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 🤣.
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.
OK summers are sweltering so “t-shirt” dresses and skirts/skorts are what most of my friends and I wear starting as early as April some years🤠 – I also enjoy wearing skirts/dresses to church. I love the look of the converse sneakers and the crossbody bag BUT I have three grandgirls in college and that is about all they (and their friends) wear – even with really dressy dresses – which Nana just can’t understand🤪 so those items are a no for me. Maybe the cute bag from Anthropologie you highlighted would work. I do LOVE my Double Decker shoes from Keds. Keds are VERY well made, have a great insole with stable arch support and keep on trend with their styling. I probably have ten pair of the slip on style and several tie as well – oh and booties too. The web site is good and their orders are filled promptly and the pricing is great! I am a big fan and have converted quite a few of my friends.
I wear mostly skirts and dresses in late spring/summer/early fall here in DC. I’m still old fashioned enough to wear panty-hose (flesh tone) as my office is freezing! Pants and tights in the winter…commuting by bus and train can be cold, too. Love your posts, Jennifer, even if I wouldn’t wear the item, I like to see what other women are wearing.
Yes to dresses! I find them much more comfortable than pants or jeans when it starts to heat up in south Louisiana. But casual dresses can be hard to find. I try to find something that is semi-fitted without a belt. Also, I want them to be right above my knee which is difficult because of my 5’9″ height and not “too cute”. I also wear skorts, which I hope remain popular, because at 68 I feel shorts just don’t work for me in public. I recently found a J. McLaughlin shift dress, a Karen Kane tiered dress, and an adorable embordered Roller Rabbit dress for a Caribbean cruise and they were perfect! Recently my 53-year old niece wore sheer stockings to a wedding shower and you couldn’t tell – she said if Kate Middleton can wear them she felt like it was okay. But, the weather was still cool (for us) and it was inside.
Yes, hose is back!
I’ve had a vertical chicken roaster for many years. I love it. When my kids were young and first saw the chicken in the oven cooking, they said that it looked like the chicken was dancing. Hence forth, whenever we used the roaster they declared “we are having dancing chicken for dinner”. The name has lasted for decades.
That’s hilarious. They do look that way.
Yes! I love dresses. They are easy to dress up or down. But only merino wool which keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer.
In the winter I prefer shorter ones with merino wool leggings (so much warmer than jeans!) and a sweater or blazer.
In the summer I prefer a midi length. Dresses keep me cool and I look put together and ready for anything.
I even wore a merino wool dress in 90+ heat at Disney World and was comfy! Merino wool is magical!
I like the wool& dresses as a blank canvas to play with. There is even an active Facebook group where I’ve gotten a lot of ideas.
The Cole Haan raincoat is the spitting image of one I’ve owned for years. It always gets compliments. Mine’s been on hiatus, but with lilac on trend again, I’ll be wearing it a lot this spring and summer.
I LOVE dresses!! At home, out and about, and the airport!! Yes to the dress!!
I love dresses for all seasons! I don’t own any athleisure items. I like to keep exercise wear completely separate from my other clothes.
Yes, yes I wear dresses! I teach and find that dresses are more comfortable all day long. I think you would have seen more dresses if you were traveling between May and September. The only drawback wearing a dress on a plane is that it can get cold. I always travel with a large wrap (Peshtemal – large Turkish ‘towel’) so I can use it as a blanket if needed. It can be generational, and the way I was brought up, but I would not wear the ‘yoga’ ‘exercise’ pants on a plane. Having traveled for business before teaching, I found that being dressed would often help me upgrade on a plane for no cost.
I have never traveled in exercise clothes either.
I used a sling bag for my trip to Paris in the fall.It was leather,from an art show.It sat in front of me where I kept an eye on it.It was roomy and quite perfect.
I love that they’re worn in front for travel. That’s one of my issues with backpacks…you don’t see them.
Well I think I own 2 dresses and a skit.
More into cause dress with pants that can be dressed up or down.
