Last week rather than easing back into the semester, I started to teach a five day intensive course. The pros are that as of tomorrow I will have one less course to teach this Fall and the cons are that an intensive course is…well intense. The course runs from 9-5 each of the five days and when you are a performative professor, as I am, where you are “on” in the classroom, it can be an exhausting, yet exhilarating experience. Somehow when I am in a classroom, I become more alive, larger than life. I have more affect, I move around more, I perform the passion I feel for my profession and for the many clients who have inspired and taught me during the time I was practicing. For those who are wondering I think the students would say that I am still “tough”, but maybe a little bit softer around the edges.
As some of you may know I have taken to wearing silk during the dog days of summer. One of my memories of attending an all women’s college was the way I would get up at the last minute put a sweater over my pajama bottoms, throw on some shoes, or even slippers, and run to class. Old habits die hard but now as professor, here I am wearing a more sophisticated rendition. This time my “pajamas” are black silk and my slippers are comfortable loafers from Japan.
I have decided that if I was a textile, it would be silk. Silk is the lightest of fabrics, with a lustrous shine and a soft feel. On the other hand it is one of the strongest fabrics and thus holds an elegant dichotomy, one of my favorite attributes of persons, places and things. This organic silk shirtdress, which I have styled on the side of shirt, was given to me by Zady, to wear both for my post and for a feature they will be doing about me. The slippers, also a gift from Zady, have the perfect and wonderful detail that in my opinion should be part of every pair of slip-ons: that of a pull up tag in the back of the shoe. Because it is from Zady when you click on the item you get the wonderful delight of the story of how the garment came to be in a way that is respectful of the people, places, animals and where it is from in the world. Something from Zady is always the best thing I could wear to teach social welfare because I am essentially “performing” an act of social well-being simply by wearing the clothes. How layered and inspiring is that?
What fabric would you want to be and how would you like to be made?
I think I would be linen. So many delicious textures and weights which can be modified .Extremely versatile . Easier to work with than silk. Not sure that my loved ones would agree that I have any of these qualities but I can try!
Love silk, love your style. I also love cotton for these Texas scorchers!
Love silk, love your style. I also love cotton for these Texas scorchers!
I would be linen…..washed and natural (never ironed!). Washed and dried in the machines and ready to go. It is light, breathes and looks organic. I live in a very hot section of California and wear linen all summer long.
I will go for cotton and linen for summer days! Black or neutral colors. Adore your style!
I will go for cotton and linen for summer days! Black or neutral colors. Adore your style!
I would love to be merino wool. All year round gal, warm and cool when you need her. Won’t get stretched out of shape and can flow with ya.
Thanks for asking. Love that question.
Love the paradox in your style today.
I am so glad sustainability and ethics in textiles are moving closer to the forefront of a growing, urbane consumer consciousness, and, in turn, creating a well-deserved shadow on antediluvian practices that exploits humans and abuses animals . Zady’s premise "The New Standard" is refreshing, and their prices are refreshingly reasonable. I join the linen following for its plant-based origin, kindness to the skin, and beautifully soothing colors. And a finally spun thread would be my choice. I wear linen year round, as did ( I recently discovered through reading) my German ancestors who wore it for comfort under their wool garments.
C.e.
White Dog Diaries
Like you I’d go for silk. The most adaptable fabric. As at home being underwear as being a suit. Fluid, soft, washable, cool in summer and warm in winter.
Silk, for its sensuality, coolness, strength and durability (I always feel beautiful wearing silk – and rich). I also love the softness of Bamboo – underwear and socks are delicious to wear. Given its rapid growth and worldwide availability I believe bamboo is undervalued.
Silk, for its sensuality, coolness, strength and durability (I always feel beautiful wearing silk – and rich). I also love the softness of Bamboo – underwear and socks are delicious to wear. Given its rapid growth and worldwide availability I believe bamboo is undervalued.
Cashmere all the way!
I love SILK. I’ve fallen hard for its forgiving yet uplifting nature. I wear it all day- to bed, and back up and out again, not telling anyone of my hedonistic habits. Wearing silk is like wearing air, it’s a chameleon in multiple climates, it’s sensual, luxurious and the perfect layering fiber, period.
I love SILK. I’ve fallen hard for its forgiving yet uplifting nature. I wear it all day- to bed, and back up and out again, not telling anyone of my hedonistic habits. Wearing silk is like wearing air, it’s a chameleon in multiple climates, it’s sensual, luxurious and the perfect layering fiber, period.
A very good quality cashmere….
A very good quality cashmere….