What I Did NOT Wear...till Portland

Have you read "Love, Loss, and What I Wore" by Ilene Beckerman?  An east coast woman, middle class child of the 1940s/50s, she speaks to how we once thought about clothes.  Her New York City life was much tidier, more elegant than mine yet there's a resonance.  Similar to the sense I've always had when meeting Jewish women around my age in different cities:  a vibe, often brief, that we share until I learn she's a Republican.

"I wore this black bathing suit when I went to Florida with my grandmother.  I was fourteen," Ilene reports.  The drawing on the facing page--I wish that were a skill of mine--tells me more.  While I never had a Florida grandma nor a black bathing suit till now, the pose is familiar.  Second position, the one we learned in ballet class.  That came along with the expected piano lessons that other first generation Jewish mothers like mine understood as required for our upwardness in America. 

Here then is my first black bathing suit.  Bought it maybe 15 years ago to wear to the beach, a place enjoyed by the rest of my family.  I have a purple one that is equally sensible and unused.

On our 1970s and 80s summer  vacations in Cape May, New Jersey, or on Cape Cod, I was comfortable under our generous green and white striped umbrella with my knitting.  Sometimes Ron coaxed me into the salt water which I reluctantly admitted enjoying.  He had been a lifeguard at Coney Island in his youth.  At the same time, after years of summer camp and beginner swim class, I was a day camp counselor (no water required) in St. Louis.

Yet, this very month I have dipped my toes in the excellent warm water of the pool at Terwilliger Plaza.  Four times so far in "Gentle Water Aerobics."  Chlorine not too strong.  Still have to master/mistress the dressing room thing.  Afterwards I put in some minutes on the treadmill, conveniently located on the way back to our apartment.

The first time into the pool, I recalled a suggestion sent me by Hattie when I mentioned my reluctance to take the water.   She likes trim Land's End  ladies' swim suits minus the skirt.  That would be my nod to the 21st century and thinking beyond how black makes me look thinner.  After diving into color and pattern in my Baltimore life, going back to New York City edged me toward, as Ilene B. would say, "...black is always chic--and makes shopping choices much easier."  Third stage retirement requires shifting...more to follow.

I'm not in Manhattan any more. 

Comments

[Hattie]

I do like the decent, boy short tankinis that Lands End sells. They are expensive, but I am not embarrassed to be seen in them, even walking around on the beach.
I find, though, that for water aerobics a closer fitting suit is better. I've gotten good ones very cheaply at Ross.
Glad you are getting in the water. There is nothing better for those aches and pains. It's like being gently held, very comforting.
I took up a gentle yoga class recently and really like it. Just once a week is plenty.

[Hattie]

Oh, and I love your "takeoff" on the Love, Loss book cover.

[jude lombardi]

Hello Naomi, missing you, do call or write soon. love, judy

[kay Dennison]

I love Land's End swimsuits. And yeah they're pricey but they fit. I ordered my first of their tugless ones when we went on vacation one year. It arrived as I was packing and didn't bother to try it on and guess what? It fit perfectly and was indeed tugless. Good stuff!!!!

[Duffy]

That's great that they have a pool where you're at. But don't skimp on the suit. The chemicals will take their toll on a cheap suit very quickly. There's a great line of stores in Portland, Portland Swimwear, that offer suits especially designed for wear in the pool. One of them is in downtown at 600 SW 4th Ave.

There's also wearing a swell sarong.

[Lydia]

Gads, you are into a better exercise routine than I am by a mile. And I haven't had my swimsuit on since 2001. The last time I wore it was in the pool/spa/sauna at The Nordic Motel in Lincoln City. Strange, since I practically lived in swimsuits all summer in Nevada as a youth.

It sure is fun reading these comparisons to Manhattan and Portland.

[joared]

It's been so long since I owned a bathing suit or knew where to find one in style in which I would feel comfortable, I've forgotten what swimsuits are like. Will have to check them out as mentioned here.

Congrats on your exercise pgm. Reminds me I promised to write more about my own, so guess I better get to it soon.

[ilene beckerman]

Hi,

I'm Ilene. I wrote the book. I never thought I had a tidy life and I haven't worn a bathing suit since my 6th child, a hundred years ago. So happy my book brought back your memories and so happy to meet you.