Okay, there are some silly expressions on my face. Blame it on how long Pater takes to click the shutter. . . . or it might be due to some self-consciousness about posting so much What I Wore so soon afterI mused about a certain phenomenon. . .
Let me admit, I’m resorting to these posts because I’m having a tough time finding writing time in between classes, and I don’t want you all to disappear.
This outfit, though, I particularly wanted to share because it represents a first for me, at 60. I kept admiring these tan-coloured suede ankle boots on many (young!) women in Paris (and Bordeaux) last year, and ended up buying myself a pair while there. Back home, though, I didn’t end up wearing them very often and never with bare legs and a skirt.
Until today. When it was 30 degrees outside, who knows how warm inside our non-air-conditioned classrooms. Sartorial standards, already quite loose in the academic workplace, were quickly abandoned. My students sat in front of me in tank tops, flip flops, and shorts. Short shorts. I, on the other hand, kept a (short-sleeved) cardi on until my last class, my main concession to the heat being the pinning up of my curls.
My tank top is by Nice Things, the same Spanish company that made the dress I wore in this post. It’s silk with a cotton lawn lining — I’m so appreciative of companies that line their silks with equally comfy fabrics. And I love this back, scooped for coolness but bra-friendly. I hope you can see the screen-printed band across the front — it’s a photograph of a row of colourfully garbed Sikh men, which grabbed me as soon as I spotted it as being something between whimsical and witty, notes I love to hit in garments.
I definitely had misgivings about baring my legs with the boots, but I quite like the look I got to here. It does seem, though, that it might be time to remind you of what I said earlier about why I post What I Wore:
I’m NOT looking for approval or flattery or, even, constructive criticism. And I’m obviously not trying to teach you anything about how to dress (ha! say both of us). I’m just sharing, because how I dress is important to me, still, at 60, and it’s a Part of my life. Just Part. .
‘kay?
I've always enjoyed your WIW posts.
It was a scorcher yesterday….I felt my Bobbi Brown foundation was letting me down as it pooled in the heat under my sunglasses. But it was 31 degrees…
I think those boots will look great with tights when the cool fall weather inevitably arrives. They will be equally nice with leggings.
It was hot, wasn't it?!!
I actually find these boots trickier to wear with tights, given that my tights are generally dark, so that they rather flash out at the end of my leg. But perhaps I'll try a bit harder this fall — the other issue with them is that they're suede, and the "cuff" portion is perforated so they're just not on if rain is a possibility. . . and you know how often rain is a possibility here!
And of course I don't mind hints on ways to combine clothes I might not have previously considered:).
I like the look at lot, the beige boots and the skirt.
Thanks!
Like LPC, I find your WIW posts inspirational. Fun shirt!
Glad to hear it, thanks!
Love the outfit and especially pleased to see you making the short boots and skirt combo look so good. Whenever I think of trying it I am torn between thinking it will look too young on me, then I can think of no alternative but to go down the court shoe/pump route which looks great on some but I kid myself is a little too old a look for me. So skirts don't get much of a look in with me – which is a shame
So thanks for showing us how it should be done. I'll try it with some thick tights in a couple of weeks (although blessed in many ways, my legs missed out in the loveliness stakes)
Thanks for joining the commenters here, PB! I'd definitely encourage you to try out short boots with a skirt — make it easier on yourself by wearing tights to blend the two, to play down the sense of exposed legs. I suspect you'll soon find you're wearing the combo more and more often — it's a snappy look, I think, and easy/comfy to get around in.
I do think you look great. I've been debating about taking my boots out to play with a dress, and you may have given me the push I need to do it (that, and temperatures that are due to rise again soon). The top is very witty, love the different print on the back too.
Thanks Sue — I know you love that combo as well of skirt/dress and boots and you do it so well. I'll look forward to your post.
I have such a hard time wearing boots with a skirt myself, although I like the look on the many young women I see. Perhaps when it gets cold enough to wear tights with a dress. Thanks for showing it can be done well even for those who are not in their twenties!
As I said to PB above, go for it! I think you'll find the look easy to wear, easy to love. It does take a bit of play with both skirt length and boot heel height to find the combo that works for you, but once you've got it, I bet you'll be wearing it often.
You look great! Your tank top is lovely, and you rock the bare legs with boots look! You're fortunate to have legs at 60 that look so good bare. Mine have been invaded by spider veins, so that look is in the past for me…
Why, thank you! My mom had fabulous legs right 'til the very end, at 82, smooth skin, still relatively taut. So far, I seem to have some of those genetics although my legs are considerably thicker than hers were with a different musculature. But no problem veins and, so far, very light on cellulite. Otherwise, I'd probably be in a longer skirt, or in tights/leggings. Although really, we are what we are and entitled to be just as comfortable in the heat, right? Spider veins and all. . . .
Interesting outfit and it really suits you. Resemblance to Margaret Atwood that I hadn't noticed before.Maybe it's just the hair and of course you do write well!!! Iris H
I've had that comment about the MA resemblance before. I suspect it's the curls and the, ahem, "strong" nose. . .
The weather has been very warm and your outfit looks does indeed look " whimsical and witty ". The WIW can be just an expression of oneself rather than fashion advice. I was however interested in the short boot with bare legs. I never liked my legs when I was younger but they are strong and taut although not long and slender. Funny, how we come to like parts of ourselves better are we age.
It's a happy story, isn't it, that we can come to appreciate, even admire, parts of ourselves with age. It catches us off guard, so used to judging ourselves harshly. Good for you. Savour the feeling!
I wish people would post more warm weather WIW posts like this one. My ability to release heat is as efficient as it is for people from places like Sweden, one of my ancestral lines. It is hard for me to tolerate warmer temperatures, which I often have to do in California. For me, 70 F and up feels like 80 F and up seems to feel to other people. I need more warm weather solutions! I love this look on you but more importantly it looks cool and comfortable.
Btw, I posted a style and life update post which also mentions the controversy of baring legs at my age :).
I'll have to search out your post, Susan. Didn't realize you were back "on air"
I love your WIW posts, as they are always more than just the picture please.
And I love the boots with the dress and bare legs. I'm still admiring it on others and haven't attempted it yet for myself but I might. But then I still struggle with my own pale bare legs. I also agree with Susan about warm weather posts. You look cool and comfortable and I need all the help I can get. I've moved to the South but I feel about temperatures above 80 the way most people seem to feel about the mid to upper 90s.
thanks! I must say, I'm very much like you and Susan, very intolerant of temps in the 30s, even high 20s. Growing up in a temperate rainy climate will do that to you . . .