View Full Version : How to Dress
Gardenarian
4-4-15, 7:14pm
I just don't understand clothing anymore.
The pants that are in style don't go with the shoes that are in style, and NOTHING that is in style is very comfortable.
All the tops are thin and require tank tops/camisole/bras underneath (my daughter has one of those sheer muscle shirts, and she wears a skin tone bra AND a tube top underneath.)
The skinny pants look ridiculous with most shoes - really, they only work with boots or ballet flats. (And not the sensible kind of boots and flats I wear.)
All the pants are so long, it's crazy. My dd is a leggy 5'7" and still has to hem or roll up her pants.
And why are all the sneakers only available in neon colors? Those are colors that shouldn't be worn by anyone over 12 years of age.
So many things are poorly made - they don't seem like they'd make it through one wash. I bought a pair of fleece leggings, and after one day they were already pilling and loose threads were raveling. Very shoddy.
A popular look with the students around here: Long sleeve thermal top with a T-shirt or tank on top; short-shorts over tights; thick, thigh-length stockings (over the tights) and high heeled boots. All worn together, usually with a scarf, hat, and stylish but useless jacket, and topped with a canvas backpack. Nope!
I'm not a slave to fashion, but I really don't know what to wear anymore. I want comfortable knit cotton pants with pockets (straight legs, not skinny/not flares or wide leg) that actually look good, and some nice sneakers (I wish Converse All-Stars were comfortable!) I can't tell you how many pairs of shoes I've ordered and sent back. (Thank you, Amazon Prime.)
Of course, I do most my clothes shopping at Goodwill (where you can still find quality), but I do look online and I don't see sensible clothing available at any price. (And buying clothes online is a crap shoot anyhow; most places don't have free returns.)
For now, I'm in old sweatpants and hiking boots, and I had to put a new waistband in the sweatpants because the original came up to my armpits. My dressier work pants are all so old and baggy, just awful, they look 20 years out of date, because they actually are.
It seems like most people fall back on jeans. I can't wear jeans, because the stiffness is very irritating to a medical condition I have. And my feet need wide shoes and TLC. So my options are limited, to just about nothing.
Not long till summer, and summer is easier - skirts and sandals...but there's the problem of trying to find cool shirts that don't require a pound of elastic bra to wear with them. Wrapping yourself in Lycra underneath kind of defeats the purpose of the breezy linen tank top.
Oh, well.
Ah, yes, the clothing/shoes dilemma. I have been wearing polyester slacks with 3/4 sleeve length shirts to work (elementary school) all year. I bought a pair of Clark's loafers last fall that fit beautifully; unfortunately, when I tried to buy them in another color, I gave up after 5 pairs of different sizes- they just did not fit.
Now that it is warm here in California, I'm back to wearing cotton crop pants and tee-shirts to school. And I bought a pair of tan Skechers, GoWalk2, that I LOVE, and highly recommend.
My summer wear-around clothes, are the same style, crop pants and tees, and Teva's. In colder weather, my inside wear is sweat pants and sweatshirts; when I go out casually, I wear jeans and put a long sleeve shirt under the sweat shirt .
Not terribly stylish, but all very comfortable and easy care. I just can't be bothered with stylish anymore, because it is all pure junk, as far as I can see.
Gardenarian: I really struggled for a long time to find my style (such as it is). I believe we're about the same age. I definitely favor jeans for casual wear, and I've found Not Your Daughter's Jeans to be really comfortable. (My Mom & my sister wear them too; we told Mom she needs to call hers something else!) I do have some very loose-fitting, comfy linen pants from Talbot's that I love, and I don't iron them, I just hand smooth and hang them out of the wash. LL Bean has some knit jeans that allegedly look just like jeans but are as comfortable as sweats. Those might be worth trying. If you have an LL Bean visa, they do free return shipping. There's a store called Soft Surroundings that caters to our age group. They have lots of loose, pretty, flowy things. Most of their stuff is too big for me, even in the smallest petite sizes, but they might be worth checking out.
