Monday Musings: Did I Misunderstand the Assignment?
We’re heading home from our amazing trip to see the spirit bears, and I’ll have much more to share soon. Being that close to such majestic animals in their own habitat was mind-boggling and makes me realize just how small we are in the grand scheme of things, which I consider a very good thing.
Apparently, that applies to packing too… but do note that I’m ready to fly with a large water bottle and a bag of potato chips.
I pride myself on being a good packer because I think through the weather, the activities, and what I’ll realistically wear. I did all of that for this trip and thought I’d executed it flawlessly. Except I packed far too much of one thing and nowhere near enough of another.
There’s a difference between reading the packing list and understanding the assignment.
It got me thinking about how often we do the same thing with clothes in everyday life. We can own beautiful things, put together a perfectly nice outfit, and still be slightly wrong for the occasion. Too dressy, too casual, too precious, too uncomfortable, or simply dressed for the version of the day we had in our heads rather than the one we’re actually having.
The older I get, the more I think a large part of dressing well is simply paying attention. Where are we going? What will we actually be doing? How do we want to feel once we get there? There’s a certain ease that comes from looking appropriate without looking as though we studied for the exam.
Maybe humility is part of good style too. Not the kind that asks us to make ourselves smaller, but the kind that lets us admit when something isn’t working. A beautiful outfit can still be wrong for the occasion. The shoes we love may be ridiculous for the amount of walking involved. And sometimes the thing we were certain we’d need turns out to be the thing we barely touch.
So much for packing flawlessly.
Reader Questions
Q – I’m interested in the Frank & Eileen Westport Illusion Cuff jeans, but at 5’4”, I’m wondering if the wide cuff will visually shorten me. Will it look stylish, or like I just forgot to hem my jeans?
A – Any cuff will visually shorten your leg, but these have a 26.5″ inseam, which may be full length on you. They don’t say how deep the cuff is, but it appears about 2.5″, which gives it enough presence to anchor a wide-leg profile without swallowing up shorter frames or dragging down your proportion. I think they look fun and I adore how comfortable this style is.
Q – Fall is a long way off where I live. How can I get the fall feeling without roasting?
A – I love this question because I struggle with the same dilemma every fall. Look for summer-weight clothes in deeper colors that feel more autumnal, then shift toward slightly more covered-up silhouettes in fabrics that still breathe. Swap out your straw, raffia, and canvas bags for leather or suede. Instead of sandals, opt for a more substantial shoe that’s still cool. Woven leather or open-weave leather flats work especially well this time of year.
How do you dress for fall in hot weather?