Monday Musings: Styles I Spotted While Traveling and New Finds
Happy Monday, ladies. People-watching is one of the extra benefits I love about traveling. I’m constantly inspired by seeing how women put themselves together in different locations for varying activities. When I changed planes in Dallas, the gals boarding the flight looked a bit dressier than the gals boarding in Miami and San Diego. Overall, my impression was a lack of sameness which was refreshing.
I also saw a lot of athleisure in varying levels of formality. The other thing that caught my eye was how many women were embracing the new sling bags.
Outfit of the week
When sling bags got popular last year, I was positive it was a look I would never adopt. I’ve seen enough of them now that I’m beginning to see their appeal. They’re not that different from a crossbody but have a slightly sportier vibe. This one from Anthropologie comes in four colors in the woven texture that’s so popular for spring. I paired it with the perfect lightweight jacket (that’s what they call it), which comes in four colors, sizes XXS-3X in classic, petite, and tall. I really love it in blue, but I think this surplus color has a more casual vibe.
The cotton sweater is great for those who don’t wear wool and comes in four colors, XXS-3X. I was thrilled to find one of my favorite bootcut styles of NYDJ at Nordstrom Rack for 70% off in four washes. The hinged bracelets make a fun statement, and even more so when you wear one gold with one silver. The platform sneakers are very popular for spring and comfy for a day full of running errands. I added a bright pop of lipstick to go with the sweater.
I love hats and wear them often…all except for baseball caps. I’ve never found one that didn’t look dorky on me. I’ve spotted a lot of stylish women wearing them lately, so I want to find one that works for me. Yes, the shapes are all the same, but the vibe varies by color and fabric, so I’ll be on the hunt.
Not seen
What I didn’t see were many women traveling in dresses…and I was intentionally looking for them. I saw one or two women wearing skirts, but they were rare. Most women traveled wearing stretch fabric pants, jeans, or the always popular workout leggings with everything on display. I also don’t see many women in my daily life wearing dressed or skirts. Do you wear them? Do you want me to style more for you?
Easy Shrimp Appetizer
Our dinner group finally got together again over the weekend, and it was so fabulous. We’ve been dear friends and have been through the ups and downs of life together for over 40 years. Everyone brings something to contribute to the meal, but of course, the hostess and host are doing most of the work. I brought a shrimp cocktail appetizer.
I’m not a huge fan of the classic red cocktails sauce, so I make a hot wasabi sauce which is always popular. It’s dead simple, start with a medium container of sour cream, and whisk in a tube of wasabi paste to the hotness you like. See, I told you this would never become a food blog š¤£.
This is always a super casual get-together where the goal is to catch up, not dress up. One gal arrived in her slippers (smart cookie), and another changed out of her slippers into her Sketchers just before she came in. I looked down at her sneakers, she looked down at my sneakers, and we chuckled that for our feet, comfy was everything these days.
I wore a favorite slouchy cashmere boyfriend cardigan over a warm crew neck sweater and a blouse with comfy stretch pants and my new high-top platform sneakers.
The platform makes them extra cushiony, and the double-stacked sole gives me a 1 1/2″ height boost while being totally flat. I love flatforms!
Monday Finds
I do a tremendous amount of perusing on the internet, so I thought it would be fun to share what’s catching my eye. The best things at Nordstrom Rack sell out in the blink of an eye, so I thought I would share what I’m finding while they’re fully stocked. Some hit my shopping cart, and some aren’t my style, but you may like them, so here we go-
A FEW MORE FINDS AT THE NORDSTROM RACK
Back to dresses….do you wear them?
Thanks for reading and have a fabulous Monday.
Yes to dresses! I wear them all year round in southwest Florida. Itās too hot for jeans in the summer and I donāt wear shorts out to lunch or dinner. I love dresses for travel, especially dresses with pockets.
