Dressing Young (Part 1)

<p>This weekend I went into my closet and threw away 60% of its contents. I am so happy.</p>

<p>Consolation - that is great news! I am sure you are feeling very good about your accomplishments!</p>

<p>Consolation, I didn’t do as well as you, but I did go through the baskets that hold my bras, underwear, hose, etc. I threw away maybe 8 old bras (in a style that I haven’t worn in at least 5 years), handfuls of old panythose in colors like off white and light gray, etc, bathing suits that had holes, etc.</p>

<p>I need to do a cleanout
consolation, you have inspired me. </p>

<p>So I ordered a pair of cropped NYMJs in a size below my normal size based on the reviews. Ack. WAY too tight. So I ordered my normal size. WAY to big
my god
I SWIM in them. I’m quite sure that I didn’t lose 25 lbs in 3 days
so the sizing is messed up. That’s OK. Upon reflection, I didn’t really need them
and they ARE pricey. Zappos returns are free but this is annoying. A trip to the outlets is coming up
I need to try things on!</p>

<p>toneranger, no kidding! I love NYDJ, but hate their inconsistent sizing! The last straw was NYDJ size XS skirt falling right off my butt.</p>

<p>Consolation - congrats! I know the happy feeling because that’s how I felt when I cleaned out my closet last year. Whatever looked OK was donated to the Northwest Center, and the rest was tossed! I took a few hardly worn bras to Zovo to donate to a women’s charity, and got a 25% off coupon which I happily used to buy some new Marie Jos.</p>

<p>I have started a clean out.
I need to order a couple of pairs of J Crew chino shorts. In the past I have always purchased the 5 inch leg inseam. Now I am wondering if I am too old for that length and thinking I should order the 7 inch. On a good note, the reason I need to order new shorts is that my old shorts are falling off of me.</p>

<p>“Pants on the ground, pants on the ground.”</p>

<p>Love when those pants start fallin’ to the ground!</p>

<p>Mom60- I love the JCrew shorts! I think I get the 7" ones. The 9" are too long.</p>

<p>Just realized that after weight watchers I am back into all of my old shorts - and then realized my old shorts have high pleated waistlines. Donated them to charity on Monday. My shorts drawers are clean. (Picked up two new pairs of shorts at Old Navy on Tuesday night
 Probably a mistake to shop with my daughter.)</p>

<p>Those Tommy Bahama High Waist Sash hipster bottoms look almost wearable. I don’t have the nerve. I did buy two cute new suits for the summer, though, one tankini and one maillot.</p>

<p>I’m long waisted so hate wearing one piece suits – always have the butt crawl. I like the new boy shorts with a bikini top – a little more coverage (just below belly button which helps, most of my sins are about 4 inches below the b.b.). They’re comfortable for swimming too, which is what I mostly put a bathing suit on for. I’m too antsy to sit on a beach for long.</p>

<p>Correction- I wear both the 5" and 7" JCrew shorts. It’s the 3" that are too short.</p>

<p>MomofWildChild- I went ahead and ordered one of each of the 5" and 7".
I have noticed that lately every event I go to I am noticing what the women are wearing. If they are dressing “old” or dressing “young”. Definitely a result of this thread. This weekend I spent most of Sat and Sunday at a horse show. THe riders had a required attire but the spectators. I saw some sad outfits. Baggy cropped pants should not be worn with athletic running shoes. I saw many 50+ women in short shorts. Some had the body but some did not. There were a couple of high end of 50 women who were definitely dressing young. Too much cleavage and jeans that looked painted on. They also looked like they were regular visitors of the tanning salon. Though the women with the cropped pants with tennis shoes had a hard call. What do you wear when it is hot outside and dusty but you need to keep your feet protected?</p>

<p>Reporting back on my quest for summer sweaters. The Nordstrom order took forever (spoiled by Zappos) but two of the three sweaters finally arrived and I must say both make me very happy. They’re comfortable and work well on my body - slim, narrow shoulders. I wore the gray one today with the dark gray skirt I ordered from Garnet Hill and felt like quite the accomplished online shopper! Best of all they didn’t break the bank.</p>

<p>[Caslon¼</a> Scoop Neck Cardigan - Under $50 - Nordstrom](<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3076173/0~2376776~2374327~6012183~6012209?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6012209&P=1]Caslon¼”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3076173/0~2376776~2374327~6012183~6012209?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6012209&P=1)
[Only</a> Mine Ribbed Trim Cardigan - Under $50 - Nordstrom](<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3109925/0~2376776~2374327~6012183~6012209?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6012209&P=1]Only”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3109925/0~2376776~2374327~6012183~6012209?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6012209&P=1)</p>

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<p>So, it’s not just me who does this:)</p>

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<p>I took D to Old Navy on Monday and she tried on about a dozen pair of shorts. Consequently I had a lot of time to sit on a bench and gaze at the folks coming in and out of the dressing room
what a pathetic lot they were. I guess baggy saggy capris (yes, with bulky athletic shoes) is better than too short shorts, but not much better.</p>

<p>Thanks to all you CC’ers I dressed up several notches above what I would have worn to S1’s grad on Tues and was so glad. EVERYONE was in dresses! I don’t hardly own more than a couple! Anyways, wore a fitted, white on top, black pencil-skirted horizontally pleated number with bold modern necklace, black cuff, black patent high wedge sandals. Made H wear shirt, tie, navy blazer, grey flannels. We looked pretty good for a couple of old parents!!</p>

<p>I have to agree I too am noticing more what middle-aged women are wearing. We absolutely don’t have to look our age and most of us don’t. When I was in my 20’s, my image of how a 50 year old would look and dress, is definitely NOT how I see myself now. My biggest issue remains the bathing suit.</p>

<p>Oh gosh, ever since my blog started to focus on style, I’ve become unbearable to travel with:). I’m always eyeing this or that. Luckily my daughter is amused when I tell her who has designed the this or that
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<p>I also agree with the old adage that your kids keep you young. Back when most women didn’t pursue higher education and married and had children young, a 50-year old could easily be the *grandmother *of teenagers. Also, many of us tend to have better health care and nutrition than our own grandmothers. When I think about them, both of my grandmothers really were “little old ladies” by the age of 60.</p>

<p>So what is it with the 50 something crowd and the terrible athletic shoes? There are so many cute, comfy flats out there
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<p>^
I know what you mean, the athletic shoes are not a good look. However, many of the cute flats do not provide support that older feet need. And those that do have some support are never available in my size (narrow width). </p>

<p>My clothing dream is to find stylish, comfortable shoes in my size for under $100.</p>