Most of the women I admire, such as designer Phoebe Philo who was the focus of my last post, lead or have led thoughtful, edited lives. They rarely waver from a very succinct viewpoint–one that encompasses everything in their life from their work to their dress, because they understand that it is all intertwined. Joan Didion’s upcoming estate sale is one example. It is being put on by Stair Galleries, and you can view the items at their auction house in Hudson. I want to go, but it’s a hike. I am not bidding on anything, because I am sure things like her Celine sunglasses (estimate $400-$800) and Julian Wasser photos of her with her Corvette (estimate $1500-$3000) will far exceed the ridiculously low estimates. I found a piece from last year written by Emilia Petrarca in New York Magazine titled “Joan Didion’s Style Was as Precise as her Prose” which I enjoyed. She was writing about how after Joan’s death her famous packing list, became a point of praise and contention among followers.
“It is emblematic of a woman who carefully considered every choice she made, whether it was a word on a page or a sweater in a suitcase, and who was driven exclusively by her own sensibility, no one else’s. She found power in restraint. She was a human black turtleneck. And so we co-sign her packing list (or say we’re above it) as a way to signal that we, too, know how to make good choices. That we, too, have good taste. Despite the fact that Didion herself would probably see that as an empty gesture.”
Then, this recent post from the Georgia O’Keeffe museum is now sitting on my desk.
I cannot summon the extraordinary talent that both of these women had, but I can try to stay true to what I love and ignore the noise of my Instagram feed and my email Inbox when I know that what I’m constantly being shown or offered (or sometimes bombarded with) doesn’t align with what I love. On occasion, it does. More often than not, however, it doesn’t. I imagine it must have been easier before social media, but I still think restraint takes practice. These women stood out in their day because of it. I will continue to try.
I started reading Joan Didion in the 70s when I was in high school. I loved her writing, style, the glamourous life style of some of her characters. I grew up in Denver, Colorado which wasn’t considered very sophisticated. I loved her style and precise words.
Wish I could go to the auction.
I love how clearly and carefully you think and write about the concept of restraint. You are right: it’s not a one-and-done. You (I) can clean out your closet and think of yourself as a minimalist for a week, but then the temptations arise to start filling it up with random stuff again. It’s a constant struggle, for me at least.
Constant struggle for me as well, hence the post.
Yes, remaining a minimalist is difficult especially if you are a fashion lover. One has many interior personalities and desires and I for one find it hard to not sample from the potpourri of the art which is fashion.
Love the packing list. I should do the same…
A packing list is the first step I use when doing my closet clean out. A hypothetical one that really encapsulates what you feel best in and love to wear.
What beautiful reinforcement to living an edited, streamlined life. Not that one shouldn’t live without occasional wild abandonment at times but living a thoughtful life is paramount.
Yes! Here’s to moments of wild abandonment!
Elegance is saying “no”. In the current landscape with social media, influencers, fast fashion and endless options having such an edited life you have to practice that daily. No, I’m not going to buy that skirt just because it looks good on her, or buy fast fashion to quickly fill a hole in my wardrobe, etc. It’s hard!
So hard. So true. Just say no. More often than yes.
I’ve been looking at the catalogue and I believe you can bid online too. You don’t have to be there in person. Also loved that Cut piece about her “precise style”.
For sure, but everything is still going to be soooo expensive. I just wanted to see it in person.
Another woman who led an edited life beautifully – Sara Berman. Her closet, exhibited at The Met, moved me so much https://medium.com/@heymrssolomon/a-closet-of-ones-own-4ca5de30bb19
Yes! I went to that exhibit. It was moving.