I don't have any special foot issues, but comfort in footwear is non-negotiable to me. I love the Encore Breeze from Merrell:
http://www.merrell.com/US/en/encore-breeze-3-wide-width/16997W.html?dwvar_16997W_color=J48250W
I also do well with Clark, Naturalizer and Reiker.
None of the options I've mentioned are particularly cheap, but if you are agonizing about what to wear, I think it's worth it to have a small number of high-quality pieces you will feel good about wearing. Remember how delighted Tradd was a couple of years ago with a few great items she got at Talbot's? It can be money well spent.
I just don't get skinny jeans. I'm sure they look great on some gymnast-ballerina somewhere; I just haven't seen her yet. They look awful on just about everyone else.
Good luck!
Try being me----size 4 and most size 2s are too big on me. What do I do, shop in the Jr. dept. and wear pants that come up to my pubic bone? Tiny tight jeans? Microscopic shorts? Being thin I rarely get any pity when I complain, but what do you do when there aren't any smaller sizes?
I shop mostly in thrift stores and can manage with petite sized capris. I have long legs but the length doesn't matter with capris. Recently I spent $59 on a nice pair of straight leg jeans from LL Bean because they came in a size 2 and the waistline was perfect---they felt like they were made for me. I'd rather have one pair of jeans that are perfect than the 3-4 that I'm not happy with.
New clothes in most stores are made very cheaply and are cut strangely; who are they made for? And they're ugly!
My go-to shoes are brown loafers in the fall/winter http://www.6pm.com/anne-klein-slip-n-slide-black-leather?zhlfid=139&kpid=34353881&kpid=34353881 and Sperry Topsiders in spring/summer. They seem to go with everything. Lately I've been chanelling the look of Jean Seberg and Muffy Aldrich so my nautical/preppy style is easy to find.
for the shoes, check out vans. there are many styles beside the checkered slip ons, and they are way more comfortable than you would expect.
So some may think i am overdoing it but i sew. i get frustrated with so much, when i adjust for my middle age waist i am wearing a 14 or so, but hip size i am a 10, the wonderful LL Bean knit pants my mom got me slide down and look a step above, sweatpants. i wear them a lot. i found amazing knit fabric that is partially bamboo fibers through an on-line fabric store so i can make a few basic tank top or t-shirts.
honestly, if you don't sew you may want to seek out a seamstress, especially if you have a medical condition to wear comfortable clothes with. it depends on how urgent a professional wardrobe is. if you can dress casual then keep searching out the thrift stores, otherwise having someone sew some classic items is an option.
I choose classic styles for clothing that fit well - in a limited pallet of colors that coordinate - and have a less-is-more wardrobe. I've seen bell-bottoms come and go at least 10-times now.... I haven't purchased bell-bottoms since they were groovy in the 70's.
I don't give a rip whether pointy-toed shoes, or rounded-toed shoes, are in "style", I buy good quality shoes that last for years with good care and I have feet that feel good after wearing them for a whole day. And I don't have very many pairs of shoes compared to most people.
I also knit/crochet most of our sweaters in classic styles that will last generations. I wore an adorable knitted skirt my older sister wore, then I wore, when I was a child, that has been worn by 3-generations now.
I'm more interested in cost-per-wear than the original price. For instance, in 1976 I spent what was considered a LOT of money back then for quality snow boots. My winter coat is 25-years old. I'm still wearing both of them, so the cost per wear is very little. But that black suit I bought for "special" occasions has a very high cost-per-wear since it's been worn only a few times since it was added to the wardrobe. The lovely dress coat (even though it was purchased used) has only been worn to a few weddings/funerals, so the cost-per-wear is very high. I purchase most of my clothing used, especially now. The fabrics available are so shoddy the clothing won't last one season - and it doesn't matter which store you purchase it from, nor how high/low the price. Quality will generally last much longer. I also never purchase anything that is "dry-clean ONLY". What a waste. Not to mention the toxic chemicals associated with dry-cleaning.
