Fashion

[Shanus]

While getting ready for the big move in the spring, I've whittled down my clothes, bags, shoes, etc. 

So many items don't get worn waiting for an ocassion. Well, at 76 it's time to wear the "better stuff" even if staying home that day and enjoy them instead of of my jeans and a bit worn tops.

Of course, not silk or cashmere to paint, cook and clean on my off days, but I decided to toss/donate the more worn things and get some wear out of the chinos, more inexpensive sweaters and do an easy makeup each morning. 

How do you face each day? Separate wardrobes for days home and days with errands out of the house?

[cindyNC]

@Shanus Yes, even though I'm retired, I have separate items for the house and going out. 

My house stuff is yoga pants, joggers, old jeans plus my more shabby older shirts......stuff that I don't mind getting stained or dirty. 

I've been updating my my long sleeved, winter shirts this year as many are so old. My doctor put me on mounjaro and, in addition to my A1C being down, I've lost a bit of weight. Some of my favorite bottoms, even with elastic waist, are now too big. 

Because of the copious shedding from the BF's Siberian, I rarely wear my black items at home.  He's only allowed in specific vehicles. 

[Bonkers1]

Days at home are sweatpants and a tee shirt.  Days for running errands would be jeans and a better looking tee shirt.

[Shanus]

@cindyNC   My beagle sheds, too and I found that jeans don't collect dog hair like cotton pants...also bottoms that are cotton/poly blend are dog hair free. 

Congrats on any weight loss. With diabetes on both sides of my family, I've watched carbs most of life...long before I ever heard or was tested yearly for A1C. It's a chore sometimes, but well worth staying healthy. Good luck on your journey.

[We rescue cats]

Yes, I have my house clothes and my going out clothes-broken into shopping/lunch, dinner out . . .  And I need to go thru my house clothesm some of them need to a one way trip out the door.

[Biftu]

I've always enjoyed fashion and even in retirement I still do.  Sure I have my lazy PJ days, but wherever I go I wear my better stuff.  Why save them for an occasion that may never come.  Of course I'm not wearing sequins and stillotos.  You'll never see me out and about not at my best.  Ok for errands just a bit of makeup and a messy bun, but I'm never sloppily dressed.

i always think of the Erma Bombeck quote, "If I had my life to live over I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage."  Same applies to clothing.

[haddon9]

@Shanus What sort of place will you be moving to?  I have a friend who is your age and she had been living in a very nice over 55 community.  Her unit had bedrooms upstairs but she had selected an optional elevator in her home (carriage houses which are quads and connected to three other units) so she didn't have to walk up stairs.

However she and her DH decided to sell and move to a continuing care community in my area called Anne's Choice.  They are full apartments and depending on what you select, they can be very spacious with full kitchens and up to three bedrooms.  

I think she was afraid because her DH was having some heath problems and she worried about their future so they decided to move.  This community has independent, assisted and nursing facilities.

She just moved and raves about the place!  She never has to go outside if she doesn't need to since there are wings for the various apartments, dining options and some shops, etc. 

She loves the dining room and the food.  She also loves that they took everything down in the apartment and started with fresh new flooring, tiles, appliances, etc.  I was very surprised that they do that but you are paying for it!

I think if I lived in a place like that which is upscale and went to the dining room most days I would make the effort to dress a bit more nicely than if I were just slumming at home all day.

As for me, we still live in our home for over 30 years and don't plan on leaving anytine soon.  If it's a lazy day (like today where I'm mostly going to be cleaning) I'm wearing some older sweat pants and a long sleeved tee.  It's not so awful like my schmatta paint clothes so I could answer the door if I needed to or go outside a bit.

However if I go out shopping, or any other reason to leave the house I will usually wear my good jeans and a nicer top.

[Shanus]

@haddon9   We'll be taking a 3 bedroom downstairs apt. in the same town. DH wants to continue working for some really good clients (3rd bedroom) and I'd like to keep painting (2nd bedroom).

The over 55 communiies here are only two bedrooms and not ready yet for a retirement type situation since have full home health care insurance. 

Thanks for asking.

[Jk9]

I reached the same conclusion to start wearing and using the "better stuff" I have.  I often wear nice tops, pants and flats out (instead of athletic shoes).  I also do a simple make up when I go out.  Use my Shark styler to freshen my hairstyle and tame my cow lick.   It makes me feel like "me" when I clean up to go out.  I don't want to look sloppy.

[chrystaltree]

I did a major clean out of three big closets last spring.  I'm ashamed to say how many brand new, tAgs still on items I found.  And many that only been worn once or twice.  I lost 75 pounds in 2023 so things were much to big.  I donated them.  Tossed out things that were not wearable.  I'm retired and my life is exceedingly casual so I don't buy nearly as much clothing.  And I'm not buying jewelry or handbags.  I donated some big totes that I once used for work.   I prefer mid sized cross body by age now. While I dress casually, I do dress up every day.  I love my leggings, they make my legs look less chunky.   And I wear straight leg jeans.  It's cold in Massachusetts so my "uniform" is a chunky sweater, jeans or leggings, boots, talk or ankle; A statement coat. I'm wearing a DB faux fur now; And a statement handbag.   I always wear makeup and jewelry, even if I'm staying in all day.  Black leggings with a long sleeve white tee and thick white socks is my staying in "uniform".  I love that dressing isn't the chore that it once was.  I'm spending much less now and that really feels good.  When I see something I like I ask myself "do you really need that?". Invariably the answer is....no.