Workday Wardrobe: Oct. 16-18
Another short week! Monday was a holiday and Tuesday I couldn’t stop coughing, so stayed home one more day.
Wednesday
Loft green top, size 26/28 | Old Navy palomino longline cardigan, size 2x | Charlotte Russe Refuge skinny jeans, size 22 short | Aldo cognac espadrilles
This has been a favorite outfit of mine since spring and showed it once before on the blog here. It was coolish with the threat of rain, so I needed a sweater, but I also knew I was having blood taken at Sloan Kettering in the afternoon, so needed to be able to free up my arms. I have challenging veins and they usually try several spots up and down my arms so it’s best if I’m in short sleeves (which the green top is). Sorry for the crappy photo but it was pouring when I got home, so…indoors was the only option.
Thursday
I also love this outfit, though it’s looking particularly rumpled here! I was in Loft taking a quick stab at finding a dress for Saturday’s wedding, but nothing really thrilled me, so I’m winging it with something I already have. I’ve had this striped Avenue top for many years, and I always liked it but I knew I would really like it with something over it. But it was years of searching before I found this camel cardi, which, while not an exact match with the top’s camel stripes, works for me. And I really love the combo over white jeans.
My fall-hued outfits have got me really wanting some gold jewelry! Please don’t tell me that jewelry is also made irresponsibly…gold anyway. Let me have one thing to dream of and hunt for!
Friday
And I’m finishing up with my least favorite outfit of the week. These are my least favorite jeans, they’re just too long and “Mom Jean” ish. I know I could get them shortened (did you guys read Jodi’s blog post today about clothing alterations? It’s definitely worth a read) but.
ANYWHO, we had a lot of rain this week and I had two camera club sessions scheduled for today so I wanted to wear something I didn’t care about getting muddy. I’ve had the sweater two years. I like the stripes, the loose fit and the fact that the open weave of the knit makes it not too hot…but I think the wide neck opening and too-long sleeves make it look like a poor fit and a little schlubby. It’s one of those items that got to stay just because it fit, when so little else did. It’s not going anywhere, it’s good to have one or two outfits that are good enough to be worn in public, but not so good that you wouldn’t wear them to a paint night or to the garden center, for fear of ruining them. You know?
As always, thanks for reading…and commenting…and for being part of our little community!
Cheryl
All your outfits look great and I really like the jeans you’re wearing in the first photo.
I just read your last post and it was fantastic. I am trying hard to do my bit and be mindful of where my clothing is made and wearing the clothes I have already until they are worn out. I think everyone can play their part in sustainable fashion by reducing waste and supporting ethical clothing manufacturers.
Cheers,
Cheryl
bettyewp
Thanks, Cheryl. I do think everyone – consumers and producers alike – can do at least a little bit towards improving the situation. And they always say (they?) if EVERYONE does a LITTLE, it can make an impact.
Shirley Horst
I like the Thursday outfit! And in the words of Stacy London,”it doesn’t have to match, it just has to go with it.” So I think the camel cardi goes well with the striped top! Sorry I watched What Not To Wear and I will never forget that quote she made. It made me look at things a little differently ever since. I was always trying to be the matchy matchy person. So you go girl friend!!!
bettyewp
Oh, how I miss Stacey and Clinton! No other makeover show has ever come close to what they did. Is there even anything on like that anymore??
Ruth Josey
It’s so sad that things we’ve loved so much for so long are irresponsibly sourced and cruelly-manufactured. I think if we try to follow all of the guidelines, we’ll definitely end up with pared-down wardrobes (and that is why my closet is crammed full and I have trouble getting rid of things – just doing my part and making sure I have lots of things to shop in my own closet in the future). I really like all of those looks on you and your hair looks so cute! I think maybe the jeans in the last photo would be better with the bottoms rolled up a bit and worn with mules or sandals – make them look a bit more trendy since it’s OK to have them a bit baggy. Maybe with the sweater (and it looks so comfy and I didn’t even notice the sleeves until you pointed it out), you could cuff them or “tighten” them a bit (either taking in the seam a little bit just in the cuff – thanks Jodie! or by “weaving” a piece of black yarn or elastic around the inside to tighten them up just a bit? Is that floral thing hanging next to you in the middle picture a robe? It’s gorgeous!
Ruth
VogueFauxReal
bettyewp
Good for you, Ruth, for preparing for the clothing apocalypse 🙂 by making sure you have lots of things to shop your own closet in the future!!! Ha!
“I think maybe the jeans in the last photo would be better with the bottoms rolled up a bit and worn with mules or sandals – make them look a bit more trendy since it’s OK to have them a bit baggy” – you know, I have a lot of trouble with cuffing jeans. I have to do it before putting them on, as I really can’t reach my ankles with both hands at the same time, and just putting them on usually makes the cuffs fall out of place. I have ONE PAIR of black VERY snug skinnies that a cuff holds well, but not a looser fitting jean. And I needed to have sneakers on anyway due to all the rain we’ve had and some of the camera club meetings are at a farm where we walk on muddy paths and through wet grass. I tend to only wear a “sandal” type shoe with a skinny or cropped jean, but that’s just me. And we’re no longer allowed to wear sandals or anything with open front or back (like mules or slides) to work (^*%#%$! HR!!!). That’s part of why I’m having such a tough time choosing some new shoes for fall, cuz I really really like the loafery slides…but if I can’t wear them to work, it’s really not worth it to me. The struggle is real, ha ha.
The floral thing hanging in the middle picture is a dress. I was in a fitting room at Loft, making a half-hearted attempt to find a dress for a wedding I’m going to later today. I didn’t get anything. In the end, nothing was worth the $$ to me so I’m just making do with something from my old closet that I really don’t like, but who cares what *I* look like today? It’s a young person wedding (one of my daughter’s high-school friends), I’ll just be one of the “old people” sitting at the table all night, ha.
Julia
I need to remember to keep clothes that aren’t precious and might get dirty or ruined but still be fit for public outings. I usually have good clothes and barn clothes (which are not allowed off the property!) and nothing in-between. Then I go somewhere (like the hay auction this morning) and have to wear a mixture of good jeans and dirty barn coat. And of course, that is when I run into someone I know! I will keep your advice in mind next time!
bettyewp
Yes! That is my least complete clothing category! Just like, “out in public, not work, not fancy, just normal but still cute-ish.” I tend to spend my $$ on WORK clothes…NOT “going out with friends” clothes. Like you, I usually have Work Clothes and Painting Clothes (that one time were also Barn Clothes!) (am I spelling “clothes” right? It looks weird), but little in-between.
It’s easier in the summer when I can throw on any of my “nightgown” dresses with flip-flops and be comfy and presentable. More challenging in the cold weather.
I’ve never been to a hay auction. We just always found a guy who had reasonable prices and would deliver. He also fixed our driveway 🙂 And now, purely coincidentally, he lays the bricks on our “walk of fame” or whatever it’s called, at work! Many many years later. Small world!
How many horses do you have at your place now?
jodie filogomo
I used to be the same about having “work” clothes and “weekend” clothes. But now I wish I’d been blogging, because I think I could have combined the two with more fun!!
I just love that camel cardigan. Especially with the striped top. AND seeing those jeans makes me think that you can just cut off those last jeans and make them have a raw hem. Then they’d look more modern. Heck, you could even do a step hem!! Just leave it to me to have all the answers…ha ha ha ha!! (If only)
And thanks for the shout out…aren’t you the sweetest??
XOXO
Jodie