Miss Cellane
4-5-15, 9:35am
I've stopped shopping the thrift stores around me, because all the clothing seems to be from Walmart, Target or Kohls, and it is not in good shape.
Instead, I buy a few things every season from some of these stores/catalogs: TravelSmith, Land's End, LL Bean, Eddie Bauer, Soft Surroundings, Pyramid Collection, NorthStyle and Coldwater Creek (they closed, but are back on-line). They all follow the trends, but still have wearable clothing. For the plus-sized, Making It Big has some unusual but well-made tops and pants.
The cost per wearing that lessisbest mentions is key. My Land's End parka cost about $115 when I bought it full-price 15 years ago. I have no idea what the cost per wearing is now, but I wore that thing daily from December to mid-April this year. And I've worn it every winter in-between. The ribbing on one cuff is starting to wear, but I was able to sew it back up. I don't want this parka to die, because the newer ones don't have as many pockets.
The clothes that I buy aren't cheap, but they tend to last for years.
Another alternative is to shop the major department stores, but just the clearance racks. I learned this helping a friend who is visually impaired go shopping. She regularly shops places like Macy's and Nordstrom's and only hits the clearance racks, not the sale racks. She's taken home end-of-season clothing for under $5 an item--not much more than the thrift store prices, and the garment hasn't been worn out before she buys it.
Clothes and shoes are my conundrum, too as I am still working and mostly with younger folk who wear the trends. I despise the skinny, shrunken pants look (a la PeeWee Herman) and wouldn't wear it even if it looked good on me which it doesn't. I don't like all the drapey, misshapen tops, either. I like clothes that FIT so I have finally found a line of pants that work that I buy at a major dept store. They are straight leg, pull on (no zippers or buttons) and look good with longer tops. For tops, I favor quality boatneck, wrap or V neck styles. I frequent thrift stores and shop online occasionally - sales only at the classic places like Talbots. I used to shop at Land's End but the quality has deteriorated so much that I no longer do. I am 5' 3, 115 lbs so petite stuff is harder to find still. Right now, I am looking for a mother of the bride dress for DD's very informal wedding and am finding it very difficult since I haven't shopped for dresses in a long time.
I entirely switched my wardrobe a couple of years ago. When I was working full-time in an office, I mostly wore dress pants with jackets. I had the usual array of jeans and such for non-work hours. I now wear skirts almost exclusively, since I find they are incredibly comfortable and work winter and summer. (I'm in the Pacific Northwest, though to be honest since I'm in Canada it the Pacific Southwest.)
So -- winter = a base layer of footless tights with knee-high socks, plus a tank top. (Almost always black or dark grey. If you go footless, the tights don't have to be precisely the right length). Top layer of a skirt, varying from shortish to knee-length, and topped with either a tunic top (draping, sorry pinkytoe), a long-sleeved t-shirt and/or a sweater. When it's cold I just keep putting things on until I'm not.
Summer -- same skirts, often the same tank top or a short-sleeved t-shirt. I don't usually shop at Target (and neither did anyone else in Canada, obviously!) but I did get three loose-fitting tees with a deep v-neck. I wear them either right-way-round or backwards -- I like the straight-across neck and the v at the back pleases me.
Feet -- winter = short boots, summer = sandals. A lot of the time feet = gumboots, it being gardening season!
I mostly work at home so I don't need a work wardrobe most of the time. When I am meeting with clients or doing something corporate, I keep the skirt, change the leggings for tights, wear a long-sleeved t-shirt or sweater and add a jacket on top. I wear the boots of it's winter, and regular pumps if summer. (And of course if it's really summer I skip the tights.)
