Wednesday, September 2, 2009


Whispers From the Tartan

I wear a lot of linen in the summertime. Yes, it wrinkles, but that is just part of its charm in my eyes. Linen seems to possess a personality of sorts, a certain devil may care quality, that feels perfectly in sync with summer days. A white linen shirt with a strand of pearls and my hair worn up is pure midsummer comfort for me. When I don that first pair of linen trousers on the first day of June....for here in the Old South it is practically a sin to do so earlier....they feel as though the essence of summer is woven into the very fabric itself. The walks on the beach - the picnics, the rose gardens - all are best experienced in linen.
But now things have changed, for no self-respecting linen wishes to be worn past the last day of August. For several days now I have noticed that my favourite linen shirt appears almost a bit embarrassed if I reach for it in the morning. The white linen blazer positively hides from my view in the closet, no doubt fervently hoping my hand will reach for a garment more in tune with the calendar. And it may just be my imagination of course, but lately I could swear I have heard strange sounds coming from the wardrobe where all the winter clothing is stored. Whispers from the tartan, laughter from the wool. Could it be that the gloves are flexing their long fingers at the thought of forming snowballs or gripping Edward’s lead? The shawls, the hats, the boots....they all seem to have awoken en masse, already anticipating their outings... the walks in brisk air, the dinners by the fireside.
It is now September and I have to admit...the crisp white linen does look a bit tired.
Strange how that happens.

44 comments:

  1. It's been 100 degrees and more here for the past few days. The forests are on fire and the real "fire season" hasn't even begun yet. But over the weekend, I bought two new fall jackets. I want so much for this summer to be over...

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  2. The plethora of plaids, tweeds and tartans are calling my name....for Fall. I have seen them in Bergdorfs and Barneys...in NY....
    pve

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  3. What a wonderful way to greet september..so thats what it was this strange sounds coming from my closet this morning...:))))

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  4. I too love linen! So elegant and stylish!

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  5. I was thinking the opposite yesterday, Pamela. I was walking up the stairs in the parking ramp going to my car in my linen skirt, and it told me it was sad that it would have to be put away. And I thought, what a silly rule (ours is no linen after Labor Day, which buys a few more days). I did a post on linen long ago and how it's made from flax, and I am truly amazed at the labor intensive process, especially if done by hand. I love the conversation in your wardrobe, and the tartan image is just glorious.

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  6. Linen is beautiful but wool and tartan certainly speak my language. Spring started here today and again I start my long wait for glorious winter! Leigh

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  7. Linen is a mainstay in my summer closet...to me linen is classy even when wrinkled...

    I enjoy the seasons changing and different clothes coming to the forefront....some old friends of many years but still my favorites...

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  8. There is a nip in the air. This morning upon my return from my seaglass adventure, all things have changed. The children are back at school and everything seems changed, fresh, new and cozy. Ahhh...autumn~isn't it devine.

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  9. Love and hugs
    I love all you share

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  10. Hello September, farewell linen - welcome wool! How wonderful are your words wrapping around this sentiment - a change of season a change of fabric - there is autumn in the air here this morning and my warmer clothes are out and ready to be washed and freshen up for the new season:)

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  11. Hello P&E,

    You ladies certainly have your year mapped out! Why not be daring and give the linen another outing? Mind you, if the tartan is as elegant as the gown in your picture, I can understand the desire to change!

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  12. It's funny how a couple of weeks ago it was sweltering and just this morning the air is quite fresh and I reached for a shawl. I'm looking forward to autumn. What a beautiful portrait.

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  13. I love the changes in seasons! Enjoy your day! Lovely post to read and ponder!

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  14. alas, in the same transition - I don't relish it, but will treat myself to an indulgent new pair of kick ass boots to make it through the dark time!

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  15. I love your way of writing so much!
    This is so beautiful!

    Greet

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  16. Since it has been here in the 90ties for the past 7 days, I'm still in shorts, waiting for the weather to cool off. But, like you, I like my selection of winter clothes (much more)

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  17. I must say Pamela that I do look forward to getting my winterclothes out again - especially the ankle boots - I have two pairs which I love dearly - I was often tempted to wear them in the summer. Sometimes there is a scarf or even a sweater which I have forgotten about. Very exciting (the same will be true of summer clothes come April!)

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  18. Can't wait for cooler weather. And tweeds. I bet you look smashing in tartans - especially with Edward in tow.
    Catherine

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  19. It is very definitely winter woollies
    weather here despite being promised a barbecue summer.

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  20. oh i know what you mean, and you put it so beautifully...

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  21. Thanks for the visit and comment. I felt a little preemptive doing it because it's not officially Fall...but I've begun posting in golden Fall leave colors. I don't want to collaborate with "time's winged chariot hurrying near"...but the catalogs arrive with a spectrum of golden browns, and the mornings are crisp and dark until after 6:00. Sigh. Summer is over.

