Empowered

Empowered:

Make (someone) stronger and more confident, especially in controlling their life and claiming their rights.

When my youngest son was around nine years old, his ambitions were to become a famous artist. One day he came to me and stated..

"I need a Beret because all famous artists wear berets." 

"Then I'll have to get you one," I replied

Being a family that strongly encourages the arts, many of our weekend afternoons are spent visiting California's museums. Armed with his sketch pad, colored pencils, and beret, the youngest would find his subject among the gallery paintings, and begin to create his own interpretation. I watched as museum guests stopped and smiled at seeing my young man so engrossed with his drawings. I asked him about the beret, "How does wearing the hat make you feel?"

"Like I can draw anything."

"That's cool," I stated. "It makes you feel empowered." He nodded his head in agreement.

The beret has a long and rich history, with mass production beginning in the 19th century in France and Spain. Traditionally, the hat was a part of uniforms for military and police. In later years it became popularized in Europe as typical Basque head-wear, and evolving as the stereotypical image of an intellectual, film director, artist, poet, bohemian and beatnik. The painter, Rembrandt, wore berets, as well as famous jazz artist like, Dizzy Gillespie and Thelonious Monk. By the 1960s and 70s the black beret became a symbol of empowerment, and was adopted by several revolutionary groups, such as the Provisional Irish Republican Army and the Black Panthers in the United States. It is, without a doubt, the most recognizable hat in the world, and conjures several types of images - the artist, armed forces, entire cultures, and empowerment.

For today's style story, I've captured a look which embodies the idea of empowerment. I could thoroughly relate to my son's earlier idea of the beret making him feel like he could draw anything. It goes without saying, when we put on our favorite outfits and/or accessories - we feel like we're empowered to conquer the world! In today's look I feel imaginative, strong, confident, bold, and yes, sexy. The mystique of a woman shrouded in black, but taunts her subjects with her playfulness in a high-voltage silver metallic skirt, and the boldness of a leopard backpack.

Outfit Details - Beret purchased from a vintage shop near my home: Black berets on Amazon; Silver Metallic Knife-pleat Skirt: Talbot's via eBay (similar skirt Do & Be Silver Pleated Skirt from Shoptiques); Black Short-Sleeved Turtleneck: Anne Klein via TJ Maxx (great options on Shopstyle); Black Mid-Calf Boots: Gianni Bini via eBay; Nordstrom 'Everyday' Opaque Black Tights; Leopard Backpack by Liz Claiborne purchased in the 90s (variety of leopard backpacks on Shopstyle); Medium Basic Sunglasses: Loft; Large Silver Hoop Earrings: The Icing.  

      

My son has since replaced his artist ambitions with sports. He gave up the beret in place of a football. What happened to the beret you ask? Well...I'm wearing it. Perhaps I'll take my empower cues from my son and wear it when I feel the urge to write my next book {wink}.

Stay True,

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Whitney Nic James
Photographs are the property of So What to Twenty!