What Should I Wear? To A Book Club Gathering

Over 50 Feeling 40 in Soft Surroundings Topper

Welcome to the second post in my new feature, What Should I Wear?  Today, I am offering style tips for what to wear to your book club gatherings or an in home Bible Study, or any group discussion.  Here are a few things to consider:

  1.  It is worth it to take time to look your best for casual gatherings because you want to feel confident and bold to speak out.  Many women shrink back in group discussions because they think less of themselves.  A confident style does empower you and give that little boost of courage to share your thoughts and opinions.  They are important and worthy to be heard.  That is the value of this type of gathering…to hear what everyone thinks.
  2. I try to put something on that will not wrinkle and rumple when I sit for awhile.  In most of these gatherings, you will sit along time to talk and then get up for refreshments.  When you stand, you do not want to stand covered in wrinkles…so the choice of garment should take that into consideration.
  3. I think comfort is key.  When we are relaxed and not feeling constrained by a garment, then we can sit back and thoroughly enjoy the event.

Over 50 Feeling 40 in Soft Surroundings Jeans

Now, a word about what I choose to wear to my next casual gathering.  Let’s start with the jeans.  This is a new line of denim at Soft Surroundings and it is great.  These are the black Ultimate High Rise Slim Jeans and they are super flexible and comfortable.  They feature special front pocket bags that create a smooth, flattening appearance and comfortable fit.  Love these jeans and so glad they are now in the collection.  You can find them in my slide show below.

The topper from Soft Surroundings is the gorgeous Painterly Butterfly Wrap that I can wear all year long.  It is so beautiful and I can put a knit top, heavier sweater, or a tank underneath it depending on the weather.  It is currently on sale and I have it below along with some of their new toppers which recently came out.  It is perfect when you want that special touch for a casual event. 

Pamela Lutrell promotes book clubs

I want to take this opportunity to promote Barnes & Nobel book clubs.  I think it is great that they have begun to have regular book club meetings at their locations.  If I had the time, I would so be there. 

Often we want to be in a book club and do not know how to find one.  Here is your opportunity to meet with others and discuss great reads.  I also like that it supports the bookstore…which I hope will never go away.  One of my favorite places to linger and gather my thoughts and learn new things.  

Pamela Lutrell discusses book clubs

What am I currently reading?  I have two books by my side at the moment…Home Work: A Memoir of My Hollywood Years, by Julie Andrews with Emma Walton Hamilton (I have always been a fan); and a holiday fiction, Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory.  I love reading and books and books are my favorite gifts to give to my grandchildren.  Both books I am reading are in the slideshow below.

Please share what book or books you are currently enjoying and if you attend book club, what do you find yourself wearing most often.  If you missed our first What Should I Wear? You can find it HERE and it was about in home dinner parties.  I hope the slideshow will inspire you and there are some gift ideas in the show…as promised!

KEEP SMILING, EVERYONE!

 

Disclaimer:  I was gifted items for this post, but the words are my own.

20 Comments

  1. I love books! I read a lot, usually around 3 books a week. I am in 2 book clubs. I enjoy hearing how other people felt about the book, and sometimes I am really surprised. It makes me really rethink the book.

  2. I am reading something every single day! I’m getting into “Holiday” mode, so I’ll be looking at my “favorites shelf” at home and selecting some old friends to re-visit this Christmas! No book clubs that I know of around my small town, but I recently participated in a Bible study at my daughter’s church….”Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible” by Liz Curtis Higgs. (Loved it!) At 61, I was the oldest (way oldest) in their group, but they were so sweet. Looking around at those fresh, 20-30 something faces I thought, “My goodness, it seems like yesterday that I was THEM!” Some were stylishly dressed with makeup, hair, the whole shebang…some were simply dressed but still stylish, more subdued makeup&hair…And some were frazzled with leggings, t-shirt and no makeup. Your statement was so true…the last ones were the most hesitant, not speaking up.. You could tell they weren’t feeling their most confident. One of those sweet girls even said – “Gosh, I feel like I shouldn’t be here! Those girls over there look like models!” And I thought – Sweetie, you shouldn’t say things like that about yourself! It made me feel bad that she felt so self conscious at a Bible study! So I understand perfectly what you are talking about! Being stylish AND comfortable is the key to being confident! Loving this new feature!

