Street Snaps: Summer Silhouettes

I’ve noticed that hats (not baseball caps) have, in general, come back in vogue in the city. I’m quick to say that Urban Outfitter’s presence offering of affordable hats have contributed, but then that rudely discounts all the boutiques offering quality pieces. To say the least, I have been greatly enjoying the variety and breadth of summer straw hats seen around town, and today’s Street Snaps is no exception. Continuing from last week’s more mature interviewee is this breezy example of how to dress for the summer while still being modestly clothed. And by no means is this a look confined to those of more age and experience — lengthy, ambiguous silhouettes can be so dramatic, which is almost always more head-turning than something “sexy.”

Martha, from Philadelphia.

What’s your favorite thing on today?

“On television?”

On your outfit.

“Oh, on my outfit? My shoes and my hat. Covers a multitude of sins. (laughs)”

Are there any trends that you’re tired of in Philadelphia?

“I am tired of the bare mid-drifts.”

The short, loose shirts cut into mid-drifts?

“Yeah, yeah… And I would like to see the long skirts come back. I like that!”

They’ve come back in style now.

“Yeah. (Husband suggests the ‘bare bellies’) And the bare bellies on fat people.”

Oh no! All right. Well I’ll keep the questions short here, unless you have anything else to add.

“I’m older. Very mature. Three children. Married fifty-five years — I was three, it was an arranged marriage. (laughs) No, no. But we were cyclists at one time, till my husband broke his knee and had a knee replacement. And we go to Florida for six months and live in Philadelphia across from the art museum for six months… And our life has ended up being very nice. We’re very happy. Our children are all seemingly happy.”

Elegant & subdued embellishments in dark plum polish

Nice. Do you have any tips or thoughts on cultivating a comfort in your own body?

“I always felt my job was to — and my husband felt the same way — produce these children so that they could be independent, support themselves — we weren’t rich enough to support them for the rest of their lives, we didn’t want to, and it wasn’t a question. After college, they were on their own and they had to take something in which they knew they would be able to support themselves. And that was important. We also said no to a lot of things. And whenever one of my sons says ‘you never took us to Europe‘ and ‘you never took us here‘, and I always say, and look how wonderfully you turned out. That shuts ‘em up.

“So… But you have to have a sense of humor. If you can’t laugh at life…”

Then what are you gonna do?

“My husband’s very funny. Last week we went to the Ritz, and he got me a big soda because it was free if you had to refill it. And he reached over and he poured the whole thing by accident all over me. Just before the movie started. I was sitting in wet clothes from top to bottom. But he went back and he said to the guy, ‘she was so thirsty.’ (laughs) Boy, was she thirsty! So all we could do was laugh about it at that point. But anyway, that’s not interesting.”

Well it’s always interesting to hear what people have to say. But anyway, any last comments?

“I love Philadelphia. I absolutely love it. I don’t like to go to Florida because I miss Philadelphia. I really do. And it has a lot to offer.”

If you’re looking for more Philly street style, visit Broad&Market, or check out the Street Snaps archive by clicking on the “street snaps” tag just below.