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  22. OOH...Yes! I could swear that my tartan skirts, turtle necks and scarves were singing this morning. I've been positively over the moon that the treasured seventh month is at long last here..

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  23. Ok....here is the deal.

    I will happily foster your linen....take it to the ocean regularly so the sea salt can help it's wrinkle.

    And I wwill send you the red tartan flats I JUST bought today. Why? No idea. I was just compelled. My sandals (and bare feet) are making fun of them in our climate!

    Deal?

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  24. I liked what you said about linen simply because I think but little about clothes or fabrics, so anything you might say in that regard is something I almost certainly didn't know or else never thought of. I have boxes full of clothes that I bought in the belief that i "should" dress better, but I never do. So, what DO I wear? T-shirts and shorts in summer, and t-shirts and jeans in winter.

    I might have mentioned that I'm from Mississippi (though I now live in Oregon), and my familiarity with the South makes me curious about what part you are in? The Deep South? The Appalachians? The Atlantic seaboard? Florida? Texas?

    I have another blog follower who is from The British Isles but now lives in Tennessee--"A Brit in Tennessee" is her blog's name.

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  25. So beautifully said and so true. My mother and I were having this very conversation last week with her doctor- the things one talks about with her physician. It does seem though it will likely be sweltering for another month, there was a nip this morning when Zetta made her exit-even a slight chill, the tartan stands at the ready. g

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  26. Thanks for visiting my blog! I am looking forward to fall. The rich colors and cozy feel always appeal to me.

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  27. What a fanciful post Pamela!! I love linen too, I bought shirts and trousers when I went to Australia, they are so cool. But now? No, I couldn't wear them in wet and soggy Ireland! Lovely picture of the plaid - or is it tartan? A 'make me smile' post. Super.

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  28. Thank God for the seasons with their changes and our comsequent shifts of attitude.

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  29. I admit that I'm ready for some brisk wind and nippy mornings, but I can't say the wool beckons me quite yet.

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  30. Hi Pamela,

    Lovely post.
    We are putting away, our tartan, tweeds and big overcoats here.
    Spring is here and today I am wearing shorts around the house.

    Enjoy your week
    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  31. love this about the linen. so true. so right. and so kinda funny. Cuz it's how we do it, that changeover.

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  32. Very strange indeed. September arrived and with it a longing to put on a sweater and a smart pair of boots. My sandals were looking tired...

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  33. I love linen too – it’s less wrinkly and more durable if you get a blend with cotton. I have been living in linen-cotton blend cargo capris from Old Navy this summer. You must look far more elegant in your white linen and pearls. Fall is sweater weather – good to look ahead with a positive eye on the neglected wardrobe.

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  34. It has been a brutal summer. Wet, humid, then searingly hot (104 heat index still lingers). I see the changes in the leaves, some hinting to red. My new winterthur viburnams are getting merry berries (they turn three different shades!), the birds are getting noiser and the squirrels are getting up to speed. I will be glad to turn in my linens for for woolens, whether they talk or not.

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  35. The tartan in the painting reminds me of my family tartan. They're calling my name, as well!!

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  36. And all white shoes need to be put away, too!

    The boots were all out on display when I was in town today. A sure sign of autumn.

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  37. The Life of Clothes - very true! It's been such a miserable summer here that I've only worn shorts twice, and I've resisted the blandishments of tartan and wool. Their little voices have called down to me from their banishment in the loft. But with the central heating now on I think they know their hour (or 9 or 10 months) has come.

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  38. A lovely post and a beauitiful pictute to go with it.

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  39. One reason I love living in New England is for the change in seasons...and with it the change in wardrobe...but my nice soft corduroys will have to wait because it is still too hot!...No white or linen after Labor Day no longer holds true for me if the weather doesn't agree...I'm old and cranky and can do what I want:)

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  40. Fall beckons as Patricia said with cozy sweaters, layers, of tweed, suede and leather!

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  41. Would you mind terribly if I use your fabulous tartan lady in a post I'm working up on tartans? (She does remind me of myself in a mysterious way.)

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  42. ...I've give you credit, of course. :^)

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  43. I know what you mean Pamela. Here it is feeling like Autumn, but if I am in the house for the day, I sneak just one more wear of my Summer dress that reminds me of the sea and sun before I admit defeat and switch to my pumpkin coloured heavy linen skirt which makes me feel like part of Autumn.

    Sorry I'm late catching up with you, we had no internet today until just now.

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  44. I agree with you about linen and looking forward to Autumn and tartans. I, however, feel that common sense should prevail when temperatures are still soaring in the 90's and linen is more favourable than tartan. I love the outdoors and walking and it just is impossible and downright uncomfortable to walk about in woolens and tartans in such temperatures. The Fashion Police will have to look the other way!

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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!