My Other Wardrobe

I recently had a break in East Sussex.
It's where my Other Wardrobe is housed. 

One drawback in leaving a wardrobe behind is the shock (nice surprise) when you discover your trousers are too big!

There wasn't enough cardiganage in the wardrobe to save this baggy trousers look.  

Trouble is, they're virtually new M&S chinos and otherwise very nice, but this is what happens when you buy something, don't wear it for a few years and in the meantine, you go and lose some weight.  Nice problem to have.  First world problem, I hear ya.

Today's Lesson


The Problem

But what I learned from this experience has been so useful.
I learned that I have little idea of what is lurking in Other Wardrobe.

It results in me discovering that things no longer fit.

It also results in me packing a full travel capsule each time I visit.
And it results in me wearing the travel capsule because, well, I've gone through the angst of packing (my FOP).  Then lugged a small case on and off aircrafts, in and out of trains, up and down airport and train station stairs ...
You get the picture eh?!  Otherwise wasted effort, and the heavier that little carry on, the higher the potential for multiple nail breaks.  Yikes, that's serious - why place precious nails in a position of high risk?!!!


The Solution

on Baggy Trouser Day I came up with a strategy.  I tried on everything in Other Wardrobe ... and PHOTOGRAPHED every, single. thing.

Now the plan is to look at the photos before travelling, work out a virtual capsule ... and at the airport I will have nothing to declare but my genius!


Have you ever done this?  Photographed everything in your wardrobe?


The Outcome

It was an interesting exercise.  I rediscovered things.  I discovered things that went well with others and more jeans that were totally unwearable (baggy).  And I discovered wardrobe gaps.

Yes, I discovered that my very cautious Other Wardrobe filled mostly with neutrals had been neutralised to an almost somnabalistic state and desperately needed a shot of adrenalin.  Colour.  So next day I bought myself a red top and head scarf.  And the day after I wore it on a very rainy

 day ...

and the red was just the brightness the gloomy day needed.

(The Swedish prawn sarnie brightened the day too!)

The Epilogue

So what a good exercise.  I now know what I've got in Other Wardrobe and what I need.  And what no longer fits - 

- those baggy trousers !

Oh and I brought the baggy trousers home to take them in.  I'll show you my work v.soon.

So how's about it ladies?  

Do you want a photographic log of what you have in your wardrobe?  

Maybe you've already done it?  Maybe you have another method of keeping an overview of what you have and what you need? 

Maybe you run a periodic try-on to check what fits and what needs donating?

 I'd love to hear if you have a system for wardrobe control.

And do YOU adjust or donate baggy trousers?

A la perchoine,
Mary x.

Welcome to June!

Hello my lovelies!

Just wanted to pop my head in to your world today to wish you a

Happy, happy June!!!

It’s such an exciting month, it could just be one of my favourite months of the year

So no surprise I’m super excited 😆!

Last week I gathered together most of my summer dresses in anticipation of this bustin’ out all over month.   It was sheer bliss watching them flutter in the breeze on the clothes line.  I really should have taken a photo. 

I’m determined to wear a summer dress on as many days on the summer as weather and activity will allow.  Tomorrow I’ll post my first few.  I’ll see you then, hopefully.

I do hope June is bustin’ our all over if you’re in the northern hemisphere.  If you’re not, then snuggle up and get cosy. 

A la perchoine,

Mary x. 

Monday Mode - More Than A Beach Dress

Hi my lovelies, how are you today?

Well, I hope, and enjoying these days of September for all that they offer, no matter where you are.

How am I?  I'm a tad traumatised.  I broke a tooth on Friday, late afternoon when there was no chance of getting it looked at till Monday.  Monday arrives and I was so lucky to be able to see my dentist at 9.30am and he managed to patch it up.   But it is just that, a patch up, and there's a bigger job and a bigger bill ahead. TP says it's something we oldies just have to expect at our age - old teeth break.  Depressing, eh?

So let's find some reasons to be cheerful.

Well here's reason Number 1.

My beach dress, 2nd Loved.

Other bloggers are diving into autumn, but 

I'm clinging on to summer in my beach dress.

I just love this dress and it's really been working its little socks off this summer with all the gorgeous sunny days we've had.

