Workday Wardrobe ~ March 30-April 3
Going to challenge myself a bit this week by trying to wear things I don’t like or just don’t reach for often, to see if I still don’t like them, if there’s something I can do to help me like them, or…if it’s just time for them to go.
MONDAY
I got dressed for leaving the building and going to The World. I like this chestnut poncho sweater but I don’t reach for it often cuz it’s just SO big and long. It’s practically to my knees! And that proportion is really not helping me. There was a time I had fewer options, so I had to live with it. Now I have more options so am trying to move away from the too-long tops. I’ll hang onto it til the fall then re-assess.
TUESDAY
The plaid dress is the problem child here. I like it. A lot. In theory. It’s drawback is that it’s a lightweight flannel or brushed cotton…inside and out. Unlined. And it’s thissss close to being too snug. So it catches on anything it comes into contact with.
It has a very small window of wearability in the fall/winter, literally like in Oct/Nov. I can’t wear it in the fall until it gets cool enough to wear a lightweight flannel/brushed cotton, but as soon as it gets too cold for bare legs (Thanksgiving/beginning of December), it’s out. Because it would stick to the tights all the livelong day. And yes, a slip. I know of them. I haven’t owned one since the 80s since they’re hard to find to fit…and it’s just one more thing to have to futz with. And now I’m putting on tights and a slip?? It’s too much.
SO – while I LIKE it, this dress gets worn like twice a year, tops. So I’m trying it out different ways. As a duster, above… which, I just…no. I like the plaid over the stripes, I like the stripes with the jeans, so it seems like it should all go together well, color/pattern-wise, but…I feel like this particular “dress as duster” just looks like an unbuttoned dress. And I can’t.
I’ve also tried it with just jeans and the dress as a top, buttoned from the top down to the top of the jeans, with the rest left “flowing open.” But it doesn’t flow. It sticks. To the jeans below. Or leggings. I have not tried it over the black faux leather leggings. That might solve the sticking problem…but won’t really change the visual.
I’m not getting rid of it, cuz I do like it for the 2-3 times a year I can wear it, but it also sort of irks me, hanging in the closet, not really pulling its weight. Side note: I don’t like these shoes with jeans. But I have no other black flats. I’ve got an Amazon Prime Wardrobe order on its way which includes three pairs of black flats, so…maybe one of them will work.
WEDNESDAY
If I had this outfit, I would love to be wearing it during this sweet, sweet vacation from the world.
THE COZIEST CASHMERE JOGGER
THAT is luxury. To have cashmere just to lounge around the house in.
THURSDAY
I don’t like this shirt. It’s too big. It seems like it was always too big. Even when it fit, it was too big. But it stays because it stood by me even when I was at my heaviest, and I can’t say that about very many things. So it stays. For “around the house” and painting and walking the dog.
FRIDAY
I’m fading. I’m tired. The tripod is ALL the way out in the car. Please don’t make me go out there. It’s rainy. And chilly.
I can’t. I just can’t.
I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you.
I’m the worst boyfriend ever.
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Sarah
Love you for posting even amidst all the crazy. Love the idea to wear the least popular items. I want to give it a try!
bettyewp
The good news is I don’t have very many “least popular” items! You’ll see one more on Monday and then I have to come up with another theme (I have a couple ideas, but would love to hear if other people do, too).
diane cachenaut
maybe save the duster to wear as a lightweight summer robe. like for going out to feed the cat, get the mail, or paper. yep the orange poncho is waaay too big. And in that last picture you look like you have lost a lot of weight, and still losing. Are you continuing with the sugar detox? Diane C
bettyewp
No to sugar detox…but still being overall mindful of what I’m eating. Still watching the carb and sugar intake.
How about you?
Ruth Josey
I really like that poncho with the sleeves. If it were me, I’d probably do a black turtleneck, black leggings and black boots and make it part of an outfit for which I didn’t have to remove it when I went into a restaurant or the office. Just keep it. As for the flannel dress – I know what you mean. I’m having problems with wearing dresses open over pants, too. And the sticking and having to wear a slip drives me nuts. I have a slip but only wear it when I’m wearing something a bit too see-through in the sun. Too much to put on that doesn’t get seen. Does the dress have belt loops and a tie-belt? If so, maybe you could “gather” the dress a little and tie the belt in back to give it a bit of shape while unbuttoned when wearing over the pants? Or maybe wear a black or denim maxi over it so it looks like a shirt? I do agree with you on those flats. You definitely need to pick out a cooler pair. I think mules would be perfect. I’m all over those cashmere joggers. How luxurious to lounge in those and just be able to put on sneakers and walk to the mailbox and not look like you’re still in your jammies. The last shirt – definitely a keeper. We all need something that’s fine for hanging out at home that we don’t mind getting dirty. I just love your writing style and you’re so forgiven for not going out to your car to get your camera. I’d have done the same thing. Could you at least describe what you were wearing? Stay safe and I hope your time off is giving you time to do all of those things you keep putting off (well, I know I do that. But I’m still going into the office).
Ruth
https://voguefauxreal.com/2020/03/23
bettyewp
Yea, I’ve worn the poncho sweater many ways of the past few years, I do LIKE it…I just don’t feel like it’s length is doing me any favors these days.
Love/hate relationship with the black flats. I hate the way they look…but I love the way they feel. But I generally only wear them to work events because they’re SO comfortable when I’m on my feet all day. I’m between black flats at the moment so they were really my only option with the black skinny jeans.
