Why I’d Rather Be Overdressed (Every Time)
Happy Monday, ladies. I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Mine was uneventful and rather quiet, with load after load of laundry and several hours of ironing, which, truthfully, I find relaxing and rewarding. I know, weird. Today, I’m musing about the act of putting ourselves together as a powerful form of self-care.
Dressing as Self-care
Last week, I ran into Whole Foods to grab some organic raspberries. Just a quick midday errand, nothing fancy. I was wearing a crisp white shirt, medium-wash straight-leg jeans, and a pair of flats I’ve had forever. I carried a crossbody to be hands-free and wore my favorite silver hoops and a fun vintage brooch.
It certainly wasn’t anything flashy but I did feel pulled together. I was surpised when several people commented on how nice I looked. Compliments always feel good which got me thinking about overdressing and underdressing and why I always err on the dressed-up side of things.
Truthfully, I think I got this tendency from my mom. Every morning, without fail, she got up and took out the brush rollers she’d slept in (remember those torture devices?), got dressed, then as she liked to say, “put on her face.” She believed in presenting herself well, even if the only one seeing her was the mailman. I watched that growing up, and I think it quietly took root, not as pressure but as self-care.
That’s the thing about getting dressed…it’s never just about clothes. It’s about care and dignity. It signals that today matters, and I matter. And in a world that seems to be sliding into anything-goes territory, I’ve found I feel better when I make the effort.
Why This Matters
Getting dressed with care isn’t about being fancy or impressing anyone. It’s a quiet way to care for yourself. It can lift your mood, bring structure to the day, and remind you that you’re worth a little effort…even when no one else sees it.
Applying This to Your Wardrobe
- Keep a few easy, polished outfits on standby.
- Choose real clothes and things that make you feel like yourself, not invisible.
- Add an accessory or two that you love, even on your quiet days, especially on quiet days. You may also enjoy How to Feel More Put Together in Under 10 Minutes
I realize that, for me, this is part of living a well-styled life.
Did someone in your life model this kind of everyday care? Or have you discovered it for yourself along the way? I’d love to hear how you use personal style as a way to feel like you.
Digital Detox
Over the weekend, I went on a little digital detox. Not from social media entirely but from the mountain of influencer emails and Instagram accounts that constantly shout about new arrivals, the latest drop, or the one piece you need to own that will make every outfit look perfect. I unsubscribed from a bunch of them, and it felt oddly rebellious… like throwing a catalog in the recycling bin before flipping through it.🤣
The truth is, all that consuming was starting to confuse my personal style. The more I looked, the more I added. The more I added, the less connected I felt to any of it. I wasn’t building a wardrobe…I was just reacting and exercising my add-to-cart finger. The whole thing suddenly felt overwhelming and stressful. It made me focus on lack rather than abundance, which isn’t good for anyone’s state of mind. It drove me into my closet for a cleanout again, and I was slightly shocked at the clothes hanging there that were not my style!
Obviously, I do share links here on A Well Styled Life. It’s part of how I support this blog and keep it going. If I find something I love and think might work for you, too, I’ll share it. I also enjoy curating outfit collages that may ring your sartorial bell. But I never want to be that person who encourages overconsumption or makes you feel like you need to keep shopping to have great style. That’s not what this space is about.
What I really hope to do is help you rediscover, refine, or simply feel more at home in your own style. To help you dress in a way that feels authentic, confident, and true to where you are in life.
Great style isn’t built through nonstop shopping. It’s built in the editing and curating. Having a larger wardrobe doesn’t give you better style. In fact, I’ve found the opposite to be true, so I needed to cut back on the noise so I could hear my own voice again.
Have you felt this way? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section.
Splurge or Save
So many of you ladies love the splurge or save outfits, so I have another one for you today.
This one has straight-leg jeans, a white linen shirt, a black & white bandana, red cat eye sunglasses, black earrings, red ballet flats, and a leopard print crescent bag. Can you spot the expensive one from the budget-friendly option?
In case you haven’t heard, Talbots is kicking off the summer with a Cyber Monday sale, online only…save 40% off your entire order. It’s for today only, so if you need something to round out your wardrobe, this would be a good time to look.
Here are my favs:
Thanks for reading, ladies, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident. Please join the conversation in the comments, and let’s chat about the self-care aspect of dressing with intention.
