Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiise! For Elaine Stritch

Since all the decent seats for "A Little Night Music" have been taken for the next month or so, I'll relegate myself to goggling at Elaine Stritch's wardrobe instead. I wonder if she's been in a "who wore it best?" column with Diane Keaton. Diane Keaton wore those tuxedos in her thirties, she really wore them, but only on on the sheer virtues of youth and beauty. Now she just looks bat-crazy. Elaine Stritch, on the other hand, demonstrates how to keep rockin' 'em at 84.

Leopard hats are sassy and appropriate.

Dandy AND chic? Is it possible?

Along with all the other aging gals in Hollywood, Elaine Stritch proves that aging is by no means an excuse to retire your shine or sense of fabulosity. She, Meryl Streep, Betty White, Helen Mirren, and more keep the rest of us looking forward to growing old. Or at least, lessens our dread. C'mon, aging has perks! People excuse you any sassiness when you're old, and you can wear brooches and oversized pearls without looking contrived.

I could post pictures of Meryl and Helen as well, but commoners don't have aging portraits locked up faraway in the attic of a country manor, or the safe of a Manhattan penthouse. So let's stick to Elaine.

Compared to a "fashionista" 60 years younger. That's what I'm talking about! And MK/Ashley, that kind of outfit makes it clear that you have not ever done a day's worth of serious work in your life.

Below: screencaps from her recurring episodes on 30 Rock Talk about brilliant zingers! Any actress playing Colleen needs to convince the audience that the only person Alec Baldwin's Jack Donaghy has ever feared is his mother. Elaine nails it every time - the way she raises hell every time she comes on is nothing less than divine. Judging from the pictures, she wears her own wardrobe on the show.

Note to self: Fur muffs are very good on old people.

I've saved the best for last. I admit it, really. The entire point of this post is that some day I can dig back through the archives of this blog and be reminded to invest in riding boots. I want to wear this entire ensemble. She is really making me the dig the crisp, smart equestrian look.