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Monday 5 February 2018

The Loneliness of The Last Minute Berry Dresser




I've got a fair few dates lined up for the next month or so.  Who would have thought February would be so busy, socially?  But TP and I have suddenly become, err, popular!
Or could it be that people are taking pity on us old fogies ... Pout & TP don't get out much, do they?
Whatever their rationale, I'm thankful to them.  And  when it dawned on me that my diary actually had some entries in it, I decided that I should get myself organised with outfits.  Because unfortunately I'm the sort of person who sits around filling in sudukos or crosswords up until about 10 minutes before out-the-door time.  There's always a mad panic and TP hates it.  He calls me (fondly, I like to think) Last Minute Mary. 
So perhaps getting my outfits organised is my Valentine's gift to him, because heavens knows, he deserves a romantic gesture from me - I've realised from reading other bloggers' posts this morning that I fail abysmally in the romantic stakes and I really should pull my socks up.  Or rather pull my opaques up, because I think this is the direction I'm headed for my dates.

I realised soon after buying my gorgeous butter-soft M&S berry knee highs that I was experiencing last-minute dressing scrambles, trying to find opaques that went with them.  The boots needed a similar coloured opaque for certain outfits to create a solid line.  And bingo! These M&S opaques are spot-on in colour to match the boots.  Well it stands to reason, really -  a brand will come up with a colour like berry and should then use the same elements of colour in it across their range.

Pouting-Pensioner-Grey-sweater-dress-berry-knee-boots

 Thus, the combo of boots and opaques now creates a solid backdrop for my grey sweater/dress. 

 So that's my top tip for today, if you're dealing with an esoteric colour and you want a perfect match,  stay faithful to the brand and follow through with other purchases.

Pouting-Pensioner-Winter-white-sweater-dress-berry-knee-boots

Any other coloured opaques would have broken up the line of this, my Monsoon winter white sweater dress.  Now it's a simple foil for the rest of the berriness on display in this outfit.


OK, this was my first outfit of the try on and I really shouldn't be showing you this pic.  But I am. 
I'd come straight from washing out my make up bag and, true to form, most of the water ended up on my clothing.  I'm a water sign, go figure.
I tried to cover my messy work with my hands.  Didn't do a very good job, huh?!


Back in serious mode, I tried on this simple black jersey dress and followed through the berriness of the bottom half with a v. old layered necklace. 


Then I moved on to skirts and here my old H&M flippy paisley skirt got a look in as it has a red/berry element in the print.  I firstly tried it with a metallic longline sweater, for an easy look.

Pouting-Pensioner-Paisley-skirt-black-polo-beck-berry-knee-boots

But then it inspired me to go even easier with a black polo neck and some silver layering necklaces.  I really liked this look.  It felt Me.

Pouting-Pensioner-black-polo-leather-skirt-berry-knee-boots

So then I took this polo neck down the whole Left Bank route.  My old leather skirt creates a simple line yet the shine of the leather breaks up the blackedness of the outfit.


I felt that this combo was so simple that it could easily handle a third pendant.

Pouting-Pensioner-berry-boots-fluted-sleeve-top-leather-skirt

So let's bring in some more berry now.  A fluted sleeve top hooks in the berried legline and the black chunky necklace links in the skirt's black.  All this outfit needs, really.


And then I just got silly.  I went the "sack tied in the middle" route, just for fun you understand.
I tried a deep belt over a jersey top.  If I did ever dare to actually wear this belted look, it would need something berry and gold around the neckline.  Not sure how I'd put that together, maybe just a berry pash and a gold necklace layering would be the answer here.  IF I dared to go out looking like a sack tied in the middle, that is.


Perhaps hooking the leg colour with a same-coloured belt is the answer?  Well, I think the answer is that by this time I'd taken silly as far as it could go and I don't think TP was sharing the humour in the room.  So I brought the trying on session to an abrupt halt.  Or rather, he did!


But irritating TP aside, I think this was a pretty good exercise. 
 I wanted to create a colour block with the boots and opaques and I think I can definitely tick the box with this M&S colour matching.
And I wanted a few outfits in my arsenal so that I can leave getting ready to go out until the absolute last minute.  So now, all I need do on the night is to pop my head out the door to check the weather, check the diary to see where I'm going and with whom, then go to this post and choose the outfit.
What a lifeline for a suduko addict!

