This week, summer lingered a bit longer, and we were blessed with a few days of incredibly sunny 58-60-degree weather. It happened right in the midst of eclipse season, the universal state of transition – making it increasingly challenging to predict what outfits we’d need. Last week, we talked about revisiting styles from previous seasons, but this week, we experienced what occurs when old seasons come back to visit us.
Over the past weekend, I decided it was finally time to part ways with my summer wardrobe. The sundresses, shorts, and tank tops were neatly stowed away, and it was time to welcome back corduroys, turtlenecks, and cozy crewnecks. I had been procrastinating this seasonal switch, but a recent encounter with a chilly day left me with a cold, reminding me it was time to say goodbye.
As I delved into the depths of my closet, I stumbled upon a wine-colored leather blazer that had been tucked away since the previous year. I had impulsively purchased this blazer after being inspired by a girl I had seen wearing a similar one. She exuded an air of authority as she picked up her packages from the mail room, effortlessly pairing the blazer with a slick bun and a pair of oversized light-wash jeans. It was a basic clean girl look, but her confident stride left an impression on me. At the time, I was a senior in college, and I could feel time racing by like a speeding SUV. The looming graduation felt like an approaching milestone that might trample me into the ground.
Though the blazer itself might not possess any extraordinary qualities, wearing it held a transformative power. When I stepped out in that blazer, I transcended my role as a student and became a person with a defined purpose in the world. It brought to mind iconic characters like Rachel from Friends during her Ralph Lauren days and even Elaine Benes from Seinfeld. The blazer carried the aura of their timeless, effortlessly chic styles.
Reflecting on these women and their distinctive wardrobes instilled in me a sense of security, assuring me that life wouldn’t come to a screeching halt after graduation. Adulthood didn’t have to be dull – it could be playful and expressive.
This week, I got an invite to have dinner in Chinatown with a few friends. We had beer and dumplings. I paired the blazer with a blue lace slip dress I inherited from an old coworker, a black coach bag I got at a garage sale, and a pair of Doc Martens.
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