Casual at Work, What I Wore. . .

I was home sick yesterday, and although I’m going to campus today it will be at a geared-down pace. So this is a lazy post, if you will put up with me — a compilation of a few recent OOTDs. You’ll quickly note that comfort is the order of the day, and you’ll also notice that mine must be a rather casual workplace.

Above, this ultra-soft Vince oversized tunic, one I hug tightly as one of my daughters has been seriously coveting it since she first saw it on me (I scoured shops for a second one in her smaller size but no luck). My JBrand skinny cords, already a bit big when I bought them, are getting a bit too loose thanks to WeightWatchers; I’m trying to prolong the inevitable and to wear them as much as I can beforegiving in and consigning them. Flat ankle boots, bought in Bordeaux the summer before last (and shownhere, with bare legs), and paisley scarf, silk, Club Monaco.

But then I tired of those earth tones, all mellow, wholesome, quiet. Time for a bit of sparkle, no? Gap sweatshirt, Club Monaco skirt, and patent Browns oxfords, at least four years old. . . .Personally, I think this length skirt works better on me with a heel, but I’m not always up for the hips-and-knees wear-and-tear. And I think the sparkle needs the flats, to stay grounded for weekday daywear. . . (Hmmm, I see I wore it with low heels here, but with an even longer skirt, and I might prefer the earlier look — might even try to replicate it today!)

And back to the earth tones again with this brown cashmere (Bompard) pullover and a faux-leather chocolate pencil skirt by Club Monaco (sadly, also becoming a bit too loose thanks to WW). And a new-to-me pair of shoes I snagged recently, about which more on the next Friday’s Five Things). I’ve posted a photo of this skirt as part of a different outfit earlier as well, here — I think I prefer the simplicity of today’s combo, but you might prefer the heel height of the other better. . .

You’re right. The photos leave much to be desired, and if my potential photographer were a bit livelier in the morning, I’d try to do a bit better. . . But I’ve had fun discovering the earlier postings and comparing them, and perhaps you will as well. . . . Now off to brave the storm — I encouraged Pater to take the car over to Vancouver where he’s been shuttling between two baby-sitting gigs and visiting his mother. Now I’m testing my generosity with a walking commute in the rain . . . .

I’ll remind you of what I said earlier about my What I Wore posts:  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. . 

22 Comments

  1. hostess of the humble bungalow
    7 November 2013 / 5:21 pm

    Congratulations on your weight loss!
    I happen to appreciate these posts as I like to see women who still care enough to put together creative ensembles in their everyday lives. I agree that it is only part of our lives but it is part of who we are and how we present ourselves to the people around us.

    • materfamilias
      7 November 2013 / 9:42 pm

      Thanks, L. I feel the same way about your OOTD posts, as with your recent greys.

  2. Unknown
    7 November 2013 / 7:18 pm

    Well, I'm still going to have to say you look great! I covet your Browns oxfords :).

    • materfamilias
      7 November 2013 / 9:44 pm

      It's a Canadian company, and they seem to do a riff on the oxford every year — right now they have a studded version!

  3. Susan B
    7 November 2013 / 8:25 pm

    Ooh, are the new shoes "Think!"? I "think" I recognize those soles. The sparkly sweatshirt and faux leather skirt are great finds. I don't know why I don't make a point of browsing Club Monaco more often, may have to change that. And no apologies needed re: the photography…you're doing a great job capturing your outfits!

    • materfamilias
      7 November 2013 / 9:46 pm

      Sharp eye, and you just might be right! I'm giving a closer view on Friday . . . Club Monaco is a regular stop for me, although it's good to watch the prices as they often come in high, get grabbed up depending on popularity and size, and then within 2 or 3 weeks, a top I paid $120 for will be down to $70. . . .

  4. Tiffany
    7 November 2013 / 8:40 pm

    I love all those outfits. I often hesitate to wear skirts because I think I SHOULD wear them with heels, and teaching in heels doesn't work for me, but I must remember that they can look great with flats. Thank you for the inspiration 🙂

    • materfamilias
      9 November 2013 / 12:02 am

      My move back to flats and lower heels with skirts is relatively recent, a concession to hips and knees that, for their age, already give me quite enough in running and protest against too much height for too long. . .

  5. Duchesse
    7 November 2013 / 9:07 pm

    Oh! I love that leather skirt! You can have it taken in! And your shoes with the skirts look terrific to me.

    • materfamilias
      9 November 2013 / 12:02 am

      You know, I probably should see if I can get it taken in. I really like it as well, despite having previously been anti-faux 😉 Thanks!

  6. That's Not My Age
    7 November 2013 / 10:03 pm

    The first outfit is my favorite, love the neutral shades – and I like and agree with your disclosure at the end. Hope you've cleared your cache!

    • materfamilias
      9 November 2013 / 12:03 am

      Cache cleared and Google seems finally to have recognized that action. . . . thanks!

  7. Raquelita
    8 November 2013 / 12:51 am

    I'm sorry to hear that you've been under the weather, and I hope you're back to 100% soon! I really love that sparkly Gap sweatshirt! It seems like the best combo of comfort and cool.

    • materfamilias
      9 November 2013 / 12:03 am

      Thanks, R. NOthing a lot of sleep won't help . . . Sparkle helps too, doesn't it?!

  8. Melanie
    8 November 2013 / 6:15 am

    You're not looking for flattery, but, by gum, you're going to get a compliment: you look wonderful in all of these ensembles – stylish and comfortable. Swooning over your brown oxfords. I hope you fit in time for full recuperating.

    • materfamilias
      9 November 2013 / 12:04 am

      Why, thank you. I've had some quiet hours in an empty house and that goes a long way toward recuperation, really.

  9. Anonymous
    8 November 2013 / 3:05 pm

    i know you don't write WIW posts to garner compliments but you'll just have to accept them anyway. I am struck in this random grouping how there is a coherent style 'you' that runs through all them – clothes suitable for bicycling and ferry hopping which are still elegant & often in luxe fabrics, tough and practical yet feminine, appropriate to the casual academic milieu but without being slovenly or dowdy. You seem very youthful, au courant, without in any way trying too hard to be thus. I'm impressed! If I can crack my look with this amount of finesse by the time I'm sixty I'll be doing handstands to celebrate.
    Lettys

    • materfamilias
      9 November 2013 / 12:06 am

      I can't tell you how much I appreciate this comment. I often feel I lack a coherent style, although I've been starting to sense its emergence. And you reflect a coherence back to me in a way that (excuse my blushing) seems both flattering AND convincing, when I squint to see through a reader's eyes. Thanks so much, Lettys.

  10. Anonymous
    8 November 2013 / 3:07 pm

    to clarify my previous comment, I am in early 40s and still no where near a coherent expression of self through style, I wonder if I'll ever hit on it or remain wandering down sartorial dead ends for ever more.
    Lettys

    • materfamilias
      9 November 2013 / 12:07 am

      I wonder, though, if others could help you see that your expression of self through your style is more coherent thank you think. As you just did for me. . . (I have to say, though, that I've had fun and learned lots by wandering down sartorial dead ends. . . 😉

  11. K.Line
    9 November 2013 / 3:31 pm

    I love the top outfit. Vince really is the best…

    • materfamilias
      9 November 2013 / 8:37 pm

      It's such a good line, isn't it?! I'd like to find another sweater as great as this one to add to the fall/winter mix. . .

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