Through this process, I've found myself some fave outfits for the various locations we'll probably be hitting, from the cosy grey sweater dress through to pretty flippy skirt territory.  And I even have my black leather existentialist outfit to call on should I be going through a Jean Paul Satre period.

However, if the weather is going to be as cold (and maybe as snowy) as the weather man is telling me right now, then maybe the option of some jeanage on the legs and more practical footwear might be required on the night.  Hmmmnn, that means a whole alternative suite of outfits to weapon-up with.  Dare I broach this with TP right now?


I like having these seasonal try-on sessions.  I then keep photos as aide-memoires and create hangers with whole outfits and accessories together.  This allows for quick last-minute dressing.  For that is the type of dresser I am.


Are you a last-minute dresser?
Do you create outfits ahead of time?  Or is it a mad scramble at the last minute?
Oh, go on, tell me you start the getting ready process three hours before taxi time and I'm alone on this!  Aahhh, the loneliness of the Last Minute Dresser ...



A la perchoine.

31 comments:

  1. Sticking with 1 brand when you're matching colors is a great idea - I'm always telling people who want to invest in navy to just suck it up and buy 4 or 5 pieces at the same time, from the same place. It increases your chances of matching by about a jillion percent!

    And your outfits are lovely - I'd invite you both over for dinner in a heartbeat; let me know when you're going to be in Chicago!

    hugs,
    Janice

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    1. Hi Janice, yours is wise advice and it makes sense though the fact that I've only worked this out now, at MY age, is kinda embarrassing! Thanks for your nice comments and we're so excited that we have a dinner date in Chicago. I used to pop over annually but I was there last in '97 - goodness, you were probably at school and I could have shared your lunchbox! But if I come over in this millennium I'll be sure to give you a shout! Hugs and keep warm, x.

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  2. You're ideas are all great. It's like you have a curated wardrobe around your boots. I use by blog to keep me straight. And if I really like a certain look I hang everything on a hanger that has the extra little bar with clips and keep the pieces together so it is like a "grab and go" thing. Now, most of the time I don't and sometimes it even messes me up-can't find something because it's hanging around with something else! Loved your post Terri xox

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    1. Well, that's exactly what I did, Terri, curated around the boots! So funny that you do grab and go too and so funny with your experiences too, as I found that black jersey dress above just before Christmas. I grabbed my black cape coat for the first time this winter and it was inside on the hanger. The system only works if we remember EVERYTHING or we periodically check all hangers!!
      Hugs sweet lady, x.

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  3. I want both your black leather skirt and your waterfall necklace, both are divine and both would get plenty of wear from me!!! Keep up the fabulous outfits Mary. xx Jacqui
    www.mummabstylish.com

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    1. Aw thanks, Jacq. Both are from the very early noughties and sorry but I love them too!! The necklace is quite heavy. I used to wear it with plain evening dresses but thought that now's the time to bring it out of its retirement and into mine, which definitely isn't evening dress life!
      Hugs hun. X.

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  4. Some great ideas here for the coming activities with an assortment of styles that will keep you happy whatever the weather throws at you. Like how organized you are in trying stuff on beforehand and hanging things together so you are ready to go.

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    1. Hi Christy, thanks for popping in with your sweet message. Alas, we are at the age where we HAVE to hang on to any organisation we can muster; we forget to check in with the diary and we forget we're going out, then one of us remembers last minute ... and occasionally neither of us remembers - oops! So grab and go outfits are a vital tool for a woman in her dotage. Hugs my lovely, x

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  5. I loved your white dress and your all black set with the fur skirt. With both you look wonderful!

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    1. Thanks so much, J-M, sometimes keeping the outfit simple works best, no cierto? X.

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  6. Brilliant Mary!! Try-on sessions are a great idea. You know my favorites involve the leather skirt because you look uber sex pottish!!! Maybe your recent wardrobe choices have a little something to do with all the social engagements, eh? Mmmmm hmmm, that's right momma, you go, girl!
    xo,
    Kellyann

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    1. Always so funny, Mrs R, you play around with the English language better than I do! Sex pottish made me and TP laugh, even I haven't come up with that one!
      Thanks so much for your uber kind and ultra funny comments, love 'em! Hugs, x.

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  7. Love the different looks! I hadn’t realised until recently that my outfits always start with my footwear - doesn’t matter what I wear if I can’t walk in it! And in my book three necklaces is just the start!

