Hi Jane, I didn't know you were the daughter of Ron Herman when I started following you here this summer. Yes, Ron Herman store (and Fred Segal) on Melrose Avenue was the first place I had to go when I was 17 after spending a year in Minnesota as an exchange student from Japan and finally got to visit LA before going back home. After moving to NYC in early 2000s, I always made sure to visit those stores whenever I had a chance, mostly on business trips. I'm sure my colleagues had no idea why I was insisting on buying the best jeans and pants in LA despite living in NYC. I'm not in the fashion industry but Ron Herman store and the air of Melrose Avenue always was the foundation of my personal style (I was just reminiscently smiling to myself how my taste hasn't changed since high school after 40 years! Reaching out to similar button-downs, denim shirts, sweaters, cardigans, loafers, etc.) I definitely look forward to your book! Happy New Year!
I learned so much about jeans from you this year! I so appreciate your thoroughness, dedication and expertise. You also introduced me to the brand Hey Gang -- where I found my favorite T shirt of 2023. Grateful for all of it. XO, Rachel
#2- I have never been in such identity crisis in terms of my sense of style until I had a baby. Not only did my body change, but also my sense of self and daily activities (or lack thereof) change so drastically. Which is why I started following more fashion accounts and how it’s led me to your substack. I would like to believe that this is a metamorphosis a lot of mothers go through-- and a good one. Finding myself when I already thought I knew myself pretty well is scary, frustrating, but also really exciting. Thank you for this recap on 2023!! Loved reading it. Happy New Year, Jane!
Thank you, Janice. I think you are right and that motherhood is something we continue to grow into. I was surprised at how long it took me to find my way back to the things I loved so much before having children (writing, especially). It was hard to see how long until I was on the other side. Thank you for reading and sharing this. Happy New Year to you and your family, too!
This post was wonderful and I feel compelled to say that 2.5 years into becoming a mom, I suddenly found myself divorced and facing single-motherhood. Don’t feel sorry for me though; I moved into an apartment and for the first time in a very long time, I knew that I could create congruency in my life-that the way I presented myself and my clothing would match up to the way I lived and how I kept my home. Fast forward 4 years and I still have the apartment, I still love it, and I’ve found my style groove: vintage Levi’s, cashmere sweaters or hoodies, and flip flops. Always flip flops. At 42, I can finally say that being a mother is a wild and wonderful experience and I’m glad to be a part of a group of other moms and women who also (unapologetically) appreciate good jeans. Funny how motherhood and good clothing seem to go hand in hand😘
Morgan! Thank you for this note. I know we've been in touch in various ways throughout the years – it's nice to hear some of your story. I really understand the finding of oneself that happens when you go out on your own (I went through a divorce myself, around the time that Jean Stories ended). Though I can't imagine doing that AND being a mom, I also know we can be so much stronger than we know, and that the tough decisions can be the best ones for us. Jeans make the doing the business of life easier, I really believe this. And if you know what kind of mom you want to be AND what kind of jeans you love to wear, that's success. x
I’m a new follower, a jeans are the only pants I wear person (dresses and skirts otherwise) and I’ve really been enjoying your Substack. But the real reason I’m commenting is I have a Georgia too (24 now, working on her PhD) and I really believe in kind but very firm parenting too. Happy Nee Year!
Thank you for following - hopefully you’ll find some jeans you’ll love here. Georgia is the best name! A PhD, how wonderful. Thanks for your reaffirming comment, it means a lot coming from a parent who’s ahead of me on this. Happy New Year to you and yours.
"Becoming a mother will change you, it will change almost everything, but it will not change your mother." What a great line, Jane! Loved this year-in-review moment—it's so nice to hear dispatches from Motherhood Future and know that I'm not alone in feeling uncreative and out of sorts in my clothes/body/brain 15 months in, and that it will not always be so. I've so enjoyed reading your writing again this—er, last—year!
Thank you Lila! It takes being on the other side to see how far we go when becoming mothers. It feels like forever. And then, it’s a flash. Happy New Year to you and your family xx
11. I had an fully free day recently (child was at school, work was cancelled due to IT systems failure) and took back-to-back in-person yoga classes for the first time in 4 years. I was astounded at how good it felt to be present, to move with others again, to remember how to fail or fall from a pose in public. Such a freaking gift.
Hi Jane, I didn't know you were the daughter of Ron Herman when I started following you here this summer. Yes, Ron Herman store (and Fred Segal) on Melrose Avenue was the first place I had to go when I was 17 after spending a year in Minnesota as an exchange student from Japan and finally got to visit LA before going back home. After moving to NYC in early 2000s, I always made sure to visit those stores whenever I had a chance, mostly on business trips. I'm sure my colleagues had no idea why I was insisting on buying the best jeans and pants in LA despite living in NYC. I'm not in the fashion industry but Ron Herman store and the air of Melrose Avenue always was the foundation of my personal style (I was just reminiscently smiling to myself how my taste hasn't changed since high school after 40 years! Reaching out to similar button-downs, denim shirts, sweaters, cardigans, loafers, etc.) I definitely look forward to your book! Happy New Year!
