I am grateful for this wonderfully gutsy, unforgettable story. I think most women can identify; I certainly can. I love that you show us the images that inspired your choices. We get it! But how lucky that the jacket didn't arrive in time. It would have been a terrible loss not to have shown your beautiful tattoo, which is such a significant component of who you are.
Ha! Yes it gapes on me too. I’ve had to take it in under the arms but it still gapes in the back. I might have to take it apart! Wish I could afford the whole outfit! I got the vest to dress up an older outfit for a performance, myself!
In other words, Banaba Republic probably needs a better fit model or pattern maker or maybe a unionized factory, though I hope for their prices they’re paying workers well? 😂
Still kicking myself for the extravagance of buying the whole suit, but I'm going to wear it to a few events soon, and hopefully for a long time to come. And I haven't bought clothes in a looooong time. (Did you get it when they had the "GET60" code to save 60%?)
You look fantastic! Thanks for sharing this story. Is the 40 over 40 photography project still going on? I think I might like to do it! I haven't had a professional photo in more than 10 years.
I love this, Sari, and am so glad you shared your photos, but more importantly, your story. They are beautiful. Given all that is happening in the world, we still need to feel good about choices we make -- big ones and small ones and seemingly self-indulgent ones. How else do we get through the shit life presents to us?
I love that you had the chutzpah to do this. I saw the call that was put out, and oddly, although cameras freak me out when they're at events or the hands of friends, I'm comfortable in front of a photographer with a "project." It becomes not about me. The shots you got out of it are terrific. Kudos to walking through the fear
I’m so glad you did this and wrote about it! I have so many of the same feelings. What a great photo you got out of it. I teared up when it occurred to me I should send this is to my mother and sister… now I want a photo of the three of us all together - my mom, 88; me, 65; and my sister at 58. Wouldn’t that be fun?!
What a fantastic photo of you! And the outfit is perfect. I have recently started art modeling, something I haven't done since I was in college. Once a month I drive to a neighboring town, go down into the basement of a huge, former church where weekly life drawing happens, take all my clothes off, and then move around in different poses for two and a half hours. It felt like an odd thing to do at 50. Not because I've ever had any modesty, particularly, but because it felt presumptuous to assume that my naked body could be of interest to people studying the human form. Surely they would want only young women with no cellulite and breasts that haven't breastfed.
It's harder work than I remembered. I have to remember to choose poses for longer sits carefully so nothing falls asleep, and I can't hold standing poses for the longer sits. But it's also a great experience. Everyone there is appreciative of my time. A young woman this week came up to me at the end and said, "You're so beautiful. It was a pleasure to get to draw you." That about knocked me over.
We need older women to claim aesthetic space for themselves, or at least, I do. I still want to feel beautiful and other women stepping forward in their beauty who are my age and older gives me confidence that I can feel that way.
You're welcome! I just received your book in the mail yesterday, by the way. I'm taking it on vacation next week, so am resisting the desire to gobble it right up. But the Introduction already has me hooked.
I am grateful for this wonderfully gutsy, unforgettable story. I think most women can identify; I certainly can. I love that you show us the images that inspired your choices. We get it! But how lucky that the jacket didn't arrive in time. It would have been a terrible loss not to have shown your beautiful tattoo, which is such a significant component of who you are.
Thank you for your kind words, Elizabeth, and for letting me know you can relate. <3
Ha! Yes it gapes on me too. I’ve had to take it in under the arms but it still gapes in the back. I might have to take it apart! Wish I could afford the whole outfit! I got the vest to dress up an older outfit for a performance, myself!
In other words, Banaba Republic probably needs a better fit model or pattern maker or maybe a unionized factory, though I hope for their prices they’re paying workers well? 😂
Still kicking myself for the extravagance of buying the whole suit, but I'm going to wear it to a few events soon, and hopefully for a long time to come. And I haven't bought clothes in a looooong time. (Did you get it when they had the "GET60" code to save 60%?)
It’s a great suit! You’ll get a lot of wear out of it. Line is classic!
You look fantastic! Thanks for sharing this story. Is the 40 over 40 photography project still going on? I think I might like to do it! I haven't had a professional photo in more than 10 years.
I love this, Sari, and am so glad you shared your photos, but more importantly, your story. They are beautiful. Given all that is happening in the world, we still need to feel good about choices we make -- big ones and small ones and seemingly self-indulgent ones. How else do we get through the shit life presents to us?
I love this perspective, Jen. Thank you for it, and your kind words about my photo and story. <3
I love that you had the chutzpah to do this. I saw the call that was put out, and oddly, although cameras freak me out when they're at events or the hands of friends, I'm comfortable in front of a photographer with a "project." It becomes not about me. The shots you got out of it are terrific. Kudos to walking through the fear
Thank you, Jodi! 😘😘😘
I’m so glad you did this and wrote about it! I have so many of the same feelings. What a great photo you got out of it. I teared up when it occurred to me I should send this is to my mother and sister… now I want a photo of the three of us all together - my mom, 88; me, 65; and my sister at 58. Wouldn’t that be fun?!
Awww, thank you! And that’s a great idea! You should do it.
I just forwarded your post to them and proposed it! We'll see . . .
Sweet.
Loved this! And the author photo is amazing. I'm so glad you did this.
Thank you, Geeta! I’m glad I did, too. 💕
No! I missed that! But if they do it again and there’s anything left on my size I might try to get another piece to go with it.
I bet it would all look amazing on you.
What a fantastic photo of you! And the outfit is perfect. I have recently started art modeling, something I haven't done since I was in college. Once a month I drive to a neighboring town, go down into the basement of a huge, former church where weekly life drawing happens, take all my clothes off, and then move around in different poses for two and a half hours. It felt like an odd thing to do at 50. Not because I've ever had any modesty, particularly, but because it felt presumptuous to assume that my naked body could be of interest to people studying the human form. Surely they would want only young women with no cellulite and breasts that haven't breastfed.
It's harder work than I remembered. I have to remember to choose poses for longer sits carefully so nothing falls asleep, and I can't hold standing poses for the longer sits. But it's also a great experience. Everyone there is appreciative of my time. A young woman this week came up to me at the end and said, "You're so beautiful. It was a pleasure to get to draw you." That about knocked me over.
We need older women to claim aesthetic space for themselves, or at least, I do. I still want to feel beautiful and other women stepping forward in their beauty who are my age and older gives me confidence that I can feel that way.
Okay, I am going to need you to write a post about this! Love it.
I absolutely would.
PS THANK YOU!
You're welcome! I just received your book in the mail yesterday, by the way. I'm taking it on vacation next week, so am resisting the desire to gobble it right up. But the Introduction already has me hooked.
Good going! Fantastic photo and wonderful project.
<3
You look great! Also, I bought that same vest! :) it looks much better on you! 😘
Thank you! (You can't tell, but there's a clamp in the back of the vest making it more fitted. I need to have it tailored!)
Your photos are so beautiful, Sari!
Thank you! Tamara!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this. LOVE. Did I say LOVE? I'm sorry I won't be around on the 29th (it's my 59th birthday), but you otherwise have my support!!
Although I don't actually know you, I am so proud of you for doing this! From afar, I feel affirmed!