Life continues to be surprisingly busy in ways I was often told about but never quite comprehended before retirement (which was almost five years ago now). Of course, so much of this busy-ness results from activities I choose, and, for the large part, activities that give me much pleasure. What I’m still adjusting to is the unavoidable reality that pleasurable and voluntary activities can fatigue as much as paid work does. And that now that I have the option to slow down and rest when I’m tired, perhaps I should do just that. . . .
All of which, as you have already guessed, is my preamble to saying that a more substantive post is coming your way later this week, but for now, I’m holding space with a few recent OOTD (outfit of the day, for those who aren’t up on their Social Media abbreviations 😉
That post, if I may whet your appetites, includes more photos from that exhibition of Italian Style — but also includes some sketches of garments on mannequins. Not just mine, but also a couple by my artist friend. . . What a fun girlfriend date that was! We mostly had the small museum to ourselves, and all those beautiful garments to choose from, and believe me, we took advantage. You’ll see. . . .
Meanwhile, though, the OOTDs. . . all examples of ways I’m continuing to think about, and make concrete efforts towards, Slow Fashion (although, big confession, the same girlfriend who sketched vintage clothes with me also dragged me out shopping with her–at least, that’s my story. She absolutely made me buy a new sweater dress as well. More on that someday). . . .
For the outfit in the top photo, for example, I shopped my closet for a dress I bought three years ago, (seenhere, styled a bit differently), and layered a black cashmere turtleneck (Vince) over it. Nice and simple. . .
The second outfit (seen in the three photos above) will be too relaxed (sloppy, even?) for some of you (I think of a commenter last year who said I looked as if I’d dressed from the charity bin, or some such ;-). . . For a variety of reasons — some of which perhaps I’ll chat about when we extend our conversation about fashion and consumerism — I’m okay with that. In fact, the linen jumpsuit is a fairly recent purchase (last fall, at a local boutique) as is the striped t-shirt I’m wearing underneath it. The jumpsuit, layered this way, doesn’t flatter my bum, true, but it accommodates my movement, which seems much more important these days.
And because we’re not really in sleeveless linen jumpsuit weather yet, I once again did some layering — this time by adding a favourite cashmere v-neck, eight years old, and embellished a few years ago in response to considerable wear and tear. Here’s the post that describes how I embroidered it — hard to imagine any sweatshirt feeling cozier. . .
Third outfit, below. . .
manifests one more effect of my friend’s visit last week. Admiring how great she looked in her leather moto jacket (Ann Taylor, I believe), I thought I could pull mine out of the closet — don’t worry, we didn’t do a Twinsies Day; I waited until she was gone to wear mine. . .
I bought this ten years ago — and the post in which I wrote about the decision to buy it is probably the only post I’ve published with the F word:as in, “not giving a fuck about” whether or not a woman over 50 should wear a motorcycle jacket. At 66, the question seems quaint now, anachronistic even, but I suspect there are still Fashion (and Bad Language!) Police who have strong opinions about what corner I should stay in.
Anyway, I think you can tell that I’ve made the most of what was a pricey purchase ten years ago. . . I’d begun to think the jacket was looking too worn these days, that I wanted a more polished look. But when I put it on the other day, noting that the one rip that I’d had repaired a few years ago has been joined by another (opposite sleeve) still unrepaired, I decided the wear makes this jacket unique, makes it “me.” I’m feeling the same way about these Vince jeans, a bit impatient, in fact, for them to get worn enough to need some patching, but fascinated to watch the fading and whiskering develop over the years . . . the same way as the wrinkles on my face and the spots on my hands and the changing proportion of grey in my hair fascinates. . . (puzzles too, sure, and sometimes makes me feel wistful, but there’s an undeniable fascination as well).
Okay, that’s enough for today. Funny how I can begin a post by saying that I’m just keeping it short because I’m busy, and then next thing I know I’ve spent two hours here. . . . Hope you find something in the post that makes it worth the visit. And perhaps something that you’d like to comment on. . . in which case, the floor is yours. Step up to the mic or just wave a “hello.”
xo,
f
You have made me google as I could not remember who said, “I didn't have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.” Turns out it was Mark Twain.
Esmeralda: So true (and before Mark Twain, Blaise Pascal observed something similar en français — editing for brevity takes time, and I didn't have it 😉
I am getting very weary of wearing the same things that I've worn since October and am looking at new ways of freshening up my wardrobe. I like your idea of pulling a sweater over a dress. The moto jacket looks fantastic on you!
I like all of these outfits on you. Love the last one most. I've always thought questions of whether or not a person may wear a certain garment at a certain age were odd. I wear what I like. My style is essentially the same as it was when I was in my twenties, though I'm probably slightly less formal now. I do think I need to up my details game here and there (hats, gloves, socks, scarves). My dressing used to be much more thought through, and I liked the feel of the beautiful detail. Speaking of slow fashion? Some of the clothing and shoes I wear now are from my twenties. My plan has always been: buy good quality with an eye to how the new item complements the existing items, buy from local designers when possible, and take good care of your clothes. I'm about to go through all of my clothing to see if I can winnow. I'm increasingly interested in fewer items. I mourn a piece when it reaches the end of its life beyond all mending, alteration, or resoling. I think we should each wear what we're comfortable wearing. No age limits either way.
I see many, many women over 50 here wearing moto jackets. Like sneakers, the moto long ago became mainstream.
If one dresses for a combination of class and comfort, then one would always be appropriate. Think of it–what is "inappropriate" usually comes down to being too skimpy or too tight–neither classy nor comfortable. Such clothes are chosen to provoke or to cry out loud that no, I'm not old, but in doing so, they make the case they are trying to deny. Dressing only to be classy can be uncomfortable (heels), and dressing only to be comfortable can be dumpy (sweats).