If you are a thrift store shopper, one thing worth noticing about skirts is that they tend not to be worn out the way pants often are. Not sure why -- maybe because they fit more loosely and there aren't as many rub points??
This is going to be an unusual post from me, about fashion. My disclaimer is that I work nights and spend a lot of time just crusing the internet. I've lately gotten into fashion blogs. le sigh.
The blog I like the most because I like most of the clothes she shows is: http://www.theviviennefiles.com/
From that blog I found Uniglo: http://www.uniqlo.com/us/women.html It may be because the style has moved back to what I personally like, but this place has basic stuff for a reasonable price. I haven't bought any bottoms, but I did get some sweaters, and they have other basic tops.
Another blog ( http://www.awellstyledlife.com/ ) referenced a site with basic tops: http://coveredperfectly.com/ I just found it tonight, so don't have a personal recommendation. Again, it could be that fashion has just swung back to what I like, basic colorful tops and easy bottoms.
I can't believe I'm posting about fashion...
I am and always have been an Eddie Bauer/L.L.Bean style person, classic style and colors. I have some clothes that are 40 years old, still in good shape and could have been bought new yesterday. Since I retired, I haven't bought any new clothing for years and I need so few things. I'm not concerned about what others think as long as my clothing is clean, fits and does not draw any negative attention. I do shop thrift stores mostly for fun but sometimes will find a classic piece of clothing to buy. As I grow older, I find so many things more important than clothing.
Clothing styles that I like to look at but would never wear are styles of the 40's. I especially like the men's fashions of the era, the suits and hats, and even children dressed up to go out.
i think in many years when i retire i may spend more time on fashion because it is fun for me and i don't have to worry as much about what type of job i do and how that affects what i wear. of course between up cycling the goodwill finds and sewing i can relax a little about finding the perfect thing. And sewing is not cheaper so that won't help but it will be fun.
I spend a bit of time on pinterest and blogs searching for "fashion over 40" and "fashion over 50". Its helped me define what I need to look for when I shop. I also study my own closet and if I don't feel wonderful in what I'm wearing, either the color or the fabric, or the fit; then I get rid of it and try to remember not to buy something similar in the future.
Pants are the hardest to find. I have to remind myself that I can get by with fewer pants if they are really comfortable and look right and are worth spending a little more on.
http://www.fiftynotfrumpy.blogspot.com mentions loving the pants from https://slimsation.com/shop and I'm going to order some soon to give a try.
rosarugosa
4-6-15, 11:10am
I really like these pants from Soft Surroundings and I would buy them even for the rather high price, if I needed pants, which I really don't :
https://www.softsurroundings.com/P/Palmilla_Pant/
I tell you what: if I ever became Supreme Commander Of this Country, I would issue a decree that all people will wear uniforms. I will empower a select committee to design the uniforms. People will then wear their uniform--or else. No exceptions.
I have a terrible time finding quality pants that fit well and don't drive me nuts (pulling, pinching, twisting). But the last 2 seasons I've gone to Old Navy and bought a couple pair of Pixie Pants when they're on sale. They come in lots of colors and some prints. They are ankle length, but fit me the way I like because I'm short. They have some stretch and are of pretty good quality (not see-through, do not pill, keep shape).
I wear lots of t-shirts and cardigans, or t-shirts and denim jacket combos.
Shoes I buy good ones, no pointy toes. I also like Skechers with the memory foam insoles and have 3 pr of them.
I need someone to dress me so badly. I just hate trying to figure this stuff out. I agree all T-shirts are super thin - I hate it. I think most shorts look bad on me. Don't like capris. I'm thinking of wearing more skirts, but what type, where do I find them? I might try to sew a couple. It's all too much. Luckily most of the time I don't need to look that put together and can get away with owing minimal clothing pieces.
