When I was sick, a friend sent Love, Loss, and What I Wore to me. It was the most wonderful Silver Lining on a dark and gloomy-feeling day. It takes about 12 minutes to read and as soon as you finish, you’ll want to start all over. I picked it up again the other day and just had to share it with you.
This is the story of Ilene Beckerman’s life, through her clothes. From her Brownie uniform to her Diane von Furstenburg wrap dress and her Rita Hayworth-style strapless from the Neiman Marcus outlet store, each outfit in LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE tells its own story. I don’t know a single woman who can’t relate, which is probably why it was a runaway bestseller.
Nora (don’t you miss her?) and Delia Ephron went on to write a wildly successful play about it. In 2009, the show was produced Off-Broadwayas an ongoing commercial theatrical production at the Westside Theatre in New York, where it continues to run as the second-longest running show in the theatre’s history.
Hope you enjoy this petit gem!
That sounds like such a sweet book. I will have to get it to read in its entirety. Like most women I remember the clothes I was wearing for almost every memorable event of my life. For example one was a red taffeta dress with long V-sleeves, a boat neck and a sewed in cummerbund with a bow in the back, and a full gathered skirt. I remember the way it rustled when I walked. It was my Christmas party dress when I was in 8th grade. Right now I am recalling so many and picturing them in my mind's eye.
I did see the stage play "Five Women Wearing the Same Dress" at our Omaha Community Playhouse. The play takes place in the sister to the bride's bedroom among the five bridesmaids preparing for the wedding. I didn't recall that this play by Nora and Delia Ephron was based on Ilene Beckerman's book. Must get the book for sure.
Thanks so much for sharing, Carolee. What wonderful memories. Hope that you enjoy the book!