Hi Jennifer,
I wear skirts more than dresses to work but I do have several dressy dresses for weddings and such. In the summer I love my t shirt knit maxi dresses to keep me cool in the SoCal heat. I pop a light sweater on if it gets chilly.
Loved you sharing about your long time group of friends. We have a similar group and it makes my heart happy when we have a gathering.
Itās so much fun to see them.
Good morning Jennifer!
Thanks for all the work you do bringing different styles and products to our attention! The last time I wore a dress was about five years to an evening wedding. It is a black simple Jjill dress I got on sale years ago and that is the only time Iāve worn it! I feel much more put together in jeans or pants and love a blazer. Last spring I was invited to a Kentucky derby party and felt like a dress was in order. So, I ordered some of the popular midi dresses with small prints and my husband said I looked like I belonged on Little house on the Prairie! I did look ridiculous! Ended up with white slacks and a tomato red silk blouse and a wide brimmed hat full of flowers. That felt right!
Agree with the others, you looked fantastic in your swimsuits! Brave woman!
Your outfit sounds fabulous!! Love it
PS, I saw tons of leather Fanny packs being worn and sold in Florence last year, both men and women, I bought three, two as gifts. They worked great across the chest, actually better than cross body.
I love to wear casual dresses! They are my go to for travel because they are so comfortable and easy to pair with a Jean jacket and sneakers if itās a little chilly. Lose the jacket and change to sandals if it warms up. I donāt wear them in the winter, but for all the other seasons, casual dresses are my favorite choice. Itās so easy to look put together in a dress! I often find them at Title Nine, Athleta, Loft, Macys, and Gap Factory.
My lifestyle seems has become more casual and there seem to be fewer and fewer special occasions. Sadly, I donāt wear dresses or skirts today.
Every detail of your outfit of the day was a hit for me. The colors and style were spot on. I do wear a ball cap, mostly in the warmer months and mostly to control my longer hair. Itās quick and easy to pop on and go out on a windy day.
Your swimsuit blog was so inspiring!!
Thank you Jan
Yes to dresses. Itās very hot &humid in Louisiana & dresses are colder than pants for me.
Yes I have used vertical to cook chicken. Great product!!
Yes, I wear dresses. I had a ā ahaā moment, when I saw a lady my size and shape trying on fit and flare dresses, I tried them on and bought two. They fit much better on my pear shape than pants. I use self tanner in summer, and tights in winter. Actually leggings are a lot like tights. The women in Europe do wear pantyhose, and there were lots of choices in stores.
I found that the LL Bean rayon knit wrap-style fit-and-flare dress fits very well. Mine is in petite sizing and the fit is just right.
I live in skirts and dresses in the Texas hot summers, not so much in the winter. Please keep showing casual skirt and dresses for the upcoming spring. I think you would have seen more skirts and dresses traveling if it had not been February.
Iām guessing youāre right
Yes to dresses. I want to wear casual dresses in warmer weather. Thanks for your blog.
I do too!
I love dresses in summer. As I age Iām going for midi or maxi styles. I donāt wear them in colder weather because I hate tights//hose. Like the poster above I dug out my EF System tank dresses and plan to wear them this summer with a jacket, long J Crew cardi or open linen/gauze blouse. As for the sling bag you will get hooked. The key is to get one that is flatter so it doesnāt pooch out over your chest. Lululemonās is the best and very well designed. Soon you will have multiples! And the Amazon dupe just isnāt the same!
Good to know, thank you!!
I do wear a T-shirt midi dress with a jeans jacket, scarf & have a rolled up pashmina that has buttons that can be converted to a jacket-y poncho when I fly. I can use the pashmina as a scarf, wear over my jacket or on my lap to keep my legs warm if necessary on the plane. Also, I wear slide-on sneakers convenient for TSA. Carry a pair of golf socks to slide on feet as I slide off the sneakers because bare feet in airports is a total yuk!
I totally agree. Bare feet at airports is yucky.
