Retirement Dressing AW18 - The Slouchy Jumper

 Hello there, my lovelies!

Hope all goes well in your world.

My world of attempted consistency is falling apart.  I planned to post this yesterday, then had a nail-in-a-tyre saga that took up a huge amount of the day.  My lovely neighbour stepped in and saved me.  He saved me from the mice last year.  #bestneighbourEVER!  When all was sorted, I just wanted to have a coffee and cuddle the cat.  So today I give you …

The Jumper

The jumper is a core staple in the retirement wardrobe.  Retirement dress code is essentially smart casual and that's exactly what a jumper is.  

It can be super casual, worn long and loose.  

It can be timeless and stylish worn with pearls, or a same-coloured cardi to create a twinset (yes, I still like those, even though the 1950s are lonnnng past!)

It can be special occasion wear -  a few frills, a metallic yarn or embellishments like scattered pearls or a few sequins.

But essentially, the jumper provides a warm hug in the colder months, and looks equally good worn with - 

Pics in this post have been sourced from Pinterest unless otherwise stated.

Jeans.

Zara website

Trousers.

Or a skirt.

The Slouchy Jumper

My focus today is on the long and loose variety as I busily prepare for the chilly season. 

Going through gruelling hours of wardrobe switching sure ain't fun but it has to be done, eh ladies?

During the process I need to identify any chuck-outs and any gaps (and of course there will be gaps eh girls?!).  Gaps have already been noted in the jumper section and that's no surprise as the jumper is a little winter workhorse and even more so in retirement world.  So it's no surprise that they are the winter wardrobe casualties too - they become worn out or just plain overworn, they get bobbled, begin to look a bit tired and lifeless, and maybe even a bit dated.

So I'm also keeping an eye out for any new trends I like the look of because some new styles can suit the older woman too.

The Slouchy Jumper is a big trend that syncs nicely with my taste and the life I lead now (😉).  Preferably in neutral as then the jumper can go in so many directions with just a simple change of accessories.

But I've discovered there's a fine balance to slouchy -

slouchy can so easily become grunge,

and that's where I was at the beginning of this blogging journey - wearing grunge casual rather than smart because that was the only way I knew how to do casual.

So, I want the smarter end of slouchy and in a neutral colour.

Here's what found.  Apologies for the pics, right now I'm even more technically challenged than normal.  And beware, the forecast here is

"Slouchy with a risk of Grungey Granny"!

My Try-ons

Next Slouchy cashmere mix v neck, HERE

Next Slouchy cashmere mix funnel neck, HERE

(Pics, Next website.)

And here's how they looked.

The V neck

The funnel neck.

I think they need returning.  I am 5'3-4".  Next must use 6' models.

Right now, I'm unsure if going down a couple of sizes will remedy the length.

You see, I want to love them.  They are a cashmere blend and beautifully soft  The colour is just about perfect and if neutral were a tin, this is what it would say on it.

But there is definitely a risk of Grungey Granny with these slouchies!

My Inspo Board

Credit, jagta8, HERE

Finer knit alternatives

Oh that's me - it appears I already have finer knit!  #nogapstherethen😖.

The Slouchy Jumper Pitfall

Slouchy and uber long tend to go together in a designer's mind.  On my shorter body an inch too long and long jumper can become short dress (not a good look with dumpy legs!).

I already have two of those so I don't want another slouchy that morphs into a dress on a whim. 

And I want a slouchy that doesn't need tweaking with a belt or a tuck. 

A Slouchy must stand up for itself, without a support team.

The two jumpers above can handle the transition from jumper to dress because the knit is sturdier.  A soft knit will look untethered and just plain grungey.  Like a sack tied in the middle (credit, TP).

So the hunt is still on.

There IS A Slouchy Jumper cheat !

A Slouchy cardi with pin.

Cheating aside, the Slouchy Jumper hunt is still on because I want to be looking cosy like this in a few weeks from now.

Credit Jagta8, HERE

I charited away a similar pinkie just a couple of months ago.

Why?!!

So, my dear reader, it's over to you!

How are you doing with your SS to AW switch?

What's your preference in jumpers?  Is Slouchy something you've tried?  Liked? Can't keep out of?

Or do you prefer finer,, more fitted jumpers?

I'd love to hear from you.

Oh and I'm popping lots of likes into my PINTEREST folders, as you can imagine.

And as for INSTAGRAM (HERE) , well I'm loving the ease of posting simple little snippets each day.

Please pop over to see what's going on - and maybe follow me there and on the blog too and then

let's have a little fun on this journey together!

A la perchoine, my lovelies,

Mary.