This post is for Andrea who asks how my forever wardrobe is doing. She wants an update from my original post 3 years ago.
In that post I didn't give specifics as to what I thought would stay but looking at past photos of my closet I can see that some things that I thought would always be with me are now gone.
For instance, this dress that Dani so generously gifted me. I only wore it twice! It is a gorgeous silk lined linen dress. It was quite heavy, too heavy for our warm springs and hot summers. I contacted Dani and asked if she'd like it back and indeed she did. She was sure her daughter would love it and she does. I will note that I still have the leopard sweater, shoes and sunglasses.
Most things that are not with me now are mostly because of size issues. It isn't so much that I've gained weight as it is that my weight is ummm, redistributing? lol. I never even knew that happened when I was a 20 year old. But it does 😒.
These days you will almost always see me in something comfortable like Levi's. And I doubt that'll ever change.
I still love the idea of a forever wardrobe but I'm now thinking it's a state of mind. It's your style more than actual clothing items. Time passes and our bodies change and there is no shame in that.
xo
You look adorable no matter what is "redistributing."
ReplyDeleteyou are sweet isabella, thanks so much. x
DeleteAgreed. I have several pieces that I've had for years, that are forever quality, but are no longer age appropriate (and I don't mean that in a shaming way, just a self-respect way) - those are headed for the outbox. I have other pieces that are my thinspo. I'm not one of those people who thinks it's a bad idea to endeavor to lose a few pounds to fit back into really nice clothing that I couldn't likely find or afford to replace. So those stay, and fit in with my fitness plan for the spring.
ReplyDeleteStill, it's a shame about the linen dress, it was very flattering on you - but as I write this it is 76F and 72% humidity here in the subtropics of SE Texas, so I get it!
right?! the dress was insanely well made and gorgeous linen with a silk lining! but it was too warm for me here. i'm so glad it is being used by dani's daughter tho! thanks rachael. x
DeleteI am so with you! Who knew my weight would move around and things I thought I would wear to the end of time are now out of my life forever. Like your second pic, that’s about all I wear when not at work, and my work outfits are pretty much the same thing but w Vince wool trousers. It’s like your roses: environs change and we need to make our choices to be happy, and let them get air and sunlight, not waste away.
ReplyDeleteso true gretchen. nothing stays the same, NOTHING! L tells me that all the time. i cling to "the same." lol x
Deleteyup.
ReplyDeletestill AJJ.
Hepburn. Kennedy. YOU. xo♥
awww thank you tammy. kisses...xo
DeleteI find myself wearing a uniform 99% of the time. Winter: dark jeans and knit tunics and/or sweaters. Warm weather: white jeans and linen tunics. It works for me.
ReplyDeletei love a uniform anon! x
DeleteSo true! I try to stay fairly tailored and simple in my wardrobe but styles change and I don't want to look like I got stuck in the 90's. :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat combination, levi's and a crisp white shirt, always a winner in my book
xo,
Karen
i agree karen. it's better when style evolves instead of just changing abruptly or staying the same. x
DeleteYou look fabulous Janet!
ReplyDeleteRedistributing here as well...
I will always love jeans and tees and cashmere sweaters...dresses and skirts are my newer go to "dressing up" outfits. Active ware takes up half my closet...for the daily walking, weekly swimming and occasional Yoga sessions.
oh leslie i need some chic activewear. mine is so old and depressing! x
DeleteI completely agree. My weight is the same but even if I can fit into what is really meant for someone younger than forty it would not be flattering. I find it actually draws attention to age in a negative way. When I see a “mature” woman dressed sharp but suited for her age I see a woman that’s very attractive and comfortable in her own skin. Two things I believe will always be in my wardrobe are denim and white Oxford blouses.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Kathy
i agree kathy. you can just tell when someone feels confident in their outfit. it does translate to their skin. x
DeleteFunny how the things I love for a year or two, believe I will love forever, wear out or "shrink" or "stretch" due to "redistribution," obsess about replacing, drift to the back of the closet or drawer after they are replaced. Then new favorites serendipitously arrive, that fit where I am at this moment.
ReplyDeleteYou are lovely, Janet! Thank you for updating! Andrea
thank you andrea! yes, my things shrink too. lol x
DeleteI never wear pants, slacks, jeans or leggings because I don't look good in them and I'm always too hot; I just run hot, even when I was at my thinnest, like barely over 100 lbs (the doctors never give me anything definitive but, seems like most of my life, I tend to very-very frequently run a low-grade fever; and this has been more years than I can count). Add on menopause/hot flashes (and rosacea) and I could easily walk around buck-naked and be comfortable on a cold, foggy day - - if I was in a nudist's colony where I wouldn't freak everybody out (and in a part of SoCalif where we would actually in 2018 ever HAVE a cold, foggy day). I've realized that I wear the same thing all the time, which is a sleeveless unlined shift/sheath (not too form-fitting; forgiving), no longer linen but just a major-league lightweight cotton; sometimes rayon blend. Once in a blue moon, I'll throw a short-sleeved or elbow-length cardigan over my shoulders (like if by some miracle we were, say, in morning 40s), never wool or cashmere because acrylic or cotton is just FINE with the 'me' of today.
ReplyDelete(I actually DID wear a coat/jacket from the Who What Wear [is that what it's called; what you talked to us about from Target?] on the first night of the wildfire in Dec as we were preparing to evacuate because the wind was like nothing I'd ever seen before [well, they said it was near hurricane-force] and it was indeed a cold wind [a freak thing, for sure, for us].)
I know my bare legs don't look great but I just don't care anymore; I had enough years where I had to wear 'nylons' every work-day of my existence and, again, my aim is to not overheat, because I overheat SO easily. Makes my wardrobe more and more simple all the time.