Comfort is my game but still want to look appropriate for all occasions.
Love the cocktail sauce receipt. Will differently try that one.
Happy Monday.
I love wearing dresses at any time of year, especially in summer here in Australia. It’s easy to throw on a dress and easy to accessorise. I feel “free” and comfortable in a dress.
That is a wonderful way to feel!
I am a native Texan and a jean girl. I have just a few dresses. Some I have never worn. But I never know if I have a wedding or funeral to attend . The stand up rack for the chicken? I have had a couple for 25 years. You can’t see it in the picture but there is open slot for a beer can! We call the cuisine “beer can chicken”! Lol. Seriously, the beer makes the chicken tender as it steams. We cook it outside on the grill.
Lol, I can’t believe I never saw those before.
Love dresses especially here in our NC heat! They always look fresh. Love ones from Tommy Bahama often seen at Nordstrom Rack at a big discount. I too like the sling bags, much to my surprise! They are so easy to use especially when running errands during the day. As a fellow knitter, I also love yarn and patterns from Purl Soho. Their yarns are beautiful! Happy shopping and happy 🧶 knitting!
I agree that dresses are cooler in warm weather, and I have a few for that reason, but don’t wear them outside the house or beyond my own patio anyway. My legs/ankles are my worst feature, and I am completely unable to wear heels (following a sprain). Why present the worst version of myself to the world? 😆 If you find a nice maxi suitable for a pear-shaped figure, I’m all ears!
Lol Jennifer! That’s a high-falutin’ and delicious looking example of beer-can chicken!
I LOVE midi dresses in the summer when my legs are a bit tanned and would appreciate seeing how you would style them.
Thanks for your many enjoyable postings!
Yes, I wear lightweight skirts and dresses, mostly in the summer when it can easily go over 100 degrees. I have many skirts from the Darn Good Yarn company, which sells skirts made of recycled saris. This keeps them out of landfills, employs women in India and Nepal, and the skirts have some beautiful colors. The light weight material is also more comfortable in the heat here than shorts. The skirts are reversible, just wish they had pockets. You don’t have much choice when you order beyond requests for a particular color or range of colors, but this has made me reconsider what colors I can and want to wear.
I love wearing dresses because they are cool and comfortable in our warm Louisiana climate. A simple dress, sandals, and a pair of earrings are my easy one & done formula to look instantly pulled together and ready to take on the world! I wear dresses all the time but I typically wear casual pants and a knit top that work with my New Balance sneakers when I fly. Wearing my bulkiest shoes saves space in my luggage and they are comfortable when walking long distances making connections in Atlanta. In the winter or when we travel to cooler cities, I like to wear sweater dresses with opaque tights and flats or booties.
Great point about wearing your bulkiest shoes when you travel
I love dresses when the weather is warm and long skirts with sweaters when the weather is cold…..BUT I do not wear them when I am en route….they are for after I get to my destination. This is because even with Covid inspired cleaning, planes and airports are dirty places. It is easier to manage my pants in the ladies room, at my seat on the plane, etc. than a skirt…..skirts drag into everything as if they had magnets in them for dirt. Chances are good that the same yuck gets on the skirt as is on the shoes I wear (have you seen the studies about what is on our shoes!!)
No to dresses … they just don’t really fit in to my lifestyle
I live in Omaha and lead a very casual lifestyle. Would like a dress below the knee, but not maxi, and mostly have trouble with my arms so want them covered to elbow. I think I’m about your size, Jennifer.
I am on the hunt
Jennifer – For ball caps, look for ones that have shallow crowns. Most ball caps lengthen my face which makes me look stupid. I have discovered shallow crowns reduce that effect. Of course, fabric and color and whatnot come into play, too.
Great tip, thank you!
Just planning my clothes for a week long small ship Caribbean cruise.
Linen for sure, tops and pants, but choosing three print cotton dresses that show off my curves for dinner ( smart casual). Walking about smaller towns that we visit will be in a breezy dress most likely. I have a couple of kimono & pants options too… editing of my wish list has to be done prior to packing day.
