As an unrepentant logophile (lover of words), I’ve assembled a list of unusual, obscure, or simply charming-to-me words. Ludic is defined as “playful, in an aimless way,” and that’s my plan for approaching this a-to-z challenge—keeping my feet on the joy trail and meandering wherever the daily word takes me.
D is for…
dight – (v) dress or adorn. Considered obsolete, its first known usage was in the 13th century.
While no one by any stretch of imagination would consider me a fashionista, I do actually have a great interest in all the ways each of us have available to creatively express ourselves, and that absolutely includes how we adorn ourselves.
I also think it’s true what Epictetus declared: “Know, first, who you are, and then adorn yourself accordingly.” There’s something satisfying about this for me: the possibility that our clothing/adornments get to reflect our internal selves externally. It, of course, can be complicated – it’s hard to deny the impact of social norms, personal finances, and a myriad of other things. But I love the idea that I read about in some fantasy book ages ago about stashes of costumes hidden in caches in every forest. No one owned anything, including clothing, but they were free to borrow whatever they chose, and everyone was delighted. How perfect is that?
I clearly didn’t play dress-up enough as a child to get it out of my system because the idea appeals to me so much. Putting diverse things together delights me endlessly.
My interest in textiles, especially those richly textured, has been with me for a long time. For years, I’ve kept a mixed media journal entitled My Secret Closet, occasionally adding to it when inspired with various photos and sketches, bits of fabric, and trimming. It’s a veritable treasure of textures and patterns, strange costumes, and ordinary wonderfulness.
Musing about fashion books reminds me of two I think are worth mentioning.
Fashion Forecasts by Yumi Sakugawa is a delight, filled with the strange illustrated musings of the author of what fashions might look like in the near future. It was originally produced as a limited-edition zine to accompany an art installation she did, and the book includes photos of the installation as well.
Then there’s Clotheslines: A Collection of Poetry and Art edited by Stan Tymorek. It’s an anthology of fifty poems by various artists, each devoted to garments of some kind – from overalls to geisha robes to a mother’s apron and everything in between. Paired with each poem is a piece of art, and again, the variety is extensive – from 17th-century paintings to contemporary photographs.
As with any collection of poetry, I took my time reading it, and I was inspired by it. I found myself thinking about clothes in all kinds of ways – things I love, the way others dress, signature pieces certain people have, all manner of memories.
As for a personal object of adornment, recently, I had a ring made for me. I love it, as it feels like a perfect combination of color and alchemical magic. Bonus points because I have a secret message engraved on the inside. I’m a big fan of hidden messages of all kinds. I needed to take the ring off for a moment and happened to set it on top of a vintage perfume bottle in my collection. And I liked how it looked – it made me think about magical gardens.
Daily, I adorn myself with scent – I’m a natural botanical perfumer, so fragrance is a huge part of my life. I also always wear an armful of bangles engraved with bits of poetry I love. As I’ve mentioned, I’m a fan of hidden messages, so I often write things on my body, especially the soles of my feet. I like to imagine I’m leaving trails of secret messages wherever I walk.
Finally, my musing today has led me to these words from Jaime Gil de Bieda, which I adore:
"I believe that I wanted to be a
poet, but deep down I just
wanted to be a poem."
What about you? Are you a fashionista? Wish for a secret closet? Have a special adornment you cherish? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
I’m no fashionista. I love the idea of having a ring made, such a personal item to represent you. I’ve been to West Africa where the fabrics are glowing with color and absolutely breathtaking. You would love them!
How wonderful you’ve been able to travel to West Africa. I’m certain the fabrics would delight me.
I do like fashion, and my closet will attest to that. I tend to like things that aren’t so trendy, which is problematic because it becomes more difficult to. get rid of anything, if looks are timeless. Or if I keep the items long enough that they come back into fashion – like skinny jeans. I’m never giving those up 🙂
That is a gorgeous ring!
I’m with you Karen – in fashion or not, long live skinny jeans!
I am by no means a fashionista. I have no idea who the designers are. Give me comfort. That’s all I care about. I do, however, like scarves. I have a bunch of them in all colors and patterns and wear them a lot. I do like the idea of your secret closet journal though!
You’ve reminded me of Gilda Radner who said: “I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn’t itch.” How I love that!
A new word for me!
Being a perfumer sounds like a interesting and (different) job. How do you become a perfumer?
Mine: https://storytreasury.wordpress.com/
My love of all things flower-y led me to perfumery. I first trained as an aromatherapist, and then trained in the art of natural bontanical perfumery. But I give a lot of credit to my innate gift of having a perfumer’s nose. While it’s something that certainly is enhanced with training and practice, being able to easily identify scents and their fine nuances is a skill I’m truly grateful for.
I do not care much about clothes, even though the few I wear are similar in style and color. I do enjoy accessories: shoes, bags, scarves. etc. And, of course, perfumes. Yes, I have been wearing perfumes since my teen years. It’s a pleasure, a passion, a ritual, and a desire to leave a scent wherever I go.
I have never heard the term dight.
It’s always lovely to find a kindred scent-lover. I have a friend who, whenever she finds a quote about perfume, sends it to me. Her most recent share from Bert McCoy is “Perfume is poetry to be worn.”
Hari OM
I am decidedly not a fashionista… I do, however, have an eye for design. Those being gentle will say I dress eclectically. Others might say eccentrically! I love texture and flow, colour and contrast. No special one adornment, but of jewellery I favour mostly earrings – and each pair I have has a geographical and emotional connection to my life story. YAM xx
It’s so lovely to collect (and wear) things that hold meaning.
D for Delightful! Love your style, you’re a fashionista of words! Look forward to your daily whimsy.
Oh thank you, Nen – “a fashionista of words” totally delights me.
I love learning new and interesting words!
Great! That’s always one of favorite delights.
There’s a word for all that self-expression through how you adorn yourself: body lore. I loved dress-up as a child, and while my everyday clothes are pretty unremarkable, I do like to put in little subtle touches of scarves or jewelry that make me happy.
The only place I know your word is from “Gaily bedight, a gallant knight / In sunshine and in shadow…”
Body lore – excellent! Thanks, Anne.
Your knight quote is interesting. I understand Dight is an English occupational surname for the servant who dressed a knight before battle.
I always try to compliment people on their clothes or other stuff they have control over. The encasing fabric, while it might be limited by $$, is still a very personal choice. And a daily choice. Very little else do we have so much control over.
That’s lovely and kind, Erin. And I’m certain it makes a difference to those being seen.
I’m wearing a pink camo polar fleece cloak I made a while back to ward off the autumn chill. I’m sure that says a lot about me!
Ronel visiting for A-Z Challenge Dionysus: God of Revels & My Languishing TBR: D #AtoZChallenge2025 #Books #Bookreview
I have to say I love it, Ronel.