The theory of “enclothed cognition” provides support for the idea that wearing clothes can re-activate memories that influence how we think, feel and act. Because of this clothing has life-changing potential. In her wonderful book, “Worn Stories”, Emily Spivak uses a piece of clothing as a storytelling device and reveals how an article of clothing creates wearable memoirs for the person who owns and saves them. She inspires me to tell you a story about a favorite grey piece.
My memorable piece of grey clothing is a lambswool jacket that belonged to my grandmother. Notes of Je Reviens perfume by Worth linger and the jacket hangs exactly the same way on my small, slim body as I remember it hanging on her. Ironically after “forgetting” about this coat for many years a few months ago I found it in my closet and kept it out for cleaning and repair. I look at it often these days, particularly now that I have started this new life adventure of becoming the Accidental Icon. My grandmother had this coat custom made (her name is embroidered inside) shortly after she left her rather ordinary (to her) suburban life when my grandfather died. Appalling to her daughters at the time, she sold her home in Wilton Connecticut and joined her two widowed sisters in a revisiting of the cosmopolitan lifestyle they had enjoyed as young women.
During this time she indulged her great love of clothing and travel. Making the calculations I see that she was the same age as I am now. She was especially enamored with Japan, always bringing me back sumptuously dressed geisha dolls, tiny glass perfume bottles and books of watercolors covered in onionskin. I always knew I was like my grandmother, as she offered the only example of an educated, rebellious woman in our family. Now feeling the grey coat on my shoulders, her courage seeps into my bones. I hear her whisper delightedly that my re-imagination as Accidental Icon (who loves urban living, clothes and Japanese designers) is an adventure she would love me to take.
My dear Accidental Icon, it was destined that we meet!
Reading these words, I can tell you are an educated and brilliant woman whose grandmother, like my own grandmother, was a huge influence in your life. I am so happy you left a comment for me today. Please send me an email and tell me how long you’ve been blogging and a little bit about yourself. I am very interested. [email protected]
xx’s Marsha
My dear Accidental Icon, it was destined that we meet!
Reading these words, I can tell you are an educated and brilliant woman whose grandmother, like my own grandmother, was a huge influence in your life. I am so happy you left a comment for me today. Please send me an email and tell me how long you’ve been blogging and a little bit about yourself. I am very interested. [email protected]
xx’s Marsha
My dear Accidental Icon, it was destined that we meet!
Reading these words, I can tell you are an educated and brilliant woman whose grandmother, like my own grandmother, was a huge influence in your life. I am so happy you left a comment for me today. Please send me an email and tell me how long you’ve been blogging and a little bit about yourself. I am very interested. [email protected]
xx’s Marsha
My dear Accidental Icon, it was destined that we meet!
Reading these words, I can tell you are an educated and brilliant woman whose grandmother, like my own grandmother, was a huge influence in your life. I am so happy you left a comment for me today. Please send me an email and tell me how long you’ve been blogging and a little bit about yourself. I am very interested. [email protected]
xx’s Marsha
To Barbara C. For some reason my emails to you keep getting sent back. I wanted to thank you both for your grey dress story and your lovely comments about the blog. Hopefully we can connect and resolve the email issue.
Accidental Icon
To Barbara C. For some reason my emails to you keep getting sent back. I wanted to thank you both for your grey dress story and your lovely comments about the blog. Hopefully we can connect and resolve the email issue.
Accidental Icon
To Barbara C. For some reason my emails to you keep getting sent back. I wanted to thank you both for your grey dress story and your lovely comments about the blog. Hopefully we can connect and resolve the email issue.
Accidental Icon
To Barbara C. For some reason my emails to you keep getting sent back. I wanted to thank you both for your grey dress story and your lovely comments about the blog. Hopefully we can connect and resolve the email issue.
Accidental Icon
cute!
<a href="http://agoprime.it/">www.agoprime.it</a>
cute!
<a href="http://agoprime.it/">www.agoprime.it</a>
cute!
<a href="http://agoprime.it/">www.agoprime.it</a>
cute!
<a href="http://agoprime.it/">www.agoprime.it</a>
Hi, I just discovered your blog through Fifty not Frumpy Blog. I love that you did your blog in all black and white – refreshing. And, love your style!
I am a vintage junky and have several items that I covet, but I have to say my
leopard coats that i have gotten various vintage shops and flea markets just make me happy. A couple are on my instagram @stylenudge. I started my own style blog about 10 months ago and am loving it. Looking forward to your future posts.
Cherie
http://www.stylenudge.com
Thanks for taking the time to comment Kat. As a new blogger it means a lot to me.
Thanks for taking the time to comment Kat. As a new blogger it means a lot to me.
Thanks for taking the time to comment Kat. As a new blogger it means a lot to me.
Love this story! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
x Kat
http://www.withlovefromkat.com
Thanks for taking the time to comment Kat. As a new blogger it means a lot to me.