Ten Things You'll Wear for Ten Years--Ten Years Later

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I wrote this article in the mid-90s...and now it's time to review the list and see what's stood the test of time, and where I was, well...wrong. The original items are listed, with original comments, and my 2005 update after each item.

Updated February 2005

1. Black Suit

How much do I love this suit? It's a three-piece set, from bebe, which I bought when I took a major new job, as a reward. It's black, with a long, fitted jacket and silver buckle detailing on the sides. It replaces another long jacket/short skirt combination I had, which I bought in 1990 and wore until it just wasn't presentable anymore (I bought that one at Cignal, which I don't think even exists anymore). The style is still classic, and it's packed away in the cedar chest; not only for posterity but also because I plan to have it remade sometime when I'm feeling rather flush.

Anyway, back to the suit. It came with a short skirt and a pair of low-waisted, boot cut pants. It's elegant and timeless, but also a little edgy. I think that perfectly describes my style, which I've always described as classic with an edge. The suit works together, or the pieces can be broken up and worn individually. It's a stretch gabardine, so it doesn't wrinkle, and it travels well. I feel ten feel tall in this--completely competent, cool, and in control. I love bebe.

Update 2005

I still love the suit. Unfortunately, it no longer loves me, since I'm a little thicker through the waist since Ford was born. Beautiful as the suit was, it was unforgiving in this regard. The pants went to Snooty Fox (I had another pair with a similar cut that fit better through the waist). I held onto the skirt and jacket for awhile, but eventually the skirt followed the pants. I gave the jacket to a slender friend, and she not only wears it to meetings and presentations, but also wore it to accept a national award she and her team richly deserved. I'm delighted with my suit's new life, and if it still fit me, I'd still be wearing it.

Score: 1/1

2. Periwinkle Silk Pajamas

I love these. They're so comfortable, casual, and elegant--they remind me of Marilyn Monroe. I found them at T. J. Maxx for about $25, and while I dont' wear them all the time (I usually resort to a T-shirt and velvet leggings), when I do, I feel really special. I wear them on Christmas, and I love to wear them to bed in the winter.

Update 2005

These were cute, but the top was very short--not a good look on a short-waisted woman. These are long-gone,replaced by a pair of red silk ones with a longer top and a slimmer pant. I love them, too, especially in the winter when I've got flannel sheets on the bed..although they don't suck in the summer, either.

Velvet leggings?! What was I thinking?? Pass the yoga pants, please...

Score: 1/2 (although if I were giving partial credit....)

3. Black Wool Jacket

This blazer, rescued from the basement is the one Daddy wore when he and Mama got married. It's a classic cut, in perfect condition (in spite of what it's been through) and fits me perfectly.

Well, maybe the sleeves are a little too long, but that's nothing new for any petite woman. I've had it since college and I wear it with jeans, trousers (as part of a suit) and everything in between.

Update 2005

Bingo. I still love and wear this, though not as often for business meetings, when I tend to go for a more fitted jacket--if I wear one at all.

Score 2/3

4. Men's White Dress Shirt

I bought a high quality white dress shirt in the men's department, had it done in heavy starch, and have been wearing it ever since. I love the fullness and crispness of it, and my favorite way to wear it is to turn the collar up and wear it with bold silver jewelry. It's a wardrobe classic, and the masculinity emphasizes the femininity of the wearer.

Update 2005

Another hit. It's not the same shirt (they do wear out eventually) but it's the same style, cut, and size, and I still love it.

Score 3/4

5. Gap Original Fit Jeans

The Gap has long been my favorite place to find jeans that actually fit my figure (short-waisted, petite, and with very slender legs). I love Gap Original Fit jeans--they're cut low on the hip, so they make my short waist look longer and make me look slimmer. Never a bad thing. They show off my favorite shoes and make me look very fit, even when I'm not.

Unfortunately, the Gap has stopped making them. Fortunately, I realized this in time, and was able to stockpile quite a few pairs for future reference. With any luck, I won't have to buy jeans again for the next decade. Or two. I even bought them in four different sizes, just in case.

Update 2005

I'm still wearing Gap jeans...and I did wear these for ten years, but I've switched to the Boot Cut fit. They're a little stretchier, and sit a little lower on the waist (and again, for a short-waisted chick, this is the way to go, baby).

Score: 4/5 (I'm not still wearing them, but I did for ten years!)

6. Black Turtleneck

Update 2005

The Lands' End turtleneck I was wearing when wrote this article is long gone, along with the original text about why I loved it so much. I'm still wearing black turtlenecks, and these days they're a bit more fitted and have a bit more stretch to them,and I have them in all weights, fabrics, and textures. They are a true staple of my winter wardrobe, and I will wear them in some iteration, I am confident, forever.

Score 4/6

7. Black Slim Pants

Black, slim pants with a side zip and a very straight leg--more like a cigarette pant than anything. I wear them with everything and I love them to death. I have about six pairs, since I keep finding them at the Gap outlet. They look as wonderful with a T-shirt as they do with a black jacket, and they always make me feel pulled together.

Update 2005

Cigarette pants?! What was I THINKING???!!!

Score 4/7

8. Classic Black Cocktail Dress

A great version of the little black dress in a silky, swingy fabric. This dress has inch-wide satins straps, a fitted top, and a flared skirt that flares out when I spin around.

It makes me feel sexy, classy, and very elegant, and it looks especially good with my strappy black suede evening shoes. I bought it on my last shopping trip with my beloved grandmother Nana, who died in 1996. I miss her horribly, but I still have her with me whenever I go shopping, and especially whenever I wear this dress.

Update 2005

I still have it, and I still wear it--and in fact have a collection of little black dresses (though I just had to get rid of a favorite that flattened the twins to a ridiculous proportion). But anyway. This one is still in my closet.

Score: 5/8

9. Black Suede Joan & David Shoes

These ankle-strap, 40s inspired shoes are a favorite as much for their wonderful bargain find value as for their sharp style and great workmanship. I get compliments on them every time I wear them, and love to tell the story:

I found them at TJ Maxx (when I wasn't even shopping for shoes, of course.) The suggested retail price was $250; TJM's original asking price was $175...marked down to $90, to $75, to $40, and finally, "take an additional 50% off. The final price: $20.

Update 2005

I still have these shoes, and every once in awhile I dig them out and gaze at them lovingly. I will wear them again, but right now my life is very much about stilettos and Kenneth Cole. I have discovered Joan and David's new line, Circa Joan and David, and have several pairs of very cool shoes from it. The retro of these shoes makes them forever cool...just not for my current mood.

Score: 6/9

10. Harris Tweed Jacket

Another treasure from my father's archives; this jacket, a classic brown tweed with leather buttons, was given to him by the family of a close friend when his friend died. He passed it on to me.

It's a great fitting, very heavy and very warm jacket that I wear for many occasions (all cold ones, as it was designed to be worn in drafty English estates and libraries).

Update 2005

Bingo. I still love this jacket and wear it when the occasion warrants. It's hanging in my closet now, between the salmon pink suede blazer and the dark rinse denim jacket. Thank you, Daddy.

Score: 7/10

I actually did a little better than I expected...and I knew there were some stinkers on this list (I know this thanks to the occasional snotty e-mails I get. Didn't these people's parents teach them manners??)