Assessing an over 70 wardrobe
Happy Thursday! Join me in assessing an over 70 wardrobe!
I know I have already shared with you some of my thoughts of an over 70 wardrobe in the new life ahead in a smaller town.
At first, I saw my that new life as a very casual one, with my goal to speak my style adjectives of creative, polished, approachable, joyful, and current.
Meaning, I would continue to wear more of a casual chic style than a very relaxed casual style.
I see myself dressed in ways similar to what I am wearing in this picture with what I wore last weekend to dinner with our in laws.
I am really enjoying the Chico’s TRAVELERS PAISLEY CHIFFON LAYER TOP. (ON SALE)
The sleeves are very elegant, and I like the way that the travelers tank is sewed into the garment underneath.
I have worn it out to dinner and lunch several times now.
But, my over 70 wardrobe may need a little tweak that I had not planned on.
Stick with me……..
ASSESSING MY OVER 70 WARDROBE: A NEW TWIST
My son’s father-in-law gave this to me at that dinner and told me to let it be my motto going into a new place.
And I chimed in…YES! I love it.
I know some of you are not on board with Team Overdressed, but I am totally in and love the image…she is quite chic, isn’t she?
Seriously, I am always on board with TEAM CONFIDENCE, and when I dress with my style adjectives, I am confident.
Now, I am so glad that I have kept my EILEEN FISHER WASHABLE CREPE PANTS, after I left the professional office building world.
I have these pants in seven colors…yes, they are that good and even now, still look that good. The brown on the EF site is called Cassis.
My SIL’s law firm is growing, and I may be needed in the office occasionally.
That is why my over 70 wardrobe needs to reflect some professional office wear.
Dillard’s has these EF WASHABLE CREPE PANTS in brown (color is called Wren)…I know several of you are looking for more brown.
I prefer wearing pants to dresses and skirts and have more pants in my over 70 wardrobe.
I also want to add that these pants travel really well…comfy and always look nice.
Back to a work over 70 wardrobe.
Fortunately, I own several blazers and pieces like the Chico’s Sweater Blazer in Faux Camel Heather that I can wear with them to the office.
I will style this garment for you soon…I love it and even love the small shoulder pad, which gives it a more polished look.
They need to know that Team OverDressed will be in town at the end of the month.
Of course, I will be assessing the community going forward and what is worn in different situations.
However, I believe in a law office (and the office is lovely) I need to be more polished when greeting people.
ASSESSING MY OVER 70 WARDROBE: MY CREATIVE STYLE ADJECTIVE
Though I may be more polished if I work in the office, I can never turn off the creative/dramatic side of me.
The grandchildren found this moth on our front porch last weekend …and we all were quite taken with it.
Of course, my thoughts were…I would love a garment in a print like that…so beautiful.
Shortly after, I saw this ruana on the Chico’s website.
Not the same, but similar. I love how nature so often inspires.
This is the EMBELLISHED PAISLEY SWEATER RUANA…and with a brown sweater underneath, it just might work for my color palette.
Still thinking about it, but the paisley print has more curves than the geometric print of the moth!
The creative side of fashion is what I enjoy the most.
I may be taking more clothing with me than I will wear, but I want to be over prepared and then see where I will be helping the most.
Whether helping with my grandsons, or attending church, or working in the office, I still want to look my very best every day.
Thanks for joining me as I am into assessing an over 70 wardrobe…with an active life still, it does require some thought….
Ask any questions you may have and I plan to see you tomorrow….until then….
STAY STRONG & KEEP SMILING!!
By Pamela Lutrell
For all your shopping, please use the links on my SHOPPING PAGE…thank you, thank you to all who shop this way. These provisions are very much needed now more than ever.
Yes! Continue to do you!
We live in a small town, 35 miles from Seattle in an active 55+ community. I do me and some would consider me over dressed. I don’t care. I love the clothes I have, some from my teaching career. I am continuing to wear my blazers and tweed jackets with jeans , a couple of midi skirts with simple sweaters and tailored shirts, and linen dresses in summer. The result-people are always asking me for fashion advice.
