Such an interesting conversation still ongoing at my last post, about schedules in retirement, but also touching on what gets called “work” and what doesn’t; on the difference it makes, to a couple, which partner retires first; and how much work is tied into identity — and whether we can reshape identities in retirement. I’m drawing from this conversation to shape future posts — and I think I might pluck a question or two from it for the “Proust questionnaire” I’m introducing next week for this blog community.
Today, though, my Friday morning schedule, unlike my Monday one, is not proferring any choices about what to do first. Nor is it yielding any mercies. Instead, it’s rather militaristic. I’ve got 30 minutes, max., to write and post this, and then it’s an hour in the gym before breakfast. If I can pull that off, we’re going to try to get to a lunchtime concert of very appealing chamber music and possibly a last look ’round the Giacometti exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery Amended Ten Minutes After Posting: Ha! Already abandoned the day’s list and abandoning that concert in favour of a more leisurely breakfast before the gym workout. And breathing. I remembered that breathing is good. But sometime today, we must sit down together with our Italian homework, and we can’t leave it until mid-afternoon.
As I take you through the day’s schedule here at Retired Nana Central, may I offer a parallel narrative– a very brief photo-essay that might be titled, What I Wore in September (subtitle: My, That Went Quickly). Note that in the first photo, taken at the beginning of September, my legs are still bare. The skirt is a cotton-linen blend (Uniqlo, bought in Bordeaux this past spring), and the top is a fine cotton lawn, printed. I bought it in Paris last summer (2018), so it’s come by its French tuck honestly. . .
Why? Because that’s when the Very-Nearly-Seven and the Four arrive, and there will be some serious cookie-making, followed by a not-so-serious dinner, and possibly even an uproarious (so, not serious at all) cookies-for-dessert session. . .
Middle of September, and it was cool enough for a light cashmere sweater (this mango colour is a big departure for me, and I’m not sure it “works,” but the owner of the Bordeaux boutique we popped into on my birthday last May — after weeks of unseasonably cool weather my packing hadn’t anticipated–assured me it did. Hmmmm. . . . I love its easy shape (wide body, dropped armholes, slitted sides) and tissue-weight lightness, though. Wore it here with a cashmere scarf in a colour I’m more sure of and with easy cotton cargo/joggers (Aritzia) — and (new) black sneakers for which my feet are grateful.
After they’ve been driven home to be put to bed by two almost-restored parents, I expect we’ll be ready for collapse in front of Netflix. We just finished the “France” iteration of Criminal — very good! reminded me a bit of the format for Gabriel Byrne’s In Treatment — so perhaps we’ll try the UK version.
And this past week, I’ve worn this outfit a few times, at least once with an umbrella! I bought the skirt on sale in February, and it’s perfect for this transitional weather. The sweater is new — I bought its navy sister at Eileen Fisher last fall, and wear it so often I thought I could do with another colour. I bought those metallic oxfords (MOMA) in Portland two years ago, and they’ve been re-soled and re-heeled once already, are almost ready to visit the cobbler again.
The clock is ticking, though, and I have about seven minutes left to add photos to this post and some text to explain them.
There. Done.
Whoops! Just checked the clock and I’ve considerably exceeded my allotted time here. Couldn’t resist uploading that little video of my skirt, swishing. . . .
And in case, my unhappy commenter of several posts ago wishes to make allusions to Charity Bin dressing again (you were so persistent last time — three attempts), I request your patience — and reject the insult’s power to embarrass. I haven’t time to address this issue more fully today, but I’m planning a post on the topic. It has to do with the environmental challenges we face at the moment, the ones that make a virtue out of the recycling you’re trying to shame. More shameful is the idea that we might dress to fortify class difference. We don’t much use the term “charity bin” here, actually, but the way you use it, unhappy commenter, strips the phenomenon of any claim to Caritas.
I don’t post photographs of myself in What I Wore as any kind of model for others. Since I first gathered up my courage and posted an “Outfit Photo,” I have risked sharing such images because I believe it’s important to broaden representation beyond the media’s emphasis on women of a certain body type, and age, and means, and style, for that matter. This is simply one older woman who enjoys expressing herself through clothes but doesn’t take her outfits terribly seriously. Who likes, occasionally when a friend comes over for tea, to say “Oh, here, let me show you the new sweater I got. I love how it looks with this old skirt. I’m going to try wearing it with those boots I used to wear all the time but haven’t got out of the closet lately.” ’cause most of my readers and commenters, are friendly like that. And also because human nature means that readers like to see the voice they’re reading.
Oh dear, and I said I hadn’t time to address the issue. I do have more words–and an anecdote or two from my thrift shop, rummage sale, hand-me-down upbringing. But I’ll save that for next week.
Meanwhile, may I wish all of you a Happy Friday, a Restful or Productive Weekend, and a savouring of those last days of September. Didn’t they swoosh by! Your comments welcome, as always.
xo,
f
I love that mango jumper! Such a vibrant but graceful tone. My sister in law was wearing a pashmina in that colour recently and it looked wonderful. You glow, girl!
"Charity Bin dressing" thrift shopping, buying vintage, consignment shopping, recycling garments like Eileen Fisher and Everlane are doing is very on trend right now! I look forward to your next post where you plan to discuss this in more depth.
