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Thursday 23 May 2019

Retirement Dressing: The Unflattering Denim Skirt


I like the idea of like-minded ladies popping in here for an ether catch up during their coffee break, it's nice and casual,  chummy.
So this post is about the length of a mug of coffee!



It's fair to say I’ve worn a lot of denim lately.  Denim is a transitional fabric for all and it's a retirement dressing staple for those having come up through the fashion ranks in the 60s and 70s.

A denim denim skirt is ideal for this time of year, when we're not too sure which way the day's weather is going to go.



<1 minute, or 3 coffee sips


I recently teamed mine with a blue cardi and white modal vest.


I used a thin scarf as a belt, to bring a little print and colour to my OOTD.


Coloured beads echoing the colours of cardi and scarf.


And I just couldn't resist a brooch in similar colours.  It belonged to a dear aunt and is a bead mosaic.  Proper vintage.  So pretty.  And practical too - I anchored it to my bra to prevent bra creep!

It was the first day I got my toes out this year!




I was pretty pleased with this everyday outfit.  I was feeling good.

So I casually asked TP if he liked it too.  Silence.  
Me: "I'm hoping that silence is because you're finishing your mouthful and not because you're wrestling between truth or diplomacy."
(We were having lunch.)
 More silence.  Then, eventually, when the tension in the room was palpable, 
TP: "It's, erhhmmm, not very flattering."

Not very flattering?  This skirt is 18 years old.  I have been wearing an unflattering skirt for 18 years!

On further interrogation enquiry, I was told that the stiff fabric pouches around the stomach.  Well, over the years I may have thought it might create a kangaroo pouch effect, what with the loose style, stiff fabric and a rigid zip all
converging around the tummy area.  But only occasionally.  
Now I am obsessed by it.  So I'm on the lookout for a replacement denim skirt.  Have you seen any in the shops lately ladies?
Knee length?  Sleek around the tummy.  The flattering kind?!!




Do you have a denim skirt?
How do you style yours?
Do you get any kangaroo pouching too?
And have YOU dared ask your nearest and dearest for their OOTD views?!



A la perchoine,
Mary x.


I do endeavour to reply to your comments, so please pop back in a day or two to see what's in your mailbox!









28 comments:

  1. Ha, ha. Very diplomatic TP. I often feel the bees knees in an outfit until I see myself wearing it in a photo. Eeek! How can it look so different in the mirror?

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    1. Jay, you are so right! I've noticed how flattering a mirror can be and how brutally honest a photo is. As you say, eeekkk!
      Hugs, happy weekend, x.

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  2. I love that TP is honest with you, gotta give him props for that. I don't own a denim skirt because they NEVER lie flat across my tummy and always bulge out - yuck. I think yours would be better if it were shorter. I love the way you styled it with the bright blue and all the fun and pretty colors. But, I say shorter - show off that cute shape of yours sista!
    xo,
    Kellyann

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    1. Oh sista, to you are so clever to have worked out that skirt bulge bit, and avoided it! Thank you for all your sweetness and suggestion, but errrr, I don't think you've seen my knees have you?!!
      Happy weekend hugs, x.

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  3. Sorry Pout but I had to giggle that you have been wearing an unflattering skirt for 18 years! Husbands - say no more! Anyway I think it is flattering and I never say things I don't mean. I also find denim skirts to be staples at this time of year. Lise

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    1. Yes, I giggled too Lise! I love your statement about being honest, I'll remember that when I read your comments. And apropos that, thanks for always popping in with a comment, it really is like having a chat over morning coffee eh!!
      Happy weekend hugs, x.

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  4. PS: My comment regarding Husbands - is that it has taken 18 years for TP to tell you it is unflattering - obviously he is a considerate soul :). Lise

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    1. Oh he LOVED that you called him a considerate soul, and he thanks you.

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  5. Susan Hinesley23 May 2019 at 12:47

    It looks very nice to me, but maybe it is one of those things that looks okay standing up, but not sitting down ;-) I love the way you styled the outfit.

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    1. Thanks, sweet Susan, and you're right, it probably looks like I've popped 5lbs of potatoes in my pouch when I sit down!
      Adored your jumpsuit, BTW.
      Happy weekend hugs, x.