Yes my mom referred to ‘putting on her face’. Even years after she retired, even in her last weeks of life, she put on her face. Her doctor then: “Well, your mom does look *remarkably well*.” She passed of cancer a couple weeks later. I’m a retired teacher, semi-retired I guess; I still teach kids to read. Still put on my face. 🙂
Adore your blog! So refreshing to see a woman that thinks the way I do about her appearance!I have just discovered it and totally agree-I feel better if I spiff up a little. It is a matter of self respect, respect for my husband and I’ll confess, a little vanity too. Have you ever noticed that when you look your worst is when you see EVERYONE you know?? I don’t always wear makeup if I’m just running into town BUT I do make sure my hair is neat. I will use a good skin product too. I also put on a lipstick or a gloss. My rule: looking natural doesn’t mean unkempt or sloppy or horrors ugly! I have always coordinated my clothing so that comes naturally to me. It is not hard to be your best self without dressing up. During covid I completely stopped wearing makeup and yeah it was liberating, but Covid is pretty much over and I have started back wearing more makeup and have discovered Laura Geller cosmetics. Love them!
Now I do have email from some of my favorite shops, in particular Chicos. I watch for sales. Same with shoes. The urge to “click” is so hard to break!
You’re so right! It never fails if I look awful or don’t bother with my appearance, I do see more people I know. Often someone who I know is not particularly nice.
I am totally on board with this. One’s mental health improves when you make an effort to just be neat and clean (sadly showering becomes an effort for some as we age). I had a more extreme experience decades ago when we were invited to a Friday night cocktail party in June. We lived in what was a tony suburb of Manhattan. I came home after a long day and commute. It was hot and muggy so I showered, slicked back my wet hair in a pony tail and slipped on a casual dress. Don’t remember what my husband wore, but he probably was in his suit and tie from the office. I arrived to find all the women dressed to the nines in formal cocktail garb, jewelry and heels. It was in the late 80’s so things were a bit over the top, but I assumed an event in someone’s home would not have been that formal. I wanted the floor to open and swallow me up. After that event, I vowed to always be overdressed or ask the hostess (although I’m not sure she would have prepared me for the dress code anyway).
I feel your pain, just from reading about your experience. I would have been miserable. I’ve had similar experiences, although not as extreme and it’s not fun. How would you have ever anticipated that level of formality? I think the hostess should have clued you in before the event.
Thank you for today’s topic! It truly resonated with me. I agree that many people are putting less effort into their day to day appearance. I love a look that says “I put a little thought into this “ and putting on my face makes me feel happy. Great blog today!!!
I’m on a couple of cruise Facebook groups (Viking River, is that ok to say here?) and people are always asking what to wear and if they should change clothes for dinner. The majority of answers is wear whatever you want, no one notices or cares what you are wearing. I totally disagree, just because YOU aren’t paying attention doesn’t mean others aren’t. I DO and if I see someone dressed nicely I often compliment them. I enjoy getting a little “cleaned up” for dinner instead of the clothes I have been wearing and walking around in all day. But people today seem to want to just be totally casual.
I totally disagree too. I’ve been on a Viking riverboat cruise and always dressed nicely. I did notice people who didn’t so they can try to kid themselves, but people with discerning taste, DO notice others who look underdressed. That said, not everyobe cares and that is personal choice. I am happier when I make an effort to look nice.
My mother insisted on getting her lipstick on before I took her to the ER where she was admitted to the hospital with almost fatal pneumonia! I, too, put “my face on” even if I am not leaving the house and I think it makes me feel better. I have three girls who very seldom use makeup and it is sometimes painful to me when I see how they are dressed to go to the grocery store. I tell myself that it is because they are very confident in themselves, or are they just lazy? Who knows. I bet you make your bed every morning, too. 😄
You’re right. I do make my bed every morning. Always have.
I’m often appalled at the way people dress these days. I always dress nicely and wear makeup and jewelry. Sometimes people compliment my outfit, other times they’ll say something like “oh, I didn’t know we were supposed to dress up for this!”
Hi I really like this combination of red and black not overdone and zooshed up with the leopard bag!
