Welcome to the fourth monthly edition of Match made in Seven! We are an international group of fashion bloggers who meet once a month. One of us chooses a theme in turn, and that can be anything. A book, music, a color, a movie. Then we each style an outfit based on that theme. The theme for this month is Best of British. Our lovely friend from the UK, Anna of MuttonStyle, picked this theme to bring attention to the fact that there is much to be thankful for despite the politics happening not only in the UK but here in the US and around the world.
My pick for the theme Best of British was easy to determine: my wonderful Mother-in-Law, Kathleen. The daughter of a British war bride, she epitomizes all good things that came of her British heritage.
Kathy’s Amazing Best of British Story
Kathleen styling a kimono. Note the play of colors: blue, peach, and red. SO stylish!
Daughters of the British Empire Or DBE
Kathy served in a philanthropic organization called DBE, or Daughters of the British Empire, for most of her life. Just last year, at age 88, she was honored for 60 years of service! Imagine that! She served in a number of roles at the state level as well as National First Vice President.
The members participate in a number of events, such as English Teas, various Bazaars, Dinner Dances, Garage Sales and the like. The Oregon Chapter even has a booth at the Highland Games!
DBE formed in 1921 after WWI in New York City for the war brides who emigrated to America. An even larger influx of war brides followed WWII. The purpose of the group was to support these women and to help them feel a part of their new country. A larger purpose was to create good relations between the two countries: the UK and the US.
Membership was then extended to women residing in the U.S. who are of British or British Commonwealth birth or ancestry, which includes women from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Jamaica, Scotland, Wales, Pakistan, India, and anywhere else the British Empire left its mark around the world.
DBE’s ultimate goal was to raise funds to support women’s retirement homes located in New York, South Carolina, Texas, the Midwest, and Southern California.
The membership of this national organization is slowly dwindling, for obvious reasons, as there are no longer (or few) war brides from Britain or elsewhere.
British and German Ancestry
Kathy in a gorgeous aqua sweater. Her scarf was a gift from a trip to Turkey. Look how she’s styled it! With white slacks and silver flats. A classic look!
Kathy was born and raised in Oregon. Her mother was the war bride and she settled in Oregon with her veteran husband of WWI. Her mother, Kathleen Baston, was from Leicestershire, England and met her future father at a USO dance while her father was stationed in Stanford, England. This was a common story at the time, as Kathy points out that so many men were lost during WWI and married American soldiers.
Her father, Adolf Julius Sommer, served in WWI. His family had settled in Wisconsin around 1859 and were loyal Americans. He went by the name “Jack” to escape the stigma associated with his German surname, and while he was fluent in German, he did not teach it to his kids. A sign of the times.
Forever Fierce and Stylish
Ever stylish in grey jeans, a white tee, white denim jacket, and red flats. Talk about ageless style!
At 89 years old, my mother-in-law is the same intelligent woman I’ve known for the past 42 years. She continues to stay active by participating in book clubs, walking, going to the gym and reading avidly. Hers is an elegant classic style and she always presents as a stylish and classy lady. She is beloved by all who know her, including me.
Like my mom, Kathy was a professional working mom–not the stereotypical June Cleaver stay-at-home mom of the ’50s. She had and has many friends and admirers from her working life.
And that is why, rather than trying to style an outfit like Kate Middleton (I don’t think I look that great in those little hats that look so cute on her! Lol!), I chose my Mother-in-Law, Kathy, as the subject for Best of British.
If you’re like me, you are VERY curious as to how these wonderful ladies interpreted the Best of British theme! Be sure to check out their posts below:
The ladies of Match Made in Seven:
Debbie of https://www.debbiestyleslife.
Darlene of https://aquamarinastyle.com/
Sonja of https://www.yustsome.nl/
Bettye of https://fashionschlub.com/
Anna of https://www.muttonstyle.com/
Emma of http://www.style-splash.com/
Nancy of https://www.
What do you think of when you consider Best of British?
Until next time…
How very elegant, thank you for showing us all today – thanks also for joining the #linkup Jacqui Mummabstylish
Yes, my mother-in-law is very elegant–even in jeans! I’ve received so many reactions to her story and her style. The pin I posted on Pinterest is a big hit!! I love it!
xx Darlene
Such a chic lady. Yes I can see the British in her style. So interesting to read this account of DBE. What times. I would think her husband’s first name wouldn’t have gone down too well either. A very difficult time for them.
Yes, it was so interesting to get more details about her story. It was definitely a challenging time for many. When she was a young bride herself, she wore gloves and had a very proper look. At 89, she’s still trying new things, like the kimono. Thanks for reading and commenting, Anna,
xx Darlene
Thanks for sharing this. It’s interesting to hear a real life account of a war bride’s life, through her offspring. And what a stylish lady!
Hugs, Mary.
thepoutingpensioner.blogspot.com
Sometimes we forget to ask questions of our relatives, and I learned so much from her! She has always been a stylish lady, and still shows it at 89! Thanks for the nice feedback, Mary.
xx Darlene
What an amazing MIL you have and how exciting to showcase her here on the blog! Thanks for sharing this!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Yes, she really is, Carrie. Thanks for the kind words and for sponsoring the Link Up.
xx Darlene
It was so interesting to read about your MIL, Darleene! She sounds like a wonderful lady and certainly the Best of British!! Fantastic post!
Thanks so much, Debbie. I loved your interpretation that included book characters and rain gear! It’s so fun to see what we each come up with, isn’t it? And yes, she is a wonderful lady.
xx Darlene
Oh that is original! What a lovely story Darlene and what a fabulous mother in law!
Nancy, she truly is an original. When I was casting about and trying to come up with something for our theme, Best of British, she was visiting us and I thought, “Hey, best of British is right in front of me!”
xx Darlene
Great post! I live the history and how your mother and n law is an inspiration to us that no matter our age, we can continue to be stylish and keep up with what’s going on with fashion!
Thanks
Thanks so much, Lorie. Yes, that’s the message: style is ageless! Just like her.
xx Darlene
What a stylish woman! She looks great and loved to read her story.By the way that Kimono is my favorite style, those colors suits her very well.
Thanks, Sonja. She truly is very stylish in her classic way. She always looks amazing. Just like you!
“See” you next month for our Match Made in Seven challenge!
xx Darlene
Your mother-in-law is beautiful! This is a fun post. My mom would have LOVED to be featured on a fashion blog! Even in her final days she worried about how she was dressed and how her hair and makeup looked. Remember all of her fashion and makeup rules?! Do I miss her!!
Haha! Oh, Cindy, I sure do!! Her “rules” pop into my head all the time!! She would have loved this–I would have included her, for sure! You were such a great daughter to her, as I try to be to my MIL. Thanks for the sweet words. Miss you, too!
xx Darlene
What a classy lady! And what a great idea to honor her in this way as the subject of your Best of British post.
Bettye
https://fashionschlub.com
Yes, she truly is, Bettye. Can’t ask for a better MIL. I’m headed to your post now!! Excited to see what you came up with!!
xx Darlene
I love that you included your MIL for this post, Darlene…..how fabulous!!
XOOX
Jodie
You were my inspiration for this, Jodie! I was going to mention and link to you and your mom and Nancy’s post, but I was just getting too long! I always love the way you inspire ladies of all ages.
xx Darlene