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Friday, July 18, 2014

Go-to Summer Looks

Every once in a while I like to dip my toes into the fashion blogging pond. I haven't done that in a long time, but this last Spring I had to do a major purge of my closet(s) because of the move, and that has made me think a lot about my clothing choices.

I've realized that I have "go-to" items and looks. I don't "dress up" often, my dressiest time in ages would be when we head out to our favorite Italian place for dinner on a Saturday evening, or when we're in St. Louis with our kids for a night out. Even the churches here have a "dress down" code, so as not to make people feel awkward or self conscious about their clothing. We live in a very casual little city. We dress up our blue jeans for all occasions. I mean come on, we're the home town of Bass Pro and Branson is just down the road.




I totally love this little lacy tee!




I tend to stick with neutrals in most of my clothing choices, white and gray being my two best colors for warmer weather. In the Fall and Winter it would be gray and black. I like to have basic pieces that I can mix and match and change around for a different look; "Garanimals" for the over 50 crowd. The older I've gotten, the more I've leaned toward keeping things simple and "quiet", both in my surroundings, and in my clothing.



LOVE this lacy cardigan.
Don't have it, but would love to find it.




Love these next two totally classic looks...




And...I don't like heels...on me. I'm short and I look really goofy teetering around on them, but I DO like a little "platform" and something fun and stylish. I don't necessarily need to spend a lot of money on a pair of shoes, but I tried on my first pair of Jimmy Choo's last year and instantly fell in love; didn't buy them but so so comfortable. And belts...all they do is cut me in half and being short, they just don't work for me.


such a great sense of style...
love her shoes...
and bag
but I just can't get into ripped jeans...



Love my skinny jeans (I'm NOT skinny) and stretchy leggings with a long t-shirt or linen shirt and a jacket, khaki or wheat "boyfriend" chino's with a denim chambray shirt, and if it's not a 110 outside I'll have a scarf...or a chunky necklace. I'm the age when I want to cover up as much of my neck as possible...and I'm a total sucker for anything Leopard PrintSummer or Winter it's my favorite "pattern".



 I don't have a source for this Polyvore collection, but it's just my style.
I don't have a count for all my leopard print items, but let's just say they have their own section of my closet. My fave is a leopard print sweater zip up hoodie from last Fall, kind of like this.



I really love having a few pieces of fun jewelry to spice up a look. A casual outfit can be elevated to something fun and funky with a piece or two of eye catching baubles. And speaking of statement jewelry, I bought this wonderful turquoise piece from my sweet friend Rebecca, HERE. Goes perfect with a white shirt or tee and jean jacket.



 love me some accessories...

I've realized that if I haven't worn something for a few years, then it's time to let someone else enjoy it. I'm trying not to give into "impulse" buying, but keeping a plan in my head. I've been guilty of buying something on a whim and then never wearing it because it just didn't work for me, or I wasn't comfortable in it. That's another subject...if it's not easy to wear and comfortable then it's pushed to the back of my closet. I don't like fussy or restricting or "too tight". When we were packing to move, I took all my clothing pieces that I wore over and over out and then scrutinized everything else. I DID keep a variety of black pants from dressy to casual. A black pant or skirt can take you a million places.

I think I gave away about 3/4's of my closet. My mom attends a small church in an older part of town with many people needing financial help, so I send my things to them. So far I haven't missed anything I've given away, fingers crossed for this winter. I tend to live in jeans, sweaters, and boots in cold weather, so I'll probably be OK. 

Where do I shop? I'm a petite, so I have to shop where they are available. J. Jill, Chico's, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, and Coldwater Creek...they had the best fitting jeans and pants for me. Hope they reorganize soon, I used them for "the basics". I buy accessories anywhere. My trips to STL have resulted in some great shopping, both my daughter's have great fashion sense so they help me put outfits together.

I think it's fun to see fashion pics and choices of individuals. It helps to "get to know them better", and gives us an opportunity to make some buying and giving away strategies for ourselves. Obviously none of these photos are me. And if you'd like to see more fashion fun, then check out my Pinterest boards Here and Here.

now go clean out that closet,
(but have fun doing it)

joining in at The Scoop
xoxo,

20 comments:

  1. I feel the same way about my clothes. Comfort come first, wash ability next. I am only 5'2" and 56 years old. I have trouble finding clothes my size that aren't too revealing. I want a modern look but I need more than a 2" zipper ! We live north of Joplin and come to Springfield about twice a month to shop and eat out. Where is the Italian restaurant? Would love to give it a try! Glad you are feeling better and back to posting. I love your blog.

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    1. sorry I didn't hit reply I commented below by accident

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  2. Such an interesting post and certainly one I can identify with. Being retired and living in the deep south, I now keep my wardrobe very simple and easy - no more suits. In fact, I love the uniform concept and have adhered to the capsule wardrobe idea for years. Have even done seminars on it. So, in preparing for two big late summer trips, I have compiled a very easy, comfortable and packable wardrobe plan. I will be sharing this on my blog in the next week or two. I am also enjoying keeping up with your house transition.

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  3. Nonna's on South National, just north of Primrose before you get to Battlefield. Our fave. Also D'Arpino's on the corner of National and Battlefield, both yummy. Springfield has a lot of great spots, and DiGiacintos on South Campbell also delish!! thanks for the sweet comment!

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  4. I love your classic style. These are all things I would pick out for myself. Gorgeous.

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  5. That is the look I LOVE!! Fun to look at these fashion ideas.