Enjoy your weekend!
Breathing is always a very good option. We should all do that much more frequently! Looking forward to your Charity bin post. These last twelve months I haven't bought a single garment (with the exeption of a few pieces of underwear). Closet shopping and upcycling are much more fun.
I love that mango jumper on you! And I shops frequently and proudly in charity shops – good on you for calling out how ineffective on so many levels that is as an insult.
Oh, I do like that Blue Spruce sweater on you, and with the skirt! And the mango is a departure, but I love the brightness of it.
I look forward to reading your post on sustainability and recycled fashion!
I’m sorry the unhappy commenter caused you to reply in such a defensive manner. It wasn’t necessary, but you did it well.
Dawn
It makes me wonder what unhappiness someone has when they comment on someone else's personal style, it's not kind and I'm glad you're confidence is expressing your feelings without taking away from 'you'. I admire your style, the way you put items together, your incredibly beautiful sweaters you knit yourself and your abundant energy!! Your style suits you completely and it's lovely, you wear it well and with confidence! Each of us grow into our personal styles the same way that our life experiences shape us, we own them and it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks or says, that is the true definition of style in my mind. I dress for myself depending on my mood, everything from bohemian to tailored but it's my choice always and if I feel good in it, I know it's right. I love the saying I've seen around lately, 'you be you and I'll be me.' Works for me! 🙂
Your post and your skirt selection has reminded me that I have things called legs, and that autumn might be the time to have them appear. This has been such a cold summer that I've spent it in trousers, but you've given my ideas a jolt and I could be persuaded to get into a woollen dress with knee length boots and thick tights. (Having recently given away my only skirt – a bold navy and white Finnish design à la Marimekko – to my daughter!). The Bdx shop owner was quite right, as they always are. The French are not afraid of colour, and that mango is delicious.
One of the things I miss up here in the north is the charity shops of Edinburgh. SUCH great clothes. My daughter and her friends do regular trawls, as the fashion and eco-consicious generation that they are. The sad commenter is way out of date.
Love that new sweater. And the mango one. I always love how you do sweaters and skirts with scarves and Oxfords.
I like your both pullovers,this yellow one is such a merry colour indeed and we all need some lively pieces in our closets,for gloomy or "gloomy" days
I wouldn't care for the Unhappy Commenter,he or she must have been lost here,where we wear what we like,in line with our style and esthetic,we have similar or different opinions on this or the other but we respect and cherish our and other choices
I have a lot of things in my wardrobe,especially from years ago-now I buy less and less every year and enjoy making new combinations with old pieces
Dottoressa
Breathing is the absolute best.
I love the way you dress, because I think you offer a very authentic version of fashion over 60, and because you always look so intelligent, which you are, and because it's always fun without being Look At Me.
Which is to say I think you dress how you are, which I'm exceedingly fond of. More Caritas all around, say I. xox.
I admire your personal style and your courage in posting selfies. I purchased the EF raisin coloured pleated skirt last year because I saw it on your blog. It is fun to see what others of like age wear. My daughter has become a talented consignment and thrift shopper. Definitely not a slur in these times. The old adage"if you can't say something nice…" applies to blogs .
Thanks, Annie G. It's a departure, but good to try something new occasionally, right?
Lesley: Thanks! And happy packing 😉
Eleonore: And I'll bet you always look very smart despite (or because of?) the lack of shopping for new retail. Brava!
Tiffany: I haven't shopped thrift for ages, but I'm proud my daughter does — her kids see no stigma there at all. It's just fun!
Susan B: I'm afraid my post will disappoint re sustainability and recycling. I've been thinking about the shaming/poverty connotations which I think still run deep for many. . .
Dawn: Thanks for the support. I actually tried not to respond defensively, but I do feel offended by the implications of that particular insult. More to come 😉
Anna: You're so kind — and thanks for the insightful comments. I do think that type of comments must come from unhappiness. . .
Linda B: I only drooled at all the thrift-shop windows in Edinburgh. My carry-on-only kept me from too much temptation, but I couldn't help notice the abundance and quality. . . I wear skirts and dresses at least as often as pants, mostly because I find them more comfortable. And with a good pair of woolen tights, they can be just as warm. . .
Sue B: Thanks! So I have to keep at it with the mango, apparently. Quite a few thumbs-up between here and IG 😉
Lisa: I LOVE this comment. Thank you, my dear friend. xo
Madame: Isn't that skirt the best? Should we have a lunch date, both wearing them? We could make signs that say "We're Practising to Be Old Women Who Wear Purple" with apologies to Jenny Joseph 😉
The mango sweater is interesting; it reflects a different type of light on your face and hair, which perhaps you are becoming accustomed to? It seems quite bright and attractive to me and makes me wonder if I could revisit my personal "never wear" list.
A good thrift shopping run can be fun, keeps things out of the waste stream, at least for a while longer, and for me is usually in tandem with a donation drop off, so things stay in balance. Perhaps this is my privileged background – if one had painful memories of being shamed about poverty it would be less fun?
ceci
I think the mango colored sweater looks fab on you. I believe in color.