Your post today really hit home, Jennifer, and our church’s youth garage sale will be the better for it. Reading of your digital detox was just what I needed to do to start my week! I love knowing what is going on in fashion but many times make compulsive and unneeded purchases. I just needed a little push to get me going. Thank you so much for your help today.
I’m so glad it was helpful, have a great week.
I was just talking to a woman about how taking care in what I wear makes me feel better. So true. If I just throw something on, I feel sloppy and unpleasant.
The photo of the save or splurge was hard today but the linen blend shirt versus the all linen shirt gave it away for me. The save is on the right. I learned to Jon when my mother put me on a stool and had me iron hankies and pillowcases. I used to love to iron but it has become painful with very arthritic hands so no iron shirts are a blessing especially from Chicos. My mom was always put together. She sewed most of my clothes and hers. I’m petite and got it from her. She had cute shorts and tops for yard work and gardening! She wore size 5 shoes and always got them on sale. I’m small too but wear a size 6.5 in summer and a 7W in winter to accommodate warm socks. Like you Jennifer, I sewed most of my clothes as petite didn’t exist when I was growing up in the 1950s. I’m 80 now and try to be put together everyday even when I don’t feel good. It cheers me up when I pass by a mirror and I smile. I copy your style a lot because of our similarities in coloring and size. I’m shorter at 5’1” so even petite pants usually have to be shortened. Regular size crops usually are normal length on me. I love to follow you and Pamela Lutrell because you are very real and down to earth. You feel like a friend and all of the readers are so interesting to read as well. I learned a lot from them as well.
I love this community of wonderful women too! I’m glad you’re part of it.
I am also on team ironing. I love this post, too, Jennifer. Yesterday at Church, there was a lovely and stylish older lady who was wearing a corsage given in honor of Mother’s Day. I so remember this being a very common practice back in the 60’s. One of my challenges in terms of looking put together is that I tend to really wear out the gym outfits. Therefore, going from the gym to anywhere else means I am going in old worn stuff. I know there are some people who change at the gym, but that is not me. I guess I need to update some of the gym stuff. Lately I have been thinking about the absolute best outfits in my closet. Those that score a 10 out of 10. There are not necessarily formal, but just really good colors, fabrics, lines and styles for me. It is an interesting thought process. Even jeans and a nice t-shirt can be a 10.
This post also resonated with me. My mother, even if she was in jeans and a sweatshirt, would tie a pretty scarf around her neck and bring the whole outfit together. When she traveled back to England she always dressed up for the plane ride, so that she looked her best when she deplaned and was met by friends. My grandmother, her mother-in-law, at 90+, would sit in her chair watching TV or listening to sports radio, dressed casually (she lived on a ranch) but always with clip-on earrings and lipstick just in case someone dropped by. I miss them both.
They sound lovely! Such great examples
What a wonderful, thoughtful post. Really resonated with me. I quit following soooo many blogs because, whether intended or not, I felt pressure to buy. And I lost my style mojo. Was I wearing something because I loved it and it felt like me or was I just copying someone on social media? When I realized it was the later, I unsubscribed, unfollowed, etc.
I never feel that pressure with your posts. you’re thoughtful, funny and provide helpful insight on a variety of topics. I think all of that is reflected in this community and their responses.
Love you, Jennifer!
Btw…in that first pix? Your hair looks great
You’re so sweet Linda, thanks. My hairdresser retired and I am in desperate need of a trim, so it’s longer than usual. I was losing my style mojo too so when I looked in my closet I saw too many things that didn’t look like me.
Thank you for encouraging a return to more thoughtful and polished ways to present ourselves, not only to others but as you said, to ourselves and the way it makes us feel. Self care, not selfish care, is so important. I feel in so many ways society puts more emphasis on hair and face only.
Even if I’m only seeing myself I wear my faux pearl studs every morning and my face immediately looks brighter. A little concealer, sheer lips, blush and brows makes a huge difference in how I look and feel.
You can wear comfortable clothes and still look polished and elegant, as you showed!
Thanks for a great and timely post!
Hi Jennifer happy Monday! Love your messaging thank you. I have moved away from other bloggers because of the over sell. I just can’t afford fashionable items over a certain amount and sometimes the outfits are just crazy. I know it would cause distress to me and my husband if l did so l appreciate your sound wisdom. I always put on make up and dress well when l go out it makes me feel more in the moment. Happy week friend !