  3. I recently attended a chamber music concert, in a church, in my small midwestern city. I enjoyed the chance to dress up a bit. I was aghast to see most of the audience dressed so casually, shorts and flip flops even! Showed disrespect to the musicians, IMO.

    Our local public library has multiple book clubs. Lots of different clubs, classes and resources, actually.

  4. I agree Lily…it is a form of showing disrespect. But I hurt for women who give up on themselves…I have been there…done that… and now know the joy of respecting Pam. Thank you for sharing about public libraries!! I think most do have book clubs.

  5. I love books and cannot imagine a day without reading, even if only a chapter. For anyone who loves cats, I recently read Homer’s Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat and followed it up with Loves Saves the Day, both by by Gwen Cooper. Both are moving, heart-warming and entertaining stories with a cat’s perspective of the world.

  6. I attend a monthly luncheon group of former neighbor ladies, and we chat about books we’re enjoying, recent trips and of course our families. Everyone makes an extra effort to dress nicely, which heightens the feel of the event each time whether we’ve chosen a diner or an elegant venue. I like to wear simple slacks and a pretty blouse with a sweater or soft jacket and almost always a gorgeous scarf.
    I just finished reading “Carnegie’s Maid” and “A Well Behaved Woman” and I’m now in the middle of “Empty Mansions.” I like to group my reading thematically and really immerse myself in a time period.

  7. Love your idea, Connie of immersing yourself in a time period. I may try this for a new goal in 2020! Thanks for sharing!

  8. I love to read and try to set aside time for it daily. I’ll be checking some books mentioned in the comments for possibilities! I have not joined any book clubs, but there are options in my area if I decide to do that at some point. It sounds ridiculous since I’m mostly retired, but I am not able to fit in one more thing currently. I like your outfit a lot. Those are great jeans at a good price point. I’ve had good luck with their pants. Gorgeous wrap too! I attend a weekly Bible study at church and do dress nicely. There are only 7 of us in the class I’m in and ages are from 20’s to 70’s. You see everything from distressed jeans to skirts. In a small group it’s important that everyone contributes, and feeling confident does help.

  9. Currently reading Jan Karon’s latest book in Mitford series. Just finished The Hole in Our Holiness by Kevin de Young. Try to read non-fiction then fiction in sequence…note the ‘try’. Your butterfly wrap is beautiful. It looks so good on you.

  10. I’m a retired librarian and I’ve run many a book club! Right now my group here in SoCal will be discussing Finding Dorothy by Letts. It’s the story of L. Frank Baum’s widow, Maud, and her efforts to make sure the movie makers stayed true to her husbands vision. I enjoyed the story because there’s quite a bit of depth to it as well as the portrayal of Judy Garland parallels the movie Judy. Love your top! I am hosting our next book club meeting so I’ll be wearing one of my easy entertaining outfits of slacks, an oversized top and velvet ballet slippers.

  11. Hi Pam,

    Oh I love this post! Comfort is a must for me and if I’m wearing something that fits poorly, I’m not going to enjoy the outing or event.

    I recently visited our local Soft Surroundings and it was a wonderful experience. I was treated with the best customer service around and didn’t feel pressured to purchase anything … although I did buy denim leggings, jeans and a lovely white blouse. I will definitely shop there again.

    I am an avid reader (since grade school) and I especially like British authors … Marcia Willet (who I just discovered) and Joanna Trollope (long time follower) are two who come to mind.

  12. So glad you enjoyed this, Beth! Soft Surroundings stores always make for a special shopping experience.

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