Usually on Fridays I highlight a piece of artwork on my xanga site and a piece of clothing on my blog. Fashion is an essential part of our lives and an expressive method of communication. One may think that she is not interested in fashion, but that does not keep her clothing from telling others about her.
Here's an interesting commentary by historian Paul Johnson on statesmen and what they wear. After reading this I am more intrigued by statesmen and what they wear and when they wear it.
Consider the recently assassinated Benazir Bhutto and the contrast between the civil and military cultures of Pakistan.How does fashion factor into your daily dress?
Wasn't she beautiful? I don't approve of women in politics, but I always admired Benazir Bhutto because of the way she conducted herself, and yes that assessment is largely based on the way she dressed, since I'm really only acquainted with her through photographs -- don't even know much of her politics.
ReplyDeleteAs for your question... fashion factors in in that it sets the boundaries of my choices for my everyday clothes. Every so often my husband teases me about becoming Amish and I always say I couldn't possibly do it because I couldn't wear their uniform. Here I am, a middle aged woman who always wears longish skirts, always wears her long hair in an updo, always covers her head to church, likes colors and color combinations that others may think drab... and I'm saying I wouldn't become Amish for fashion reasons. LOL
I had a discussion once with a friend about headcoverings and I said I wouldn't wear a doily to church, only I couldn't explain my reason for that. It has to do with the fact that the doily is self-consciously and exclusively a religious symbol. If a woman does wear a headcovering to church for religious reasons (and it's my opinion that your religious reasoning ought to permeate every aspect of life) then it seems to me that your headcovering ought to be something that is Normal... something that is part of your everyday life. And for that reason I have a few different hats and scarves for Church that I could wear anywhere and it would look like a normal part of my outfit, not like an extraneous something tacked on in order to draw attention to a religious conviction.
That's very sloppily worded (I'm sorry I'm so random lately) and I don't mean to accuse all women who wear doilies of the same motives I've expressed above, but hopefully it makes some kind of sense.
Hi Kelly!
ReplyDeleteI think I followed your thoughts... and you answered the question :)
Frankly, I posted Prime Minister Bhutto's photo precisely because I think she is stunningly attractive. I know little about her politics as well, but she seems to have been a charismatic person...devoted to her country.
The Imprimis article is very interesting, if you have time to read it later. It lists some characteristics essential to statemen/heros.
Happy New Year!!
I would be one of the women who "thinks she's not interested in fashion" but whose style of dress still says something about me. It says, "she's not interested in fashion." :-) Although my church clothes are pretty nice!
ReplyDeleteKathleen,
ReplyDeleteYour blog profile picture is lovely. Navy dress with piping?
What did you think of Paul Johnnson's article. I thought of you when I picked up that particular Imprimis, not only because your son is interested in Hillsdale but also because you are reading his modern history, no?
Thank you, Dana. The dress is actually black, and it is one of my nicer dresses, not one of the fashionless everyday ones.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the Johnson article yet--I'll do that when we get home from church today. Yes, I am reading (for the second time) Johnson's Modern Times. I have read his American history book, too, along with lots of others! He's one of my favorite authors.