Regarding my legs, I have my scrubby gloves and exfoliant ready for Tuesday before I apply a three day self tanner for my legs. Due to lots of swimming and snorkeling, I need to apply right up to the top of each leg… a challenge to get it right. Just enough to add some colour and perhaps help hide the ‘road map ‘ of veins I’ve had for years.
Loved your swimsuits… you looked great! And I’d love to see you explore dress options in the future, Jennifer.
Your travel wardrobe sounds great! What cruise line are you going on?
PONANT is a French cruise line. There are larger sister ships , and a new polar explorer . My favourite are the 5 almost identical ‘explorer’ ships in their fleet which have just 92 cabins, all with balconies. Beautiful decor, delicious food, meticulously clean, and service is excellent.
As a Canadian, I like that two ships are named for explorers we recognize…Le Champlain, and Le Jacques Cartier. I book early on , when there is a 25-30% savings, and always look for no solo supplement offers, only choosing an explorer ship, if I need an adventure and my husband doesn’t. For a week long cruise , and checking fares early on, expect to start at about $4200+US, pp for a Deck 4 cabin, unless the cruise is in Northern Europe where it is usually more. Excursions are extra
( in €), unless it is a Smithsonian collaboration, at which time all excursions are included in the fare, and have excellent speakers. You literally do not open your wallet on board, unless paying for spa sessions or excursions which you have added.
My initial cruise was a solo trip with Smithsonian…Lisbon to London last spring, which was amazing. Just 84 passengers, mostly American. One guest speaker (from Sidney,BC ) and myself were the only Canadians that time.
I am already booked on a late May cruise, London to Glasgow, as a solo, and look forward to seeing my Scottish cousins once I disembark.
Have a look… US site is in USD , while the original site shows €.
Thank you; they sound amazing. I wil look into them. We do prefer smaller ships
Yes to dresses…..mine are maxi these days but I wear them alot in the spring and summer. Great blog as always!
When traveling I wear Athleta Brooklyn ankle pants which to me look a bit nicer than leggings. I have to wear a shoe or sneaker with support or else foot fatigue sets in and then I’m done for. In this hot desert climate of SoCal I wear dresses and skirts to keep cool most of the year. Jennifer, all ball caps are not the same. I’m an avid golfer and I have a small head. I’ve sampled quite a few caps because they are always a fun souvenir to buy when traveling and playing other courses. Some caps have a wider, stiffer bill which don’t work for me or a deeper center that comes down too low on my forehead. Kate Lord makes a wonderful micro-fiber hat that I love and my club here sells them with their logo imprinted on it. I like this hat so much I’ve ordered them without the logo.
I love the Brooklin pant too. They’re comfy and look nice.
When I retired, the skirts and dresses went away. However, for a wedding in Phoenix, last September I had to have a dress, found an adorable one on Amazon for around $35….used it for elegant night on a recent cruise. So while I love jeans and t’s…..having a go to dress isn’t a bad idea. I love Quince, the cardigan is darling , style & color…..
I love dresses and skirts, always have. Now that I live in far southwest Florida they are even more on my radar. Much cooler than pants when the temps are in the 80’s and humidity is in the 90% range. Lately most dresses have a waist that hits my rib cage rather than my waist. Very uncomfortable and not an attractive fit. There also has been a focus on above the knee styles which do not work for me any longer. To sum up, yes, I would like to see you feature dresses as part of your overall plan.
I’ll be trying to find good ones for us.
One and done!!!!! Please style casual and ‘go anywhere’ dresses. Love your info. Ps. You looked great in the bathing suit post.
Hi
Thank you for your blog. I say yes to dresses and skirts in the summer and last spring. Here in Southern California it is still cold ( for me) so pants for now. I see all the bloggers and Instagram influences pushing the “spring” clothes , but wow I am cold. It snowed in Southern California yesterday. Truth about the Rack. I had a pair of ellen fisher tennis shoe in my bag for one day and then they sold out. Oh well.
