Wednesday, July 9, 2008


Personal Style

I keep this photo on my desk. Apart from the fact that I find it utterly charming, it reminds me of something. It reminds me that some things cannot be taught. They just are. In this particular case, personal style is the concept I’m thinking of. This little girl had it, obviously, and at a very early age. It was something innate. One can see it in the supremely relaxed confidence of that stance, in the way she is wearing those clothes, in that serene stare, aimed like a rapier at the camera pointed her way. She is unique.

There is something wonderful about unique style. I’m not thinking of taste here. Taste can develop, be honed by study, by travel, by an appreciation of, and exposure to, beauty. But true uniqueness of style is often something simply inexplicable. It just is. Think of Diana Vreeland, or Georgia O’Keefe. One didn’t necessarily see their style emerging, transforming itself to the whims of the public or the trends of the day. Their style was their style, always, be it popular or not. Ah, it’s a rare thing, especially in our increasingly cookie-cutter world. Rare, and timeless, for someone in possession of a unique personal style retains that possession no matter their age. It was, it is , it remains. Yes, truly a wonderful thing.

Oh, and the little girl in the photograph? No doubt you recognize her, but just in case you don’t, she is Jacqueline Bouvier, who grew up to be Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

26 comments:

  1. I have always loved this photo of Jacqueline Bouvier. Interesting that you have it on your desk and the concept it represents! :) Nice post.

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  2. Very true. My wife very much has her own style and her friends all note it too. It's basically pretty feminine, often dresses, with beret, and clothing with patterns of small flowers and such. I love it. I'm glad she doesn't go around wearing sweat pants and such. She looks great in her straw hat too!

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  3. The photo is charming, as was the lady.
    Thinking about style makes me smile. My sister reports to me that when my mother is shopping for me, she says things like, "Oh, that is really wierd. Qu will love it. I'll get her that for her birthday."
    She loves me just the way I am, she just doesn't get my 'style!'

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  4. I'm embarrassed to say I didn't recognize Jackie. She was a cute little rascal, impeccably dressed.

    This was a lovely post.

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  5. great post - enjoyed reading this.

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  6. What a lovely blog you have. I don't think I have visited before ... my loss ... but will do so from now on. Your dog is fabulous!

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  7. Oh I recognized her right away. She had style in spades. So did her sister. Have you read Lee Radziwill's book "Happy Times"? I think you'd like it.

    I read an article once that attempted to "analyze" Jackie's style. It said that her secret was that she mostly wore solids.

    Oh, woe to anyone reading that who thought that all they had to do to emulate Jackie was to wear solids! I'm still laughing over that.

    Diana Vreeland...another one-of-a-kind. The word "legendary" is over-used these days, but in the case of both these ladies, "legendary" is right on the mark.

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  8. Lovely post. Unique personal style is something I've always admired!

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  9. Jacqueline Bouvier certainly epitomized elegance, grace and style...I couldn't agree more about Georgia O'Keefe...She had her own unique style. Hum...I can think of a few ladies in the blogosphere( The author of this post included) that have their own unique style as well..Lovely post.

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  10. ......and I can tell just from your photo and your writing that YOU too have unique and lovely style. I guess you'd call me a classic style person - having been raised in a family of dressmakers, and my mum making clothes for the late Queen Mother - I have been a 'solids' person mainly - no Pucci prints, and seldom any glitter!!!

    Hope your cold is gone and that you and Edward can get out and about again.

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  11. AHA! As soon as I saw her I was going to comment that she looks like Jacqueline. Her style was truly something that was 'born' in her and stayed throughout her life.

    Would you like to join us for Favorite Family Foto tomorrow?
    Some wonderful photos would be old family photos and our furry family members.
    Let me know if you can join us and I will post a link to you to others can enjoy your post.

    Wishing you a beautiful day,
    Deborah

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  12. I meant the author of this blog not the reply post..Heavens, that must've sounded vain to write the "author of this post:-O!" LOL!!!! I meant that YOU, Pamela, have wonderful style! I'm sure Edward would agree.

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  13. No, I didn't recognise her! How funny.
    I was enjoying reading this wonderful post, and didn't realise there was a surprising punchline. Wow. You summed up the picture perfectly.

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  14. I immediately recognized that photo--she certainly did have style. Interesting post--very true!

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  15. I recognized the photo of Jacqueline straight away....a precious child and now a beautiful woman ....her mother, a wonderful role model with wonderful style, deserves much of the credit...

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  16. What a precious photo of Jackie O as a little girl. I have never seen this before. I think if you are lving with your personal style, you are comfortable in life. It is when we go against what is really in us that we feel uneasy. What a great post that really makes one think "Am I being true to my own personal style?"

    Hugs ~
    Heidi

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  17. May I add to the comments above that praise should given to the photographer, too? This is also one of those elements of photography that cannot be taught nor learnt; they just happen. The girl looks at ease, but a minute later she might have broken down crying and a minute before she might have been laughing helplessly. The subject and agent have colluded (unwittingly, I believe) to capture a perfect moment of confident innocence. And the fact that is in black and white makes it even more alluring.

    Greetings from London.

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  18. What a wonderful little black & white photo to have on your desk.

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  19. Hi there
    thanks for visiting my blog. I so agree about 'style' - definately not something you can purchase(more the pity!)
    Mary

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  20. Dear Pamela,
    This is a great post! This is something I ponder much. When I see people who have their own unique style (my lingo: Style, Flair and Drama), I stop them and tell them how great they look. It doesn't have to be my taste. It is this thing you talk about one feeling comfortable in ones own self and expressing it artistically on the outside. This fascinates me endlessly. But do you know, I must say it's not everyday where I find
    gold in this department. What about you???

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  21. I knew who it was right away...isn't it something in here eyes that makes you know she's got something special??

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  22. Lovely shot. I knew that it was "Jackie O"

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  23. Hi Pamela, thanks so much for stopping by. I can see why you would want to keep this photo, beautiful!

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  24. She had such presence even at this early age, didn't she. Great post.

    I did recognize her, I had seen this picture before somewhere.

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  25. Just popped over to say a thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment. To use redcurrants in a Christmas cake definitely sounds like a winner to me. I too like this photo of Jackie O, I agree a very stylish young girl. To have style is a unique quality, one which not many people possess. x

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  26. I can see why this puppy is on your desk!

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!