Sloeginfizz
4-7-15, 2:15am
And why are all the sneakers only available in neon colors? Those are colors that shouldn't be worn by anyone over 12 years of age.
sorry. Not going to stop wearing my bright pink sneakers. Why would it be childish to wear something that makes me truly happy to see. I live in the city, it's so gray, especially in the winter. Everyone wears nothing but black and other dark neutrals. So pink it is for me.
Also, I recommend lands end for the kind of knit pants you want. Also, don't laugh, but pajama jeans. Seriously. The look of jeans but not stiff or restrictive. Made of a very comfy knit denim look fabric. As comfy as your old sweats but way better looking. I like them better than the lands end starfish knit jeans. They look more like actual jeans and the fabric is thicker.
And whatever you do, don't copy the look of the young students with their shorts over tights and infinity scarfs. Unlike bright colors which belong to all, no matter the age, such stylings are the province of the young. Trying to emulate them will only make anyone over the age of 22 or so look matronly and dated.
For work most of the time I wear dresses from lands end, leggings and ankle boots and cardigans in the winter. Bare legs, sandals or sporty flats and bike shorts underneath for comfort in the summer. Easy, professional, not too stylish, but I look good enough without having to think too hard. and available in pretty, bright colors.
Land's End is high quality, simple styled clothing. Find a look or style you like and stick with it. I am done with fads.
Tussiemussies
4-16-15, 2:27pm
I always purchase Land's End wish has what I that is called a starfish collection for larger women, all though it is not a big collection. Along with Land'S End I also purchase from LLBean and Eddie Bauer. I found that Eddie Bauer' s tops are very thin now as one poster mentioned since they have probably cut back on the quality of their material, I do need to wear a cameo with their tops. But it all last a a long time!!! Unfortunately if I could only get my sizes to last a Lon time !!!
I spent the entire winter in thick stretchy black pants - sort of like leggings but heavier - tucked into a pair of big fat shearling boots, with tops of varying dressiness. On super dressy occasions I'd switch the clodhopper boots for a pair of high heeled black leather ones. After seeing Elaine Stricht in black pants and a white top apparently every day of her life, I didn't feel so bad about it.
I do need to wear a cameo with their tops.
Hm. I wouldn't think a cameo would provide enough modesty.
Danged autocorrect... :)
catherine
4-17-15, 10:11am
My daily "uniform" in the winter is black yoga pants. I have a great style from Old Navy, they're not super-tight and spandex-y. In fact, it's hard to tell them from black slacks. I LOVE them because they're as comfortable as pajamas and they go with everything. I have about 5-6 pair.
I've shifted over the past several years--ever since my middle "shifted" to points south--to wearing casual dresses in the summer rather than pants, like jersey knit dresses, simple shifts etc. Dresses tend to be FAR more comfortable than anything with a waistband and they look nice.
My shoes in the winter are ballet flats--again, simple--go with everything--look nice. My shoes in the summer are the same flats or flip-flops.
Gardenarian
4-18-15, 7:17pm
I really like these pants from Soft Surroundings and I would buy them even for the rather high price, if I needed pants, which I really don't :
https://www.softsurroundings.com/P/Palmilla_Pant/
Those are cool pants! Pretty expensive, but better than buying lots of clothes that I don't wear or that wear out.
I wore the SAME pair o' jeans for 3 consecutive days, okay? They are dirty, because I been doing what is a Zurra Tradition: waging a holy war on encroaching vegetation. See? Anyway, I was gonna go to the wreckin' yard, so I figured: I will wear em again. They were a new pair, I guess, and I had worn 'em to the gas station & other places, and this morning, I noticed they still had the yellow size sticker, stuck on the outside back of one leg. Why does a sticker like that hold on, when something you WANT to stick, falls off right away. It's annoying.
rosarugosa
4-18-15, 8:08pm
That is annoying Packy. But if that's the worst thing that happened to you all week, then you had a pretty good week.
