The DNA of Dressing. Or, am I destined to wear a St. John Knit?

First let me say, I love my mother; but, as long as I can remember my mother and I have had very different taste in attire. My mother likes gold, bolds, and sartorial excess. While I critique my mother's style as a bit, um, excessive. She would complain, should you be inclined to listen, that I am too conservative in my dress. And, I admit, to her Liberace I am a bit of a plane Jane. For years she has encouraged me to add a little colour to my colour free closet. "Black", I would hear from my parent's, "attracts everything but men." So, when I would once again be wearing head to toe black my mother would ask me in passive-aggressive tones with hues of hostility, "is that what you are wearing?" As I shut the door behind me I would shout out something in language much more colourful than my dress.

I remember on my 18th birthday when my mother gave me a pair of purple jeans and I was convinced that this was the final piece in my rock solid case that she was not in fact my mother and that there had been a terrible mix up at the hospital. Unfortunately the judge was unmoved by my evidence and the legal documents still say she is my mother. I have not yet had any genetic testing done to prove otherwise.

Most of my life I have been solid citizen---not a single print in my mostly monochromatic wardrobe. Just a few years ago bold printed skirts started finding their way into my wardrobe. I resisted this impulse at first---but before I knew it I prints had imprinted them self into my psyche and into my closet. When I saw my mother in a bold print I could no longer scoff at her choice. In spite of my best efforts to resist it, I was becoming more like my mother---if only in dress.

Gold was alway the one sartorial choice where I could continue to feel superior to my mother. Gold, after all, is the metallic choice for the AARP set. Or, so I thought. My mother has a closet that is worthy of Cortez. She has gold shoes, gold sandals, gold belts and a gold trench coat. She even has a gold sequined cap that looks like it might have been worn by a pimp in the 70's that she actually wears out in public in her 80's. Every time she puts it on I do a mental status exam. What year is it? Who is the president? What is today's date? She always laughs at my well meaning inquiry. Her lack of answers do nothing to assure me that she is unwell.

As she adjusts her jaunty chapeau, she tries to assure me. "People are always complementing me on it." I am unconvinced. I suggest that they are just so shocked by her choice in head dress that they just feel compelled to say something and so they compliment her.

Well, biology may in fact be destiny. I have fallen in love with a gold jacket. Oh, gosh, it even hurts to write that. I am becoming my mother. If I start talking about the weather all the time you will know the transformation is complete. But, I really do think it is a great statement jacket that would look great with more tailored pieces. I can see it with a black merino turtleneck and black skirt or trousers. It would also be great with a long sleeve tee and jeans.

I am open to being talked out of the jacket. I know nurture and outside influences can override the DNA of dress. And, please comment, I mean...I am here all alone and just sitting at home hoping to hear from you and you are out there living your fancy life...would it hurt you to write a quick comment...after all I have done. Did I tell you about the weather ? It was over 100 degrees here in Austin today. Tomorrow it is supposed to be in the high 80's.

Soleil D'Or Jacket from J Crew, $278.00.