“Enchanted Slacks” is another great book title with the potential to be a Scholastic Books series for young readers. Just a suggestion. You could ladle wisdom for young women trying to make their way in this strange world we all must navigate. I’m serious.
I included a mention of NYC being the only place where I taught preschool and kindergarten that some of the students named black as their favorite color. So I totally agree with you about Scholastic Books. I would argue for picture books, at least the first 3 or so.
So excited to read your work on Substack! Welcome. Love the idea of the enchanted black pants. I think I need to rewrite my hobbies to include "collector of black pants." And since you mentioned the High Sport pants being too long it probably isn't helpful that I mention they are expected to be launching petite length later this month.
I had 100% forgotten about Reminiscence and you just brought me screeching back to the 80’s! And I have been on a quest for the perfect jeans forever. And I’ve found them maybe 3 times and forever is never as long as I think. Welcome to Substack!!
When I was teaching, my "uniform" was knit black slacks, a nice T-style top, and a black flat-knit cardigan. Had to have things that wouldn't wrinkle since I had a long commute (university was not in the town where I lived) and also could be easily "freshened" up for two days in a row just by changing the top, for the times when I had to spend the night in the uni-ville. Now I'm retired and live full-time in Austin, TX, where jeans pretty much cover any and all occasions. And ps -- since you're writing a memoir and also love fashion, may I assume you've read Diana Vreeland's autobiography? A bit odd (but great) in that no matter what event in her life she's relating, she always remembers *exactly* what she was wearing.
About the perfect pants: I’ve been on this journey too and the conclusion that I’ve come to is that black isn’t the holy grail of dressing that at first it seems. It’s too stark for me a lot of the time. Which means I reach for blue jeans way more often. But then, I haven’t worked in an office for a zillion years so I’m able to do that. Definitely looking forward to reading along as your quest continues…
Welcome to the Substacky madness! So glad you're here.
(And I'm currently listening to The Library Book via Audible, so I "heard" your voice narrating this newsletter in my head as I was reading it, which was a delightfully strange bonus.)
Wow. I pulled “The Library Book” off my shelf this morning, excited to begin your only book I’ve yet to read — and here you are! I look forward to your words here as well as there.
I have lost sensitivity to changing fashion and I really love the description of the Reminiscence pants. For me, a 1940s pant is the ideal. I love looser legs ...but who cares? So glad you'll be writing here!
Susan! The elusive unicorn of perfect black pants always seems just out of reach for women of our (ahem) stature. It’s a lifelong pursuit. But I recently found these pants from Beyond Yoga check many of the boxes for quality, comfort and ability to be dressed up or down as needed. The cuffed ankle can be dressed up/camouflaged with chic pair of ankle boots. They don’t look like much in the photos but the fit is great.
I feel seen! I am always on the hunt for perfect black pants or jeans and they always end up a disappointment and cluttering my closet. I have 3 pairs of pants here that I either need to send back or just add to my collection! I’m pretty sure that my aging body is what is really sabotaging my efforts!
So happy to see you here! Weirdly, I recently came across your NYer article about Zora Neale Hurston while on a research rabbit hole and was thinking how much I missed seeing you on Medium!
“Enchanted Slacks” is another great book title with the potential to be a Scholastic Books series for young readers. Just a suggestion. You could ladle wisdom for young women trying to make their way in this strange world we all must navigate. I’m serious.
I included a mention of NYC being the only place where I taught preschool and kindergarten that some of the students named black as their favorite color. So I totally agree with you about Scholastic Books. I would argue for picture books, at least the first 3 or so.
So excited to read your work on Substack! Welcome. Love the idea of the enchanted black pants. I think I need to rewrite my hobbies to include "collector of black pants." And since you mentioned the High Sport pants being too long it probably isn't helpful that I mention they are expected to be launching petite length later this month.
Nooooooo!!!!
I had 100% forgotten about Reminiscence and you just brought me screeching back to the 80’s! And I have been on a quest for the perfect jeans forever. And I’ve found them maybe 3 times and forever is never as long as I think. Welcome to Substack!!
When I was teaching, my "uniform" was knit black slacks, a nice T-style top, and a black flat-knit cardigan. Had to have things that wouldn't wrinkle since I had a long commute (university was not in the town where I lived) and also could be easily "freshened" up for two days in a row just by changing the top, for the times when I had to spend the night in the uni-ville. Now I'm retired and live full-time in Austin, TX, where jeans pretty much cover any and all occasions. And ps -- since you're writing a memoir and also love fashion, may I assume you've read Diana Vreeland's autobiography? A bit odd (but great) in that no matter what event in her life she's relating, she always remembers *exactly* what she was wearing.
About the perfect pants: I’ve been on this journey too and the conclusion that I’ve come to is that black isn’t the holy grail of dressing that at first it seems. It’s too stark for me a lot of the time. Which means I reach for blue jeans way more often. But then, I haven’t worked in an office for a zillion years so I’m able to do that. Definitely looking forward to reading along as your quest continues…
Welcome to the Substacky madness! So glad you're here.
(And I'm currently listening to The Library Book via Audible, so I "heard" your voice narrating this newsletter in my head as I was reading it, which was a delightfully strange bonus.)
OMG, the search for the perfect black pants... have you been reading my mind again?
🎉 Wow! Susan Orlean is on Substack
Wow. I pulled “The Library Book” off my shelf this morning, excited to begin your only book I’ve yet to read — and here you are! I look forward to your words here as well as there.
I have lost sensitivity to changing fashion and I really love the description of the Reminiscence pants. For me, a 1940s pant is the ideal. I love looser legs ...but who cares? So glad you'll be writing here!
So here we are dressing with Susan Orlean…yay! Awaiting the perfect black pant book.
In the meantime, here in hilltop Italy we have RAGNO’s ‘pantalone flare’ in many colors; Salsa, Tibetan Red, Champignon but alas no black…
Susan! The elusive unicorn of perfect black pants always seems just out of reach for women of our (ahem) stature. It’s a lifelong pursuit. But I recently found these pants from Beyond Yoga check many of the boxes for quality, comfort and ability to be dressed up or down as needed. The cuffed ankle can be dressed up/camouflaged with chic pair of ankle boots. They don’t look like much in the photos but the fit is great.
https://beyondyoga.com/products/spacedye-midi-jogger-chai-sd1153
These look great!
OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGOD
Woop! Sounds great, and welcome Susan. I'm here for all the marvels, including the perfect black trousers (shame it sounds so dull in the UK).
I feel seen! I am always on the hunt for perfect black pants or jeans and they always end up a disappointment and cluttering my closet. I have 3 pairs of pants here that I either need to send back or just add to my collection! I’m pretty sure that my aging body is what is really sabotaging my efforts!
So happy to see you here! Weirdly, I recently came across your NYer article about Zora Neale Hurston while on a research rabbit hole and was thinking how much I missed seeing you on Medium!