But I was recently taken to my knees trying to figure what the heck I'm going to wear to a nighttime wedding in March that I can't get out of, so I scored a dress on an after-Christmas sale that is ankle-length and which I think will do, only subtly-glittery in the bodice; a pleasant evening blue. Added some new Spanx/hosiery to it (ugh), a better bra and some different shoes other than my stand-by 'old lady' clogs, so I think I'm good to go. I somewhat despaired over the cost of an outfit I probably will so seldom wear, but what can ya do. Thought I might have it shortened after the wedding because it could be nice for dinner out with my hubs. (I considered going to Goodwill; this time, just didn't.)
I guess the one forever-thing I really do miss in my older life is heels; they didn't make 4" heels/pumps in my day (platforms maybe) but had they, I would have had ten pair because I love how heels make me feel in terms of elongated leg/statuesque. Real life sits in with a broken foot, plantar fasciitis and bunions. I was a 7AAA and wore awfully-narrow pumps for at least 20 years, paying the price now...
Something I do make sure of when I leave the house for anything, is to make sure my hair is combed nicely and that I at least have on a slick of lipstick. I also find I'm wearing less and less jewelry. Bracelets, but not necklaces although I swear to myself to start wearing earrings again.
I do follow couture fashion online (in recent Heaven with New York Fashion Week; did you see Ralph Lauren's collection; his nautical roots with a lot of blue and white for Fall 2018 RTW [looked more like Spring]) and have a great appreciation for fine clothing, beautifully sewn/tailored, with wonderfully-pure fabric; but on somebody else who can afford it!
thanks vicki. yes i did see RL's collection. so beautiful. i agree with you on all points. comfort is everything. i'm the opposite of you tho. i'm always on the cold side. even in summer, walking into an air conditioned room gives me chills. i always have a cardi in my bag just in case! x
DeleteMy waist just up and left me. I don't think it's coming back so I'm trying to adapt. Looser tops and not tucked in. Oh well, such is life.
ReplyDeletelol betty. i have a search party out looking for my waist. maybe it's hanging out with yours! x
DeleteJanet I love that picture of you in the white linen dress! I'm going to show Gabby how it can be paired with leopard print to great effect. lol the dress lives on!
ReplyDeleteI'm just going to say that no one wears a white shirt like you do. It's your style so completely!
I agree that times change and so do we and we just need to go with it. I have almost no prints left in my closet after wearing them for years, I prefer more tailored clothes and nothing flowery, except for maybe a scarf.
Always love your wardrobe posts Janet. Have a great weekend xxx
oh dani, you are so kind and generous. it's hard to believe you are giving up your prints. they are all so gorgeous. no one does a color story like you! x
DeleteJanet, you're still tucking in. That's a very good thing. As things have redistributed for me I find I can no longer do that. I miss my waist and flat tummy.
ReplyDeletei do still loosely tuck but i don't have a flat tummy! x
DeleteThe comments here really helped me feel better and like it's not just me with the redistribution of weight. Late fifties have offered me a major "shape shift"! Waist-gone. No tucking in for me anymore. Thanks for a lovely post and great comments.
ReplyDeleteyou are welcome phyllis. it seems like we are all in the same boat - which is comforting! x
DeleteI am in the same boat as some of the other readers, weight redistributed to my waist. (recently gained 10 lbs. and must get rid of it) I can barely button my jeans. I bought a couple pairs an inch bigger in the waist size but they ended being baggy in the butt. I am jealous you can still tuck in, those days have been long gone. You look great. :) .
ReplyDeleteLinda xo
you are so tall and slender linda it's hard to believe you can't button up! hopefully your foot is healing and your walks will return. x
DeleteA few years ago (about 3) I lost 30-35 lbs over a year, without even trying or really realizing it, till my jeans were literally falling off! So I have had the great need for a whole new wardrobe and it's been quite fun. I shop only at Goodwill and local thrift stores, and I have found the most incredible items. Now I have too much! But how can you pass up a cashmere sweater in perfect condition for $8? And on, and on. I totally agree with you, our tastes change, our bodies change, our whole style can change. That's life!
ReplyDeletekitty i lost a few pounds bc of the flu but my jeans still fit.:) i know what you mean about $8 cashmere. the 2nd hand market still stuns me at how good it is! x
DeleteThe body changing is a real thing even if one's weight stays the same. Thicker in the waist, more breast tissue, (ugh if you already had more than enough) which sits lower than you ever imagined, thinner in the hips and legs. The waist and hip measurement make it a challenge to find skirts, pants and jeans that fit properly. I can see why older ladies in the past have loved elastic waisted skirts and pants. I think there is a real market for clothes that are fashionable, comfortable and well made with a reasonable price point for women over 60. Doubt that this type of market will happen though in my lifetime. I truly dislike clothes shopping.
ReplyDeleteoh QV i get that elastic waist thing too. omg i so get that! the minute i'm home for the day everything comes off and elastic gets on me! i am my mother now. x
DeleteI love a good oxford shirt! In fact, our bed sheets are actually oxford shirt material: https://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/everyday-luxury-oxford-sheeting/. We love them year round. :) Happy Sunday! ~Miranda
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing that link miranda. i have 2 oxfords, one old which is the softest thing in my wardrobe and a new one which is still rough and will prob take years to "break in" but when it does, heaven. going to check those sheets now! x
DeleteA crisp white shirt - absolutely forever! I can't resist them, they always look box smart.
ReplyDeleteMiss Cellany.
i'm a sucker for them too! on the hunt for a pink one. x
DeleteJanet,
ReplyDeleteYou always look so stylish, but doable- I too am into the white shirt, jean look. You motivate me to up my game.
Thanks, Robin
thanks robin. white shirt + jeans = simple! x
Delete