Thanks
Candice
The knitting needles were the first thing that caught my eye. My husband and I used to do lots of traveling by plane and we were headed home from Dallas one day and they took my bottle of makeup because it it was over the size limit. While sitting in the waiting area, I noticed the girl right across from me was knitting. We struck up a conversation about them taking my little bottle of makeup, and she made it through with knitting needles. We laughed about the fact that she could do so much more damage with sharp things than I could with a bottle 1/2 full of Lancome makeup. It is what it is, as they say.
You are so right, and we’re eating with plastic forks!
I wear longer length simple A line dresses layered over leggings or EF slim stretch crepe pants in cooler months (& love that look when traveling for its versatility). In warm months linen dresses (sleeveless or s/s) are a staple (from Garnet Hill & JJill mostly) -although I hate my bare legs I’ve come to accept their imperfections. I find skirts less flattering & comfortable now that my 70 year old shape has become, ahem, less defined.
And I agree, you looked terrific in your swimsuits & are to be applauded for sharing them with us.
Thank you so much!
I wear dresses occasionally, mostly tee shirt style, in summer and spring. Midi length is my preference, as I have one leg with some very visible veins. I’ve considered having a procedure to correct that, and I wonder if any of your readers have had success with that? I don’t have varicose veins; they’re just unsightly and make me self conscious. Midi dresses often have a deep side vent that defeats the purpose of wearing a longer length. I wish the vent was in the back!
You could easily get that seam closed. I whipped stiched one closed on a J. Crew shirt dress many years ago. Self-tanner is also helpful in camouflaging them.
True, Jennifer! I had that done with one tee shirt dress and moved the vent to the back. I figured if I couldn’t see the backs of my legs, I wasn’t going to worry about anyone else seeing them. 😂
The older I become and this year it’s my 69th the more I enjoy dresses. I have several J.Jill that I love and are so easy to wear. Looking forward to spring temps so I can wear them again. LOVE all the fabulous finds in this post!
I just love skirts and dresses and wear mostly midi size now and sometimes maxi. Dresses l love too! Love your finds at Nordstrom Rack especially that pale raincoat. I went into Anthropology the other day and almost bought that quilted bag as the colors are beautiful but in the end went for a bright green mini bag with three different straps which looked great fun for travel and for the year.
Old friends are such a gift. Yesterday stuck inside dealing with our third day of heavy rain, l impulsively rang a dear friend l travelled to Paris with along with our teenage daughters years ago, and it was wonderful to hear her and talk about where next we wanted to go. The international craft fair in Santa Fe is up there on our bucket list.
Happy week Jennifer 🙂
Santa Few is so magical! Happy Monday, Francesca.
Hi Jennifer! Love the outfit of the week…very cute. Would love to see you in the whole thing. The sweater is adorable and great in the pink color. Thanks for the cotton, not wool offering. I don’t care for sneakers on me at this age. Occasionally I’ll wear them, but they just don’t look good on me. Same with baseball caps. I was on the hunt like you and finally found one that I like though, and I think it looks better than most because of the color I found (lavender), so that may be the key.
Bought the cute ivory and white sweater for $34. Wow! What a find! Too bad the shipping added almost $10. Bummer!
As for dresses and skirts, definitely not in the winter. I have a few skirts for winter wear that just sit in the closet. If I ever wear them it will be with opaque tights and high boots. I do have summer dresses and skirts, but they’re usually not the first thing I reach for. I must have (self) tanned legs to feel comfortable wearing anything that exposes my legs! Sometimes it’s just too much work to do that, so I default to pants.
I wouldn’t mind seeing your styling of dresses/skirts though. It helps expands our horizons.
Wondering what shrimp you buy? The last time I cooked shrimp, it was a disappointment. (I know you are careful in the products that you buy. )
We always buy wild caught. These are from Argentina at Win Foods.