Yes to the dresses! But I have found (at least in my area) almost impossible to find in stores now, unless they are something super casual like Old Navy. I like to travel in maxi dresses – can cover up with a sweater in plane where it’s cold, and then take the layer off later in the day.
When traveling, I want to be comfy and warm so I don’t wear dresses then. I’m always cold on planes. I do wear dresses/skirts occasionally and would love to see more on the blog styled for casual wear. Shorter ones with sneakers and midi/longer ones as well. Dresses are easy. You don’t need to think about what top to wear, etc. The vertical roasters were big in the 80s. I had one but didn’t find it cooked chicken any better than the usual way. Supposedly the juices flow down the chicken and baste it as it cooks. I think it was more of a gimmick and another gadget that took up space,
Last summer seemed to be the year of the dress. I saw more women than ever before wearing midi and maxi length dresses and the stores stocked many more dresses than usual. I’ve always preferred skirts to dresses, but I don’t own either at the moment. Since our summers have become much hotter, I plan to purchase a linen/cotton dress or skirt this year.
And you looked great in the swimsuits Jennifer.
I want to add more to my wardrobe this spring too.
Good Morning Jennifer, I live in Canada, where winters are pretty cold and snowy. So I rarely wear dresses in the winter, but I find them perfect for summer. I live in an area that is very hot in summer, and dresses are the only thing that is comfortable to wear. I like casual, dresses that can be dressed up or down. I wear them usually with sandals but sometimes sneakers. I do find it difficult to find summer dresses that are not too young looking. The recent fashion for frills and flounces is not my look. I am a bit too old for that.
I mostly wear dresses and skirts. I live in Florida and it is usually hot here so dresses and skirts are cooler and more comfortable than shorts. I dress them up or down depending on where I am going and the occasion. I do have some pants and jeans for cooler days or traveling but they don’t get a lot of use.
Big yes to dresses. Easy to wear, easy to style and they hide a multitude of sins. We have hot summers where I live in Australia and noticed the majority of women (of all ages) wearing dresses when I am out and about. Unlike most people, I get very hot on aircraft and will wear an almost maxi dress when flying to Europe next week. One leg is 13 hours and would find trousers very uncomfortable. Kudos to you Jennifer with your showcasing of bathing suits, although when you kept referring to modest swim suits, I almost expected to see you sporting a burkini. By the way, I am so envious of your great legs.
I live in Texas, so casual dresses in the summer are a must. My favorites are shift dresses; comfortable and cool.
Yes to dresses, but never when flying. I get too cold on planes, and I also prefer to pack dresses because they take up less space. Then I can wear a few layers on the plane and pack only a carry-on.
I love wearing casual dresses from late March to early October. They are cool for our hot weather. I like that it’s easy to throw on a dress and I’m done. I wear them with sandals and sneakers. My legs are blindingly white but I’ve embraced my paleness and don’t bother with self-tanner. Who made the rule our legs must be tan anyway??
Kim, thanks for the comment about embracing pale legs!! Iām there with you. I apply my normal sun block, or add a moisturizer with a bit of shimmer for dressier occasions. Same on my arms if they are exposed. Legs and arms are just about the same shade of pale!
That’s what I always say too, Kim. Why is being pale bad?? It’s one of my pet peeves that we have to slather ourselves with chemicals to be tan!!
XOOX
I donāt wear dresses any more. Itās probably been 3 years since I wore one. I have opted for dressy wide leg slacks & a jacket or duster for special events.
As Iāve gotten older I feel more confident in slacks.
I am a dress person during spring, summer and fall. I’d love to say it was a southern thing, but started wearing them while living in Chicago years ago. I love the ease … solids and prints, pair it with a cute scarf, jewelry, hat or sweater and you are ready to go. It has become my style and I get compliments from friends and even strangers. So very easy and comfortable. BTW I make them, which is another plus.