I can understand somebody deciding some article you've shown isn't for them, but what is the point of being mean? The green pants (which turned out to be a jumpsuit) are clearly linen, and by definition wrinkly. So what?
Of your outfits here, I most like the last one–very on the go. You exude energy.
BTW, they say retirement has three stages: the go-go years, the go-slow years, and the no-go years. Enjoy.
I thoroughly agree that comfort comes first. All your outfits look like they meet that criteria and they look fun, too. As for the leather jacket outfit, you look terrific in it. What's the old line? If you've got it, flaunt it.
I love leather jackets and if they are stressed (from wearing it oneself) even better-you look great in yours!
The combination dress+sweater or turtle neck is a perfect one,especially with warm tights and ankle boots
Dottoressa
I need to find a vintage leather biker jacket too. I am just about to turn 65 and I think I need one!
It’s quite true that retirement is busy much busier than I ever dreamt it would be but in a good way!
Enjoy the sunshine today…
You look fantastic in the moto. I haven’t worn mine in months. Attempted to replace it with a more refined style but they just didn’t look or feel like me. No rain today, I’m going to wear it today in solidarity!
Lorrie: Pulling a sweater over a dress is like gaining a new skirt, right? So the wardrobe we're weary of gets a little uplift 😉
KCJ: I admire (and envy) that consistency that has kept garments in your closet for so long. My lifestyle was very different in my 20s and 30s (four kids!) and we made a few significant moves along the way, so the furthest back my wardrobe archive goes would be a 20-year-old pair of shoes and a couple of 12/13-year-old coats. . . .Sounds like we're absolutely on the same page about wearing what suits us, regardless of age. . .
Taste: Yes, the moto does seem to have become mainstream, but you'd be surprised what a tempest there was in the over-50-fashion teapot back around 2007-2010. Many blogposts and columns in the style columns of newspapers all over. . . Great that it doesn't seem to be an issue anymore — whatever, as the kids say, I've been wearing mine all along and now am grateful for the wear, er, patina. . . 😉
Mary: Chuckling and flaunting, thank you 😉
Dottoressa: Thanks — and yes! Worn with warm tights these days as we're still dipping below 0 (C, of course) at night. . .
I like your last outfit best. A year ago or so I pulled my old moto jacket out of the wardrobe and instantly remebered why it had languished there for such a long time: there is a big tear on one shoulder. No way of making it disappear. I will have to turn mending into a statement somehow, but I haven't come up with a solution. Still waiting for inspiration.
I love your moto jacket and you in it.
Bluestocking Chic for sure – every bluestocking/artist woman in the world has at least fantasized about hopping on a motorcycle and driving off into the horizon.
I think you look great: comfortable and relax! the envy of us who still have to "dress up" for work 🙂
Love all your outfits and I'm so glad you posted the link to your embroidery, which then led me to your post on sashiko (sp?). I've been trying to find those posts for a while now, thinking I might try something like that myself, even though I'm all thumbs when it comes to needle and thread!
Frances in Sidney
I love how you've layered the jumpsuit! I remember my mother chiding me once for mixing "summer" and "winter" fabrics in an outfit, and it took me a long time to get over that. So glad we can toss those old rules aside.
There's a certain "patina," about our well-worn pieces that make them truly personal. I think the jacket still suits you and looks smashing.
I forgot you did the embroidery on the cashmere–so clever. I thought it was some impossibly high end Parisienne store. Anyways, I think it's playfulness works so well with the stripes and the relaxed linen.
Also–rockin' the moto. I love mine because I love the way it warms up when I wear it, and it is relaxed enough to fit a hoody or a light down under it.
I love the idea of pulling a turtleneck on over that dress. Also the tights. I've been looking for a dress to wear causally for a while. No luck. So I've been thinking of trying to find a thrifted one. And I've been working myself up to go on a thrifting adventure, now that my cold has abated. But I need a companion, and the only "shoppers" among my friends are still working. Fancy a trip to Ottawa??? 🙂
So refreshing to see a series of "carefully curated outfits". You have no idea how I have gazed at this post and felt it as balm for the soul. Because…I have spent the past 4 months in a layered uniform of hillwalking thermals and socks, multiple long sleeved tops, hillwalking trousers, a thick jumper, a micro down, a cashmere scarf and a down gilet, finished off by sheepskin bootees. All of this inside the house, as our renovations grind on amid snow and torrential rain and leaks and mud. So city-smart and trainers with a white sole (white!!!) and linen trousers and minimal layers are things of wonder. Apart from that, it seems to me that you're definitely pulling together a signature look. And I love the leather motorcycle jacket. You have reminded me of my grey boiled wool one, stuck in a wardrobe somewhere in the house. I will go on an expedition to find it.
I love all your OODs, but am especially fond of the moto jacket and I remember that tempest. I think I bought mine during that period, and loved it. Alas it also went through a period where i did not wear it and was contemplating donating it, and admitting that it was a failed purchase, only to find that I have been living in it this year. For me I find this is somehow relate to just accepting that I am retired, and that I no longer have anything to prove to the world. Such freedom! Not especially to be wild, but to be simply content. The charity bin comment made me smile, because I think you never look like you dress from a charity bin, but also because it reminds me of women here who complain that women whose hair is groomed, but natural, not blown out and “done” have hair that looks like a “rat’s nest”. What I see is a long ways from anything those proverbial rat’s would claim. Oddly those comments make me even less inclined to blow out my hair or put on makeup… I must have mulish tendencies
That motorcycle jacket is stunning on you.
I have only recently discovered your blog but what a fascinating read it is. I love the leather jacket look on you! I’ve been trying my own slow fashion project this year and have vowed to buy nothing new… a friend and I are both six months in. It is a challenge at times but not so hard once you get creative with what you already own.