Seems a lot of us would love a post or 2 featuring dresses, particularly more casual dresses for the warmer months. As we have several spring into summer trips, I have already been on the hunt for them. My problem has been trying to find a style that is both age appropriate (no Little House on the Prairie) and doesn’t feature tons of ruffles and frills that seem very on trend, but better on younger women. I prefer a classic but casual style and, like others here have mentioned, a midi or maxi length. I have been trying to find what we used to call shirtwaist dresses that button up the front rather than the dresses that border on caftanesque in their volume, as I prefer something that has some shape to it. Searching so far is proving very frustrating, so any help you could provide will be greatly appreciated by many of us! Thank you for all the time, effort and caring you put into this blog.
I’m on the hunt, stay tuned!!
I love dresses and skirts for warmer weather. Makes getting ready so fast and simple and much cooler than pants and shorts. I’m on the lookout for dresses with elbow or short sleeves. At 73 my upper arms are flabby and like them covered up. I do wear my blue Jean jacket a lot with my dresses. Also I think when you wear a dress you spend just that extra little to look extra nice and feel better about yourself.
Nearly always get compliments when wearing a dress. Win win.
Dresses do get more compliments.
I do like dresses and find I tend to wear them more in the summer. I have 4 sleeveless tank style dresses that I love. When I wear them in winter, I add a sweater and tights. I also am a fan of slip skirts with a tshirt or tank top for summer.
I have only a few dresses, but don’t wear them much. I find it too cold and windy in winter, and in summer I freeze indoors from air conditioning here in Texas. I am not liking the looks of my legs as I age, so this is a good reason not to show my legs. I am 5’2″ and most dresses are too long and do not care to spend the money to alter.
I see young women that are 20-40, wearing dresses on weekends at restaurants that are short way above the knee and tight like spandex. The women I see and know that are older than that, seem to be wearing some kind of pants and tops.
I just bought 2 dresses and one skirt, all midi length for an August trip to France. Looks nicer than Bermuda shorts or capris on my 76 year old legs. Throw on a jean jacket and a cute pair of sandals and I’m ready for whatever the day holds.
I agree. I also think Capri pants are very unflattering.
I rarely wear dresses anymore or skirts for that matter. While traveling I usually wear jeans or leggings with a comfy top. I buy almost all my jeans at the Rack. They have great prices and I can always find my size. I love that cardigan jacket. If it’s at my Rack I will definitely purchase it to wear with jeans.
I always do better shopping online at the Nordstrom Rack. My local store is hard to navigate plus the shipping is free
I live in Florida, so dresses or skorts over slacks. Just ordered several stretchy skorts off Amazon – super easy & comfy paired with tennis shoes or sandles. I agree, just feel more put together in a dress or skort out in public.
I still like dresses, but don’t reach for them very often. These days, I prefer longer lengths, and I have my eye out for a midi skirt that could be dressed up or down. I don’t like wearing hosiery anymore, either, so I look for ways to get around that. I haven’t embraced the sling bags yet. I’m not that trendy. I enjoy your blog.
I mostly wear dresses at this point because they’re so much more comfortable! In the fall and winter I wear sweater dresses with fleece tights and boots, and light linen shirt dresses and loose cotton dresses with sandals in warm weather. When I wear pants now it feels so constricting! I recently bought two silk slip dresses that I plan to wear with a tied at the waist linen shirt this summer. The funny thing is that people always think of me as on the dressier side and don’t believe me when I tell them I dress for comfort!
I’ve been using a vertical roaster for chicken for more than 25 years and love it. If you use the kind with a center tube, you can fill it with aromatics or alcohol (e.g., beer, brandy, bourbon) to infuse the chicken with different flavors. Mine also has 4 vertical metal rods to mount potatoes to bake at the same time. So convenient.
Yes please continue to style dresses & skirts. I especially love wearing dresses during the hot months. They are nicer than shorts and cooler than pants. I finally have gotten used to not wearing pantyhose! I always pack them for traveling. I wear dresses &skirts less in the winter, if I do I add tights and boots.
