Style Is What You Are Inside

 “Many women make their grand
entrance at Lincoln Center looking like exotic orchids in diamonds and paint,”
John Fairchild wrote in 1965, “while Mrs. Guest walks briskly down the aisle in
a pale cream cardigan suit.”
C.Z.Guest
My sweet blog friend, Serene of The Elegant Bohemian, recommended a book one day, THE POWER OF STYLE by Annette
Tapert and Diana Edkins, so I picked it up off Amazon and have really enjoyed
the biographical stories of  the ten
style icons the authors believe “defined the art of living well.”   Everyone defines style differently, and in
this book, they believe that style embodies discipline, sense of humor,
resourcefulness, originality, verve, and fearlessness.   The fabulous ten are about half women I am
familiar with and half not.
For instance, I had not heard of
C.Z. Guest.  Born in 1920, she would grow up to rebel against Boston society and become a showgirl in the Ziegfeld
Follies.  But in the spring of 1947, she was
thrust into society’s limelight when she married Winston Frederick Churchill
Guest.  Ernest Hemingway was the best man
at their wedding which was held on his plantation in Cuba.  She soon became known as America’s most
elegant sportswoman with also an interest in sophisticated fashion.  “I like fitted clothes that show off the
body,” she said.  “My style was
Mainbocher’s style (Note: American couturier Main Rousseau Bocher) “ Her
loyalty was enduring: she wore his clothes for fourteen years until he closed
his house.”  America enjoyed watching her
and on July 20, 1962, she appeared on the cover of TIME Magazine accompanying
an article, “A Legend in Her Own Time.”
If my style is what I am inside, then today I am wearing
contentment, joy, and confidence.
Her story is an intriguing one as presented in this book.  Late in life, she wrote three books on gardening, wrote gardening columns,conducted lectures, and produced a line of gardening products.  Thanks to her new career, Guest believed she blossomed over fifty from a wall flower to a real woman.  She simply defined style as “what you are inside.”
Jacket and Blouse: Stein Mart
Blue Pants: Coldwater Creek
Guess Flats: Marshalls
Bracelet: Lane Bryant
What do you think of that definition of style?  Oh yes, and have a happy Wednesday!!

17 Comments

  1. Oh Pam! So glad you got the book! It's one of my all time favorites! And I love that notion, that style is what we are on the inside. You look radiant and elegant as ever girly! Hugs and so kind of you to mention me!!! Serene

  2. Thanks for this, Pam – I needed to hear it today, as I was feeling frumpy on the outside! But you said it beautifully with your own photo: today we can choose to wear contentment and joy. You are the best!

  3. I'd agree, and isn't that a fabulous book? I once defined that feeling when what we wear feels like who we are as "hitting the style sweet spot," and those who can achieve it often have a consistent personal style. You look great, very sharp!

  4. Oh yes, being confident and comfortable in ones attire makes a woman glow!!

    Pam I cannot wait to see which Cross bottle you choose!!

    I hope you will come see my Annie Sloan Projects revealed!
    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

  5. Sounds an interesting book, Pam…think I'll buy it too 😉
    Style to me is not only about the way you dress it is about everything you do…your whole being, grace and manners…being the most important to me.
    Thanks for popping by Pam…glad you liked the illustrations….a wall covered in them would be wonderful!
    xx

  6. i have not hear of Mrs. Guest but she sounds fascinating
    love to read about women like her
    your black and white stripe top is fab. by the way
    brett

  7. I've never heard of this fine lady either! Thank you for posting about her! I'm going to have to see if they have that book at the library.

    I really love your blouse. I am so in love with stripes, lol

  8. Thanks for sharing Mrs. Guest's story. Wow, she was lovely! And you're lovely in your crisp jacket. I thrifted a white blazer recently, but haven't had the courage to take it out on its maiden run yet, where it will probably run straight into coffee or tomato soup…lol.

  9. Another book added to my 'reading list'. Sounds interesting.

    You look beautiful in your white blazer.

    I do believe that who we are on the inside, will eventually show on the outside. As a quote I have says 'Looking good is about being happy' … the best assessory is always a happy smiling face 🙂

  10. I have never heard of ms. g, but she is absolutely right. when I find my own style (what happened not every day) I feel balanced. thank you for posting about ms. g.
    you look beautiful and ladylike in this outfit.

  11. I like her definition of style and your interpretation of your own style today! I think I first heard of CZ Guest when I was researching Mainbocher for a post in January.

Comments are closed.