Back in the day I used to glean most of my cutting-edge fashion news from the monthly home delivery of too many glossy magazines. I remember racing into my apartment building lobby close to the 20th of each month, small gold key in hand, anxious to open my rectangular gateway to style– my mailbox. I would tear through the jammed stack of parcels, postcards, packages, catalogues, coupons, and circulars to rescue my shiny copies of Vogue, Elle, InStyle, Cosmo, Bazaar, W, Mademoiselle, Marie Claire, and Glamour. This haute haul foreshadowed a big night in pouring over the pages and ripping out my faves to pad my primitive pre-Pintrest portfolio with swoonworthy additions. I’d eventually investigate some of the treasures in person, and maybe buy one or two of my most coveted items. It was so much fun! This process truly gave an urban meaning to the term hunt and gather.
And then a few years ago I did the unthinkable– I made the tough but smart decision to halt all printed matter from hitting my physical mailbox. No more celebs and supermodels staring at me from their famous front-page debuts. No more ink-stained hands from the accidental colored cover transfer. And no wiggling wrist swipes against the newest fragrance scent strips. Sadly I could no longer justify the media buy when the issues became as thin as the editors themselves and the repetitive ads greatly outweighed both the flashy fashion pictorials and the articles combined. (Yep, I actually read the articles. Wink.)
Ever since then I’ve been getting my at home visual directives regarding trends, styles, what’s in, what’s out, and what’s making a return from my social media feed. Like some of you gals, on an everyday basis I scroll past a ton of current events, social goings on, food fascinations, weather alerts, corporate updates, funny kid memes, pending criminal investigations (fingers crossed!), and lots and lots of fashion files. And based on what “they” are showing, it’s turned into a bit of doom scrolling for moi. I have to admit that I’m having a hard time with many of these current styles.
What woman over 40 is wearing crop tops, huge baggy pants, rib high jeans, cut off sweatshirts, “baby tees,” and sheer blouses in her everyday life? (Please don’t say you? I might have to rethink our relationship.) I’m all for the latest and greatest but I find myself sticking to a wardrobe of basics, a neutral NYC palette of black on black with black, understated jewelry, and the same functional tote. Shoes might just be the exception.
So recently I ventured into a major department store inquiring about a particular ballet flat for which I produced a screen shot since my collection of rippables has been replaced by a photo array of personal most wanteds.
The shoe is a great copy of a Sheshe flat that I did actually try but thankfully it didn’t fit– think $$$. The sales guy at Major, unmoved by my excitement for the affordable lookalike version, told me that he wasn’t sure they carried the shoe in store, BUT that I should pull up their website on my phone, check, and let HIM know if they carry it. I should let HIM know?! He didn’t even offer to look himself as he stood in front of me, iPad in hand.
So I yanked out my phone, checked as he suggested, and then ordered those bad boys right in front of him. (Plus free shipping and no schlep home, so there!) Finally a scrolling success story. Well, not yet… but those kicks are on their way. (I promise to let you know if they fit.)
I still miss those thick, heavy magazine issues (ahhh September) that took serious time to inspect as I admired the trendy makeup, coats for fall, latest looks, dress length craze, or skincare scoop. But I’m a modern woman and I know when to accept change.
So I treated myself to readers that have that special blue light filtering lens. The shift to scrolling seems permanent and I need to see clearly as I screen shot my way into next season’s fashionable finds.
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