Thank you for this Mariko! I'm glad you have such good memories – and jeans! – from the Stores. Happy New Year to you and yours.
I learned so much about jeans from you this year! I so appreciate your thoroughness, dedication and expertise. You also introduced me to the brand Hey Gang -- where I found my favorite T shirt of 2023. Grateful for all of it. XO, Rachel
Thank you Rachel! Good to know the Hey Gang tees are as good as the jeans. Happy New Year to you. x
XOXOXO. Same to you!
My husband took a job in LA in 1991.. was I , Toronto, NYC woman going to flourish in LA?
I found on my first Westside spin, Ron Herman is n Brentwood Gardens.
I’d found my people. I’d found my vibe. LA was going to be okay. And it was.
Thanks Ron Herman♥️
Jodie! My first job ever was in that Brentwood store. I’m so happy you found your place there.
And still hv a pair of Helmut Lang jeans & a corduroy Helmut Lang jacket circa 1996?? A pair of black wool mens HL pants too!
ICONIC
#2- I have never been in such identity crisis in terms of my sense of style until I had a baby. Not only did my body change, but also my sense of self and daily activities (or lack thereof) change so drastically. Which is why I started following more fashion accounts and how it’s led me to your substack. I would like to believe that this is a metamorphosis a lot of mothers go through-- and a good one. Finding myself when I already thought I knew myself pretty well is scary, frustrating, but also really exciting. Thank you for this recap on 2023!! Loved reading it. Happy New Year, Jane!
Thank you, Janice. I think you are right and that motherhood is something we continue to grow into. I was surprised at how long it took me to find my way back to the things I loved so much before having children (writing, especially). It was hard to see how long until I was on the other side. Thank you for reading and sharing this. Happy New Year to you and your family, too!
This post was wonderful and I feel compelled to say that 2.5 years into becoming a mom, I suddenly found myself divorced and facing single-motherhood. Don’t feel sorry for me though; I moved into an apartment and for the first time in a very long time, I knew that I could create congruency in my life-that the way I presented myself and my clothing would match up to the way I lived and how I kept my home. Fast forward 4 years and I still have the apartment, I still love it, and I’ve found my style groove: vintage Levi’s, cashmere sweaters or hoodies, and flip flops. Always flip flops. At 42, I can finally say that being a mother is a wild and wonderful experience and I’m glad to be a part of a group of other moms and women who also (unapologetically) appreciate good jeans. Funny how motherhood and good clothing seem to go hand in hand😘
Morgan! Thank you for this note. I know we've been in touch in various ways throughout the years – it's nice to hear some of your story. I really understand the finding of oneself that happens when you go out on your own (I went through a divorce myself, around the time that Jean Stories ended). Though I can't imagine doing that AND being a mom, I also know we can be so much stronger than we know, and that the tough decisions can be the best ones for us. Jeans make the doing the business of life easier, I really believe this. And if you know what kind of mom you want to be AND what kind of jeans you love to wear, that's success. x
I’m a new follower, a jeans are the only pants I wear person (dresses and skirts otherwise) and I’ve really been enjoying your Substack. But the real reason I’m commenting is I have a Georgia too (24 now, working on her PhD) and I really believe in kind but very firm parenting too. Happy Nee Year!
Thank you for following - hopefully you’ll find some jeans you’ll love here. Georgia is the best name! A PhD, how wonderful. Thanks for your reaffirming comment, it means a lot coming from a parent who’s ahead of me on this. Happy New Year to you and yours.
"Becoming a mother will change you, it will change almost everything, but it will not change your mother." What a great line, Jane! Loved this year-in-review moment—it's so nice to hear dispatches from Motherhood Future and know that I'm not alone in feeling uncreative and out of sorts in my clothes/body/brain 15 months in, and that it will not always be so. I've so enjoyed reading your writing again this—er, last—year!
Thank you Lila! It takes being on the other side to see how far we go when becoming mothers. It feels like forever. And then, it’s a flash. Happy New Year to you and your family xx
During 2020 I listened to Graceland non stop. Such an incredible album! I learn something new with each listen. Thanks for sharing your learnings!
Thank you for reading and being part of this Francesca xx
Jane! I love this so much & #22 floored me. So true and sometimes, so hard. Also Graceland, always!❤️ Happy new year!
Thank you, Malwina! Sending the best and brightest for 2024 to you and your family. xx
11. I had an fully free day recently (child was at school, work was cancelled due to IT systems failure) and took back-to-back in-person yoga classes for the first time in 4 years. I was astounded at how good it felt to be present, to move with others again, to remember how to fail or fall from a pose in public. Such a freaking gift.
Totally. The first class back brought me to tears. Thank you for sharing your experience. Yoga Forever.