All too late, now when I look at these photos, am I seeing the opportunities this dress offers other than just throwing it over a swimsuit and slipping my feet into flip flops.

You see, for 15 years I've tunnel visioned it as something for the beach only and as such, I've not really taken pics of it so I've not truly looked at it.

Only now, because I snapped it for the blog, do I see its many colours for accessorising and only now can I see that with the right accessories it's so much more than just a beach dress.

And I see this baby going in many directions.

 Do you have a colourful dress you can study, pulling out colours to accessorise with?  Creating new outfits, creating new scope for your dress?

Take some photos and find out what your

dress can really do for you!

Here's what I'm seeing from this little beach dress, just by shopping from my wardrobe:

1. Red espadrilles and necklace

2. Coral cardi with espadrilles

3. Orange cardi or green cardi, metallic sandals

4. Turquoise embellished cardi and necklace, pewter sandals

5. A blue scarf as shrug or kaftan

6. White denim jacket and pumps (sneakers).

If we have the weather, I'll try a few of those combos and post them.

 If not, then oh well, let's squirrel those ideas and have lots of fun with this little dress next summer.

Because now I know that this little dress is ...

More than a beach dress,

More than a beach dress to me!

A la perchoine.

Freerein Friday - Brown, Revisited

There are posts that don't make it on to my blog.  Sometimes because I feel a post fails on content, photography or simply attitude - and occasionally all three!  

These drafts linger in my blogger's wilderness.

I've brought this early-summer reject back from the wilderness today (after cutting it back to the salient points - it rambled!) because it will link in to another post coming up soon.

So here I give you brown, revisited.

My recent  blue jacket search HERE reunited me with a few forgottens.  Like this brown print lined cotton lawn affair.

East dress and cardi.

Bought in sale about 10+ years ago, during my Brown Period.

Never worn, so BNWT, to use eBay language!

It's quite long, though not as long as it looks in these pics!

And though it was reduced considerably from its original £80 price tag, I still don't like to chuck it out when it's never had even one airing.   Should it stay or should it finally go?

Oh the trials of a dithering hoarder ...

So I did what all experienced ditherers do, I switched focus.  

To footwear. M&S glittery espadrilles.

£19.50, HERE

These espadrilles seem a good partner for the dress, should I ever bite the bullet and wear it!

So that's my rejected post, revisited.

Next stop, Highway 61,

Revisited.

A la perchoine.

Don't Dream, It's Over

Well peeps, I've said adieu to my dream.

I'd been wanting these Carvela berry beauties for so long.  They were my dream shoes.  

But though I adored them, after trying on these comfy booted heels a couple of times, I accepted that I wouldn't get much use out of them.  They're not the boots for the life I lead ... now.

They would have been perfect in my former life.  Oh I can just picture them, accompanying smart skirted suits and classic dresses.  They would be the dot over the i, as the Danes say.

These booties are just so simple, yet elegant.  And so comfy.  

Slide foot in ... and off you strut.

I loved the finish at the back, which made slipping on effortless.

But they had to go 😢, I just couldn't justify the expense given that as a pensioner, what there is of disposable income has to be spent wisely.

Of course, I had to have one last blast with them before they were sealed up ready for the return journey.  I tried them with a couple of skirts, just giving them one last chance.  But head ruled and my shoe dream was over and cosseted in tissue and cardboard they disappeared in a puff of Royal Mail smoke.

But no time for tears because Gabor Pollyanna fit my lifestyle and that's what I've kept.

They are a dream to wear.  Just the right amount of heel that my instep needs.  Great grip.  And they are leather, so I TP can keep them nicely polished.

Of course, getting to this purchase was arduous and I had to issue an apology along with the way !  I had to order 3 sizes, eventually ending a half size up from my regular size.  But I got there through dogged determination and with the help of John Lewis's super free delivery and returns.  Love that company.  

So when it comes to these berry booties beauties, my message to self is clear ...

... don't dream, it's over.

Now, dear reader, it's over to you ... 

Do you have any dream shoes in your sights right now?

And when it comes to buying footwear, is it your heart or your head that has the final decision?

A la perchoine.



A Life Less Tailored

Hello, my dearies.  How's your belly off for spots?

