Sense of Self

Sense of self is one of those phrases that's hard to explain but you know it when you see it.

Sense of self since early childhood: my friends Charlotte and Georgina

I was given a J Crew gift certificate and thought I'd spend it on shirts to wear with two striped fuchsia cardigans I've always liked but had never gotten much use from. (I know... spending money in order to use an article of clothing is ridonculous). Anyway I ordered the two Liberty shirts from J. Crew, discounted twice whilst I paid, serious enabling.... They arrived and reminded me immediately of my old university friends, sisters Charlotte and Georgina. Oh, I thought, George and Charlotte would love these shirts.

Charlotte and Georgina loved horses and dogs and sports. At 'varsity they wore pearls, pie crust collars quilted jackets, gathered skirts and pale tights. They wore lipstick and blush but not eye make-up. They tanned easily and had sleek blonde bobs. They read the paper every day from cover to cover.  They knew who they were and they were really, really fun with it. One became a radio sports journalist and the other a tax lawyer, by the way.

While their style was peaceful and instinctive, and clearly has been since early childhood, I was vacillating between wearing a farmer's black singlet as a dress, having one side of my hair cut short leaving the other long, and thinking a spray-painted pink bubble dress was a good idea.

The paisley Liberty shirt

The floral Liberty shirt

With the Rag and Bone cardy I've previously barely worn

With the Demylee cardy I've barely worn

Charlotte and George: I've taken a more circuitous route but here we all are. This one's for you.