Thank you for this Prue. 'Authenticity' is a theme/concept/way of 'being' that exercises my thoughts and reflections a lot...and I feel that's a good thing. I came to realise a long time ago that I had no idea who I was as a distinct personality and that I was made up of little bits of other people who had influenced my life up to that point...mainly to my detriment. If I did have any 'personality' then it was totally fragmented...like (as you say) I was a jigsaw, but there was no picture on the box to guide me as to how to complete it. My writing on Substack through 'Humanitas' is an attempt to articulate the lessons I've learned, and continue to learn, about how to find that authenticity we all need to practise in order to be fully human. Have a good day, you and yours :)
What a very interesting and thought-provoking topic Prue! I have been mulling the question of authenticity and clothes since I read this. I was dong fine with my clothing choices and general style until I moved to the UK, and since then I have struggled to figure out what to wear. I associated the struggle with the drastic change in climate, and that is small part. But I think now perhaps the struggle signifies more about my internal struggle to identify who I am in this other place, as there is no clear, current 'authentic me' to hang my wardrobe on anymore. Plus, all the body shape-changing that comes with age, and more recently, working with a trainer to improve my physical strength and endurance. Very much to think about as we move into the warmer time of year and my overall happiness and wardrobe brightens! I look forward to checking out your links as well. Thanks so much for this Prue!
oh Prue, i will be right there with you, I feel most comfortable in comfy, not fussy, easy to wear easy to care for clothing, things that allow me to be outside, moving my body without a moment of worry about dirt. As my auto immune system is doing it's own thing these days they must also keep me warm lest i sieze up and ache and also keep me protected from the sunlight, due to sensitivities from the meds required to keep me moving,
I do wonder and worry 'should' i be dressing differently, should i be caring more? But then when i try to change my attire i'm uncomfortable, awkward, self conscious and don't feel like me. Knowing myself well enough to know what is authentic and be authentic seems to get harder the older i get.
I, too ,think about authenticity a lot. After having Cancer the first time, I read a wonderful book, Close to the Bone by Jean Shinola Broken who obviate how serious illness strips away all things superficial , how recovery becomes A soul journey. I found that after breast cancer x2, I no longer wanted stiff, crisp fabric against my skin. I began A love affair with soft clothing,tops, leggings, crops. A friend and I laugh about trading our wonderful black merino wool winter leggings for our black jersey capris in the spring! Sure makes getting dressed easy! And, more importantly, it feels right for me.
I watched The Beautiful Game this week, moved and astonished I had never heard of the Homeless World Cup! I've been telling friends and family about this wonderful movie and important back story!
Thank you dear Prue for your writing which is always evocative!
I feel so fortunate to work from home and to work and live in communities that don't demand any particularly business-like attire. Leggings are one of my true loves, as are longer tops/sweaters (jumpers?) to cozy into.
More to your point, I like your jigsaw puzzle analogy. It seems authenticity can be what we need it to be. Despite the above, I can be totally at ease in my mother's vintage Persian lamb jacket, with sparkly jewelry and pinned up hair. When it comes right down to it, I'm not my clothes, though. I'm heart, and song, frustration and doubt. Authenticity, to me, is honoring all of that and finding gratitude in knowing that there are those who take me as I am, warts and all!
Listening to your sweet, nostalgic music as I type. 🧡
Such a thought-provoking post, Prue - and with such wonderful pictures! 📸
I need to feel right in my clothes physically - for me that means comfy trousers and a comfy top - nothing scratchy or itchy - smooth and worn out is what I always reach for, at a time when my own skin is becoming wrinkly and worn out!
As long as I am comfortable and and living life the way I feel best fits both the world and myself, well, that's everything.
This is so very relatable! I have become a bit of a thrift shopper of late mainly because I literally cannot find anything I like in the shops - there doesn't seem to be anything (that I can afford) in between a sparkly, cut off t-shirt with "Imma Star" written on it or awful shapeless things best suited to someone in the final stages of cardigan wearing!! I can't deal with it. Also where are the natural materials - everything is that cringey cheap polyester that I hate. As a result, I am often guilty of buying the same item multiple times - black and white stripes, classic straight pencil skirt - till I recall I am no longer working and no longer require these things. Ack! Soooo like you, back to being 'authentic.' Which in my case is my "formal" or EveryDay Blundstones with nice leggings, an oversized sweater and perhaps a nice scarf that doesn't scream Frump-of-the-Week! Always earrings for me and always a good hair cut. Sometimes a simple necklace too since elegance doesn't have to shout. After all, Chanel's original pieces were all built specifically for comfort and I treasure that logic! Well done, Prue! Love the pic of you and your lovely hubby - and, obviously you are gorgeous in all versions of yourself.
