Color Stories: Fall, Friendship + School Spirit
Color stories are a great way to start pulling ideas together for fall. Thinking of your events and what you will be attending also helps you establish some guidelines that will keep you focused and less likely to make thoughtless purchases. Inevitably, when I work with clients, we will come across an area in their wardrobes that is near and dear to their hearts — spirit wear! Whether it’s their children’s school, their favorite sports team, or attending football games at their alma mater, I often times come across a collection of colors that identify them to their tribe.
This summer, my husband and I took our daughter on a college campus road trip. It’s hard to believe but this time next year, Lane will be settling into the next phase of her life…somewhere. I thought I would introduce her since she’s working part-time at both The Hive and The Shoe Hive throughout her senior year.
I should clarify something that may or may not surprise some of you. My daughter has a propensity to mock what I do…styling, that is. I’ve even declared her a ‘mother mocker.’
Lane is an incredibly creative person who has been very focused on academics and has a lot of fun teasing me about the topics of her college essays, which may or may not include watching her mother perfect the selfie and photograph outfit ‘flatlays’ – a term that probably isn’t included in the SATs. Motherhood is definitely not about winning, only the small victories that can be missed if you blink. While some would imagine having your mom take you to a fashion show at Lincoln Center is pretty awesome, my daughter remembers how loud the music was! In all fairness, she did enjoy the experience but wisely analyzed the ludicrous pageantry that lasted for all of 8 minutes.
Then there is Lane’s friend Anna. Anna is my spirit daughter. She loves experimenting with her own style and explores fashion’s possibilities with fearless abandon. Anna can spend pennies on the dollar at a thrift store and uncover a full street style look with influences from the 60’s that feels completely authentic to her. These two have been friends since kindergarten and this year they are both entering their senior year at T.C. Williams.
It’s likely they will be headed off in separate directions this time next year but as a mother, I deem the bond they have between them priceless. Authentic friendships are something every parent hopes will occur for their children but with movies and books entitled “Queen Bees and Wannabes” and “Mean Girls,” there are no promises. There will undoubtedly be opportunities — such as college — where future friends will be made. But with all of the anxieties of heading off on your own, knowing you have friends that understand you to the core is something to cherish.
As those of you who have already been down this road of senior year know, time feels more precious than ever from a parent’s perspective. On our college go-see tour up north, there were moments where Lane, Mark, and I were all in complete agreement with our takeaways…and then there were moments when one over zealous applicant took down the university in our daughter’s eyes with one too many questions. They say that the weather can influence a campus tour. Well so can the people you tour with! I’ve learned that this college search has a lot to do with the feel you get from the environment and the students who attend.
There’s a lot of sociological science that applies to finding the schools where you want to apply. While the first part of children’s lives is based on our choices as parents, this next chapter is about how they understand themselves and looking for their “tribe.” It helps to repeat the mantra, ‘her journey, not mine.’ It also helps to let those who have just gone through this experience themselves offer some advice…Hive staff, this is your moment to do right by me!
Earrings and shoes, The Shoe Hive | Dress, TSALT
I’ve coerced Anna and Lane to let me celebrate their senior year and friendship with this style post as we explore school spirit and color stories. Wearing your school colors shows you are part of a group. It’s one way of establishing what you stand for without having to say a word. Whether you are attending a sporting event, channeling the school you hope to attend, or supporting the next phase of your child’s journey, color is a significant part of bonding to the experience.
Dress, TSALT | Choker, earrings, bootie, The Shoe Hive
Earrings, bracelet, heels, The Shoe Hive | Dress, TSALT
Earrings and booties, The Shoe Hive | Dress, TSALT
Necklace, The Hive | Slides, The Shoe Hive
Blouse, The Hive | Slides, The Shoe Hive
