style (decadence)
by wingandwell
I’m at my mother’s house in the South Wedge of Rochester, New York. It’s the type of area that five or ten years from now people hope to describe as gentrified, but is currently featured in the news when people go missing or murdered, and in fact just last year a body was found in her backyard, face up and cold. It sounds like a rough neighborhood, I know, but my mom is swept up in the grandeur of the place. It’s one of those neighborhoods in upstate New York – just a couple houses down from Susan B. Anthony’s actually – where big ghostly houses hide ornate crown moldings, wood inlay floors, servant staircases, and secret rooms. It’s beautiful, really, and with an ADT home security system, my mom is actually pretty safe, so long as she stays out of any gang wars.
My mom, unlike myself, is attracted to decadence. Whereas I’m drawn to clean lines and minimalism, always editing and paring down, my mom is contriving a way to fit a 7-foot stuffed black bear into her living room or figuring out where to put that art nouveau daybed with the hand-carved swan heads. Her closet is similarly over-the-top – velvet and lace, high heels and long strings of pearls. It’s for this very reason that I love staying with her, and when I head back to my hometown my first stop is usually into her wardrobe – I haven’t really grown out of playing dress up.
sharing secrets with Frederick Douglass
So you’ll have to forgive me that today, with 12 inches of snow on the ground and the cold air to match, the first thing I grabbed was this massive fur coat hanging in my mom’s closet. In fox fur and mink, I feel just like Kanye West throwing this on over my standard NYC uniform. But before you get all fur-is-murder on me, you should know that this coat was originally my grandmother’s, so these foxes could’ve died of natural fox causes long before you or I were even born.
That said, should I be the next in line to wear this fabulous fur? Should I add a little more decadence to my life? And who wore it better, me or Barbara Stanwyck?
who wore it better?
Stop with the imagined guilt trip! It’s a lovely coat that is perfect for the weather. Good God, enjoy its warmth and sensuality, and forget the imagined “opposition” that really doesn’t exist in any endurable amount. What a beautiful coat from your Mom’s closet. Lucky you! I’m jealous.
You’re a bit sassy and I like it! You’re right though, I need to enjoy this fur, and its “sensuality” (rawwr), without apology. Thanks for the comment.
Sassy, yes, and bold & confident when it comes to wearing fur.
You can see by the other comments (and compliments) that you have scored big-time with that fox/mink beauty.
A full fox stroller would be spectacular as well, as there are so many types of fox that are luscious.
As for who wears Mom’s coat better, you or Stanwyck — It’s a close toss up, but I give the edge right now to Stanwyck, as she looks so comfortable wearing it in the picture. Your top color picture, Emma, is dynamite, as it shows your beauty, delight and coyness. This post is a pleasure to follow… more pictures!
Looks great on you, you should definitely start wearing it for the winter. Any other fur coat treasures in that closet?
Thank you! I’ll definitely be taking it off her hands. My mom has a couple other furry treasures, but this coat is the grand dame.
Emma,. one thing I neglected to say earlier is how beautiful YOU are.. A woman in fur is attractive to most men, in spite of what you might believe. you wear it well. I say raid the closet and come up with more!
By the by, one thing I forgot to mention is in the 60′s I worked on the set with Barbara Stanwyck on the THE BIG VALLEY. She was one classy, intelligent, kind woman. I miss her.
That is so cool about Barbara Stanwyk! I bet you have some great stories (feel free to share anytime). And I’ll definitely be raiding Mom’s closet again soon – she is also one classy lady.
Keep wearing that gorgeous coat!!! You look awesome wearing it!!!
Thank you, thank you!
Gorgeous. You look fantastic. I’m envious. I’m a collecter of furs myself. I’ve a few foxes and Eskimo style parkas. I’ve been searching for mink fox. This is a stunner.
Thank you for the compliments! I would love a short statement fur coat right about now… I can see how easy it is to become a collector.
I accidentally stumbled upon this blog and was overwhelmed by your beautiful eyes. Combined with that lovely coat – sight for remembrance. I am especially impressed by your pic with Mr. Duglass. As if he pulled you by the collar of your coat while whispering something to you, trying to seduce you.
All in all – do wear the coat bacause it compliments your beauty.