Good morning Jennifer, your get together sounded so fun. We have friends that we have known for 50 years and get together for a long weekend once a year. We share cooking and laughs like we were back in college. As for dresses, I donāt own any and havenāt for a long time, but, I really would like to find the perfect black dress. I just canāt seem to find one. I use to wear dresses when I worked but, some how dresses disappeared from my closet. I enjoy viewing them and think that would look good on but never think about picking up one. Our lives have become much more casual. Have s lovely dayš
I do wear dresses, although with greater frequency in the spring and summer than fall and winter. Donāt wear them while traveling on flights, but pack my black and navy Eileen Fisher stretch dresses for every trip. Both are several years old but look like new. Itās so easy to layer over them, or dress them up or down.
I wasnāt a big fan of dresses until a few years ago. While being fitted for a mother of the groom dress, the seamstress asked if I had trouble finding pants that fit. Yes, for as long as I can remember. Every pair I buy has to be altered to fit through my waist or hips, sometimes both. She asked a āduhā question: āIs there a reason you donāt try dresses?ā The rest is history.
Thanks for the observation on sling bags. Iāve been tempted. Has anyone tried one?
How do you āwearā the slouch bag? Looks as if it goes on your back as a back pack. I love the look and all the colors, but Iām not a fan of back packs.
I love your blog and look forward to reading your comments. Keep up your fun writing.
Sincerely,
Sandy Baron
P.S. You looked great in the swimsuits.
I saw most women wearing it across their chest.
Good morning Jennifer! First off- your friends dinner sounds like a lot of fun abd though Iāve seen (online) those vertical chicken/meat roasters (?) I donāt own them. Interesting though.
On dresses- no I rarely wear dresses. I think it has to do with pantyhose more than anything else. I hate the thought of pantyhose or even pulling
up tights. In summer I do wear my jean skirts but rarely. I usually apply a bit of self tanner for a day ir two out then onāskirt dayā I feel more comfortable. Happy Monday!
Happy Monday!
Dresses or skirts???? Well, I actually own 1 of each – dress is a maxi leopard print from Chico’s that would most likely be worn on vacation, not locally or just routinely. The skirt is a mixed pleather/stretch fabric skirt that I’ve always loved and used to wear on special occasions when tights and knee high boots were in style and because it is a classic I’ve just kept but haven’t worn in over 5 years. I like the idea of casual dresses or skirts but I’m not fond of my white uneven colored legs so that limits me to maxi’s and they always seem like vacation wear. So I’m not against them they just usually aren’t for me.
Legs and shoes are an issue with dresses for many of us.
I wear dresses in the summer and for special occasions. Being from Michigan, long winters, prefer to stay warm and wear pantsš. New to site, love it.
Welcome Sandy!
We have done ābeer butt chickensā for years on the Fourth of July, using a similar gadget on our charcoal grill. Itās called the āTwiinsā, (nope not a typo, thatās how itās spelled), and the chickens are moist and delicious! The beer or flavored pop goes up the chickenās carcass ( butt) and creates steam while cooking. I appreciate all your sensible affordable suggestions for clothes and shoes. Thank you!
Jennifer your posts about knitting are inspiring me . Itās been years since Iāve knitted. Would you consider that a difficult pattern . Yes to dresses , always with thigh society shorts underneath. My husband uses a beer can to cook chicken like that . Itās a family favorite.
It’s really easy, just a simple K1P1 rib.
I wear dresses in the Spring, summer, and Fall. Usually beachy vibe and in a comfy knit. I usually wear leggings rolled up some. My own style. I always wear sneakers so dress has to be right for that casual vibe. I wear nicer dresses to church
Yes, I do wear skirts and dresses. I have many of both in my closet and reach for them often. Sweater dresses, sun dresses, slip dresses and of course the LBD. I wear lots of skirts in the summer, as they are cooler to me than wearing pants. Something about wearing a dress or skirt that just makes me feel more put together.
Ditto! I love the Quince slip dresses and skirts, as well as Kettlewell tee shirt dresses. They are so easy wirh sandals, sneakers , or espadrilles!