Women We Love: Jeanne

 
I've never met Jeanne (pronounced Jhan) Jenkins, but in the wonderment that is social media, I see her often. Jeanne is one of the few "style influencers" (ie fashion bloggers) whose posts I follow to see what they are wearing. I try not to be influenced by others as much as inspired, and I love her style. She has kindly agreed to this interview, a great way of getting to know her.



Jeanne was born in Philadelphia and has lived pretty much 50/50 throughout her life on the east coast and west coast.  Her online presence began 2013 when she and daughter Kate decided to blog together, though they lived 2500 miles apart. "Two Take on Style" was a unique voice, "dedicated to all stylish mothers and daughters out there". It was a fun read as the two love fashion and have fun with it together. Life got busier for Kate, and their blog ended in 2016. Jeanne now posts only on Instagram.

Jeanne and Kate

Two years ago she retired from careers in private education, healthcare and fundraising and moved from the Bay Area to Knoxville, Tennessee, closer to Kate and the first grandchild. She has been getting to know her new city, babysitting three times a week and working and volunteering at the Knoxville Museum of Art. She is 69 and facing a milestone birthday soon with some trepidation but deserved confidence!

That photo at the top? Jeanne says that's "my philosophies of life all in one pic...oh and that's a scarf posing as skirt."

1) How would you define your style? 

Age appropriate fashion forward 

2) When did you know you had one? 

I've known since I was in my twenties that I had an eye for fashion and style.  In those days I'd try anything—my look today is tempered by knowledge about what works on my body and knowledge of fabrics and how they behave.  No more 100% linen or suede. I hate Modal, skinny belts, and empire-waisted dresses.

3) What's the first thing your remember wearing as a child that you loved?  

I remember some of the clothes I wore as a child but nothing was important as the outfit I wore for the first day of high school—bright plaid wool stitched-down pleated skirt and vest with white tube socks and loafers. 

4) What was your biggest fashion faux pas? 

I'm sure I've had many, but I probably should have passed on the chartreuse hot pants I made and wore to pick up my new in-laws from the airport. Oh yes and then there is the time I was on a business trip. My checked luggage was lost, and I had to wear a DKNY red leather skirt and matching red fish-neck stockings for a sales call on a delegation from a conservative religious college in the midwest. 

5) Did you ever try to emulate anyone else's style? 

I went through a preppy phase where I adored the insouciant style of the models in the J. Crew catalog. Lots of people inspire me today, but I must say I do love Cherie of Style Nudge, @journeyofastylist, silver_isthenewblonde, artfulcitystyle, individualstyle101, and notesbyastylist—all on Instagram.

6) Who has been your biggest fashion influence?  

I've followed in the footsteps of my mother and grandmother.  My French grandmother made her own clothes and was extremely chic.  My mother was always chic, and she spent very little money on clothes.  They were both great inspirations. 

7) What are your favorite places to shop?  

I shop almost exclusively online these days.  I get impatient with the organization in brick and mortar stores—unless I'm looking at a sales rack.  I like a mix of high and low—Asos, Mango, Zara on one end and on sale Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Shopbop designer stuff on the other. 

8) What influences your fashion choices— other people, magazines, movies, none of the above? 

I am always looking for age-appropriate interpretations of the latest styles.  I watch for ideas from online mostly—blogs, Instagram, fashion sites.  I'm pretty good at visualizing how items will go together. 

9) What are your favorite accessories? 

Wide belts for waist defining, scarves and wraps, and jewelry. I got over the big necklace trend a few years ago. I focus more on earrings, rings and bracelets and funky brooches.  And I definitely consider shoes the most important accessory. Also I can't ever forget eyeglasses; they are a necessity for me.  I have 15 pairs at the moment. I buy on sale CHEAP reading glasses or sunglasses and then have prescription lenses put into them.

10) How diligent are you in cleaning out your closet? 

I've been very good about that. I'm a neat, organized person anyhow so its not hard for me. The past year I've been engaged in winnowing my wardrobe post-retirement.

11) Carry-on or steamer trunk? Do you pack a little or a lot?

I always mange to pack more than I need, but I do it all in one carry-on and a small backpack.  So I think I have a steamer trunk soul tempered by the realities of modern travel. 

12) What do you have too much of? 

Fabulous scarves and way too much jewelry, and—oh yes— eyeglasses.

13) What are you always looking for? 

The perfect white shirt—dramatic collar and cuffs, perfect black turtleneck, stylish shoes with less than a 2" heel, and more glasses. 

14) What trend or style has most influenced you? 

I don't think a single trend or style defines me. 

15) What's your favorite everyday go-to outfit?  

Definitely active wear—my default for grandchild babysitting and running errands. 

16) What's your favorite special occasion outfit?

I really have no special event clothing.  I rely on black skirts and trousers—even a black tulle midi skirt from Amazon.  If that doesn't work, I'll borrow and, as a last resort only, I'll buy something new.  Usually the something new goes immediately to Thred Up afterwards. 

17) What trend will you never wear? 

Stilettos, any shoes that are like comfort shoes for "older women" (I just can't give in!), cropped jackets,  oversized or shaped designs. 

18)  What's one item in your wardrobe you can't live without? 

As of today, it would be my leopard print ankle booties from Asos.  They are perfect and they remind me every day of the fashionista look I am trying to achieve. 

19) You recently changed your hair color and changed it back. Any thoughts on that? 

Many thoughts.  I loved the idea of having a red pixie cut, but it was simply too hard to maintain the color to my satisfaction, so I returned to platinum.  Always at the back of my mind is whether I should return to my natural hair color.  It still seems like the last concession, after my Medicare, to the aging process. 

20) What was your "best buy"?  

I don't have one—they're all best buys or I don't purchase them. 

21) What's the "one that got away"?  

Probably my Loewe handbag purchased in Madrid.  I got to use it only a few times before it burned up in the Oakland Hills (CA) fire which completely destroyed my home and all my worldly goods. 

22) That fire sounds horrific. I can't imagine losing everything. How did you deal with it? What did it teach you, if something like that can actually be a learning experience? 

At the time of the fire, my daughter and I were living in a rented house. We were evacuated and took nothing with us except a change of clothes—and the silver flatware of course.  It was horrific—for me like the loss of my personal history, my soul.  It took several years to come to terms with all this.  The result is that I don’t have a lot of stuff I don’t use.  I don’t invest much in material things—except maybe clothes.
 It was a powerful learning experience: don't get attached to "stuff" and always be prepared to lose the things you have, even those you love the most.
  
23) What are 10 fashion pieces you can't live without?

> Perfect black pants

> Perfect fashionable jeans that suit me

> Perfect white tee

> Perfect black blazer

> The perfect black flats. booties and booties (that's three!)

> A 3/4 or full length trendy coat

> Leopard skin anything—currently I have heels, flats, slides and booties, backpack, two-piece dress, and cardigan sweater, also scarves   

24) What do you say to women who may be timid or afraid to try something new? 
Build your confidence slowly. Try one new thing at a time.  If it is the right thing for you, you'll hear compliments, and that will give you confidence to try something new.