Starting Over

Someone asked me a great question this week. "If you were buying a whole new wardrobe, what would you start with?"

When starting a capsule wardrobe, the points you need to consider include lifestyle, personal style, and colors that work for you. If you never attend a formal event or work exclusively from home, you might not need many dressy pieces in your wardrobe capsule.

The black, white, and red combination works well for me, but black is too harsh for many people. Brown, cream, and rust, or perhaps navy, ivory, and plum, might be better groups of colors for you.

A nice pair of slacks in a dark color would be one of the first things to buy. Next would be a good quality fitted jacket that you can wear with everything (remember not too boxy). A great jacket can make even a nice pair of jeans look appropriate for many events. Jeans are considered neutral but not too faded out works best for most of us.

Scoop neck long sleeve tees and tanks in your color grouping allow you to change your look. I chose scoop neck over V neck or turtleneck because they are more flattering to most face shapes. If you wear a jacket with a V neck top, it sometimes gives you two of the same V shapes. Contrasting shapes are more pleasing to the eye. If you add a necklace, remember this tip. Three necklines of the same form can look cluttered.

If you have been following me for a while, you know that I did indeed have to buy a whole new wardrobe in 2011. Not even my shoes fit after I lost 45 pounds. I wish I had known how to use this formula then. It would have saved me a lot of buying mistakes.

A straight black pencil skirt to wear with opaque tights and boots might also be a good look for you. The long cardigan would look great with jeans too. The purpose of choosing a capsule of three colors and essential pieces is that almost all the pieces can be mixed and matched to create many different looks without having to spend a lot of money.

Wear It Wednesday - Choices

A few years ago, I was about fifty pounds over my ideal weight, and I was ill quite often. My fashion choices were plunging into the depths of frumpy old lady styles. I had given away all of my jeans and cool shoes because I was convinced I should start dressing in a more mature style.

A print knit top with ugly khaki slacks and a strange summer weight scarf to top it all off was my look for our tour of the Barnsley Garden ruins in the early spring of 2010. Check out those sensible shoes.

In 2011 I read the book "Eat to Live" by Dr. Joel Fuhrman. It gave me the information I needed to help me make healthier choices at mealtime. 

Over the next few months, I lost more than forty pounds and found my confidence again. My health improved dramatically. I returned to wearing my lifelong favorites, including jeans and solids in neutral colors. I now have many styles and colors of jeans and wear them with attractive shoes almost every day. I am honoring my true self.

The top photo was taken when I was four years younger, but the extra weight and clothing style makes me appear ten to fifteen years older.

The choices we make at every meal, and each time we get dressed, reflect our self-image. Your clothing selection is silent communication with those who see you, but those clothes also send messages to your inner self. Each time I saw myself in a picture or caught a glimpse of myself in a mirror during that earlier time, I was filled with self-loathing. My inner voice would always say, "What has happened to you?" 

It makes a monumental difference when I am at or near my ideal weight and wear clothes that feel comfortable. Not just comfortable on my body but also clothes that reflect who I really am. I grew up on a farm in western North Carolina, so I was always a bit of a tomboy. Floral prints, dresses, and ruffles are entirely against my nature.

The moral of this post is, wear what makes you feel comfortable. Wear what reflects your true self. Don't try to fit anyone's perception of what is right for you. Be your best self, and celebrate who you truly are every day.

The black jacket, white tank, and jeans are from Chico's. The belt is from T.J.Maxx. The shoes are by Nine West from Ross. The bag is from Finely House Couture in Blowing Rock, NC.

Sunday Drive

The weather was beautiful on Sunday so we drove out to the country to view the changing leaves against a clear blue sky.

I wore a vintage St John Country white jacket which was a gift from my dear friend Mitzi. The long sleeve gray tee is from Kohl's. The straight leg jeans are from Chico's. The reptile and suede short boots are by Vince Camuto from Nordstrom.

The earrings are old from Stein Mart. The ring is one of my favorite gifts from Mr. Mickey. The pony hair belt is from T.J.Maxx.

White, orange, and green pumpkins in a huge field along the way.

A stream runs through the Laurel's Recreation area.

Shopping With Mr. Mickey

When Mr. Mickey takes me shopping, we go to Chico's or perhaps Kohl's, Stein Mart, or T.J.Maxx.

