1971, Age 26, Just Before I Started Columbia Law School
1973, 6 months Pregnant. My radiation physicst husband and I were a successful genetic experiment. When we met, he was carrying Sagan's Intelligent Life in the Universe. I was carrying Kafka's Metamorphosis. Red has always been my favorite color. My first tricycle was red. My blogs use red on the header and sidefar. I have always wanted a red living room, but only managed to have one after my first marriage ended and my three older girls had left home. My red living room makes me happy. When I met my first and second husbands I was wearing a red dress. I wore red for my second wedding. I love wearing red hats. My favorite shoes ever were a pair of red suede boots. Last winter I was thrilled to find long over-the-thigh socks at Target. I hate shopoping, but it takes little time if you are looking for red, either in a thrift shop or a department store. Some years true red is only available at Land's End. It's sad how few New Yorkers wear red. An average city block might have 15 different red objects (not counting traffic lights or taillights). But I have walked as many as 8 blocks before encountering anyone actually wearing red. All New Yorkers should wear red every September 11. When I enter a room where I don't know anybody, I start talking to people wearing red. Long ago, I decided to talk to any child I meet who is wearing red. Almost always the color choice is their idea, not their parents. No one seems to wear red by accident. I always compliment strangers who are wearing red. I am realizing we are a secret revolutionary cell:) I am thrilled the my baby and toddler granddaughters wear red. I gush extravagantly over all babies wearing red in NYC. How much red do you have in your wardrobe? To what extent does color determine your clothes choices?
At job interviews with a man, I have worn red and gotten hired; with a woman, anything but red is the rule. My favorite coat is a bright red fleece jacket I inherited from my mom when she died 4 years ago. When I wear it, I feel her arms around me. When I meet someone in Manhattan, I am easy to find--straight silver hair wearing red.
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Comments
My face tends to get red so I'm not sure I'd be a good candidate for wearing red. I seem to have lots of blue shirts.
I love that 1963 dress! And you're adorable in your 13 year old beach picture!
ladyfarmerjed, my mom's favorite color was blue. I do like blue.
ixxidust, my mom made me the red dress and the same one in blue. Until she went back to college, she made most of my clothes, though I wore uniforms to school everyday. I mourn the lost art of sewing. It isn't dead. Walmart, for example, usually has an excellent selection of fabrics and sewing essentials.
I think pink and lime green look terrific with black. I almost always wear my red with black or white.
Looking at me at 13, I perfectly understand that my brothers 10 years younger and 13 years younger often confused me with their mother.
CrazeCzar, I love orange, but don't think it looks good on me. I want a picture.
enjoyed reading you and seeing the photographs.
~rated~
Renatta, of course your schoolmate's stabbing would kill your love for red. I too love color--red living room, sage green bedroom, blue bathroom, yellow kitchen. People on Long Island wear bright colors much more frequently than New Yorkers.
Why do you think New Yorkers always wear black?
Caroline, when I lived in Manhattan I had a lovely orange kitchen.
Despairing of my tomboyish ways, my mother sent me to a charm class when I was 13. I was told I could wear any color but khaki and mustard. The good thing about white/silver hair is that, unlike blonde, it does't change what colors look good on me.
Sweetfeet, I seldom see people wearing red that doesn't suit them. Maybe women just don't grab a red shirt out of their closet without thinking about it.
I too don't like prints, though I have two 14 year old wool tartan skirts that I love.
ps--love the dress in your 18-yr-old pic! I love to wear red, too.
I have a bright red trench coat. (And a khaki one as well. They have lots of pockets and make people respect me when they have no real reason for doing so.) And I usually wear red lipstick now that I found a brand that stays on through almost anything. (Maybelline Superstay.)
I was, as a child, forced to be the "Autumn" model for my mother and her friends' "Color Me Beautiful" seminars. I was apparently the only female they could find with olive skin and dark eyes--nearly everyone in our community was German, so blue-eyed blondes abounded. Never mind that I was only four and had no interest in sitting still for this. However, I did enjoy the bribes, so I did it.
According to that, I look the best in olive green and mustard yellow and harvest gold and look horrible in navy. Whatever. I wear a lot of dark brown, but navy blue does make me look like I have TB.