Personal Style Tops Age When Getting Dressed

 

 

Meet Sharon Harless. She works at Intermix at the Country Mart at Larkspur Landing in Larkspur.

I met her last week when I was returning a shirt I’d purchased at the Intermix store on Armitage Street in Chicago the week before. The shirt kept wanting to shift back on my shoulders. Since my wardrobe principle this fall is strict about no discomfort, I knew I needed to return it.

 

 

So after working with my client that day, I stopped at Larkspur Landing and headed to Intermix.

Sharon was at the register and graciously took my return. While I was getting out my credit card I kept admiring her style. I started talking to myself.

 

Oh my gosh, that hat is so adorable on her! It’s so fun and perky and seems to match her personality! I bet some people would shy away from wearing such a playful accessory. This is a perfect example of how if the look is yours, you can wear it at any age. It’s her personal style! Oh, I must take a picture. I’d love to put her in my blog.

 

I said, “I really love your hat. I write a fashion blog and I’d love to take a picture of you. Would you mind?” I said.

 

 

Suddenly we were in a flurry of conversation. It turns out she’s exactly my age, just a month older.

About her decision to wear the beanie Sharon said, “I thought, Am I too old to wear a beanie with a pom pom? But when I put it on I said, I am SO wearing this!”

She added with a giggle, “And do you know what else? It’s free Botox for my forehead!”

Learning about fashionable Sharon

We talked about our love of fashion. She told me that when she was twenty-one she went to work at I. Magnin in San Francisco. Her boss was just like Meryl Streep’s character, Miranda Priestly, in the 2006 movie, The Devil Wears Prada. Sharon said, “She was tough, but the best education I got was at I. Magnin.” I can just imagine.

I swoon whenever anyone mentions that store. It was one of my favorite places in Union Square to take clients on shopping trips. We’d shop and then have lunch downstairs in the basement. Scott, cute Scott, would wait on us and talk us into having mudslide cookies for dessert. Oh, those mudslide cookies. They were the best! Just last month I was reminiscing about I. Magnin with a client who loved it as much as I did. It’s legendary.

 

 

What our parents taught us

We quickly learned just how much we have in common. We love our beloved parents and what they’ve taught us.

Sharon’s mother said, “Never leave the house without lipstick.” My mother was the same way and as a result I NEVER leave the house without lipstick.

Sharon’s father was in a family-owned business and customer service was of the utmost importance.

My dad had his own business and customer service was everything. He was always curious about people and really cared about them.

Our Dads’ strong work ethic was passed down to their daughters.

Sharon said, “Since I got back into fashion at Intermix, I think about them everyday. I genuinely love what I do. I’ve never looked back,” she said.

 

Shopping in stores where some employees are my age

I LOVE shopping in stores where employees are my age.

We both champion women to own their style and not be afraid to wear what you love.

We can’t wait to get together again and talk more about our favorite subjects: women, fashion, parents.

If you’re ever in Larkspur Landing, be sure to stop in at Intermix and have a visit with Sharon. I’m sure you’ll pick up some style inspiration from her. And you might even pick up a beanie!