BBQ Linen

Hello my lovelies!

It’s cold and it’s rainy here today.
It’s hard to believe that this is June when I look down at the jeans and jumper I’m wearing as I type.  I was wearing less in April!

Let’s look back to a warmer day, to proper summer weather when a cool linen dress is just the thing for a family bbq, they’ve been a lovely weekend tradition since our bubble buddying began. 

So here I am heading off to a bbq on a much drier and warmer day. 

It’s easy to keep cool in this coffee coloured linen dress ... with pockets!
Gotta love a dress with pockets, especially in retirement when I’m reliant on pockets, as my handbag engagement is rare.   And if it’s not cross-body or over the shoulder then it doesn’t happen.  Ever.

At first I used to fret over what to do with my hands without a handbag crutch.  Hands felt like me back in my single days at a function, flitting around the room searching for some kind soul to engage with.
But it’s surprising how quickly you regain your no-handbag “balance “ and find you CAN walk without the crutch.  What is essential is to get in the zone and walk with a sense of purpose and confidence.  Pretty much the same technique I used to walk alone into a room of mingling strangers.
Ditching handbags definitely requires some mental training!

Of course, when you’re working there is lot of daytime stuff to carry around and a bag is necessary.
But many of you working girls have had a taste of retirement life recently eh? In Lockdown, as pretty much in retirement, one doesn’t go out-out and so handbags are totally superfluous as there’s no need for one to carry bits and bobs anywhere.  So handbags are a double whammy no-no for me during this time.

Yes, pockets are the way forward for this retired gal, and the deeper the better.
Phone in one, tissue and lip balm in ‘tother.  Simples.

I packed a printed linen shirt layer for when the sun drops.   But I didn’t need it; even as the sun slipped behind the neighboring house the temperature was still comfortably warm.
Definitely not like today.  I want my summer back!

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My accessories are a sunhat, sunnies and yes, a chunky necklace - I’m wearing jewellery!
Jewellery has come out rarely during Lockdown but this day felt special enough to push the boat out. 

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My “handbag” essential was my mum’s old basket which I used to carry my hostess gifts: freshly baked bread and banana cake, and Prosecco of course.  There’s a limit to what those two pockets can handle!

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Where do you stand on handbags?
Do you love them?
Or do you find them rather superfluous and irritating these days?

A la perchoine, 

Mary x. 

#retirementdressing #over70style 

#over70fashion 

#over60style 

#agelessstyle #whatiwore #linendress #alexonshirt #linen shirt