The Observations of a Wise Observer

Vanessa Friedman is a keen observer...

 
These days I feel more like a fashion watcher than an active participant. As I wait to see where she will go—and fashion is definitely a "she"—I pay attention to the observers and what they have to say.

One of the best is Vanessa Friedman of the New York Times. There can be no doubt she loves fashion. She is, after all, Fashion Director of the Times, a pretty lofty position. She is also 2021-savvy and acknowledges "the culture of disposability around fashion" that leads to a glut of items in both wardrobes and landfills. She promotes buying better to last (good I think) and thrifting over new (maybe). She has a finger on the pulse of fashion, and I'm always interested how she thinks the patient is doing.

Vanessa reported on Jill Biden in a recent Times' piece. Dr. Jill has made it clear that her time in Washington is not going to be about what she wears. There is too much to do. Nevertheless First Lady fashion-watching is a thing for "reasons national, personal and political" writes Vanessa. 

During her visit to the Tokyo Olympics Jill has worn only one new outfit: a Ralph Lauren navy jacket and white pants in her role as official U.S. Olympic team booster.

Showing her true colors...

The rest of her wardrobe—for events and dinners as well as touch-downs—are all things we have seen before. Unlike days past when the First Lady's closet was more of a revolving rack than an actual wardrobe, the fact that Jill Biden will keeps things she likes to wear in rotation is realistic to the way most of us dress.

I love this next paragraph so much—and it's the gist of what I wanted to say—that I'm quoting it directly from Vanessa Friedman:

"...by rewearing her clothes, she is underscoring their value; the idea that when you find a garment you love, that makes you feel effective and like the best version of you, you keep it. If it made you feel that way once, it will do so again. That such a garment is worthy of investment for the long term. That it’s as much for the woman inside it as for the watching public. That it is not a throwaway. That you could do it too. That this is something to which we can all relate, whether or not we’re aware of the sustainability side of things."

IF IT MADE YOU FEEL THAT WAY ONCE, IT WILL DO SO AGAIN.

This needs to be etched inside my closet door and engraved onto my credit card.