I don't know about you, but when the end of winter is in sight I regress. I become the small girl who couldn't wait patiently for the seasons to change, who longed for fall when it was summer, and for winter when it was fall. But I think the season I always longed for the most was spring.
I longed for the snow to melt and trickle across the fields and into the ditches, so we could pretend to be engineers and build dams. For the ground to become soft enough, so we could make potholes with the heels of our boots and play marbles. For the playground to dry up enough, so we could bring out the skipping ropes. Skipping was my most favourite thing in the world for a few years, second only to Mum's seasonal unveiling of the treasures in the cedar chest.
Sigh. That was a yearly rite of passage. When the temperatures climbed, and we shed our winter coats, and mittens, Mum levered the top off the big old cedar chest and we dug out our spring and summer clothes. Oh, the anticipation. What would fit me this year? Which of my sisters' dresses might I finally be grown up enough to wear? Would I need a new spring coat, or a new pair of white sneakers? New white sneakers being as coveted by me as a new skipping rope.
And I have to say that things haven't changed all that much. I still lever the lid off the metaphorical cedar chest and peer inside, unpacking layers of clothes. Except now they're hanging in garment bags in a closet, or folded into drawers under the bed in the spare room. I still check to see what fits and what doesn't. What I will wear. What I won't. What needs to be packed off to the thrift shop, or sent for cleaning.
This year I'm pushing the season a little. We've just had snow, and Hubby is still skiing every day. But I can't wait for spring. So, today I did a digital inventory, looking at shots of spring outfits over the years on my blog. Cringing at some, making a note that this piece or that one will probably not be getting an airing this year. And choosing those items that still have me sighing, "Oh... I love that."
Here is my visual list of keepers.
That Elie Tahari tan safari jacket at the top left is one of the oldest pieces here, dating from 2011. Last year I tried it with my black leggings and black Rag and Bone silk tank and it was reborn. The brown and lilac pleated skirt in the next shot is from 2005. It's old but I can't bear to part with that skirt. The gold Michael Kors tote, the black hooded rain coat, and the gauzy floral scarf are all from my spring 2012 purchases. My black Helmet Lang jacket from spring 2015, and my khaki suede Moto jacket from spring 2016 will still be in heavy rotation this year. Ditto my navy Rag and Bone dress, and my navy Veronica Beard suit (not shown) from 2016. And from last year, I'm excited to wear my lilac Vince sweater, black and white striped A.L.C. midi-skirt, black Rag and Bone cropped pants, and white Lafayette 148 blouse. Not to mention my new black Paul Green flats with the snazzy laces.
But, of course, the point of a wardrobe inventory is to ascertain what we have in our closet, and what we don't. And this visual inventory shows me that I have a huge gap. What the heck will I wear when I'm sick to death of my winter duds, and it's too cold for bare ankles and legs? Because all of these looks are appropriate for late spring at the earliest, May, possibly, when temperatures are above 10° C. We hope. Ha.
So it appears that I have a serious need for jeans, or pants which I can wear with my low boots or sneakers... and socks. I hate cold ankles. Plus I'll also be looking for a spring coat. Longer than my black Michael Kors. Hopefully a traditional tan trench coat. Maybe like this one on Jennifer Aniston. I love this look on her. On second thought, maybe I should be able to button my new coat, or at least belt it, since I do plan to wear it when it's still cool.
I longed for the snow to melt and trickle across the fields and into the ditches, so we could pretend to be engineers and build dams. For the ground to become soft enough, so we could make potholes with the heels of our boots and play marbles. For the playground to dry up enough, so we could bring out the skipping ropes. Skipping was my most favourite thing in the world for a few years, second only to Mum's seasonal unveiling of the treasures in the cedar chest.
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| Snow melting in the fields back home in 2016. |
And I have to say that things haven't changed all that much. I still lever the lid off the metaphorical cedar chest and peer inside, unpacking layers of clothes. Except now they're hanging in garment bags in a closet, or folded into drawers under the bed in the spare room. I still check to see what fits and what doesn't. What I will wear. What I won't. What needs to be packed off to the thrift shop, or sent for cleaning.
This year I'm pushing the season a little. We've just had snow, and Hubby is still skiing every day. But I can't wait for spring. So, today I did a digital inventory, looking at shots of spring outfits over the years on my blog. Cringing at some, making a note that this piece or that one will probably not be getting an airing this year. And choosing those items that still have me sighing, "Oh... I love that."
Here is my visual list of keepers.
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| Keepers for this year in more or less chronological order. |
But, of course, the point of a wardrobe inventory is to ascertain what we have in our closet, and what we don't. And this visual inventory shows me that I have a huge gap. What the heck will I wear when I'm sick to death of my winter duds, and it's too cold for bare ankles and legs? Because all of these looks are appropriate for late spring at the earliest, May, possibly, when temperatures are above 10° C. We hope. Ha.
So it appears that I have a serious need for jeans, or pants which I can wear with my low boots or sneakers... and socks. I hate cold ankles. Plus I'll also be looking for a spring coat. Longer than my black Michael Kors. Hopefully a traditional tan trench coat. Maybe like this one on Jennifer Aniston. I love this look on her. On second thought, maybe I should be able to button my new coat, or at least belt it, since I do plan to wear it when it's still cool.
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| I love this look on Jennifer Aniston source |
So, that's my list started, people. I'm going to head off to the mall this week to begin the hunt. Spring shopping is never, ever a one day activity. But I'll get to my shopping strategies another day.
You know, it's not just skipping ropes and wardrobe inventories that spring brings each year. Hubby is wondering if it's too early for another spring tradition, tramping across the fields in search of pussy willows. Every spring I refresh the pussy willow bouquets in my old earthenware jugs. It's a tradition. But I tell him it's way too early. And even if the weather was warm enough to allow for the furry buds to open... there's still a ton of snow in the fields. And I am not going to gather pussy willows on skis. There's just something so wrong about that.
It's rubber boots or nothing at all. So to speak. Ha. I hate to mix my seasons.
How about you folks? What spring rites of passage do you remember from when you were a child? Have any of them persisted into your adult life?
Linking up this week with: Visible Monday, #IwillwearwhatIlike, What I Wore, Thursday Favourite Things, Passion 4 Fashion, Fun Fashion Friday, Fabulous Friday, Saturday Share Link-Up