Outfit of the Day posts: you know that I struggle with them (so self-conscious-making! so vulnerable-making!), but you also know that I have reasons for persisting to publish occasional photos of What I Wore. . . I’ve written about this before, most recently in this post. . .
Today, I was encouraged to post by Mme. Là-Bas’s comment (on this post) that my pink sweatshirt dress was well suited to “elegant reading” (and stitching, and sketching). As well, I kept thinking of my friend Sue’s post over at High Heels in the Wilderness. You might already have read it, but it was a few weeks ago, so I’ll just remind you of what she said about the OOTD she’d featured in the post. Against any reader assumption that she might have worn the outfit somewhere, Sue says “I didn’t.” Just “from bedroom, to deck, to front lawn, back to bedroom.” She wishes she had a more exciting destination, but since those are limited these Covid days, she settled for taking a few extra photos of herself, at home, in at outfit that makes her “feel marvelous.”
Sue takes about the importance of “feeling marvelous,” especially for those of us moving through middle age, tipping into our winter years, our bodies wrinkling and bulging along the way. If “prancing around the house” in her leather pants helps her feel marvelous, Sue’s going for it. And taking selfies for the blog while she does. In fact, she finds those OOTD blogposts an opportunity — privilege, her friend Liz calls it — to dress up, a substitution for all those locked-down destinations. Go read that post and you’ll see that Sue’s inviting you to share that opportunity with her, so if you’re “all dressed up with nowhere to go,” Sue has a door open. . . .
As for me. . . I picked up some wardrobe additions last week, doing my best to support an independent neighbourhood business. . . This despite the reality that I could wear my jeans and a sweater every single day right now and only Paul would notice (hmmmm… would he? 😉
But even if the Zoom screen demands no more variety than an occasional change of scarf, and even if the same scarf change would be sufficient to change up my outdoor game (maybe a different hat every third day as well), I wanted — needed! — a boost for me.
So . . . this sweater dress came home with me. Very simple, easy to wear, could be dressed up, worn with a sparkly pendant, pearls, a gold or silver chain. . . with heels, with boots. . . or more casually, as here, with shiny slip-on oxfords and a grey-and yellow scarf I’ve had forever . . .
or, because I’m inside at home more than I’m out these days, felted-wool slippers and a silk scarf I bought in Paris 12 or 15 years ago and scarcely ever wear anymore. . .
You and I know I’m not going to be wearing this with heels. I won’t be testing out the dress’s adaptability to dressier occasions.
But. . . I have so far found that it lends itself very well to Madame Là-Bas’s “elegant reading.”
And I thought that I could add “dress comfortably and elegantly” to the instructions and suggestions issued to the reader at the beginning of Italo Calvino’s If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler. . . which I am currently attempting to read in the original Italian (Se una notte d’inverno un viaggiatore). . .
Luckily, I have a copy of the English version which I keep nearby . . . Do the readers among you recognize some of these preparations? Do you settle into a new novel as carefully as this narrator advises? No mention of what to wear for reading, here, but on the page after this one
the suggestions about where to “put your feet” continue: “on the arms of the sofa, on the wings of the chair, on the coffee table, on the desk, on the piano, on the globe.” And then we are told, “Take your shoes off first.”
So I think I’m justified in extrapolating. If we’re to be comfortable, in the most accommodating position for our bodies, to the point where we need to take off our shoes, surely clothes which follow our bodies comfortably into those comfortable positions are also dictated.
Pyjamas, sweats, yoga pants, all perfect for the pleasurable task, but I’ve spent enough time in those lately. Abbastanza! Time for some “elegant reading.” Thank you, new dress. . . .
I eventually put my book down and went out for a walk — dress was covered by coat, yes, but at least it got outside, even if it had to accept being styled with trainers. . . The neighbourhood was flaunting some new looks as well. . .
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| I love the imprints the fallen leaves make on the sidewalk |
I wandered through a neighbourhood community/allotment garden where these magnificent cabbage look almost table-ready. . . .
Eventually, I made my way back home where I had one more “elegant reading” gig. And this one was a performance although, unfortunately, my audience had no inkling that I was wearing a new dress.