Thank you for this Prue. 'Authenticity' is a theme/concept/way of 'being' that exercises my thoughts and reflections a lot...and I feel that's a good thing. I came to realise a long time ago that I had no idea who I was as a distinct personality and that I was made up of little bits of other people who had influenced my life up to that point...mainly to my detriment. If I did have any 'personality' then it was totally fragmented...like (as you say) I was a jigsaw, but there was no picture on the box to guide me as to how to complete it. My writing on Substack through 'Humanitas' is an attempt to articulate the lessons I've learned, and continue to learn, about how to find that authenticity we all need to practise in order to be fully human. Have a good day, you and yours :)
What a very interesting and thought-provoking topic Prue! I have been mulling the question of authenticity and clothes since I read this. I was dong fine with my clothing choices and general style until I moved to the UK, and since then I have struggled to figure out what to wear. I associated the struggle with the drastic change in climate, and that is small part. But I think now perhaps the struggle signifies more about my internal struggle to identify who I am in this other place, as there is no clear, current 'authentic me' to hang my wardrobe on anymore. Plus, all the body shape-changing that comes with age, and more recently, working with a trainer to improve my physical strength and endurance. Very much to think about as we move into the warmer time of year and my overall happiness and wardrobe brightens! I look forward to checking out your links as well. Thanks so much for this Prue!
oh Prue, i will be right there with you, I feel most comfortable in comfy, not fussy, easy to wear easy to care for clothing, things that allow me to be outside, moving my body without a moment of worry about dirt. As my auto immune system is doing it's own thing these days they must also keep me warm lest i sieze up and ache and also keep me protected from the sunlight, due to sensitivities from the meds required to keep me moving,
I do wonder and worry 'should' i be dressing differently, should i be caring more? But then when i try to change my attire i'm uncomfortable, awkward, self conscious and don't feel like me. Knowing myself well enough to know what is authentic and be authentic seems to get harder the older i get.
I, too ,think about authenticity a lot. After having Cancer the first time, I read a wonderful book, Close to the Bone by Jean Shinola Broken who obviate how serious illness strips away all things superficial , how recovery becomes A soul journey. I found that after breast cancer x2, I no longer wanted stiff, crisp fabric against my skin. I began A love affair with soft clothing,tops, leggings, crops. A friend and I laugh about trading our wonderful black merino wool winter leggings for our black jersey capris in the spring! Sure makes getting dressed easy! And, more importantly, it feels right for me.
I watched The Beautiful Game this week, moved and astonished I had never heard of the Homeless World Cup! I've been telling friends and family about this wonderful movie and important back story!
Thank you dear Prue for your writing which is always evocative!
I feel so fortunate to work from home and to work and live in communities that don't demand any particularly business-like attire. Leggings are one of my true loves, as are longer tops/sweaters (jumpers?) to cozy into.
More to your point, I like your jigsaw puzzle analogy. It seems authenticity can be what we need it to be. Despite the above, I can be totally at ease in my mother's vintage Persian lamb jacket, with sparkly jewelry and pinned up hair. When it comes right down to it, I'm not my clothes, though. I'm heart, and song, frustration and doubt. Authenticity, to me, is honoring all of that and finding gratitude in knowing that there are those who take me as I am, warts and all!
Listening to your sweet, nostalgic music as I type. 🧡
Your authenticity shines in every word of “Knots in the String”! Kindness shines too, in your lovely photos 😊
Such a thought-provoking post, Prue - and with such wonderful pictures! 📸
I need to feel right in my clothes physically - for me that means comfy trousers and a comfy top - nothing scratchy or itchy - smooth and worn out is what I always reach for, at a time when my own skin is becoming wrinkly and worn out!
As long as I am comfortable and and living life the way I feel best fits both the world and myself, well, that's everything.
This is so very relatable! I have become a bit of a thrift shopper of late mainly because I literally cannot find anything I like in the shops - there doesn't seem to be anything (that I can afford) in between a sparkly, cut off t-shirt with "Imma Star" written on it or awful shapeless things best suited to someone in the final stages of cardigan wearing!! I can't deal with it. Also where are the natural materials - everything is that cringey cheap polyester that I hate. As a result, I am often guilty of buying the same item multiple times - black and white stripes, classic straight pencil skirt - till I recall I am no longer working and no longer require these things. Ack! Soooo like you, back to being 'authentic.' Which in my case is my "formal" or EveryDay Blundstones with nice leggings, an oversized sweater and perhaps a nice scarf that doesn't scream Frump-of-the-Week! Always earrings for me and always a good hair cut. Sometimes a simple necklace too since elegance doesn't have to shout. After all, Chanel's original pieces were all built specifically for comfort and I treasure that logic! Well done, Prue! Love the pic of you and your lovely hubby - and, obviously you are gorgeous in all versions of yourself.