Just ordered that little cardigan jacket, been waiting for an affordable one to wear with jeans. I have a couple dresses that just hang in my closet year after year. I’m a Grammy who likes to crawl around on floor and playground equipment with my littles so I.m just a jean and ankle pants girl.
I wear casual dresses in warm weather and love them!
I just started following you and thoroughly enjoy your comments and your style. I enjoy wearing dresses and skirts in summer – winter not so much! I like that they give the option to add variety to my wardrobe. Usually I wear knee length skirts and dresses. Last summer I bought a midi length pale blue and white striped loose fitting sleeveless dress from Talbots. I feel it makes me look dowdy. The length is just above the ankle. I am 5’ 6 and 140 lbs. I would be interested in knowing how to style a longer dress. Choosing the right shoes can also be a problem. Hoping for some help! Thanks.
Welcome, Wendy. Just above the ankle can be tricky to style. Perhaps a loose belt would help?
I love dresses. Particularly in the summer. I’m size 12 to 14 a little sundress with a lightweight sweater or sleeves is really so easy. No thinking of what do I wear with these capris? Also as a shorter person (5’2”) I think dresses typically don’t chop you off. They give you a longer look. I will admit that I have trouble finding dresses that are long enough or that aren’t too long. I prefer them just below the knee. Oh and did I mention how cool they are in the summer?
Good morning – last year, I saw a lot of maxi dresses on young women, even in Maine. I own several dresses – ranging from one loose, very casual one to several LBDs. I don’t wear most of them now I’m not working and have been collecting to donate. I bought two Talbot’s skirts two summers ago and wear them with sandals or in one case, sneakers.
I travel quite a bit and prefer to wear a dress. Not only is the dress part of my wardrobe for the week(s) ahead, I can pair it with a jacket (flights are chilly – even in he summer) and a scarf and I have two additional accessories to coordinate with as I travel. I find the dress more comfortable than jeans, and I’m not a fan of wearing stretch yoga pants anywhere other than the gym or yoga class. Love your posts!
Yes to dresses! I wear them all year round in southwest Florida. It’s too hot for jeans in the summer and I don’t 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.
It’s 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 I’ve 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 it’s a little chilly. Lose the jacket and change to sandals if it warms up. I don’t wear them in the winter, but for all the other seasons, casual dresses are my favorite choice. It’s 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 don’t 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. It’s 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. It’s 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 “ aha” 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.
I’m guessing you’re 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 I’m going for midi or maxi styles. I don’t 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 doesn’t pooch out over your chest. Lululemon’s is the best and very well designed. Soon you will have multiples! And the Amazon dupe just isn’t 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!! I’m 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 don’t wear dresses any more. It’s probably been 3 years since I wore one. I have opted for dressy wide leg slacks & a jacket or duster for special events.
As I’ve 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 don’t own any and haven’t for a long time, but, I really would like to find the perfect black dress. I just can’t 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 day😀
I do wear dresses, although with greater frequency in the spring and summer than fall and winter. Don’t 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. It’s so easy to layer over them, or dress them up or down.
I wasn’t 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 “duh” question: “Is there a reason you don’t try dresses?” The rest is history.
Thanks for the observation on sling bags. I’ve been tempted. Has anyone tried one?
How do you “wear” the slouch bag? Looks as if it goes on your back as a back pack. I love the look and all the colors, but I’m 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 I’ve seen (online) those vertical chicken/meat roasters (?) I don’t 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 on”skirt day” 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 pants😊. New to site, love it.
Welcome Sandy!
We have done “beer butt chickens” for years on the Fourth of July, using a similar gadget on our charcoal grill. It’s called the “Twiins”, (nope not a typo, that’s how it’s spelled), and the chickens are moist and delicious! The beer or flavored pop goes up the chicken’s 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 . It’s been years since I’ve 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 . It’s 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!