The Long and the Short of It

My trousers are a bit high-waisted and long-legged, my sweater set is a bit abbreviated. The cardigan is fine, but I think it is time to retire that tank. The pants are lined, but the tweedy waistband is a little itchy - and a little snug this year. Not a very comfortable outfit despite looking nice. Never mind that it was also apparently photographed in a carnival fun house.

The earth is tilted on its axis!

When I left the house, I put on my brown denim jacket and my (hurriedly tied) skull scarf.

Remember when we were small and were given pictures of fall scenes and told to "find the Indians" hiding in the picture? It was the "Where's Waldo" of its day. Can you find both cats in the scene above?

The jacket sleeves are three quarter length, so I decorated my wrists:

In other news, I have met one of my wardrobe goals, yay! At Macy's, I found a Buffalo by David Bitton olive green, zip front, hooded (removable!) jacket. I wore it on a walk to the grocery store, the tags tucked up into my sleeve, and loved it.  Here it is without the faux fur trimmed hood. My hands slide sideways into the pockets and they are roomy enough for gloves. Its a keeper.

 
 
 

Skirts and Such

When I was in sixth grade (1972), our dress code changed, and we were suddenly allowed to wear pants to school. My friend Lydia remembers this vividly also, and suggests it was not only because people were starting to clamor for the change, but because skirts were getting so short that the administration thought pants would be a relief. I remember many Ohio winters, waiting for the school bus wearing snow pants, or later, leg warmers, that I had to peel off and stuff in my locker when I arrived. I also still remember the dreamy outfit I wore on the first day of seventh grade: burgundy moleskin flares and a burgundy and gold paisley poet top with a leather lace-up neckline (both from Paul Harris, if that rings a bell). We spent hours picking out that first day of school outfit.

I had several babydoll dresses.

After that pivotal year I didn't wear a skirt or dress again for literally decades, unless someone forced me - weddings, maybe - and then it was complete torture because I had no idea how to pick out a dress and make it look decent on me. And how I HATED pantyhose. In the late 80s I had a job that required a skirt (this seems medieval now), and I bought ONE navy skirt and wore it every day. It was a uniform. Every other moment, I wore pants.

So it is with some surprise that I realize how much I like skirts and dresses now. I think they're more flattering to my figure. Pants hide my best bits, calves and ankles, but of course I didn't think those were my best bits in 1988. Anyway, let's see some skirts, shall we?

I have loved this Boden skirt for years, and of course was thrilled to wear my Born boots again, but the rest . . . eh.

Another Best Beloved skirt, the Michael Kors linen, and a Talbot's emerald green cardigan. I have half a dozen ivory tops, but I always end up wearing the Kohl's tank that my sister-in-law gave me, as it is opaque and slinky. 

I have new-to-me shoes on; Miz Mooz flats via eBay. They're very simple, with a super cute big button over the toes. They were a bit tight in the same area, but a little shoe stretching spray fixed that problem.

Fifteen bucks!

Pink and Brown Monday

If I weren't pathologically opposed to repeating a look over and over, this is what I would wear every day:

A stretchy, knee-length dress (Kohl's Apt. 9 via eBay), a three quarter sleeve cardigan (Talbot's), a waist enhancing belt (Ralph Lauren) and low-heeled boots (Markon). Comfortable, flattering, easy. This particular dress even comes with its own jewelry!