the golden girl

The day I had been waiting for finally arrived. I was fully prepared: I had a gently-used Penguin Classic edition of the book, and armed with highlighters, I wrote my name in the front cover and cracked the spine. I had been saving The Great Gatsby for when it would be inevitably assigned in American Lit.

It's just so canonical, reading it seemed like a rite of passage, a task every American high schooler must conquer at some point, like The Catcher in the Rye or Romeo and Juliet.

The novella itself was beautifully done, though not my favorite-it was more of a social commentary than a story that would keep you up at night, for me. The plot wasn't the focus, I feel, more of a vehicle.  Contrary to the anti-hedonistic message of the book, the glamorous imagery really drew me in, and more specifically, the alluring trope of the Golden Girl.

This is how I wish I was! It didn't seem very female friendly the first time I read it, with the focus on appearance and expectation to become a wife, but parts of it are progressive for the time, like being assertive, independent, free-spirited, and flirty if she wants to be. Especially in this awkward, confused, and sometimes lonely stage of life I find myself in, it seems so ideal. 

In terms of the fashions from that time, I'm no expert, but what I've seen is loose and indulgent on color and accessories, perfectly ready to both impress and party. I am in love with this glamorous yet whimsical editorial by Damian Foxe featuring model Sam Robinson for How To Spend It, February 2012.