Love your comment, Kathy! Thanks for sharing…you deserve my overdressed plaque as well!
Absolutely love this and yalls ideas. Same here small town very casual dressers.
I don’t care I want to look my best and current. Soo fun to put outfits together ❤️ in creative ways, it can inspire others and then they can feel good about themselves.
I fully agree. I was told years ago by a wise person, “If in doubt, overdress a little.” It always works best. You are going to have a marvelous life in your new town.
Oh Pam that photo of you and Mr B is so great…really do frame it! And you looked radiant in that outfit! What sandals are you wearing? I’m in love with them. Enjoy the anticipation of your new adventure and many times things are better than you thought!
Sandra Winfield
I completely agree, Debra. It a part of helping me look forward to each day!
You and the Mr look great here! So relaxed and happy! Love this picture!
If it were me- id keep handy my third pieces- blazers, ruanas or long cardigans to wear over a columnof color for my few days in the office. Would that work?
Thank you, Marcia…I am looking forward to it.
I am wearing a pair of Fit Flops that I have owned for awhile, Sandra. I originally purchased them at DSW, and I do have a DSW link on my shopping links page.
Yes! That would work and what I will probably be wearing…with a few fun accessories. Thanks Paulette.
Team over dressed here, even though I live in a beach town full time now. Like Kathy, I am a former teacher. I miss dressing up daily, so I have tweaked it, of course, to my environment. But…rare is the day that I don’t give thought to my outfits and accessories. Dressing down for me is coordinated loungewear during snowstorms. I do have a set of scrubby clothes for gardening and painting, but now that I think of it, they are olive and rust. As you may guess, I am an 🍁and a Virgo. We have traits! I love that photo! How thoughtful and observant is he!
While I’m not on team overdressed, I also am -not- a fan of team sloppy. I agree it’s smart to evaluate your new life after you are there and see what you want and need. As you add, though, you might want to favor more casual styles, just to create the balance I think you will need. It will be interesting to see posts going forward on how you dress for your new life. More and more, I focus on accessories for variety and interest, and that’s a formula that works anywhere. I do wonder if you will see more overt western wear in your new town. I really like a western vibe (limited, so it doesn’t look consume-y in Ohio) to bridge that gap between casual and styled.
Yes to cozy pjs during snowstorms…and sometimes cold rainy days. Thanks for sharing your beach town attire, Deborah.
I laughed when I saw that western was trending, Linda. Many Texans wear those styles ALL of the time. Jeans, and silver and turquoise jewelry, and boots are in most Texan wardrobes. I am not really a western wear girl…though I do love my jeans. We will see if returning to West Texas changes that.
Loved the picture of you and Mr. B.
I am more on team overdressed as I always feel more comfortable a little dressed up! I generally wear jeans but pair with a nice top. I’ve recently found peasant style woven tops comfortable but stylish too. Actually today my five year old granddaughter complimented me on my top for the first time! Definitely made my day.
I know I have shared before that I make a point to dress in such a way that I will always feel appropriate to my role here in my small town, be that former teacher, piano teacher, or, most notably, wife to my retired physician-husband. After 20 years in this community, I run into people ALL THE TIME. So glad that from the outset, I kept up my Portland/big city look. Though my style has evolved over the years, it has always trended Classic so I hit the mark. Mostly that means wearing a layering piece, sometimes a scarf, and usually a nice handbag and coordinating shoes. Feet troubles in recent years have made the latter my biggest challenge.
I am excited and happy for you with this new avenue opening up, even if it is only sometimes. That actually makes it ideal in my mind.
I am sorry Pam that I am not able to comment often, but I look forward to reading your posts daily when free time becomes available, and I appreciate the time and effort you put in the content you share in your blog. Your words today reminded me of something I read long ago written by Dr. Denis Waitley (I believe in his book the “Seeds of Greatness”), which I have tried to follow for more than 50 years—“better to be overdressed than undressed wherever you go” or something to this effect. His rationale was that this shows that you respect yourself as well as those you will be interacting with. Additionally, this gives a good example to others, particularly the younger generation. I am definitely in overdressed team. I hope you take ALL of your beautiful and well-curated clothes to your new town. You never know the lives you will be impacting.