I love a mule…but I’m trying so hard to resist as we’re not allowed to wear backless shoes at work (which really throws a monkeywrench into my summer fashion!)
No time off for me! I’m still working fulltime, just from home. I WISH I had some time off…we just, in fact, found out that the April break week has been canceled, and I was thinking of taking a day or two off there as I have been REALLY ON for the past month. I could really use a LITTLE break! It seems like feast or famine right now with work…people are either not working at all…or there’s more work than ever! I’m not complaining, I’m grateful to be one of the lucky ones who does still have a job but I could really a little downtime (more than a 2-day weekend).
I don’t recall (if I ever know) where you work that you’re still going into an office.
Ruth Josey
I work for a tiny company that builds, sells and leases (and also will do the work if the customer doesn’t want to) equipment for bathymetric survey and sediment sampling. It’s used for ecological research and remediation, dam structural surveys, bridge structural surveys, dredging (channels that need at least 40-foot depths for the big boats to come in), in-water construction projects, port surveillance, etc. We have customers from the USGS, USDA, NOAA, USCG, Corps of Engineers, Navy, etc., as well as private environmental groups and private engineering groups. Right now I’m not nearly as busy as usual but we had 2 sediment coring rigs that had been shipped to Botswana a couple of months ago and the shipping company “misplaced” them. They’re finally returning to us either today or tomorrow for us to inspect and then hold until Botswana opens its borders again. So I’m here today because I’ve operated the forklift before and can get them off the truck. I don’t even want to know what it’s going to be like when the restrictions are lifted. It was crazy enough in the later months of 2019 that I was meeting myself coming and going to get equipment checked out and assembled and shipped. Now it’s all backing up and every order (lease or purchase) is customized for each customer so I can’t really be proactive and get things ready ahead of time.
bettyewp
Oh my goodness, I’m impressed! Driving the forklift, you go girl!
Iris
Oh, I really like the dress as a duster – and didn’t really realize it was a dress till read the post. Also love the poncho – looks so warm and comfty.
Grace & Peace,Iris
http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com
jodie filogomo
You and I always see things differently, and that’s why I love being your friend. It’s nice to have someone who makes you think differently, so thank you for that.
SO here I am with my opinions (which of course are opposite of yours). The poncho….it’s fabulous. You’ve heard of the 1/3 to 2/3 proportion right?? It works with that wonderfully. I like it with those chestnut shoes but maybe if you had navy or darker shoes on, it might feel better for you?? Just a thought. Or maybe a long necklace or scarf to increase the vertical look?? But I say it’s good.
As for the flannel as a duster….it’s superb!! Especially with those leggings!! Maybe you would like it better if it was tied back a little? Did it come with a self belt that you could tie in the back? If not, you could always get creative (because you know that’s my thing..haha) and use something like these: https://shopstyle.it/l/bfwM4 Okay, okay, I know those are white and would stand out too much, but you get the idea. Or you could color one with blue marker?? LOL!!
Anyways, thanks for the fun!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jouchofstyle.com
bettyewp
Yes, on the proportion thing but I feel like this is upside down! The PANTS should be the 2/3 and the top 1/3! This just my legs look SUPER short.
My shoe selection is still VERY limited. Did you notice the (off road) black flats I wore with the plaid dress as duster? Those are the only dark flats I have and I really have them for work events, because a) they’re black and b) other then sneakers, they are the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn. So they’re not going anywhere, but I generally don’t wear them except for events and black shoe emergencies.
I think the issue with the dress-as-duster is it’s just not the right material for that look. It needs to be lighter, flower. It’s not STIFF, but it doesn’t have much movement. I could try tying it back but I really don’t think that’s the issue.
Thanks for all your suggestions!
Gina
Before you let go the plaid dress, why not cut it and make it into a shirt? I bought a shirt just like it from Land’s End and love to wear it with my jeans. Your dress is a very pretty plaid…..love that you’re sharing your experience of this time….
bettyewp
For now I still like it as a dress – albeit a complicated one 🙂 But that’s definitely a thought for the future!
Daenel T.
I have nothing new to offer because I’m co-signing what the ladies above have already said.
Marian
The chestnut duster is fabulous. It works so well on you because the color is perfect for you, it fits well and that vertical line down the center is very flattering. My only observation is that the sleeves are too long – I see them bunched up. That could make the whole sister feel like too much. You could try retiring it for a year and rediscovering it.
The flannel shirt dress – I agree with what Jodie said. The line of the dress is a straight line all the way – and plaid is all straight lines – that would be better if broken up. Either nipped in a bit of if you had something to make it less boxy. A couple of ideas: either a bright solid shirt underneath or a contrasting pattern that plays well with it. Maybe an infinity scarf or something rounded down the middle.
Thanks for posting for us. And it’s kinda fun to see how we would improve an outfit or garment that you love but presents a challenge. We all have a few of those in our closets!
PS I commend you on eating healthy at a time like this. I have stayed off sugar thanks to our detox a few months ago, but I’m moving less and eating more carbs. And now we have Passover coming up (no bread, pasta, leavened foods) which will either re-motivate me to reduce carbs or I’ll just reach for something sweet (like coconut macaroons) with the excuse that it’s a holiday.
bettyewp
I’ve been in weird eating mode since all this nonsense started. I don’t WANT to eat the food in the house cuz WHAT IF I RUN OUT AND CAN’T GET TO THE MARKET? Cuz there’s a real concern about me starving to death 🙂
I do love a coconut macaroon.