Have a great week!
Jennifer, my favorite post are the ones where you show us how to style something or put together different looks from things we already have in our closet! I recently “discovered” that I could create same color outfits that had that matching two piece look with items I already had in my closet without buy new ones!
Amen to the ironing. I find it relaxing too. My mother ironed the pillowcases and I must say I do too ! It’s wrinkled after the first night but I love the crisp pretty pillowcase after changing the sheets. Good post this morning
I too really enjoy ironing, I also find it relaxing.
Having grown up in Montreal, Canada and lived in Europe for 5 years, I still like to look put together although I currently live in Alberta (very casual, sometimes downright frumpy). It really does not require that much effort, you need to get dressed why not choose wisely.
This was a great post! From the first pic in which you had the brooch on your white shirt, I thought “how cool is that?”. I recently unsubscribed to several blogs with similar topics as yours. Because I seldom “clicked” on the finds. As for being over/underdressed, for 20 years I had a high ranking corporate life and in that era, at a conservative (financial) industry, that meant no pants, only skirt suits/dresses and heels with pantyhose! When I left that life my first act of rebellion was never to have to wear pantyhose again: either wear tights in colder weather or go without. I look back and see that covid led me to dress too casually. Will spend this summer on-and-off purging my wardrobe. And I am migrating to a new look, in terms of cuts/colors. Primary candidates for purge/donate: sleeveless items, scoop necks, and brightest colors. I will, of course, keep some that are favorites for other reasons, but at least I have a plan. What I really hate about the “underdressed” issue is going out to a restaurant in which dinner for two, with wine, will run $200 or more, the service, decor and ambience are great, and seeing folks in sweatpants, ripped jeans, well-worn athletic shoes, sometimes even ball caps.
That will be a fun exercise. Totally agree about what we see in restaurants…nice restaurants!
Jennifer,
Enjoy your posts greatly! I totally agree in the self-care aspect. Plus, I love and need color in my life daily. Today it is a soothing lavender!
By the way, I have the gauze J Jill button down beach over-up and love it. (I think you had an earlier post on it)
Color is sort of magical
You look great in your outfit to the grocery store. I was recently inspired by your posts on broaches so I found my mother-in-laws parrot broaches and wore it to my daughter’s baby shower. I received many compliments! Putting it on made me feel more confident for some reason. My mother always looked put together. Her hair was always styled and she never left the house without her lipstick. Shoes and bags had to coordinate. I think this has also influenced me.
Amazing!
My mother always dressed to be presentable. She tended to overdress. I remember her making me change clothes before leaving the house into something “presentable”. Im 70 yrs. Old. it stuck with me.my entire life and has always served me well. Thank you, Mother!!!
Yes! My mom talked about needing to look presentable too 🙂
Thoroughly enjoyed your post today Jennifer! My grandmother, not my mother, was the one who taught me to start the day out right by putting my face on, etc.
She also taught me to be sure to take off all makeup before going to bed at night and she had beautiful skin! I love looking put together even when dressed casually. I’ve passed this on to my daughters, granddaughters and now to my 16 year old great granddaughter! Yes, i’m an oldie (85).
Am in the Northwest so getting ready to wash and put away all my cashmere
and wool sweaters. Do you wash all yours or take some to the cleaners?
Thanks for all of your ideas!
That is amazing Sandy, Bravo! I wash all my cashmere sweaters either in the sink or in my washer- on cold and delicate cycle. Then I drape them over my drying rack to dry. Finally, I iron lightly and defuzz or use my sweater shaver before I put them away for the summer. They never look, smell, or seem clean after they come back from the dry cleaners.
Thanks! That is my preference but was wondering what you did. You probably told us in previous blogs but I couldn’t remember. Lol
Great insights! A client once told me that “everything you own takes a piece of your energy”. I have always remembered that and think of it often when cleaning out.
That’s brilliant!
My mother also ‘put on her face’ and took great care of her skin, and it showed. I try to follow her example. Every morning after my coffee I say to myself, ‘time to face the day’ and go upstairs to make myself presentable. It’s nice to have a ritual to start the day, and taking the time to do so mindfully means my days start off on a positive note. Thanks for these reflections about why it’s important.
