I too have bought hats and then never worn them but at some point several years ago it just seemed right to start wearing them. I don't remember any specific incident or thought process but I did start wearing them. I'm pleased every time I put one on. I'm lucky to look good in hats. My best friend always looks like a serial killer when she puts one on so she never wears a hat. Makes sense.
For glimmers and glamour, though, it has to be my purple hair. It always makes me smile, every time I catch sight of my purple hair in a mirror. And I continue to get lots of compliments. Glimmers!
When I turned 70 I took a cruise to the Greek islands. As I shopped for my dream vacation, I could hear my mother’s voice sternly reminding me, a woman over forty should never bare her arms. But I fell in love with a sleeveless blue and white silk shift that gently skimmed my body and flowed like the tide around my calves. Now I don’t have Michelle Obama’s firm biceps, far from it, but when I put on that dress I felt so beautiful. I loved that dress! I still do. Every time I wear it I remember the warmth of the Mediterranean sun on my naked shoulders and smile.
Love this post! I remember my oldest brother’s wife telling me when I was in my late 20s that I was too old for long hair. I remember just looking at her and thinking WTF? It’s not your decision honey! Because of my love for my brother, I never said anything to her, but definitely didn’t the follow the advice. I’ve been rocking long hair my entire adult life, and now that it’s predominantly silver, I get compliments on the regular. Rules like that are meant to be broken. Period. And that sour sister-in-law is still sour.
I like hats but don't like having hat hair when I take them off, and they often make me too hot. What I *do* like are flowy tunics and dresses, graceful dusters, and loose pants that I can dance in. And like Penny, I have colorful hair; mine is teal streaks, though--and I get a lot of glimmers for that.
What a lovely post. I am learning to embrace glimmers. Funnily I was trying on a hat yesterday, when a lady said 'please buy that hat, you look amazing in it. I wish I could wear hats'
Guess what I tried on another hat, yes I bought both. I shall enjoy wearing my 'sensible' hats this winter, with glimmer and a big smile.
This is Lise...I am absolutely over the moon and vibrating with glimmers after reading the comments on my comment! LOL Thank you so much!
arenosa...I hope you don't mind me posting this link from your comment that explains "glimmers" in detail. And yes indeed, it is Pat Ogden who coined this term. If anyone wants to read more about this just follow the link.
For me, any small thing I take time to notice and enjoy, is a glimmer. I do purposefully (mindfully) slow down my brain to take it all in. This is the part that took practice for me. The reason I slow down my brain is to be able to fully register the glimmer. Later, I can re-play the glimmers and smile and laugh all over again.
Here's one of my favorite glimmers from my light violet hat - I was out thrift-shopping one day. By then, I had a beautiful jacket that matched my hat (nice pastel, soft purple).
This older man (older than me, hahahaha!) looked at me and said "You look beautiful in PINK". Cracked me up. I said thank you for the compliment! Obviously, he was colorblind. LOL
All of you who've commented on this post have become a source of a HUGE glimmer for me. Best of all, in case I forget this beautiful glimmer, I can re-read your comments and laugh and smile all over again. Time to play! Special shout out to Julia! Thank you for bringing me so much joy!
I envy people who can wear hats. I can wear them, and I do, but I look terrible in them. Even my own mother admitted that. (She wasn't being mean, just honest)
I love hats. Hat stores are worth at least 45 minutes of pure fun. And drover hats are, IM (never H)O, super sexy. Why don't I have one? I'll have to fix that.
Hi Julia, you are right to say, "wear the damned thing" because life is, indeed, too short. We need to live life without the negative rules or negative voices of others. I'm an artist, and I happen to love wearing and playing with makeup. Not because I want to cover up any flaws, but I enjoy playing with color and putting it on a fresh "canvas." I feel just as secure walking around without make-up.
We should play if we feel like it. Thanks for this great post!
I love hats too, more so in winter as I get too hot in summer! Although I do of course wear a sunhat when necessary. And I fully agree with you about wearing whatever we want! I certainly do! Fashion is fun!
Yes! We shall go glimmering all the way into that black night. I came out of high school knowing and loving to see colorful clothes that I didn’t wear because, you know, people would look at me funny. I stopped sewing clothes for many years. I’m getting back into it and just bought myself a serger. Because, as you say, I certainly don’t give a f* anymore and I’m invisible anyway.
I too have bought hats and then never worn them but at some point several years ago it just seemed right to start wearing them. I don't remember any specific incident or thought process but I did start wearing them. I'm pleased every time I put one on. I'm lucky to look good in hats. My best friend always looks like a serial killer when she puts one on so she never wears a hat. Makes sense.
For glimmers and glamour, though, it has to be my purple hair. It always makes me smile, every time I catch sight of my purple hair in a mirror. And I continue to get lots of compliments. Glimmers!
I am all in on this one Penny!
When I turned 70 I took a cruise to the Greek islands. As I shopped for my dream vacation, I could hear my mother’s voice sternly reminding me, a woman over forty should never bare her arms. But I fell in love with a sleeveless blue and white silk shift that gently skimmed my body and flowed like the tide around my calves. Now I don’t have Michelle Obama’s firm biceps, far from it, but when I put on that dress I felt so beautiful. I loved that dress! I still do. Every time I wear it I remember the warmth of the Mediterranean sun on my naked shoulders and smile.
