Summer in the City: A Shorts Story

 

Who said it was okay to wear casual shorts as a tourist in a big city? Nobody. So why are you wearing them?

You know who you are. I estimate your age as between 30 and 60.

Women older than that left their gardening clothes at home and wore pants or even a dress. They (me too) were born in an age when "appropriate" was part of the dress code. Those habits die hard.

Younger women? My personal opinion about what to wear in a city will be irrelevant; I understand.

"What? Me worry?"

By shorts I don't mean “city shorts”, those to-the-knee-ish, tailored shorts. I never saw anyone wearing them. I saw instead a sea of full-on in-your-backyard short shorts.

City shorts never caught on.

Are you older than 30? It’s time to grow up. Shorts are fine at home. We live in casual times, and summer is a little hot for yoga wear. But a city is a city, and they don't get any more "city" than Washington, DC. 

  

For once men out-dressed the women. Men in suits were everywhere. And there were well-dressed women of many ages. Of course these people were all government workers or diplomats or presidential candidates. I could tell they weren't tourists because they walked fast.

I didn't see this guy.

Swimsuit Daze These Sunny Days

 
Fair and prone to skin cancers, I shouldn't be out in the sun in the first place. Of course I want to take advantage of summer water activities. I finally found a self-tanner that doesn't turn my legs citrus peel orange (not a plug but Tan Towel if you're curious). Armed with 50 SPF sun screen they are good to go (or show). The rest of me? That's a swimsuit challenge.

You might say I was an early adapter, but I've been swimming in a long-sleeve rash guard and boy-shorts for a few years now. I called myself "the world's oldest surfer", although there was no surf in the pool at the Richilieu Hotel.

Happily the rash guard has caught on and there are now many fashion-savvy styles to choose from. You may ask, "Well, aren't they hot?" They are not. And (bonus) the residual cool on your body after you come from a dip in ocean or pool is quite refreshing. They dry fast so cool doesn't turn clammy.

Land's End has the sanest versions

The rash guard eliminates all sorts of issues like flabby arms and muffin tops. If you need support you can wear a lightweight athletic bra. You can buy a smaller can of sunscreen. Just don't forget your legs. I haven't gone full scuba diver yet.

Stylish Read: IM

 
"IM" is a great title for an autobiography. That happens to be Isaac Mizrahi's initials, which could also stand for Irrepressible Mensch*.

Be apprised. "IM" is not a romp through Isaac's adventures in the fashion business (though there are some). He doesn't elaborate his design philosophy (other than there must be color and joy). He never kisses and tells if relationships went wrong. In "IM" he is coming to terms with himself, a work in progress.

He grew up in a family that followed Sephardic Jewish traditions in Brooklyn. Isaac had enough difficulty fitting into his own family let alone the neighborhood. Always a showman, he persuaded his parents to allow him to attend High School of the Performing Arts in Manhattan with hopes of going into show business. He loved everything about it, including making costumes.

Acting was hard; fashion was easy. I understand. For me writing (which I loved) was hard; art was easy. I became a graphic designer. Easy or not, the business of fashion is fraught with challenges. It's a wonder anyone makes it. It took time and has been a roller coaster ride, but Isaac Mizrahi is one of our best loved and most prolific designers without a regular presence on runways or in stores.

From 2002 to 2008 he was the first designer of note to produce a line for Target. Although he faced some flack from the fashion community for it, the line was a huge success. I only reluctantly let go of a faux wood-grained skirt I loved that must have shrunk while hanging in the closet.

Wood that it still fit!

In 2010 he launched another successful line with QVC, which continues today. While not particularly impressed by what I see, I think that A) it must pay the bills and B) it sells well because Isaac as a presenter is just so darn charming.

In between Isaac has had a talk show on tv, been a continuing judge on the "Project Runway" franchise, invented a comic book character, had a one-man show, and a cabaret act. I get the idea that any future attempts at fashion design will be replaced by his true love, show business.

To this day he has issues with self image. Isaac's childhood photos are easily found on the internet, but he includes no pictures. I'm sure his editors tried to convince him otherwise. That there are none surely indicates resolve and a will of steel.

Isaac loves stylish women, but doesn't tell us how to be one. There's not one bit of fashion advice in "IM". For that I refer you to his  charming 2008 "How to Have Style".

 
There is, however, one great takeaway: We can never truly be happy unless we are our true selves. Like the hunt for the perfect pair of jeans, it's a lifetime journey. 


* Yiddish for "person of integrity and honor"