Ditto for my mom. She always used Noxema and had the prettiest complexion.
OMG, your post was particularly relevant today! My husband and I are going to lunch at the home of a dear friend who is in her mid-80’s (we are 70’s). Whether our lunches are at her home or ours, she always looks well “put-together” and stylish. (I want to “be her” in 10 years!) My husband was wondering what to wear today and mentioned that he might wear a long-sleeved T-shirt, as the weather is cool and damp. I told him I thought that wasn’t a good choice, as she always makes the effort to look nice anytime we see her and we should do the same. He reluctantly agreed. Then, I opened my email from you and couldn’t believe we had just had this conversation! I read most of the post to him!
THANK YOU for this wonderful reminder that we owe it to ourselves to look our best, which helps us feel our best!
P.S. I LOVE to iron! It’s instant gratification and very calming. Plus, no wrinkles!
You “hit it out of the park” today, Jennifer!
I’m so glad you liked it, Anne. I bet she loves to see her guests dress nicely too! I have a neighbor like that and always looks so lovely. I want to be her in 15 years. It occurs to me that I should tell her how inspiring she is.
I absolutely got my sense of style from my mom and older sister. My mom would have the rollers in her hair every morning and I did too. She sewed a lot of our clothes. I always take time to get put together and put my face on even if just going to the gym or the store. My husband knows to allow time for me to get ready to go out. I think it’s even more important as we get older to not feel invisible. I love it when my friends say how I always look put together. I am having difficulties lately finding petite clothing that I like. For the first time I feel out of style. A work in progress I guess. Thanks for listening 🌼
Being petite does pose a challenge because so few brands are caring our sizes. I’ll be on the lookout for us.
I agree and live life Styled as I Leave the House. Just a little effort goes a long way when putting together an outfit for the day.
I have been feeling the same way as you just blogged. We have so much coming at us all the time to consume that it becomes overwhelming. I started looking at the waste in my consumption and what I could be doing to control it. I have decided to not even be tempted to look through the adds unless there was a really good deal going on and I needed something. “Need” is the word I am going to be addressing
Yes! I need very little.
Thank you for this post. I too follow too many influencer sites. And yes they are not my style, yet I still order something I don’t need. I am going to cut it back now. It is so easy to get overwhelmed. Thank you for posting about this. I love your statement about “showing up” it is so true at my age how much more important it is than when I was younger. I appreciate you and will keep following your style. It is genuine, classic and works for me. Jennifer in Port Angeles, WA.
I love your town! We’ve driven though many times on our way to Vancouver Island.
My mother was my inspiration to dress the best we could for what we would be doing. I am thrilled to see our daughters doing the same.
The times i have left the house looking worse for wear I see someone I know (like my my mom warned). I have started just deleting or unsubscribing from things that scream you need to buy. My budget at this time isn’t allowing it…lol. It is why I enjoy your blog. I can see something I like and maybe can put the look together. I do love your shoe choices, sometimes out of my range, but i love that you stress comfort!
I do splurge on shoes when necessary because they can make or break an outfit, and your day!
Good morning! I too learned from my Mom who was always dressed nicely and as your Mom said, “had her face on”. I saw her that way into her 90s and I try to look good every day and it does feel good. Thanks for your inspiration and sharing. Have a great week!
I could not agree more with everything you said! Dressing is self care, and it shows self-respect as well as honoring those around you. Nice looking clothing can be obtained on any budget. Attention to grooming is essential. A nice appearance with hair combed and light makeup can be achieved in 3 minutes or less. Thanks, Jennifer, for a great message.
Even if I don’t expect to leave the house, I “get dressed”. I have nice things and I wear them. Even if it is 3pm before I shed the yardwork clothes, even if I just put on jeans and a t-shirt, it’s a shirt with come details and nice accessories. It’s just discouraging to walk past a mirror and not see the person who lives in my head. People sometimes will make a comment “you always dress up” and yes I do. Totally worth it!
I hope you don’t mind if I steal your comment, “it’s discouraging to walk past the mirror and not see the person who lives in my head”! That explains it so eloquently!
