getting a peek at your childhood here, Rebecca. The floor length yellow dress with tiny feet peeking out! The rumpled uniform. The "it's-my-wedding-i-will-do-what-i-want" clothes! I can't wait months to see you in your knee-length fitted flowered dress. How about a little sneak preview just for your readers. pleeeeeeeze
Happy New Year, Rebecca! I am catching up on reading. I am right there with you about comfort and dressing more for myself than others, especially as I approach 48.
Dressing up for flights! When my Grandfather or Great Aunt would fly in for visits, they were always dressed in their best clothes and I distinctly remember my Grandfather complaining about how poorly dressed all the “young people” were.
I love your photos shared here! 😍
Loved these snapshots and memories that resonate with some of my own. I think my sisters and I had the American version of that 70's nightgown. And your school uniform reminds me of what my high school singing group wore—something I really need to write about. Glad we've connected through Substack!