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    1. Hi Sharon, so great to hear from you. I've just peeked at your blog and I'm going back after this round of replies, it looks so interesting!
      Thanks for your nice words and how interesting to hear that you start with the shoes, makes so much sense. And I'm hoping I'm going to see how your pile on the necklaces when I go a-peeking!
      Hope you pop back soon, hugs x.

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  8. I'm a planner by nature, but I have gotten in the habit of waiting until the last minute to get dressed. At least I've usually hung my outfit out to wear the night before...
    XOXO
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. Oh Jodie, I can only dream to aspire to your level, the only time I do that night before hanging is when I am on the red eye next morning! Well done you!
      Hugs, x

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  9. That's a good idea of keeping colours with the same brand (I hadn't worked that one out and i'm 71!!!) I am always moaning about the different shades of navy

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    1. Well, I'm not far behind you at 68, why oh why haven't we worked that out sooner?! Janice above is definitely a trailblazer and ahead of the game. And yes, I can see navy being the worst. Hugs sweetie, keep snug, x.

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  10. You are the sweetest social butterfly! And I would probably look at these boots if they were in my closet and admire everyday. You are so chic in them, they suit you so well. I got your comment about the Linky and I’m not sure why that happened. I am not the administrator of the inlinkz so I’ll check with the girls. Tomorrow for the fashion link up, try on mine then if you can’t , try on The Blended Blog and see what happens. If it doesn’t work there then our leader, Dee, may have to fix it. Boo, so sorry, you know I love you but technology....not so much!

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    1. My wings and my heart's a-flutter, you say the nicest things! I finally managed to link late yesterday, I'm with you on the techy side. Keep warm my lovely, hugs x

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  11. There are some brilliant outfits here, Mary. I loved them all but I think the long line sweater with the skirt didn't work as well as the black polo. You'll be well prepared now for all your dates!

    I'm a planner of outfits. I hate it when I've planned something and it doesn't work; then I have to start thinking again of what to wear; it can throw the whole day out for me.

    I usually lay out tomorrow's outfit before I go to bed (I am anally retentive for sure); sometimes I'll have two or three days worth of outfits hanging up ready to wear complete with jewellery!

    If I get an idea for an outfit I often write it down in a little notepad otherwise I'll forget it...

    Stay warm!
    xxx

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    1. Thanks Vronni and I said the same thing to TP about that jumper/skirt combo during the try-on.
      And now I have to say that I'm totally in awe of your organisational skills. No wonder you always look so good, you put a lot of thought into your masterpieces. Wow!
      I tend to make outfit notes on blog drafts, which are a useful aide memoire when I have dresser's block! But ultimately, checking the weather rules over all our plans, eh. Hugs, my dearest, x

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  12. Boy, is there something that doesn't look good on LMM, I wonder? I'm loving all of the outfits you are showing, especially the first three dresses! TP must be so relieved to know that you will be out the door on time from now on, having these lovely outfits as reference!?

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    1. Oh you're such a charmer, Dutchie! Thanks so much, it's nice to switch to dresses sometimes, eh. Well, TP's hoping this will make the next few weeks easier, though I'm sure he's thinking 'leopard' and 'spots' ... ain't no surprise I'm called Lady Leoprint eh?!! Hugs, my beauty, and keep warm, x.

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  13. I am loving the burgundy accents to many of your outfits! That necklace is gorgeous!

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    1. Hi Laura, thanks so much, surprising how much inspo comes from a pair boots. The was pricey, BITD, but I've always been pleased I bought it. Hugs hun, x

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  14. Well you do leather like no other sweet Mary! Love these looks and of course you guys are popular. How could you not be? XOXO

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    1. Oh Lisa, that's so sweet of you, being popular presents its challenges to us pensioners ... remembering the dates! Hugs, x.

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  15. I am always so jealous of all your sweater dresses! I want a sweater dress so bad but every one I try on looks terrible on me. Your's look amazing!

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    1. Now, now, Amy, with your perfect figure and pretty face I cannot believe that anything would look meh on you, let alone terrible! Thanks for your kindness, hugs x.

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  16. Wow!!! You look totally gorgeous. If you ever get single please send me an email. Awaiting in trepidation. I may be a lot younger than you but I really think you look stunning.

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