Don't fret, I'm not going all medical on you, it's an old greeting from the North of England.  Dunno why that sprang to mind. Maybe it's because my head's in a bit of a mess.  I'm facing a dichotomy, dear reader.   Potentially, you may be too, so I'm sharing with you today.

It's this.

When I go shopping, I find myself drawn to

and

or even

Tailored. Business wear.  But I don't lead that life now.

This is what I should be gravitating towards if, indeed, I need a jacket at all.  Slouchy, to posh up jeans.  But slouchy doesn't excite me the way tailored does.  Oh I love even the sound of that word!

Then we have the supposed slightly less tailored jackets.

Something Chanel-like.

Or military.  I love military but it doesn't love me, sadly.

But it loved my cousin! During our Southampton Zara scavenge she bagged herself the jacket, a blush top and these gorgeous floral trousers.  We wanted a look at them back at the hotel. She looked amazing, even during this quick throw-on in the foyer!

She's younger and still whizz-kidding it.  I'm guessing she still moves in the world of business meetings and corporate entertaining so I can see this jacket fitting into her life just perfectly.

You see, my dear reader, I realised when walking around Zara that my head is still wanting to dress the old me.  The old working me.

These days, if I'm thinking "jacket", it should be preceded by "biker", for retirement life is more biker than business.   I should be getting excited when I see this.  But no, I want neat, tailored.

Perhaps I should not be thinking jackets at all.  I'm retired, therefore my eyes should be lingering over Zara's slouchy cardis and not dreamily dressing Business Pout, she no longer exists.  Yet I found myself wandering around Zara's, mentally dressing myself in a tailored mustard frock coat, perfect for the me of 10 years ago.

And what about evening wear?  I have a special occasion event popping up next month and I believe my jumpsuit is going to jump into my suitcase again.   My no-longer-tanned arms need cover.  Again, I think cover and I think tailored jacket.

I fell for this embroidered jacket.

But the reality is that I should be thinking along the lines of an embellished cardi.

See what I mean about a dichotomy? Whatever part of the brain makes outfit decisions is doing me no favours, it is seriously lagging behind where I am, right here, right now.

And so it continues ...

I was drawn to Zara's frilled shirts.  There were many!

But hey, I think I may just be making a breakthrough here.

For I came out of the store with this far more practical embroidered stripe.  More everyday casual.  A shirt that requires NO IRONING.  Good lifestyle choice, Pout!

Have I finally got it?  That my life is casual?  It has been for some years.  Have I finally caught up with where I am?

No!  For I fell at the next hurdle. I would like a new winter dress.  But my mind wandered ...

... right back to tailored, in dress form!   Event poshwear.  Love this 1940s vibe.

But this is where I should be heading.  A sweater dress.  And maybe a cardi is about as posh as I need to get with dresses and cover.

And don't talk to me about shoes!

I need new ankle boots.  My faithful Gabor nubucks of 4-5 years are starting to look a bit oldbucks.

So I went a-boot-browzin'.

Immediately I am drawn to something like this ...

... heels.  1940s style again.   V. smart.

Or these.

But my brain should be steering me to chunky heels.

At the very least, steering me to a heel like this.

Or more realistically, these warm flatties.

But no, I want those 1940s heeled booties, which will be so impractical for the stomping sort of retirement life I lead these days.

My issue seems to be that I am not transitioning well from classy corporate to relaxed retirement.  Even after all these years.  Is this a taste of the Brexit transition?! 

Maybe I should just go with what I like and stand out from the crowd in my differentness.  Is tailored a look that fits in with a life less corporate?  Is tailored my natural style, my signature look?  Should I listen to my inner tailored lady?

Or should I love the life I'm in and dress in my feared smart casual, something I struggle to "get" even after some years of A Life Less Tailored.

  So, dear reader, my dichotomy: do I dress for the life I have ... or the life I no longer have?!

How have you fared during the transition from workplace wear to retirement wear?

Do you find yourself dressing the Old You?

And now, a song.

Stephen Stills wrote this one with other things in mind but my take is to accept the "now" in life, work with what you've got.  I've found the song somehow calming over the years and calm is what I need until I crack this transitioning from corporate to retirement wear, from tailored to slouchy.  So I give you ...

