I always marvel when people say I’m well dressed.
It’s more, I’m simply put together that never lets on it’s fashion on the cheap.
Lesson number one…don’t ever follow a fad since, you’ll look dated before you pay off your Visa bill.
If you stick with the classics you’re better off since, who doesn’t appreciate a blazer over a cool pair’a jeans. 
Even a guy should choose that for his uniform since, there’s nothing like a fella in sleek Levis and a button-down loosely tucked, sleeves peeking beneath that natty jacket. 
It’s that classic Ralph Lauren look women love, with eternal sex appeal.
Who says pretending you play polo is phony?
Alright, I’ll give you that.
What inspired this piece was a wealthy woman I know and frankly, can’t stand since her snarky remarks make you wonder if she suffers from Tourette’s Syndrome.
I’ve never been a fan of…mean for sport. I’m from Connecticut after all, where if you can’t say something nice, shut the fuck up, is printed alongside the state bird, an American Robin that might even own a blazer.
But like a sniper shooting, Snark and her mink coat sidled up to say, how surprised she always is how nice I look, and no I didn’t smack her. I was already recycling her bile into this essay.
“What caught your eye?” I ask, “I can’t wait to hear?”
Being a vintage narcissus, she missed my squirt of sarcasm.
“It’s that old Barbour of yours 
with all those layers underneath. How you leave it open to show off that navy blazer. How old is that now?”
“How old are you?” Her sneer shortened.
“I only ask that since, you’re right,” I say, back-peddling afraid I’d miss one of her classic cracks, “I bought it at Brooks Brothers years ago.”
“You should just save your money and buy a fur,” she said, caressing her coat like a pet.
We parted ways.
Actually, what I didn’t tell Snarky was that it was a J. Crew, what they call a school boy blazer 
that costs a fraction of the price of the Brooks I do still have but favor the former. It’s of lighter weight with plain buttons and cushy pockets that keep their shape.
The tip’s the same, invest in a nice jacket, but well, my sartorial selections aren’t as serious as they once were…labels, an unnecessary expense since nowadays J. Crew rivals Polo aside from price.
As far as that mink coat goes, I so wanted to tell her, if I were you Snarky, I’d stay away from Maine during hunting season, but alas, that robin, fluttered. 
SB
When my oldest daughter was pregnant last year I lent her my gray/tan plaid wool cape. My mother made it for me 55 years ago when I was in high school! She received compliments whenever she wore it. Good fashion never goes out of style.
I think your snarky ‘friend’ is a clone of one of my cousins. When a compliment comes out of her mouth we all know to wait for the other shoe to drop. She once oohed and ahhed over my new boots, then asked how I could afford to buy them, ha ha!
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People should pause before opening their mouths so fewer toads pop out. I have a tweed coat that’s 30 years old. The shoulder pads are no longer, and at some point it was narrowed, but I too, like your wool cape, get many compliments. Here’s to classic. You’re a classic Skinny, the Studebaker of Style. If you don’t believe me, just ask Pookie. 🙂
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You could hold your own anywhere, Susannah! I love the way you deal with snarky people. You are smart enough to score off them without their noticing. Talk about classic!
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My neighborhood is a very rich enclave who have lost much of their perspective, even before the Pandemic. I’ve learned to not take their attitude personally. They also are lessons in who I never want to be. EVER! 🙂
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You are so very wise, Susannah. I admire you for that.
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It’s either that or kill somebody. Outer trappings, what do they really mean? They’re fleeting at best. Right? I’m just always grateful my needs are met praying they’ll continue to be, glad I’m kinder than those who don’t seem to be. I count my blessings Anne at least twice a day…morning and night. Grace, it’s a shame it’s down a quart. sigh
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Grateful people aren’t mean, are they? I hadn’t stopped to think of that.
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No. Counting your blessings keep you in line. When I see the homeless on the street for instsnce, I think how blessed to have hot water and clean towels. Yes, grateful people who pray leave meanness in the dust.