You always look amazing and I very much like the idea of wearing a brooch the way you did in this photo. Clever and eye catching. I do need to weed out my closet as some clothes I like several years ago do not reflect how I now dress. Going out to lunch or dinner with girlfriends allows me to use jewelry I do not get to use very often. Like you I rather be a bit over styled than super casual.
Yes!! Meeting girlfriends is so fun.
Enjoyed reading the blog this morning! Especially the part about digital detox. I push the “add to cart” button too often. I have unsubscribed from all fashion blogs except for yours, une femme d’ un certain age, and Cindy Hattersley. From these I get good advice, answers to size questions, answers to comfort questions, etc. Thank you,!
Thanks for staying with me. My goal is to always provide value for your personal style not just be another shopping catalogue. There are already enough of those.
Whew…..that ‘splurge or save’ was a hard one and a good one!!! The bag, shoes or jewelry are normally the tell but much more difficult this time. And agree regarding the triggers to buy clothes….good advice re digital detox.
A late comment on your travel shoe post last week. Thoroughly enjoyed and also a bonus to read the posts from your friends.
I’m so glad you like it. Those gals are so stylish!
I love this post! Yes, I too can get bogged down into thinking I need to buy more but staying true to your style is more important. I also try to dress for the day even before I walk there dog. Putting on a polished, casual outfit, a little makeup and earrings is my daily routine. It helps the day start off bright! Thanks for your blog!
Karen in Austin, TX
Jennifer, this post really resonated with me. I am almost always the most dressed person at an event, and I could care less. In fact, I HATE being under dressed. I am actually sad over the way women dress today, although I do feel that it’s a bit geographic. We live in Naples, FL where the majority of the women dress better than I tend to see in other parts of the country. We summer in a shore community in Massachusetts, and that is clearly a more casual environment. I had to chuckle that, while you looked very put together, you got compliments for being in a crisp white shirt and jeans! I believe that women who don’t care to make themselves presentable in public just don’t plain don’t care about other areas of their lives, unfortunately. My mother definitely cared about how she looked on a daily basis, and my daughter has gotten that from me, I like to think. She always looks put together, even while chasing after three young boys. Thanks for the post!
That’s a great point about locale. Perhaps the age demographic makes a different too? We are so influenced by what we see around us.
Reading today brought back so many memories of my mother. She also would say “put on my face” and I say the same thing.My mother believed, as your mother did, to present herself well even if she was not leaving the house. I loved your comment about feeling rebellious like throwing a catalog in the recycling bin before flipping through it. Love the splurge or save, I think the one on the left is the save.
It always struck me as a funny expression and I thought unique to her. That’s fun to hear. Isn’t it funny how we feel compelled to flip through a catalogue or read a post, just because it arrives. Is it our politeness in overdrive? I wonder.
Great post today! And I find ironing relaxing too!😂😂
Score another one for team ironing. 😂
Good Morning Jennifer. Everything about this article is a big “amen”. A perfect read to start the week. I think we had the same mom. I “put on my face” and take pride in my apparel appearance before I leave the house every day. It doesn’t take any longer to put on a decent pair of jeans and a blouse than it does baggy cargo shorts and a ratty t-shirt.
Good morning! Your point about the time it takes is spot on! Terrific observation.
Good morning, I enjoy reading awsl! Your tips and especially the clothing try ons are fun and helpful! I noticed the red shoes in today’s splurge or save are round toed. I never know what type of shoe is in style, round or pointed toe, maybe both? I have a nice red shoe with a rounded toe so I guess I can pull it out?
Round, almond, square, and slightly pointed are plentiful this season. Pull yours out and enjoy them!! Have a great day.
Dear Jennifer,
Thank you for reminding us that what we wear is a reflection of us, and the importance to care lovingly for ourselves by taking the time to put ourselves together, on Mother’s Day morning, I hastily choose a work out ensemble to wear. I thought ” Do I really want to show up to my family in theses clots, not truly reflective of my grateful heart on Mother’s Day. I thought, I’ll pull together bright colors from my wardrobe. Chose a lovely pair of JCrew Brught wide legged slacks, and a pretty pastel floral blouse which I tied at my waist to add a punch of fun to my outfit! I received a few compliments that day which affirmed my decision to brighten up my look. My Mom as well was a major influencer as she also lived out prioritizing some self care which was a win! Win! for her as she was always in step with trends and had a very keen sense of fashion. She went home to Heaven, three years ago this coming August. Please know how much your writing means. You’re an effective and kind communicator and your content is heartfelt and appreciated. God bless your family, you, and your endeavors. Marcie
You are so kind, thank you Marcie. I love the sound of your outfit and the way your thought process worked. Your mother sounds like a a classy, chic lady. You’re a lucky woman to have had her.