I'd love to repost this with your permission.
Well of course. I’m flattered
posted
Love this post! I remember my oldest brother’s wife telling me when I was in my late 20s that I was too old for long hair. I remember just looking at her and thinking WTF? It’s not your decision honey! Because of my love for my brother, I never said anything to her, but definitely didn’t the follow the advice. I’ve been rocking long hair my entire adult life, and now that it’s predominantly silver, I get compliments on the regular. Rules like that are meant to be broken. Period. And that sour sister-in-law is still sour.
I'm 71 and my hair tumbles all the way down my back. rules can be so ridiculous! There is something wonderful about a full mane of silver hair!
I love my long silver hair. As Julia says it feels great to do things for yourself and not for others.
Maybe a few teal streaks. Thankyou Arenosa.
I bought some yellow cargo pants last year and never wore them...too noticeable..what would others think if me??...
I wore them this Summer with chunky yellow beads..and
I love them! A friend thought they were so funky...she's 74..I'm 70.
Yep, definitely too old not to gift ourselves a bit of glamour.
Isn't it wonderful what happens when we dress for ourselves instead of for other people.
I like hats but don't like having hat hair when I take them off, and they often make me too hot. What I *do* like are flowy tunics and dresses, graceful dusters, and loose pants that I can dance in. And like Penny, I have colorful hair; mine is teal streaks, though--and I get a lot of glimmers for that.
I recently saw a similar definition of glimmer as "micro-moment" of joy (https://www.newportinstitute.com/resources/mental-health/what-are-glimmers/). I've applied that to fleeting social interactions as well, those moments when a positive interaction with a stranger provides a little boost.
OH I can relate to the hat hair. However....I'm learning to accept that as a consequence of having far more fun.
What a lovely post. I am learning to embrace glimmers. Funnily I was trying on a hat yesterday, when a lady said 'please buy that hat, you look amazing in it. I wish I could wear hats'
Guess what I tried on another hat, yes I bought both. I shall enjoy wearing my 'sensible' hats this winter, with glimmer and a big smile.
Amen to both!
Oh, I love this. I’m a huge hat fan and yet, rarely wear them. You’ve inspired me. Thanks for passing this along.💕
Also, LOVE the concept of glimmers!
This is Lise...I am absolutely over the moon and vibrating with glimmers after reading the comments on my comment! LOL Thank you so much!
arenosa...I hope you don't mind me posting this link from your comment that explains "glimmers" in detail. And yes indeed, it is Pat Ogden who coined this term. If anyone wants to read more about this just follow the link.
https://www.newportinstitute.com/resources/mental-health/what-are-glimmers/
For me, any small thing I take time to notice and enjoy, is a glimmer. I do purposefully (mindfully) slow down my brain to take it all in. This is the part that took practice for me. The reason I slow down my brain is to be able to fully register the glimmer. Later, I can re-play the glimmers and smile and laugh all over again.
Here's one of my favorite glimmers from my light violet hat - I was out thrift-shopping one day. By then, I had a beautiful jacket that matched my hat (nice pastel, soft purple).
This older man (older than me, hahahaha!) looked at me and said "You look beautiful in PINK". Cracked me up. I said thank you for the compliment! Obviously, he was colorblind. LOL
All of you who've commented on this post have become a source of a HUGE glimmer for me. Best of all, in case I forget this beautiful glimmer, I can re-read your comments and laugh and smile all over again. Time to play! Special shout out to Julia! Thank you for bringing me so much joy!
You are so welcome. I love great input and all great input benefits everyone.
I envy people who can wear hats. I can wear them, and I do, but I look terrible in them. Even my own mother admitted that. (She wasn't being mean, just honest)
I'll bet there's a style that looks terrific on you. After all, all women wore hats at one point so there's hope!
Julia, I love the spirit of this piece!
I’m inspired by Lise’s hat!
Ooh, l love a hat. Have 2 different types of Akubras and a custom made hat from a local hatter.
Akubras are gorgeous and pricey..as are all the best ones!
I love hats. Hat stores are worth at least 45 minutes of pure fun. And drover hats are, IM (never H)O, super sexy. Why don't I have one? I'll have to fix that.
Hi Julia, you are right to say, "wear the damned thing" because life is, indeed, too short. We need to live life without the negative rules or negative voices of others. I'm an artist, and I happen to love wearing and playing with makeup. Not because I want to cover up any flaws, but I enjoy playing with color and putting it on a fresh "canvas." I feel just as secure walking around without make-up.
We should play if we feel like it. Thanks for this great post!
Thank you Beth. We find our freedom where we can, within and outside our limitations.
I love hats too, more so in winter as I get too hot in summer! Although I do of course wear a sunhat when necessary. And I fully agree with you about wearing whatever we want! I certainly do! Fashion is fun!
It's a joy when it doesn't break the bank. Too often I broke the bank and never wore my treasures....that's the whole point.
Yes! We shall go glimmering all the way into that black night. I came out of high school knowing and loving to see colorful clothes that I didn’t wear because, you know, people would look at me funny. I stopped sewing clothes for many years. I’m getting back into it and just bought myself a serger. Because, as you say, I certainly don’t give a f* anymore and I’m invisible anyway.