Ok, so I am making a couple of changes to the blog here. In the last few years, a realization about how I fit in to what’s happening out there in the world of fashion has crept up on me. Style and fashion sense are something that are innate and waiting to be tapped in everyone. I honestly believe that. Inspiration and ideas about living a more stylish life can come from so many places that I didn’t want to just limit them to clothing alone, hence the name change and new location of this dispatch.
Art, theatre, music, film, design and architecture all speak the language of great style. The creative arts were a siren song of sorts. They buoyed my spirits when baling hay or propelled me forward on my 3-mile paper route every day. In a way, I think they all helped me appreciate that even though I grew up on a farm in relative isolation only 65 miles from Milwaukee, I could be a part of a more sophisticated life. I can still summon the excitement I had upon my discovery a stash of fashion magazines from the 1930s. They were in the attic of an old farmhouse my family was considering renting. When I asked the grouchy real estate agent if I could have them, he replied, “Why would a boy want those? I guess you can take them if you want.” In my mind I can still see the cover of Collier’s Magazine from November 1934 that was on the top of the stack. It was one of those lush illustrations they used to do back then. A blonde woman with finger waved hair under a chic cloche hat, with cherry lips and flushed cheek. Her eyes were round and rimmed with mascara, set off by achingly arched eyebrows. I was in love with all the trappings! The glamour of the photos, the saturated colors, the ads for the “modern” appliances of the day and, best of all, the fashion spreads! This kind of stuff took me away from the real world and into that of another era where everything was perfect and pretty.
That was the beginning of my near obsession with learning about the past. History is rich with examples of the way we lived, whether in the homes we built or the art we collected or even the clothes we wore. Style is never something of the moment, which is a trend. True style comes from understanding why certain pivotal fashion moments are important and why some are just a blip on the radar. Deciphering all this has become a lifelong quest. In this new column I will still be covering local style, in addition to interviews, videos, slideshows, national designers, and just about any stylish thing that I might find interesting enough to share.
I want to encourage everyone to find his or her own inner stylist. The only requirements are an open mind, willingness to take risks, and allowing yourself to change as rapidly or as gradually as you like. You’ve heard of the analogy of the diamond in the rough? Well, that’s what I’m talking about here. I may be a rough stone from a field in Southeastern Wisconsin, but over the years I’ve kept polishing my edges by seeking knowledge about style and fashion, and taking the advice and guidance of so many inspiring people. Now I fancy myself the guy that is out there to help others create the gemstone in their lives. Enough of all this navel gazing, to put it bluntly, I take what I do seriously, but I certainly don’t take myself seriously. I promise this blog will be a blast!
I am extremely lucky to be here pecking away at my keyboard, sharing some of my fashion joy with you on a weekly basis, so check back because you never know what kind of big helping of crazy fashion will be served up.
Check out this cool locally produced website called homeagainblog.com. I was featured in the July archive. The people’s homes were so inspiring to me and I know they will be to you as well. Go for your fashion dreams, folks!!