Gardenarian
4-25-15, 2:02am
Hey, I found some pants I really like! And at Goodwill. They had two pairs of what looked like brand-new cargo pants with stretchy waists, and they fit perfectly. They are by Chico's, a brand I've never worn before. The sizing is weird (00? Really?) but if they fit, who cares?
Even better, I checked on Ebay and there are hundreds of Chico's things for sale at great prices. I like the look of their tops and jackets, too.
I'm delighted! Comfortable, grown-up, cute, practical clothes!
Anyone else wear Chico's?
rosarugosa
4-25-15, 7:09am
Great score, Gardenarian! I'm familiar with the brand but have never owned anything; will have to keep it in mind.
I really like these pants from Soft Surroundings and I would buy them even for the rather high price, if I needed pants, which I really don't :
https://www.softsurroundings.com/P/Palmilla_Pant/
they have a store in colorado! about 45 minutes from me.
As I mentioned in my "why is 40 so weird" thread, I am changing my style but it's really just embracing who I am. I always liked companies like LL Bean, Lands End, J Crew (Not the trendy stuff but their basics), Sperry, Gap, St. James, Barbour, Woolrich, GH Bass, Southern Tide, Ralph Lauren, Vineyard vines..Basically if it's preppy nautical, I am in. These are the brands I grew up with. I am learning to buy one great piece and get my money's worth than by the disposable stuff I normally do.
I do wear pink but that is as girly as I get. I don't do Lilly Pulitzer or the more popular Tory Burch. I am sticking with red, blue, white, some pink, with all leather accessories, so nothing with like a leather bag with a print, just something more solid. I am REALLY liking what I am coming up with.
I am also noting I do like skirts that much. I do have 2 and they are plain, simple, hit just below my knees and are all cotton/denim. Patterns are very understated in my clothing, if any at all. I just bought shorts and there is a paisley pattern but it's neutral, so you can tell unless you are right up on them. I have a textured fleeced, but it's understated.
Same goes for my jewelry, I know everyone likes those statement necklaces but they feel like they are choking me, so I wear simple, light necklaces. I own a diamond pair of studs, pearl studs and a basic small hoop. I have a pearl bracelet (in a nautical knot), 2 watches (One is simple Timex with leather band, the other is all black metal), and necklaces are my son's initial, a small anchor, and an infinity loop. I have my wedding bands and I wear no other rings. I will be adding a double string of pearls I found that are lovely and light and can be worn shortened up in several layers or just a long/over short or just one long strand. Not heavy at all.
Shoes- I own 1 pair of neutral kitten heels. I added today a pair of Sperry boat shoes, in plain brown/camel leather, 2 pairs of ballet flats, neutral and black.
I still have a few more things to find but I basically emptied out my closet and am starting over.
They are by Chico's, a brand I've never worn before. The sizing is weird (00? Really?) but if they fit, who cares?
Anyone else wear Chico's?
I have a few Chico things. We have an outlet here. Their sizes are odd. I think it's to make larger sizes feel better - I know their 3 is like a 16/18, 2 is 12/14, 1 is 8/10, 0 is 4/6 or something like that. Kind of silly but a psychology thing and they are super popular among the 50/60 crowd. I do like how they organize their store and so much goes together. I know one lady who got a job there because she loves the clothes and wanted the employee discount and I swear she spends double her paycheck every single week.
Gardenarian
4-25-15, 6:04pm
I have a few Chico things. We have an outlet here. Their sizes are odd. I think it's to make larger sizes feel better - I know their 3 is like a 16/18, 2 is 12/14, 1 is 8/10, 0 is 4/6 or something like that. Kind of silly but a psychology thing and they are super popular among the 50/60 crowd. I do like how they organize their store and so much goes together. I know one lady who got a job there because she loves the clothes and wanted the employee discount and I swear she spends double her paycheck every single week.
That's an interesting hiring policy!
Funny about the sizes - I think it would just confuse everyone. But I'm the 50/60 crowd, so I guess they know what they're doing.