I love it when my grandchildren complement me! They are tough critics. Thanks for sharing Susie.
I agree, Connie. I also want to look my best from the minute I arrive, because every person is a new person (except my family)…I want to be approachable and make a good impression from day one.
Thank you for the encouragement, Elisa. So happy to have you join in the conversation. I do believe dressing our best shows respect for us and others…and I am going to be with three young boys in many of the places I go as well as my daughter.
I will have all of that in mind. Really like the quote you shared.
Wonderful picture of you and Mr. B.! I agree, frame it! Our last formal portraits were at ages 50 and 53. This month my Mr. B. Will be 83, where did the time go… Our western mountain town is a mix of very cowboy and very jeans, tees and flannel plaid shirts. I still have my boots I wore riding but they look like barn boots not stylish. I live in sneakers, jeans and tees with a chambray or flannel shirt over the top. My clothes fit well and are not sloppy. They are casual like our retired lifestyle. Because I have limited mobility and a chronic pain syndrome, I am more sedentary than I would like. Pamela, we were so active and now we have to live our lives in a happy quiet new way. You never know what life will hand you.
What a wonderful photo of you and Mr. B! I will probably always be on Team Overdressed; in fact, some of my more sloppily dressed friends have nominated me for team captain-LOL. I always remember the saying “You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.” It will be fun to see how your wardrobe choices evolve once you get settled in Abilene. I still need a few pieces of work-appropriate clothing for representing my church in meetings with our prospective brides and their families. Those are my favorite items to buy, even though I don’t wear them often. Walking into a meeting knowing that I look my best does wonders for my confidence! Aren’t grandkid compliments the best? My oldest (and namesake) told me Tuesday that I “look really young for an old person.”
I agree it is better to be overdressed. When I am observing what others are wearing, I am usually drawn to those who look put together & polished even if their style is different from mine. I think the reason that I enjoy dressing for cooler weather more than hot weather is that it is much easier for me to feel put together. In summer, I feel a bit blah especially the longer it lingers, but that is just me. I’m sure you will look great whatever your day calls for.
Team overdressed! Many of my pals ask. Why do you look so nice? Are you going somewhere special? Yes I’m living life. That’s special everyday. I’m not going to say I’m too dressed up but why not try to look my best everyday? I enjoy looking put together and having a little fun and twist with what I’m wearing. It makes me feel good. I’ll be 70 in a month. I always want to feel like I’m appropriately dressed. Sometimes I don’t feel like it but getting put together and leaving the house usually perks me up and makes me feel a bit more confident when I’m out and about.
That is true, Sydney! Why I love to live life one day at a time!
LOL! I bet the way you dress does instill confidence in the brides and their families. For me, exploring this new chapter will be fun.
You are sweet, Becky! I am already formulating those first outfits in my head! Wish I knew what the weather will be.
I love your answer, Kathleen…here’s to dressing up for life!
Though I was ‘a stay at home Mom’ when raising our children, prior to that the jobs I did have were dealing with the public and in an era there was a dress code and it is something I practised regardless and still do. So I guess to a degree I am in the ‘over dressed’ camp; as I have had family members, a few friends and even their teenage children back then ask my advice as to what to wear, with the former two still do on occasion (not to mention while shopping I’ve had strangers ask me for my opinion) all of which I take as a compliment.
To conclude; do love the photo of you and Mr. B. and extending best wishes to the both of you in this new chapter of your life. -Brenda-
Thank you, Brenda. Just based on your regular comments on the blog, I would ask you for advice!
Absolutely do not reduce your current wardrobe that you enjoy. You might be surprised how well dressed those in a small town can get. When I retire and moved to Texas I was thinking jeans and tshirts. Boys was I wrong. Had to replace a lot because I got rid of dressy casual only to find how dressy Texas can get.
Pam, the ruana you have in the lead photo looks so terrific on you! What a good choice you made.
Thank you, Barbara!