I’ve been FaceTiming these two, the Seven and the Five, this past week to read them this book — it’s a big fat “chapter book” full of wonderful illustrations. I read it aloud to Nola a few years ago and I’m enjoying it just as much this time around. And while they can’t snuggle up next to me, squish across my arms to peer at the illustrations, I can see them leaning in close to their screen when I “flip” my iPhone lens to move across the dramatic black-and-white drawings, sense them peering intently at the details through the camera’s eye . . .
I’ve been reading two or three chapters at a time — about half an hour each session. The Five wanders off after the first ten or fifteen minutes, but stays within hearing distance and settles back in the chair when it suits. At the end of each chapter, I check to see if they’re still happy to listen — or I claim that we’re done for the day — and they always ask for more. I oblige, up to 30 or 40 minutes. . . I’ve been doing a little Question-and-Answer recap before we start each reading, and their comprehension and retention is solid. Overall, it’s been a delightful way to connect during a period when we’re not permitted to socialize in person. (So grateful for technology. FaceTime, iPhone, screenshots, WiFi. . . all of it!)
And their Momma appreciates the story time as well. Her back had seized up and I’d offered to help but couldn’t think how, given our restrictions right now on in-person socializing beyond our immediate household. Momma suggested a book session after school — They have their story with a snack, Momma gets dinner started without the distractions of sibling squabbling, and Nana gets some much-missed time with the Littles. Win-Win-Win!
And that’s it for this post.
Comments are open, and I’d love to hear from you. Anything that strikes you in response to what I’ve shared here . . . You know the books I mention or you’ve seen the movie or you also have been reading elegantly (tell me how!) or reading aloud to someone (tell me who!) or reading on FT (tell me what!). . .
It’s getting tough for those of us heading into winter — rain and grey skies and cool temperatures predicted for every day ahead here and our Covid numbers are rising. So finding (or creating or facilitating or even buying) the compensating pleasures is becoming survival as much as (more than!) indulgence. We could chat about that as well. I’m listening. . .
p.s. If you’re looking for something good to read, pop over to my Reading Blog for suggestions. I just posted my October Reading last week. . .
I'm with you and Sue about getting dressed and "feeling marvelous." Back in the day, we all talked a lot about being visible and dressing to be *seen.* Even if we're only "seen" at home, I think that dressing in a way that pleases us is a way of staying connected to ourselves during a time when everything feels so disjointed.
And the dress is lovely, so You, and don't think I didn't notice those pockets!! 😉
I love that image of the leaf imprints. It's so evocative! I'd frame and hang that somewhere.
Bravo!
As an elderly lady, I applaud the diversity I see on the several blogs I read.
You see, at seventy-six, I have established my own sartorial identity and seeing how others of my age group dress themselves delights me. I don't believe that you are portraying an example of what others should wear, only what you choose to wear yourself. . .and I think that is wonderful! Such visual disclosures allow your readers a more complete picture of who you are. Please keep doing what you are doing! This pandemic has meant that I must remain homebound for the foreseeable future. Reading my favorite blogs remains a window to the world.
Once, again, bravo!
I agree about getting dressed and feeling marvelous for oneself even if one does not go out. Some days I am in a dress, and admittedly there are days when I want nothing more than my yoga pants and sweats, but I am finding that even those need to fill some combination of comfort and sartorial pleasure. I live in my wool slippers and there are days they are hardly ever off my feet, even if I am wearing nice clothes. This week, even out with the dog, as I find that adjusting to the needs of a diabetic older dog has been both rewarding and exhausting and I’ve not had the energy to go out for an extended walk for myself. This coming week looks better in that regard, but still I wonder how this entire year will change my perception of private vs public clothing choices.
I love this idea of getting dressed elegantly for reading or stitching or whatever one does these days, and your comfy dress fits the bill perfectly. I'm still teaching, until the end of January, but I'm thinking about how I will dress (and what I will do with my time) when I'm not forced out of the house each day.
Love the reading time with your littles via technology. We're still seeing ours from time to time. There will be a new grandchild in a few weeks and I'm slated to look after big sister for a few days during that time (C-section). We're navigating these days with deliberation in the midst of uncertainty.
I make a point of "dressing up" to go out, even if it's just errand running, but I change back into more casual fare at home because of my cats! They're darling boys, and love to cuddle, and I hate having sweaters snagged, or Max's white fur all over my dark clothing (your sweater dress would be a victim on both counts!).
