My Style Mavens:

Or So My Daughter Informs Me

     My daughter was recently home from college over Winter Break and during her Senior Thesis Writing Period. I knew she had something she wanted to tell me but was holding back. I can read her facial expressions easily. Of course, she has no idea how I do this, but when you’ve looked deeply and lovingly at someone for 22 years, she is a metaphorical open book to me.

     Despite my hubris at being so sure of her “open book status” to me, the following two comments surprised me and gave me a little bit of horror. She finally came clean after I badgered her enough to where she couldn’t stand me saying anymore, “I know there is something you want to tell me! Just put me out of misery already, and tell me!”

     “Mommy, no offense (this is never going to be good when the statement starts off like this, and I brace up), but…you are starting to look like Steve Jobs.”

     I burst out laughing, “Steve Jobs? He wore wire-rimmed glasses, had short hair, and was a man. What are you talking about? I do and am none of those things!”

     “Mommy…all you wear anymore are jeans and black turtle necks. That’s it. That’s all you pull out. They are fresh every day, not the same ones, but it’s a total Steve Jobs wardrobe.”

     I wanted to deny it, but upon quick reflection, and the undeniable fact that I was dressed in jeans and a black turtleneck as we spoke, I could not. She was not finished yet.

     “I noticed that you and…(she looked so serious. I was sure I had some mole with hair growing out of it I was unaware of) some guy named Willie Nelson and you have the same hairstyle. Unfortunately, he is old, grizzled, and I don’t think that is the look for you. I know you love your long, silver hair, which is great, but perhaps some long layers for movement by a professional! Do NOT go into the bathroom and attempt it yourself, or most likely will end up with style reminiscent of that horrid “Shag” you had back in the 1970s that you said made you look like some guy named David Cassidy.”

     I laughed so hard at her description of me and the absolute facts that she was spot on with both assessments that tears were pouring from my eyes. My daughter quickly apologized, as she thought I was crying sad tears.

     “Oh, no, Sweets, it’s just so funny because it’s true! I have morphed into Steve Jobs/Willie Nelson. How did that happen?”

     I used to be a “hair, cool clothes” girl and I have a closet filled with unique, beautiful pieces. But where am I going to wear them? I was/am a retired teacher of young children (they loved my bright, gauzy clothing) and now I am a writer at home. Our kitty doesn’t care what I wear, and my Honey keeps the house at 71 degrees. I am thin and I get cold at 71 degrees! Jeans and a turtleneck work perfectly, so I don’t have to wear a coat indoors!

      As for my hair, I am also an herb farmer (super small operation selling through ETSY), and the braids keep my hair out of my face; I like how they look and feel, and my Honey could not care less how I wear anything! However, he is not one to give compliments (and never has been), so I am not spending money and time for no return when I am perfectly happy!

     Well, I was perfectly happy until I realized my Hair Twin is Willy Nelson (No offense to Mr. Nelson-total respect for his braids), and my style twin is Steve Jobs (RIP). So what am I supposed to do with these revelations?

     I have always prided myself on modeling self-expression and self-love to my daughter, and it worked as she wears her curly hair, long and curly (she does get it cut by a professional stylist who also loves and has curly hair) and pairs vintage pieces of clothing with trends to a fabulous, unique look.

           So, yah, me, I was a great mother in that respect. But now, what am I projecting to her? She finished her assessment with, “Mommy, it’s like you’ve given up.”

     What????? I look great! I am strong, do yoga every day, do leg exercises, am a proportional weight to my height, and am in perfect health…what’s not to like? So, why do I suddenly feel like I’m 14 years old again, looking into the mirror and questioning myself? No, damnit, I’m 61, and I’ll wear my hair my way and dress how I want to dress.

     If an occasion arises where I need to “dress up,” I still have plenty to choose from in my wardrobe. And contrary to what my daughter thinks, I know how to work a curling iron and own one! I can give myself beachy waves in about 15 minutes. I do own lip color and mascara, and it’s not from the 1970s; I actually use it daily. Now, true fact, this has been my makeup routine since 9^th grade, mmm…which was back in 1975. But it’s modern makeup!

     As far as I know, neither Steve Jobs nor Willie Nelson wore makeup. Ha!

Thank your for reading and thank you for listening. Feel free to comment below. What do you like about your hair and the way you dress?