Post-retirement fashion

[livingdeb]

Now that I'm retired, I can wear pretty much anything I want. But what would I most like to wear?

Currently, I'm wearing jeans or shorts and t-shirts, mostly because they are the clothes I like that I couldn't wear to work. But maybe I can find something more flattering and/or more fun.

PracticalAbove all, it has to be practical. I realized

Comments

[anonymous]

Well, truth be told, I'm probably the last person on the planet that you want to be taking fashion advice from, but your post did stir a few thoughts in me.

Spaghetti straps. I'm totally with you there, and my solution is to buy tank tops that have built in support. I have some that are more athletic - sorta like an exercise bra with a tank top attached, and some that are more like a camisole. I always buy mine at the thrift store, but a quick Google search says the appropriate terminology is "shelf bra".

And on skirts. Have you thought about denim skirts? Seems like the fabric would be heavy enough that wind wouldn't be an issue unless you were out in a hurricane or something.

Best of luck with it. Even though my work place was very casual, my wardrobe still changed significantly after I left my job. I fear these days I wear sweats all winter and sweat shorts all summer - I do upgrade to jeans or capri pants if I'm going "out" though.

:-)
Cat

[livingdeb]

Hmm, I *do* have a couple of camisole-like tops with shelf bras that I never wear for some reason. Not appropriate for work without a jacket, but hey, that's old news!

The thing about skirts is that I like them to be wooshy! So denim doesn't sound ideal.

Ha ha! Sweat fashion! When I worked at summer camp, we also wore jeans to dress up (normally shorts). And maybe even a button-up shirt, such as a Hawaiian shirt (normally t-shirts).

I vaguely recall seeing a picture of you in a long skirt that looked really nice, so I would happily take fashion advice from you! Well, at least listen to (read) it!

[piefessor]

I recently got this dress in black for work and wear it with leggings. Change it up with a light scarf and/or a long necklace and it's perfect: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01MG3CPD9/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1490554549&sr=8-2&pi=SL75_QL70&keywords=asymmetrical+dress+pockets

[livingdeb]

Ooh, whooshy! And with pockets, even! And lots of nice colors! I especially like the army green, wine red, and Raaga123 eye color (grey blue). And black.

(Indigo Rose, check it out! They also have purple, but it's kind of reddish. Oh, but it's cotton/poly, which I like, but I think you don't.)

The hem looks a bit sloppy for my taste at first glance, but I do kind of like this dress. And a belt might be interesting, too.

Heh, there's a size chart. I guess you would go with your chest size; the others don't seem relevant.

Thanks for sharing! And thanks for reminding me of that thing I called "what the cool people are wearing" - leggings!

P.S. I don't know where I know you from, but I know I've checked your blog before--maybe you didn't used to write much. But checking it again, I see that I like your monthly wrap ups, so I've added you to my friends list, too.

[piefessor]

Yes, I could see the hem being an issue since it is pretty asymmetrical. I've worn my dress a couple of times though and I do really like it! I got the short-sleeved blue-gray version to try next.

Yay to friends! I don't remember when I found your journal first... maybe through Patrick?

[livingdeb]

Ah, Patrick. So I've (probably!) never seen you in real life. Fun!

[indigo_rose99]

Skort: http://women.duluthtrading.com/search/searchresults/16754.aspx?kw=skort&processor=content... )

[livingdeb]

Thanks for the ideas. I'm afraid those Toad & Co dresses have necklines that are way too low for me. My decollatage (or whatever you call it) tends to be quite blotchy. Also, I like being able to bend over without worrying whether it gives people a view of my belly button, etc.

And after yesterday, I'm ready to admit that all else being equal, I care most about practicality. Would I have slipped in that mud had I been wearing my (all-purpose) sneakers I wore to Norway instead of my prettier hiking shoes with worse traction? I don't know. That mud was quite deep, so probably.

Can padding and helmets be flattering? :-)

[anonymous]

I actually find the skirt + bicycle shorts combination to be a total winner--I have yet to flash the kids at the school next door to my workplace even once ;) Skorts are also awesome and not just for hiking (though they tend to not be very swooshy). I don't run into the skirt + tights problem you do [well, I could see it happening with sweater tights], even when wearing a cheap knit dress from Old Navy or whatever, but if you don't like to deal with a slip, lined skirts probably won't have that issue, and you can (sometimes) find lined pleated skirts. Leggings might also have the sticking problem for you, even more than tights do, but leggings vary quite a bit in how rough vs polish their surface is

[anonymous]

Oh, I also find that low neckline + scarf = no problem.

-Sally

[livingdeb]

Ugh, LiveJournal ate my reply.

You were the person I suspected most likely to reply. Thanks!

You're right, I do have some gigantic t-shirts that were the smallest size available. Boy-style t-shirts in medium boy sizes are better, but a more fitted style is certainly nicer.

eShakti sounds expensive, but looking at their site I see that their prices are quite good for brand new clothes, not even counting the customization. Interesting.

[livingdeb]

Oh, (many? all?) eShakti dresses have pockets. Nice!