When I was a teenager, my older cousin used to play a joke on me every Christmas and give me my present in a Talbots box. At the time, I thought it was an “old lady” store and the joke lives on now that I love and wear the brand constantly. Remember these gingham flats? Talbots. And this tweed blazer that I wore for a day packed full of meetings last week? Talbots.
This isn’t an ad for the brand, just a realization that I’m well into my 30s (I’ll be 33 in a few months), making me a 30-something “old lady” that my teenage self would probably be horrified by. I would have been even more horrified by the fact that my mom texted me last week saying she loved my outfit and it reminded her of something she would have worn at my age.
Before she retired, my mom was a business school professor and wore tweed or bouclé blazers almost every day. It was her thing. At the time, I thought they were so lame but now I’m really digging the look with my own spin. She would have worn this one with a matching skirt or navy slacks (Random thought, I hate the word slacks) but since the work I do is obviously way more casual, I paired it with my favorite pair of jeans and a cute scalloped cami.
What I love about being in my 30s isn’t the clothes… Although I love those too. It’s the feeling of being more comfortable in my own skin and not caring so much about what other people think. I’ll always have that feeling to some degree, but in the last few years it’s diminished exponentially.
My mom always said her 30s and 40s where the best decades of her life and I feel like I’m heading in that same direction. Anel and I are (at least a little) more financially stable, we’ve started our family, and we are both focusing on growing our businesses and ourselves. And I can honestly say that I’m happier now than I’ve been in my entire life.
Granted my life isn’t as “fun” and I miss the nights out dancing and spontaneous trips with my husband, but mom life has its share of fun too. Like getting puked on! I’m kidding, although that’s exciting too. What gets me going these days is Amalia’s smile. Her face lights up the entire room and my heart bursts into a million pieces every single time. If my 30s consists of those smiles alone, I’ll be good to go… And maybe a night out dancing here and there.
Talbots Blazer c/o / J.Crew Factory Cami / Jeans c/o / Clutch / Monogrammed Necklace (Size 3XL) / Coin Necklace / M.Gemi Flats c/o / Karen Walker Sunnies
Talbots Blazer c/o / J.Crew Factory Cami / Jeans c/o / Clutch / Monogrammed Necklace (Size 3XL) / Coin Necklace / M.Gemi Flats c/o
Photos by Julia D’Agostino.
Isn’t it “its share of fun” in the last paragraph? Professional defect…
Yes! Mom brain, thank you 🙂
I know I’ve said this before and I hope it doesn’t sound super creepy, but we are basically the same person. I just turned 32 and I’ve been wearing Talbots since I was about 25. In my adolescence I experiemented a lot, but I always thought the traditional preppy look was cute, but society told me to be different. I finally embraced my inner traditionalist in my mid 20s, but like you, I’m really growing comfortable with it and not being judged for who I am as a strong woman in the conservative South.
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Yas lady!!!!! Love hearing that. And not creepy at all, #greatmindsthinkalike 🙂
I’m really digging your M. Gemi flats. How are they for walking around? I’m in the city and have a long commute by foot, and I always have a hard time finding flats that don’t rub into my heels.
Ok so I’m obsessed with M.Gemi, it’s for sure my favorite shoe brand but the patent leather flats are not as comfortable as the regular leather. If you get the Fortunas, I suggest the more matte leather. I have two pairs and love them! I like the patent too, they’re so pretty, but not as comfortable!
Very good to know. Thanks! I can do not-as-pretty. I can’t do uncomfortable.
I have been thinking about buying this jacket for a few weeks now and I think it’s time to do it. It looks awesome on you! I also have been shopping at Talbots a lot recently and have been loving their stuff. In the fall I got a pair of pink suede flats with a bow on the heel from Talbots and get compliments on them every time I wear them. A friend asked where they were from and I told her Talbots and then said, “like everything else I’ve bought lately, because, you know, I’m a 35 year old working mom!” And as soon as the words left my mouth I realized that it’s actually true! (ok I’m 33 but close enough)
Thank you so much! I love the jacket, it’s really well made and looks more expensive than it is. And we may be old but the clothes are actually adorable so I’m ok with it 🙂
I agree – the older I get the more confident I feel in my own skin. It’s so nice to feel like “I’ve got this” in so many more areas of life, and not just big things but little things like feeling confident in the kitchen or knowing what skin products work for me. It’s great! xAllie http://www.theallthatglittersblog.com
So classic! Love the pink + blue combo!
Love this blazer! Talbots has had SO much cute stuff recently! I used to think the same thing, but either then I got older or just learned to appreciate their items, but I’m now obsessed! Also their shoe game is on point!
xoxo, Jenna
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