Love the One You're With

And to paraphrase Stephen's message, "If you can't live in the life you dress, dress the life you're in".

A la perchoine.

Photo credits: Zara, H&M, Ellos, Woolovers, Gabor, Cotton Traders, John Lewis, Poshmark.

Being ... The Photographer

What's he like Mavis?
He's a real tasty geezer.

Why do I open today's post with the intro to The Piglets' Johnny Reggae?

Well, The Photographer was once described as "a pretty snappy dresser for an old geezer" and as I write about him today, that line is swirling round in my summer-addled brain.

Perhaps it's the unaccustomed recent heat that draws me to introduce this post to you with an old 70s hit.  Maybe it's because this old geezer in his 70s is a hit with me!

The Photographer's been getting a lot of compliments on this blog lately.   So I thought I'd give him his own style post.  For style he has.  I put the post together and made that a little Father's Day surprise treat for him.  He's let me share it with you.




What's his style in retirement?

Well, he pays great attention to colour co-ordination and what he feels is appropriate for the occasion.  So he needs very little bossing guidance.

Let's see all of this in action.

He's so definitely a jumpers man.  With a leaning towards zipper jumpers.

Here, Sct Hans Aften, Denmark, in a pure wool Peter Grabby zipper sweater and black jeans (yeah, I'd never heard of the make either but we're entering Boyzone here!).

 And below wearing a navy cashmere merino zipper jumper from Woolovers - I've heard of them :-).

Yes, he likes his zipper jumpers.  He has several more.  

His style is jeans and jumper or shirt.  End of.

Left.  Brown cashmere (M&S Limited Collection, we all heard of them eh ladies!)  In Mads Norgaard, Copenhagen (heard of him too!).  Bored, as the shopping was for me.  

Right.  Yes, he has was sooo bored ... until he spotted that there was a mens' section!  I came away empty-handed, he came away with a new striped jumper.  

This often happens when we go shopping for me.  He doesn't like shopping but he does rather like hijacking my shopping trips. 

 His all-time fave shirt.  Birds Eye custard yellow.  It's by Oakman - how's that for a butchy Boyzone brand naming.

He chose this shirt to say goodbye to his fave house, his home in Devon for 40 years.  He will say it was just coincidence but what did I say about dressing for the occasion ... ?

A few years ago he hit on this style.  A Rohan suit jacket, charcoal, worn with jeans and a shirt.  He declared "I have found my new smart casual uniform".  And since that day he's rolled out variations of this often and with great success.

He feels relaxed in his uniform.  He thinks it looks hip.  So do I.

Men's dressing is so easy.  It's uniforms.  Not just for business wear or black ties.  Even smart casual is built on a uniform.  How many times have you seen chinos, blue shirt and brown loafers at an informal event or on office mufti days? And now they have added this winner, the hip suit jacket, shirt and jeans uniform. They've got dressing nailed!

Does your other half have a uniform?

Like this? Or something that's all their own work?

When the heat cranks up he wastes not a moment in switching to Jesus sandals.  And recently, shorts.  

Bit of an aging hippie, it turns out.

He loves his jeans.  He recently bought a couple of pairs, denim and grey.  During the try-on at home, he declared that they were "old man's jeans", a bit baggy and shapeless.  And they were.  

I had to quickly source some slim-fits through Marks online for this demanding dresser.   I think slimmies take years off him. 

Pure Knitting Pattern Man, eh ladies?

Dark wash slim jeans from Marks.

Here's just a tease of his grey slimmies for you, until I get a better male model pose out of him.

His recent success was his wedding outfit (Rohan*).  He wore charcoal and white.

I'd say this is more James Bond than Knitting Pattern.  Licensed to Thrill!

Unbeknowingly, I too wore charcoal, with ivory (a subtle variation). We do this often.  It looks like we've planned our matching outfits.  We haven't.  It's embarrassing.

We look a bit Howard and Hilda from Ever Decreasing Circles.

Do you find yourselves in an unplanned Howard and Hilda situation?

And what do you think of your partner's style?

Is yours a real tasty geezer?

A la perchoine.

* I've heard of Rohan.  It's a unisex brand and I have a few pieces from my Trekking Around Dartmoor period.  You won't see these pieces, this blog is where I sassy!