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  6. It looks really cute to me but I will say I just did get rid of one of my denim skirts because a friend who hadn't seen me in a while asked if I was pregnant again!
    www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

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    1. Oh Mireille, that is hilarious!!! So it's not just me then, phew, though coming up for 70 I don't think anyone mistakes my pouch for a pregnancy!
      Happy weekend hugs, x.

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  7. I think it looks great, but I wouldn't argue with TP. Mr Mutton often finds garments of mine are not to his taste. I currently have 3 denim skirts and none of them is flattering, so can't wait to see what you find. I love the idea of a denim skirt, but that denim is unforgiving!

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    1. Gail, I'm so relieved to hear all of this, it's a relief to know it's not just me and that denim skirts really are "a thing". It's interesting that you've got three and haven't yet but on the Cinderella skirt.
      Happy weekend hugs, x.

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  8. Good luck on your denim skirt search! I don't yet have the "perfect" one, as I have a thick middle. I really like the large one that I took in and showed on the blog, but the fit isn't perfect on that one either, although, I'm not sure anyone but me can tell. At least my husband is keeping his opinions to himself-haha!

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    1. Oh Kim, I'm just going to have to check out that blog post, to see what you did with yours. Denim is so so thick and "seamy" to do a hack on, so you were very brave. And you've got yourself a keeper of a husband!!
      Happy weekend hugs,x.

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  9. I think how you have styled the denim skirt looks really good. Like the addition of some bright colours in the necklace and scarf/belt. I think you are being too hard on yourself as from the photo it looks good but wearing it denim can feel a bit stiff. I have a shortish skirt made out of denim (no front zip etc) that comes out every summer when it's hot as it is much cooler to wear than shorts and I don't do shorts.

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    1. Hi Christy, thanks so much, I think it's the side-on and sitting side of the skirt that drew out TP's, err, honesty.
      I agree that skirts are cooler, in fact I grabbed one yesterday to sit out up on the garden. I didn't do shorts because of let and knee issues, but I've bitten the bullet these past few years so that I can have a bit of fun in them before I'm REALLY old! But they're more longs than shorts.
      Happy weekend hugs,x

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  10. I don't see it as unfaltering at all, it looks lovely in these photos and I like the colourful accessories you paired with it! The scarf belt is a great idea :)

    Hope that your week is going well and you have a great weekend ahead of you :)


    Away From Blue

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    1. Thanks Mica, I do find a scarf belt does something to denim, skirt or jeans.
      Wishing you a lovely bank holiday Monday, x.

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  11. Ignore him, Mary it looks lovely. I love how you used the floral scarf as a belt - great idea!

    I have a blackish or very dark blue denim skirt but I am looking for a lighter blue denim one too - the flattering kind of course! Good luck in your search for one...

    Have a great weekend
    xxx

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    1. Haha Vronni, the flattering kind! I hope you find a light wash skirt soon, the weather's hotting up.
      Happy bank holiday Monday, x.

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  12. I agree with the others in that I love the way you have styled it! LOL at kangeroo pouch - that's why most of my photos are taken straight on! I am not keen on looking at my side on profile! Keep wearing it Mary, it looks fab! (That's if you feel comfortable in it of course!) XXX

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    1. Thanks Linda, I liked the styling too.
      So with you on avoiding the profile shots, so anything that exacerbates the unsightly tummy area should be avoided, right?
      Happy bank holiday, x.

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  13. I am loving the outfit too and did not see any pouching... Not many gals (at our age) look their best when photos are taken en profile so why would you? TP just wants you to look the best you can at any angle so het is a considerate soul indeed and no surprise there!xx

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    1. Yes Dutchie, the en profil was not shown here (or EVER!), those these were taken before TP came up with his view.
      Awww thanks for making me feel better about my pouch, though your silhouette is perfect from any angle, dearie.
      Hugs matie, x.

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  14. Ladies in their 50's love to wear denim - all sorts as well. Thanks for sharing your outfit on #chicandstylish my friend. xJacqui

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    1. Oh and in their 60s and 70s too, perhaps we'll never tire of denim eh?!!
      Hugs, x.

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