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Very true.
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I sound so evangelical, when I’m not. I’m more a Gandhi girl who leans towards changing the world in your small way. Takes so little. I’m always happy to gear from you.
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It takes all kinds to help God’s world. You are much, much more effective than a sidewalk evangelist.
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Why thank you. To be quite frank, I’ve known so many cruel Christians making me wonder, what that’s all about. I find it’s better to just worship at the Nice Girl Altar and have that be that. 🙂
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Your worship there would be purer than in a church with cruel Christians.
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AMEN!!! 🙂
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I think that old Walrus ought to head in. She obviously has no manners. When I was working in organized commerce I had suits that were well into their 25th year. I kept the same style my entire working life.I always wore a two-button single center vent suit, medium lapels, no shoulder pads, and cuffed pants. I paid good money for tailoring and material. Same for the blazer. I did donate most to the Salvation Army dress for success program when I retired. I kept one for what I thought would be emergency situations. I have yet to wear it in ten years, Did I mention my Burberry trench coat that is going strong from 1978?. Super post, Susannah. Thanks.
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I too have a Burberry. I love that you donated your suits since you no longer needed them. As for the rich, I find them tainted quite often by their means, living in some kind of chronic unrest. Contentment is an inside job, so a mink coat or 10, just won’t do it. My 2 cents. Thanks for reading. Always a grace. 🙂
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One always wonders why the rich seem to have so many problems. I remember in college going to a home of one of my college friends in Westport for dinner. ( I was at a college conference in NYC) The mother had obviously been drinking and decided to quiz me on literature. When I admitted to not liking one of the books she mentioned, she blew a gasket. She finally left the table but I was in a state of shock. The dad apologized but I could sense this was not a one time occurrence. These folks owned a major company and were living in misery. My friend and I caught a train for the city. and he stayed in my hotel room. What a ghastly. scene it was and I still remember it after 60 years.
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Sounds right. F. Scott Fitzgerald said it best….Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me. They possess and enjoy early, and it does something to them, makes them soft where we are hard, and cynical where we are trustful, in a way that, unless you were born rich, it is very difficult to understand.
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So true.
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I don’t think I know any snarky people. If I do, their snarkiness is over my head. As for clothes, I don’t have anything remotely expensive or a designer label. I am a Walmart, Target, Marshall’s kind of shopper. When I go to department stores, I always buy the store brand because they cost less.
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And I’ll bet you look beautiful. A hunch…:)
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I think you have it Susannah. Fur wearers should be forced to run as quarry. I see that solving all kinds of problems.
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You gave me my first laugh of the morning. Yes, I believe you’re right.
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You’ve got fashion going on two different topics, the wearable stuff and the literary stuff. And lemme tell you . . as Rod Stewart once crooned . . you wear it well.
Snarky . . Sartorial . . are you kidding me? Herman! Open the file! Here come’s a few more!
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I loved that song.
Snarky should be added to Webster’s today without further ado. They lurk like an obnoxious army to ruin one’s day. And sartorial, well…fancy schmancy.
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Seriously, about the snarky. It should be in there by lunchtime. Stop the presses! Start the presses! Get it done people!
I dig words, like you. 🙂
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I know you do. 🙂
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I know it.
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I would think wearing fur would be out of fashion these days, at least the real stuff. But, I guess in certain circles, it’s still fine. I would be happy wearing jeans and T-shirt every day with a nice fleece or hoodie in cold weather. 🙂
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Me too. As for fur…it still flies in these parts. 🙂
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My mother taught us about the classics. She learned early on how important it was to have things last. The blazer and the black dress have seen everything! Ya know what? That is a great idea for a book—if the blazer & the black dress could talk. Your welcome!
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V did have a classic eye. Look who she appreciated…Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis…though we might skip the O part.
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Haha! No need for the O
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NOPE…Oh, because she dazzled, but no O, since well…she’ll always be Mrs. Kennedy to us.
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Absolutely
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