Rounding Up

First of all, I discovered the amusing Tumblr Librarian Shame, courtesy of The Swiss Army Librarian, and this is what I posted:

 

It was the same day I wore my new-via-Ebay Vince Camuto blouse and my less new Halogen blue knit skirt. I even wore my blue glasses. All that blue was very soothing.

The next day I wore another favorite, my black Talbot's surplice top, with a pleated silk skirt and my black and white Everybody peep toes.

Heather's favorite outfit ever.

On a Rotary Thursday, I wore this Jones New York cardigan and a Talbot's eyelet skirt and my Aquatalia gold pumps. It was a little too eye-catching for a visiting Rotarian and I felt like swatting him away. Shoo fly.
 

And the last outfit I bothered to photograph included a Boden skirt, a pale grey top, my pink cotton cardigan and grey boots.

This outfit could definitely be improved. I'd like a classier pink cardigan (maybe) and definitely a purple pullover top that is heavy enough to wear on its own. I have a pretty purple silk blouse, but it doesn't look right with this skirt. It wasn't quite cool enough to wear my gray cashmere sweater.

It is decidedly fall now, and I've been busting out the boots (yay!) and eyeballing my jackets and trousers. I started writing down everything I wanted at the moment I wanted it, which is usually when I'm picking out an outfit. It makes for an interesting list so far, and hopefully I'll post it next week with some comments.

This weekend I am celebrating Heidi's birthday by seeing Cyrano starring the demon mayor of Sunnydale, Harry Groener. I'm very excited. Mr. Groener got rave reviews in the role, and is of course known for things other than turning into a giant snake and eating the high school principal.

Chocolate, Pink Frosting

I'm referring to the combination of pink and brown, which always makes me think of a chocolate cupcake with pink buttercream frosting.

Kohl's dress with beaded neckline, cotton sweater from Target, Ralph Lauren double leather belt. Last time I wore it in almost exactly the same way, but with a brown cardigan.

Built in jewelry!

I am defiantly wearing my Kenneth Cole boots in the face of 80 degree weather. It is 65 degrees in the morning when I leave the house! I'm hoping to get a cashmere version of this pink sweater for winter wear from Garnet Hill, if my so-called budget allows and the right size is still available. 

 I would have bought it in this Nile blue color were it available. So pretty!

Pink and Black

Hello again! I've been off having fun in the city, at the movies, and shopping. Occasionally at the same time! My city buddy is also an excellent shopping buddy: "You must buy that right now." You'll be seeing what she was referring to very soon, my friends.

Friday I wore a skirt and t-shirt and flats to walk all over Chicago on a hot day. By the time I came home my feet had mutinied." Get some supportive sandals OR ELSE!" Now, supportive sandals is not my favorite phrase. When I see that stylish 70-year-old woman at Nordstrom, that's what she's wearing. I don't want to pay that much for ugly shoes.

But I didn't want to be abandoned on a desert island like William Bligh by my feet, either, so I went to William's in Evanston on Sunday and tried on every pair of supportive sandals that I could stand. I bought these:

Clarks Un. Port (the dot is silent).

They are a nice pewter color and not TOO orthopedic looking. I guess. I wore them back into the city on Monday for a couple of miles of NeoCon, and they passed that audition. Moderate arch support, no rubbing anywhere, very light and pretty good cushioning. Now there's some faint praise.

It makes me think about the influence of aging on what I wear. I've mentioned my middle-aged feet, and I'm inclined this summer to cover my upper arms, both to conceal my many speckles and protect them from more sun damage. I saw a woman in the library that was 25 years older than me, and her outfit was only a slight variation of what I might wear. Her white pants were double-knit, not jeans, her cardigan might have been Jones New York, and her sandals were way too close to mine for comfort, frankly.

So how can I dress to accommodate my aging joints and changing perspective on covering up, without turning myself into a pensioner 20 years too soon? It feels like I got over thinking I'm fat in every picture to worrying that I look like Grandma.

This is what I wore above the shoes.

That's an Athleta skirt, a Boden tank, and a random eBay cardigan (I liked the color). I'm wearing pink and sparkly jewelry:

I have a couple of thoughts on young vs. old:

1. it isn't about age. The choice is stylish vs. frumpy.
2. Denim instead of polyester. Short(ish) skirts instead of pants or midi skirts.
3. Very expensive shoes don't look as orthopedic.
4. Stop shopping at Macy's.
5. Dear Lord, don't ever stop coloring your hair again.
6. Pack away the shawls. The combination of 5 and 6 was particularly deadly.

As always, other voices have said this earlier and better:

Angie at You Look Fab: Identifying the Frump Factor 

Sally McGraw of Already Pretty: Five Ways to Avoid Frump

In the end, it's like feeling fat; there's always someone out there who will make you feel thin and someone who makes you feel fat. Concentrate on the former. And keep the judging in your head if possible, though that's another blog post, because I am the most judgmental person in the world out on the street.