I’m still feeling pretty stoked about yesterday’s 8K. I ran the Vancouver Harry’s Spring Run-Off — organized to “Give Prostate Cancer the Finger” — with two of my sisters. I usually prefer to run longer distances, figuring I have stamina but not speed. But I’m discovering that my training is beginning to yield some of the latter, and yesterday, feeling strong throughout the race without pushing too hard, I came in 3rd in my age/gender category (Women 55-59). 42 minutes, 15 seconds, which means my kilometre pace over the distance was under 5.5 minutes. And I suspect I could better if I wore a watch, paid attention to splits, etc. It’s good to realize, at almost 59, that you can be good at things you never imagined yourself doing.
But now it’s Monday morning, still dark outside, and I’m getting ready for the penultimate week of classes. We’re back to rainy days and uninspiring temperatures, but Spring visited on the weekend. So the outfits I wore last week will be getting sorted for storage soon.
But I loved both of them, outfits I’ve worn with minor variations over the past three, four, perhaps five years. While they might not meet most definitions of the term, to me these are classic — in that they pair a simple sweater with a skirt and dark tights.
The shoes funk both outfits up a bit, I guess, but even those are classic in their own way, the two-tone oxfords above, cavalry boots below.
In the photo above, you can see that the skirt’s top lininglayer is light enough to see through, just enough to be fun, and you can probably see just how much swish it has. For me, that relates it, in spirit, to the pleated midi above, even though they’re quite different in weight. The skirt has an ethnic (Batik/ikat-evoking) print, was bought at RW (a mall chain store) at least 5 years ago, and has hovered over my Goodwill bin a few times before being snatched back. It will not go into storage over the summer but will continue to earn its keep.
The rundown on both outfits
Top Combo: leopard-print cashmere v-neck, Winners (4 years old); grey wool pleated skirt, Gap (4+ years); beige cashmere cardi, Club Monaco (2 years); oxfords Browns-B2 (2 years)
Bottom Combo: brown cashmere v-neck, Bompard (2nd year); skirt RW (4+ yrs); boots Fiorentini & Baker (4+ yrs)
So two outfits for the price of one this Visible Monday morning. You should pop over to the round-up Patti organizes where there is always sartorial inspiration to get our week going.
I really love that second skirt. It looks like it could be very versatile. And I like how you've styled the longer skirt with the brogues; a bit unexpected and modern. Congratulations on your great time in the 8K!
Thanks, Sue. For about $50, the 2nd skirt has proved to be very versatile indeed — I thought of it when pondering your recent post on investment dressing.
Congratulations on your run!
I like the cute flirty skirt and boots combo…unfortunately we still need those boots as Spring seems to be taking it's time to arrive.
Best of luck with the week of classes, It's back to class for me too.
Lesley, the weekend was gloriously promising, but it's not very spring-like this week, is it?!
Congrats on your running accomplishment (and I adore the "finger" pun!). You've made some wonderful classic looks here, Frances – and a funky shoe always adds personality IMHO.
Your link did not actually appear over at VM – shall I try it for you, or do you want to give it another go?
Isn't that a good pun?! Some clever marketers in that organization!
Hi Mater, nice classic looks – I especially love the brogues and the flirty skirt. Your rundown shows that you shopped well in the first place, as these are not new pieces but they still look fresh. Well done on your run too! P.
Thanks for noticing the age of the pieces, Patricia, as that's exactly what pleases me about these outfits: they're a confirmation of some consistency in my style/taste. . .
Congratulations on the run!
I like both of these looks and think you are far more daring than I. Classic and daring.
I guess there's a small element of iconoclasm in both looks, but they don't feel daring anymore to me. Some of your pieces seem much bolder.
Am I very impressed with your time in this race!
Both of these are classic teaching combos. I have a skirt similar to the second and I think its swishiness sometimes affects the way I walk when I wear it.
Yes, takes a teacher to spot that — they are teaching clothes, indeed, swish and all! In fact, I enjoy feeling a bit playfully bluestocking in the top outfit.
Brogues and box pleats, dreamy! Although technically the diaphanous skirt would be considered as more dreamy – and I love that swish potential grounded with the boots.
You are a running fiend! Congratulations. Well done!!
Thanks! You've spotted the play I like in both outfits.
What an accomplishment! Congratulations to you.
Thanks, Debbie!
You came in 3rd? I'm so impressed. That's damn visible. And the brogues and skirt inspire me to keep looking – it's such a fun combination.
I was surprised and impressed, myself. We didn't stay for the awards, but it turns out I could e-mail them and I'd get a MEDAL sent to me! Tempted . . .
My sister, though, came 1st in her class. . .
Both combinations are winners – and I'd call both of them classic too.
I'm not ready to pack up the winter things just yet. This is the most difficult time of year – not yet time for the bare legs and lighter fabrics of summer, but too nice to hang onto the bulky sweaters and scarves.
Really, it's the bare legs that kill me. The lighter fabrics I can put a sweater over, but once we get enough heat for legs to be bared, I'll have to pack away those black opaque Wolfords and share these fish-belly-white legs. . . .Oh dear!
Great time, great outfits! You always have the best shoes! So glad you didn't bin the skirt.
Thanks, K! I'm glad as well, and I'm surprised I even thought about it.
Mater, I am so envious of your energy, I pray I get some back someday.
The first outfit is so wonderfully preppy that skirt length really suits you.
I love the second too, I know what you mean that some things just feel so good when you walk, the way they swish, I have a parachute silk skirt that almost makes me want to skip…Almost!
Yes, we are going to be by the sea, a stone’s throw, plus bizarrely no children, it could be supremely boring or supremely restful and grown up. We shall see!
Alison, when I was in the years you're in now, I didn't manage the running/workouts I do now, although I did quite a bit of walking, as you do. Ages and stages. . . Hope you have a very grown-up and restful seaside holiday.
Well I was just thinking the other day that I was now "too old" at 47 for running and that I needed to "slow down" and start doing light exercise. Then you came along and shamed me with your 8K. I am rethinking my new plan. Maybe I WILL run some more years. Maybe I WILL do a turkey trot or something. Vigorous workouts really did used to make me feel young and vibrant. Thanks for the needed kick in the arse.
I'd given up running at some point in my early to mid 40s after an injury, but got back to it early 50s. Betty Jean McHugh is still running marathons in her 80s, having only begun running in her 50s. But really, it's whatever keeps us moving and feels good for our bodies, right? If it feels good . . .
I really want a better look at those oxfords!