I really love the Chico's pants I got though - even the length is right. At 5'4", petites are sometimes too short for me and the regulars always too long. These are perfect - and they even have the tabs to roll up into capris. I'm sold.
[QUOTE=TxZen;203082]As I mentioned in my "why is 40 so weird" thread, I am changing my style but it's really just embracing who I am. I always liked companies like LL Bean, Lands End, J Crew (Not the trendy stuff but their basics), Sperry, Gap, St. James, Barbour, Woolrich, GH Bass, Southern Tide, Ralph Lauren, Vineyard vines..Basically if it's preppy nautical, I am in. These are the brands I grew up with. I am learning to buy one great piece and get my money's worth than by the disposable stuff I normally do.
I do wear pink but that is as girly as I get. I don't do Lilly Pulitzer or the more popular Tory Burch. I am sticking with red, blue, white, some pink, with all leather accessories, so nothing with like a leather bag with a print, just something more solid. I am REALLY liking what I am coming up with.QUOTE]
You'd love Muffy Aldrich's site The Daily Prep, but right now it's not showing the links on her blog to her pages about clothes. She's what I've been basing my wardrobe on, all of which have been found in thrift stores. It's a bit boring, but timeless, well made, and classy.
http://www.saltwaternewengland.com/search/label/Wardrobe%20for%20Women#uds-search-results It doesn't even seem to be called The Daily Prep anymore : (
The link doesn't work but thank you Pony Mom. I used to read her all the time. She has a fun point of view. I think she had some issues with people being mean to her and she changed her site or something. If I google her, I can still at least see some images.
I love how she always showed the perfect and appropriate amount of cuff on her sleeves.
Are you as addicted to striped shirts as I am? I just gravitate towards them at the thrift store, which I can NOT go to anymore. I've more than enough shirts.
OMG Pony Mom the striped shirts are my drug of choice...:) I just purchased a nice red one. ***SIGH***
OMG Pony Mom the striped shirts are my drug of choice...:) I just purchased a nice red one. ***SIGH***
I've got 3 of these: http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/58620?feat=french sailors shirt-SR0&page=french-sailor-s-shirt-three-quarter-sleeve-boatneck Very comfortable and so many colors.
Today I saw someone with a Tommy Hilfiger blue and white striped tote bag. Oh, I craved it.
I think classic clothes (and stripes) put together in a simple way always look elegant but casual, like you just threw it on but knew it would look great. Effortless and neat is what I strive for.
Pony Mom- yes..I love them too...I have 1 on order. SHHHH ;) Lands End has a little striped tote that I ordered as well. **SIGH** but I do love both the LL Bean and Lands End boat and totes. They last forever. I think I have one that I had 4 years before I was married. That makes it 16 years old and still hauls everything to the beach, vacation, etc. for us.
I found my Bean tote in the thrift store for $5. I use it more than I ever thought I would. Of course, Muffy says to soak them first, and thank goodness I did. Just recently bought the pinkish/salmon striped french shirt and can't wait to wear it.
here is where i want to order from
http://www.bravissimo.com/pepperberry/
there is a cute striped summer dress on the first page, but mostly i just want a white button up shirt that i can wear without embarrassing myself. the things are super cute!
Oh Zoe girl...that is a cute website. Oh my!!! ;)
as soon as i pay off this move i am getting one summer dress and a white button up shirt,
it seems like it should be embarrassing to talk about my, um, fitting issues, but it is more embarrassing to pop out of something :)
Actually, I'm pleased that tennis shoes, walking shoes....are finally becoming available in colors other than white and uber brights. The are still there, but more sedate colors are starting to show up now. A few years ago I went to the local shoe shop recommended for people with foot/joint pain. The man wanted to put me in the glitziest New Balance and couldn't understand when I said I really needed something tamer and was uncomfortable wearing something so flashy.
Packy, did you see the internet story a couple of months ago that suggests "freezing" your jeans instead of washing? Guess they would last longer.......
