This past weekend was the beginning of a two week holiday break from work. I’ve never taken a full two weeks off at the end of the year, but 2020 was a beast and I had the days to take, so I did.
In true celebratory fashion, I decided to approach the first Saturday off with absolutely no plan. It felt good to have no timeline to reach, no deadline to meet. I met my friend Stephanie for coffee and then we walked in a local park and then did some shopping in the Oregon District of Dayton. It felt so freeing to enjoy the sites, support the eclectic local businesses, and be a tourist in the city I grew up in.
Stephanie and I were perusing in a vintage shop full of ponchos, stained glass, and bright coats from the 80s when we found a brown vest that was a little too big for me, but it prompted some styling tips from her on how I can channel specific looks. One style she showed me was that of Katharine Hepburn. Stephanie showed me her phone and said, “you should mimic her wide-leg pants look.”
I’ve been studying Katharine’s look since and the more I read, the more she inspires me! One quote from “How to Wear Wide-Leg Pants and Feel Like Katharine Hepburn” by Glamour really stuck with me: ” The actor was a pioneer of genderless style at a time when women were expected to dress up for occasions as small as a grocery store trip.”
Katharine did this and was still very beautiful, even if not conforming to the beauty style of the time. I also quoted her in my collection of quotes because she really resonated with me with the following: “I’ve just done what I damn well wanted to and I made enough money to support myself, and I ain’t afraid of being alone.” If that isn’t independence, what is?!
Many thanks to my friend and to Katharine for empowering me as I relax at the end of this crazy 2020 and power into 2021!
Things That Spark 