You’re an effective and kind communicator… what a beautiful comment!
And true
Your post in combination with a weekend shopping trip made me realize how much my inbox is being inundated by so many emails from fashion vendors that I’m just automatically deleting them
without reading. I think your digital detox of unsubscribing is a great idea and will be spending part of my lunch break following your example. BTW, you’re not the only person who finds ironing relaxing. There’s something comforting about a shirt being transformed from wrinkled to smooth and tidy.
Yes, agreed.
This is one of your best postings ever. Thank you for your insights.
I’m glad it resonated and you enjoyed it. Thanks
Sure, I would dress up every day if someone else washed and ironed the clothes! I live in a very casual college town. I do dress up more for work (also a casual dress code) but not for errands and such where athleisure rules. Where my self care comes in is now I’m totally comfortable without makeup some of the time. I still love makeup, wear it to the office and for going out, but for work from home days and errands I’m fine without. That’s a big step for a child of the 80s and a mother who also put on her face.
That is a big step. I’m so colorless without makeup I don’t know if I’ll get there.
Jennifer, I’m not Shari but wanted to answer your comment. I have similar coloring to yours (hair a bit darker because I’m not gray but light brown) and feel the same as you. Without makeup I have no color and my features disappear. The need for makeup varies with our individual coloring and some of us truly need it. I’ll be “putting on my face” at 90 if I’m lucky enough to live that long! BTW I thoroughly enjoyed today’s post. Bravo!
So glad you liked it!
You are the lady we all look at say OMG isn’t she just adorable (in a grown up way) and envious that she took the time……love the brooch idea on the shirt.
You’re so sweet! I love that old brooch but it’s too heavy for the front of a shirt so it works perfectly pinned through 2 layers and the front placket.
Your blog today could have described my recent four month world cruise experience.
I packed outfits which coordinated with color and function.
The compliments I received from fellow travelers and more importantly the ship’s employees was unexpected but welcomed.
Like you, my mother totally influenced my way of dressing; she was always dressed for whatever the day would bring.
Back to the cruise: I was appalled at the way many people dressed.
Respect for others can start with our respect for ourselves by how we present ourselves.
Thank you for a well written and thought provoking article.
It surprised me on several of our latest cruises too. The effort needn’t be massive to look nice and put together. As you say, it also shows respect for those around us. I totally agree with you. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
My grandmother used to always say, “There’s no reason why you shouldn’t always look your best.” Good advice! 😊
Yes
Ironing is my Tuesday chore and I enjoy the memories of learning the art on my Dad’s handkerchiefs and the families pillow cases. It’s a disappearing art but my grandson knows where it falls in my weekly rotation and occasionally show up with a shirt! Thank you for your daily posts. Its one of the ways I start my day.
Ah hankies! I remember ironing them too.
I am completely hopeless picking which is the cheap vs expensive option, but would have more luck if seeing and feeling the outfit in person. It takes discipline to look put together every day and I admire how you do it. As for style, I have become quite the slacker. After 40 years of getting up at 4.30 am, running on the treadmill (or aerobics workout) the. shower/wash and style hair/full face of makeup before heading off to work at 0630, I finally retired from work. These days, if I have doody myself up, by the time I shower/hair/makeup, I am ready to pack the day in. However, I still enjoying reading style blogs such as yours.
I’m with you, Susan M! I do skin care, fix my rebellious cowlick, and call it good. I know I’ll be going to the gym and spending at least an hour in the garden, so makeup is not required for everyday. A healthy, natural look and a friendly smile is always in style!
I love your spurge or save section
Good morning
I always put on make up and perfume even if I’m home all day. Makes me happy and feel good about myself. Enjoy your day
Me too:)
Thank you for this! I totally agree with everything you said! And I thought I was one of the very few that still iron. I hate wrinkles!
Ditto but I also like the process of ironing. I find it relaxing 😉