How does one acquire a “style”?
I grew up on shopping. As a young girl, one of my favorite things to do was to shop with my grandmother. She was ahead of her time in so many ways. She golfed and sold real-estate and hosted countless women’s gatherings at her house in Minneapolis. This was the “Dayton’s era”, when we were just two of the many that would travel to downtown Minneapolis to shop. From the Dayton’s bargain basement to Young Quinlan, on Saturdays we would scour shops for something new.
Back then, as it still is today, style is about how things fit your body and how clothing makes you feel. I learned from the best. We bought the finest quality we could afford, and splurged once in a while when the piece was just perfect. Each treasured purchase was scrutinized by my grandmother and I, and sometimes by my mother and sister, if we were able to drag them along. Those two didn’t enjoy the process; they couldn’t comprehend how you could spend an entire day searching for “what”? That was a valid question.
Sometimes it’s hard to describe what the hunt was all about. Looking back on those shopping experiences, I was walking a fine line between fitting in, at my young impressionable age, and gaining confidence in not wanting to wear what everyone else at school was wearing. I guess you could say I was searching for “my style”.
My grandmother had style and she helped me develop mine. Sometimes she would push me out of my comfort zone and encourage me to try something I wasn’t 100% sure of. Usually she was right. The questionable item always made me feel special and ended up being one of the best things in my closet.
My grandmother’s sister, Bernice, would come to town from Michigan City, Indiana every August, at the height of the fall shopping season. I was working for Dayton’s FYI shopping service at the time, so the downtown store was our first stop. Chicago and New York were her usual stomping grounds to shop. But, when she came to Minneapolis and found a Bob Mackie dress in the Oval Room, Minneapolis became a worthy shopping destination!
As each August came and went, and I assisted Aunt Bern with her shopping, I realized that picking just the right things for one’s body type and lifestyle takes a little practice. I was in awe at how Bern, with a discerning eye, could find the most unique and classy pieces that perfectly fit her vogue style. Little did she know she was training me for my future.
In my grandmother’s later years, I became the mentor. When she was in her 90’s and still caring about fashion and how she looked (which was no surprise), we were in a fitting room trying on a blue silk Eileen Fisher dress and jacket. As she peeked at herself in the 3-way mirror, as she always did to get the view from every angle, a darted scowl came across her face as she said, “See that hump on my back? I can’t wear this!” Of course I thought it was beautiful on her, but we were headed back to the sales floor to continue our hunt!
I’m telling you this story because I was reminded of those earlier days this past June, when I was privileged enough to be a part of a fashion show with the residents of Deephaven Woods Senior Living.
The models ranging in age from 70-90 years young, descended on Chico’s of Wayzata to select outfits for their first annual Spring Fashion Show. Each of these ladies had a “style”. They were all fashionable, confident women. It wasn’t difficult assisting the models in selecting the outfits that best featured their personality and made them feel special. This experience confirmed what I have always believed; that we acquire and develop our own sense of style over time, and I realized you can’t put an age on it.
Approximately 80 people from Wayzata, Deephaven, and Minnetonka attended the Fashion show. Attendees embraced the sheer joy of these women in all their glory. A shout-out to my friend Kelly Clarno, the Sales and Outreach Director of Deephaven Woods, for inviting me to be a part of this wonderful lesson on style!