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  6. I got a giggle at you calling yourself short. I am a 'tall' 5'2" :), but I have lived most of my life in heels. There was a running joke that even my 'house' shoes are wedges or high heels. I am short and tiny. So funding clothes can be a bit of a problem. Jeans... oh yes, the classic all American staple. A must have. Goes with everything, almost. Blazers, tees, tanks, camis ,the classic white boyfriend shirt. I have a weakness for clothes. Sigh.. and shoes, belts and bags. Luv your outfits suggestions. Soon it will be jeans season again for me... Here in North Central Florida it is still a mite too hot and sticky for jeans. Even my white and my link ones :)
    Happy shopping!!
    Hugs, Gee

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  7. Debra,
    Love this post. I am short too at 5'3 and I live in Capri's all summer and fall. In the winter I have to hunt to find the short length jeans. I am a jeans and pretty sweater and top girl. I think you can make a nice pair of jeans look dressy with the right top or sweater. We are very casual around here too. No one really dresses up anymore. Less fuss more time I say. Have a great week end.
    Kris

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  8. Love all your clothing choices....would also pick the same!!! I'm a teenager from the 60's and jeans are my uniform.......also have the classic white boyfriend shirt by Polo and wear it constantly when it is cooler. Denim makes up most of my wardrobe, jackets, shirts, pants, and jumpers........they go with everything!!! Glad to see you posting again.......

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  9. Thank you so much for hosting another wonderful party!
    I hope you had a great weekend!
    Unique Home Interior Design

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  10. We could share a closet,Debra. At 71 (next week), I like to look stylish and am sensitive to my "age". Chico's, Coldwater Creek, and Soft Surroundings have been my go to places for years. Soft Surrounding provides some fun tops and sweaters for me. White shirts and tees, with black capris or pants are my "base".

    Animal print? You bet! I have several scarves, in leopard and a few tops. Chico's had a beautiful leopard top this Spring. The fabric is wonderful with Travelers pieces. Little black travelers maxi dresses and skirts, plus jackets work well for our dressier times. I don't remember when I wore a fully enclosed shoe. I like slides and sandals for all but the snowiest/coldest days.
    I too have a chunky turquoise necklace, made by a friend in New Mexico. I've owned it several years and love wearing it with a plain white long shirt with white tee or even black turtleneck.
    I am at the closet cleaning stage of our move and intend to do exactly as you have. I keep wearing the same pieces and combinations, so it's time to purge the closet in our road to making life a tad easier.:-)

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  11. I SO need to clean my closet and get rid of what I haven't worn:) in forever! Thanks for the inspiration! I love having choices to mix and match! That's the way I dress too! Have a blessed day dear friend, HUGS!

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  12. Love your style - I love pinterest for inspiration too! It helps to see a style and then look for similar pieces.

    Enjoy your weekend!
    Leann

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  13. I think the older you get the less clothes you need. After retirement it seems like I tend to go simply and classic. Thanks for sharing these great finds.
    Sharing everyone a Blessed weekend.
    Deb

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  14. I love that lacey tee you show up at the top, Debra. Any idea where that came from? I have more whites and neutral type clothing, especially since I wasn't working for a few years. It makes it easier to put things together, I think. Even now that I'm working part time, I still am keeping things fairly neutral, with a couple of colorful tops, so I can mix and match easier. I like to do a good clear out at the end of each season. I try to be realistic and if I haven't worn it in two years, out it goes.

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  15. How fun seeing all of the fashion today! It sounds like we have a lot in common although I haven't worn animal prints in years my favorite dress way back when was a leopard print and I felt so sexy in it. Maybe I should think about leopard again? Have a great day!

    Gigi @ Old World Patina

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  16. I love this post, but love the comments even more. As another petite gal (5'4" and shrinking) in her mid 50s, it took me a few years after retiring in 2003 to even establish a casual wardrobe (even my business casual would've been dressy by today's standards). For me now, it's a lot of capris, jeans (Levi's skinny) and tees (JCrew and Hanes from Wal Mart). I have a few Travex travel pieces I love from Eddie Bauer that have great pockets for flea marketing/junking and travel. I still love my handbags and shoes, but have enough from over the years that some have even cycled through as trendy again. When I started animal prints, my husband jokingly referenced my mother, "Norma". I love chunky necklaces, but they give me a headache (no kidding!), and I always feel like I'm playing dress up in some giant's jewelry box, so I keep it simple with longer, more delicate charms. I'll shop anywhere from low-end estate sales/auctions and Wal Mart to Kohl's, to my sporty Eddie Bauer, preppy J Crew and Kate Spade. I love some of Chico's tops but they don't fit me, as I am really small on top. I am blessed that most of my clothes from many years ago still fit me, it's just that I've matured in my tastes and don't have any desire to try to look any younger than what I feel is age-appropriate for myself. I've purged a lot of items to my adult daughters, and to our local domestic-violence center. Fun post indeed.

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  17. I loved your post about fashion. I am always trying to figure out what to wear, and I always end up in jeans and a t shirt. The best summer I had fashion wise was when I had a wardrobe of black and white. I could wear all the pieces to make different outfits. Thank you for writing it.
    *Fashion Challenged*

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  18. I also enjoyed the fashion post. I typically dress very classical/conservative, such a classy and stylish look. I love leopard print too, but worry does it make me look larger? I love black and white combos, such a great look. I love the long white linen over a shorter jacket. I have several shorter jackets and now know how to use them! Have a great day!

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  19. Debra,
    Loved your fashion post, dear friend!!!
    I have a hard time finding "pants" that fit. . .
    more so than others as I'm not a Blue Jean kinda' gal.
    Don't do any "animal" prints, either.
    I've shopped many of the places you mentioned
    and they are great for we "petites"!!!
    As my wardrobe needs change from Business Professional
    to retired casual booth vendor, like you, I'm on the l00k~out
    for comfortable, fashionable, non~iron clothing!!!
    Thanks for all the inspirations!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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