Gardenarian
5-15-15, 5:11pm
I had to look up about freezing your pants - silliest thing I ever heard. The idea is that you freeze them to kill the germs...
Anyhow, I am slowly curating a wardrobe and figuring out what I want to wear. I hope to end up with a very minimalist set of clothes. I like the Chico's pants because they button up into capris, and are made with a fabric that is suitable for most weather (with leggings for really icy weather.)
I like vests, though I only have two, because A) you can skip wearing a bra (I do not share Zoe Girl's problem!) and B) they have pockets. They also pack small and can be worn as a layer with almost everything.
This is Miss Minimalist's 10 item-wardrobe. (http://www.missminimalist.com/2011/03/the-minimalist-wardrobe-aka-the-10-item-wardrobe/) I think she has some good ideas. She used to write on this forum a lot...
Hey, I found some pants I really like! And at Goodwill. They had two pairs of what looked like brand-new cargo pants with stretchy waists, and they fit perfectly. They are by Chico's, a brand I've never worn before. The sizing is weird (00? Really?) but if they fit, who cares?
Even better, I checked on Ebay and there are hundreds of Chico's things for sale at great prices. I like the look of their tops and jackets, too.
I'm delighted! Comfortable, grown-up, cute, practical clothes!
Anyone else wear Chico's?
I love their clothes, now that I think about it, I haven't seen them in our big mall, maybe it went out. BUT their clothes don't like me, I'm very short and let's just say very round, right now. But even when I was thin, I'd hold up a pretty dress and the whole thing was taller than me! not a good store for short people, but I like their style
I've left my job, Hospice nurse, due to illness. It was pretty causal there, like I could wear the LL Bean knit pants and Lands End Starfish pants (love both of these) with a cute top, no one seemed to care or notice that I wasn't wearing typical dress pants. So all those are staying and can be used, last forever. But most of my wardrobe is work things, LE dresses, skirts, and inexpensive tops that are too dressed up for every day. I do not spend a lot of money on clothes (LE has 40% off discounts with free shipping or their clearance section is good), but I am going to need some comfortable around the house tops at least. I buy LE through the Discover card website and get 5% back and buy gift cards from there with my points, which cost $20 but face value is $25. So that's worked well, low cost, usually decent quality and I always wait for a 40% sale and then do the Discover stuff. I think I am getting more for my money than when I shop sales at say Kohls, I have yet to find a top from there that lasts more than a season. Plus, LE clothes fit me (short and round). The clothes are not stylish to younger people, but I'm ok with that.
I guess I should box up a lot of the work stuff, leave some out for dressier occasions, but the rest is just clogging up my closet. I have no clue as to going back to work due to my illness. But the clothes seem traditional enough that if I do go back, I can pull them out again. even though I bought all of my work stuff inexpensively, I feel guilty opening my closet and seeing it all there going to waste. Had it even entered my head that there was a chance of not being able to work, I would've bought far fewer things. I'm young-ish, 45, previously healthy, with a plan of working until 62. Moral of my story, is that it can happen to anyone so why buy more than you need because it's on sale?
oh, I forgot to add, I have a clog problem, I get them cheap. I do, gasp, have a pair of Birkenstocks and I had Crocs that I got free through some rebate thing. My DD (16) is mortified by most anything I wear, but especially any clogs and Birks and Crocs. Comfortable shoes are "ugly". Don't care, still wearing comfortable shoes, I'll walk 10 paces behind her if I embarrass her so much with my shoes.
Well, she got me good. We were leaving BJs, I took a short cut through what looked mulch but was so very not. I was sunk in mud halfway up my calves. Some kind male helped me out of the quicksand. But only 1 Croc came out. He offered to dig through the mud for my other Croc, neither of us had a shovel and I was so mortified I just wanted to get in my car and get out of there. Claire cracks herself up telling anyone we know that story and she won, Crocs are gone.
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