2017 is the year I turn 32. My birthday isn’t for another month, but I’m really starting to contemplate my age more and more lately. There’s a significance to all of the anniversaries I’ve been experiencing lately: the 2 year anniversary of my grandfather’s passing, the 2 year anniversary of me moving back to Seattle, the 1 year anniversary of me buying my house. It all feels like some major adult shit… and as my therapist says, I enjoy tiptoeing along the line of rebelling and wanting to stay young, wild, and free while also being pretty damn good at adulting.
I’ve also been sort of embracing a style that’s a bit more… mature. Mom jeans. Sensible Shoes. Blouses. Does anyone else feel like the word ‘blouse’ is old school and not really modern? But that’s what this shirt is… it’s a blouse. Yeah, it’s covered in elephants, but this is a grown up blouse. It’s even tucked in!
It started with these jeans — my friend Amanda from Clementine Daily has the best pair of jeans. They sit high on the hip (your actual hip), are made of stiff, light-colored denim, and are a bit cropped at the ankle. Every time she wears them, she looks SO chic, like one of those girls in Paris that The Sartorialist photographs. As I was trying on these Frame jeans, I even texted her a photo as if to confirm that they were indeed cool. I got them home and immediately worried that I looked dumpy in them, that they weren’t flattering because they weren’t super fitted or hit at the ankle. But you know what? I’ve worn these jeans every freaking day since I bought them. They go with everything, especially with a tucked in top. So… I’ve embraced mom jeans.
Oh, and last week, I got my hair cut and went 4″ shorter. Afterwards, I was preening in the mirror, thinking that I looked younger thanks to my shorter locks. I was feeling pretty good about that… and then I was like, “wait, what’s that shimmer?” THAT’S MY FIRST GREY HAIR. So I have that now.
Growing older has been a really funny thing. I really thought I’d be super chill about it, just accepting it as it comes. But, scarily, I haven’t been like that at all. And now, with my first grey hair… I’ve got even more to contemplate. Last year for my birthday, I went overboard and ordered a million different anti-aging serums and products. I honestly don’t know if they’ve made a difference and, really, this is an inward feeling more than anything, something that I need to sort out on my own. It feels a bit like a personal crisis.
But now, I’ve got these jeans that make my butt look like a peach and I plucked my grey hair. For now, I’m ok.
Sources: silk blouse from Joie (sold out, but this one and this one are similar), le high straight jeans from Frame, Madewell perfect leather belt, Isabel Marant clogs (similar), and MAC Liptensity Lipstick in Cordovan (c/o).
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Photography by Meghan Klein.
Oh, girl! I got my first grey hair right before I turned 32, and over the past four months or so it’s like I see a new one every morning. I’m still debating whether or not to start covering them. Perks: I was actually pretty stoked when I first realized grey hair seems to make people in the workplace take you more seriously.
haha! glad I’m not alone. and you make an excellent point… ;)
I love the word blouse. It’s certainly an adult word, but it’s a funny one.
you’re totally right!!
You are so gorgeous Joanna! I don’t think I have ever not worn blouses in my life so maybe I skipped a step and went straight to ‘mature woman’ dressing even though my style is quite umm not mature. Thanks for sharing this though because I think we all struggle with this and while without makeup I may look like a 10 year old boy from the 90’s (hello bowl cut) getting older is real and strange. So thank you, loved reading and you look amazing in those jeans. Let’s hang soon.
-Rebecca
thank you SO much! i can’t wait to chat more and hang soon :)
You like FINE in those mom jeans, and welcome to the grey hairs club – all the best ladies are members:) xoxxo
ha! i owe my mom jeans inspo to you :P
Allow me to be the first to congratulate you on your First Gray Hair. I really feel that, like other coming-of-age rituals, we women should have parties for this kind of stuff. Aaaand, your mom jeans are adorable! x
ahhh you’re so right! I love the idea of a first gray hair party… i’m already thinking of what kind of cocktail would be served at a party like this. ;)
Grey Goose martini? ;-)
hehe sounds perfect ;)