@1214mom – I love old summer clothing and the lack of spandex seems to make old clothing last longer. I have skirts and shift dresses from 20+ years ago and still rotate them through. Washable garments seem to last forever.
In an ideal world, I would wear a cotton shift dress every day of the summer but they are difficult to find. Flip flops or Capri sandals.
Evening summer uniform is white jeans & a ‘dressy’ tank top, say something in a solid color but patterned fabric. A patterned blazer on top for evenings on the water or inside A/C. Capri sandals or some sort of platform wedge, but only if I do not need to walk any distance.
Winter uniform: jeans/cords/pants with button down & blazer or white long-sleeved tee and cashmere cardigan. Loafers without socks until the snow accumulates, and even then, I try to avoid boots for as long as possible.
@oldfort – are the prices of Italian shoes less than they would be at home? Tod’s are the only loafers that fit my very wide toe box, but their prices keep creeping up, even at the outlets.
Weather appropriate denim shorts, capris, ankle pants or jeans with a thin tee in summer or a thin turtleneck in winter and a weather appropriate cardigan, full zip polar fleece or lightweight full zip tee shirt material topper. I seem to only wear solids.
In the evening I wear Lucy capris or yoga pants with a Lucy long sleeve workout tee or if I want something baggier then a Lucy final rep long sleeve top. ( I just love the way these items wear and wash up)
My eyes are always drawn to bold prints. The thought of a closet full of solids sort of stresses me out! But I do like solids too, and admit I look better with solid tops- I think they are more flattering next to my mature (wrinkled) face. But, oh, the prints! I’m enjoying my long print skirts this summer.
My self-imposed, default, ultra-boring work “uniform”:
wool khaki trousers and a black scoop neck Tshirt + black cardigan. I must have a dozen black Tshirts & black cardigans in my closet, in all shapes, fiber blends, styles.
My “uniform” is so darn boring that I just lately started wearing a dress a week. Whenever I wear a dress, I get startled comments at both home & work.
I didn’t buy any name brand shoes while in Italy. I bought their local brands, therefore their styles are a bit different. Dollar was very strong (still is) when I was there, so many shoes were almost 50% of US prices, especially after VAT.
In the winter, leggings and a long tunic. I have one turtleneck tunic in multiple colors.
For the summer, I have some sundresses that are made of tshirt type material. Really comfortable. Also have capris and tshirts, and flat sandals, or memory foam sandals , flipflops or sketcher walking shoes.
^ similar to GMT, my H was startled to see me in a dress and asked if I was going somewhere special! Um, no, just work. So now I’m wearing a dress or skirt every day till they’ve each had a turn. I think I have another two weeks of outfits before I’ve worn all my summer dresses/skirts.
Yeah, I got chastised about all the “retail therapy” acquisitions in my closet w the price tags still hanging on them. Spouse said I had to wear them before I get more therapy.
I’m always on the hunt for a great casual dress, not sundress and not work dress. I get to try out the newest one tonight at a dinner fundraising event. It was a pop up on facebook to nordstroms so I just bought it. So I suppose I’m the answer to …why are ads always popping up on me? Because people like eyemamom fall for it and buy stuff.
^ We have a running joke- H says, “I haven’t seen that before- is it new?” I say, “no! I’ve worn this before- I got it a couple years ago! You must not have seen me wear it!” Or “I got this on clearance last year!” Even when it’s true, I don’t think he believes me- and it’s often true!
I have been thinking about this thread. I feel like I actively resist a “uniform” look when I shop. Perhaps that’s why my closet is crowded and I can’t always decide what type of outfit to wear.
Depending on the day, I will wear (for work) slim cropped pants, a silky blouse and nice jewelry OR skinny jeans, and long top with lace overlay and funky jewelry. I love looking at Talbot’s/J Crew and LuckyBrand.
Then I get paralyzed by wondering if I can wear certain things at my 50ish age!
Staples for summer: white jeans, solid tops or print top with light cardigan.
Stapes for winter: Jeans or dress pants and boots, sweater/blouse and scarf. I love scarves!
While dressing this AM I thought of this thread as I contemplated my excess number of green clothes, including olive shorts and green Ts in various hues. Green works as a sort of neutral with black or white. But too much leads to lack of ability to dress in the morning. I wear scrubs to work, otherwise buy what is on sale, mix in a lot of black tops and bottoms. Jeans in winter with down vests, and sleeveless Ts in summer. Lots of Eddie Bauer. T shirts and long sweaters if I go out. I have a few summer dresses, which I really enjoy with leggings.