I have a burgundy sweater dress that I bought a year ago that turned out to be a workhorse until lockdown. I wore it to dinner frequently, with black tights and either ankle boots or heels, and one of my many shawls or scarves as accent. Or with leggings and my Superga sneakers for a more casual look. Pretty sure I wore it out every night to dinner when we were in Portugal last January. Wishing you similar good fortune with your dress!
I love that sweater dress, Frances. I'm looking online for a winter dress. So many form fitting ones out there… when one's form has morphed so that in a form fitting dress I'd look like Mrs. Wiggins on the old Carol Burnett show. Ha. Still, I'm enjoying the hunt.
Thanks so much for the extended mention. I will be sending out that "let's get dressed together" invite this month. These virtual get togethers are so much fun to write… I always feel as if I've really had an in-person visit, or been to an actual party. Sigh. Remember parties?
That read-aloud with the grands is such a great idea. What a way to connect beyond the usual. I love it.
xo
Susan: "connected to ourselves" — yes! A way to stay moored in strange times.
Also a big Yes! to pockets, right? I feel lost without them, even unmoored . . . 😉
Anonymous @11:31: Your comment made my day! Thank you for letting me know that what I post matters to you. Much appreciated.
Mardel: Do you think we may all come out of this to a different preference for public-private balance in our lives? I suppose some will be anxious to make up for lost time with others, but some of us may be wanting to stay in our slippers more often, having discovered what changes are rung through our system by that comfort. . .
Lorrie: It will be interesting to see what retirement looks like for you. Perhaps, given the strangeness of this year and the safety concerns of being in a classroom right now, it will be even more of a relief. I hope you'll still have the opportunities for the events that mark the transition. . .
I love Hugo. The film is a marvel and, some years ago, used it when teaching Literacy to 10-11 year olds. It was a wonderful jumping-off point for much reading and writing and creativity. And your little snacking people on the chair! Yikes! Reading to children is such an under-appreciated action, full of love and companionship.
On the clothing front: it has seemed to me over the past months that it is just as easy to put on something elegant or smart as it is to pull on something ultracasual but the effect is quite different, even if the only gaze is your own. I probably think more carefully now than I ever did and enjoy the results more too. After all, why not?
Hugo is one of those magical children's books. As I've booked off subbing, I have no occasion to read to Littles. Yours must love to see their Nana and sharing her stories.
I remember reading a book years ago about how elegance is healing. It certainly is uplifting. A special dress with the scarf (even under a coat and with walking shoes) indicates an unwillingness to give up on one's self.
OOTD has always been difficult for me. My inner critic is not kind and I tend to make unfavourable comparisons. Sad, that at this age (almost 69) I have not learned to tune out negative self-talk.
Annie: I loved the film — saw it first and then discovered the book. It's such a good way to introduce film history — interesting for kids to grapple with the idea that once there were no moving images ;-). . . Our 7 doesn't enjoy tension in movies, so hasn't been able to watch Hugo, but is fine with the book.
I agree that it's just as easy to pull on something elegant — a well-cut, body-skimming dress in a forgiving fabric is so simple to wear . . . "even if the only gaze is your own" — Absolutely!
Mme: It really is magical — and those illustrations! the expressive faces and all the details of the various rooms, the mechanical man, etc. . .
I feel the same way about not being able to tune out the self-talk at our exalted age — have you ever listened to Clotilde DuSouiler's podcast, Change Ma Vie? I've found them quite helpful in this regard and in others. At the very least, a way to keep our French aural skills fresh.
Your dress is beautiful,something I would like to wear,too. Lately,I'm out and about,doing chores that can't wait the end of pandemic (and were postponed for more than a year- and there are still too many of them to stay postponed,as long as it goes),as well the same with the doctors. I love to change outfits,more than ever,to please myself (much more than the other doctors :-))
At home,I'm still in comfortable trousers or yoga pants ,but with cashmere sweaters and gold or pearl jewelry (so Tabletop Dressing).And sneakers -one of my "good" sneakers was washed and delegated as home ones!
You're so creative-I guess that both you and your grandchildren enjoy modern kind of reading (but the cuddles! And wonderful smell of babies and small children!)
Dottoressa