I shopped in Stein Mart on Friday, where I found this fabulous faux leather jacket in a plum color.

On Thursday, I found this black leather belt with silver hardware in T.J.Maxx.

A few weeks ago, I was shopping in Asheville, NC. I wore pointed-toe black flats that day because I knew I would be walking a lot. Halfway through the day, I had to stop in Ross and buy these strappy black shoes with a heel because the flats were so uncomfortable.

The black jeans were purchased at Chico's earlier this year.

The bag is perhaps ten years old. I think I bought it at T.J.Maxx. The long sleeve white tee is from Kohl's.

We stopped by the MeadowView Marriott to have a late lunch after our shopping day for Mr. Mickey. Above is a view of the entrance rotunda looking up. Below is the entrance hall to the convention center part of the hotel.

Behind me is one of two waterfall features near the entrance.

The ring and earrings were special gifts from Mr. Mickey.

You may ask, "What does Mr. Mickey buy when he goes shopping?"

Congratulations, my dear! 

May your new purchase take us on many wonderful adventures.

Animal Print Heels

Friday evening is the perfect time to unwind and relax over a leisurely dinner with good company.

The long jacket with a black tank and leggings are from Chico's. Normally I would not wear leggings with heels, but these have a texture like the heavier Travelers material from a few years ago.

The Chanel inspired bag is from Express.

The Guess animal print and leather shoes are from T.J.Maxx. The ring is from B'Dazzled in Blowing Rock, N.C., and the octagon shape sterling silver with clear stones earrings are old.

Ming Wang at Dinner

Our weather is still cool and rainy so for Wednesday date night I brought out the mink scarf and a Ming Wang jacket worn over my Adea tank.

The jacket is from the 2013 Ming Wang collection. The wide-leg slinky knit pants are from Evan Picone via a great sale at Dillard's earlier this year.  The mink scarf was a long-ago gift from Mr. Mickey.

The Steve Madden heels are from Nordstrom and the small evening clutch is from T.J.Maxx. The rings are from Stein Mart. (The square stone is purple like the jacket.) The black and silver earrings are from B'Dazzled in Blowing Rock, NC.

Wear It Wednesday - Jeans

Jeans are one of my all-time favorite items of clothing. That being said, they provide a lot of frustration for me as well.

The jeans I am wearing above are the least favorite pair in my closet. The trendy gray/brown "dirty" tint to the wash and the slouchy fit is not flattering.

Mr. Mickey and I were going out for bagels and coffee, so I thought I looked OK until I saw this picture. The jeans are now in the To-Go Bag!

Trends in jeans are not always a good idea for us ladies of a certain age. These Junya Watanabe jeans are $1,165!

While they might look cute on an eighteen-year-old, they certainly would not be right for this fifty-eight-year-old.

These Atlantic Sea dark wash jeans would be a much better choice for most of us.

The slim straight leg allows me to wear heels or flats with them—jeans by Chico's.

If you wear loafers or other flats or perhaps boots with your jeans, you might enjoy a boot cut pair of jeans. Note: I wear athletic shoes with jeans or yoga pants ONLY when running or walking for exercise in the neighborhood. 

These jeans are Levi's.

In most cases, jeans with a jacket or a nice sweater are perfectly acceptable in most situations. I would never wear jeans to a job interview, to a court date or a business meeting, to a gallery opening, or to the symphony. Nor would I wear them when giving a dinner party, to a wedding, or a funeral.

Some of my favorite jeans are Talbots, Chico's, Not Your Daughter's Jeans, Michael Kors, Kut from the Kloth, and Levi's. I look for straight legs, a dark wash, and no embellishments. When buying jeans that stretch, I buy a size smaller than I normally wear. After I have them on for an hour, I am so glad I did.

I usually add a third element, such as a jacket, a vest, or a cardigan, when I wear jeans. I feel more appropriate and also much more comfortable.

Not all my jeans are blue. I love black jeans most of all, but I do have lots of white and on occasion, I have worn brown or red. The tone on tone patterned jeans below was out of character for me, but I like them.

Speaking of white jeans or white jackets... I wear them all year long in dry weather. No white after Labor Day is an incredibly outdated fashion rule.

The Fabulous Adea Basics

Adea equals well-made basics that last. 

On this rainy evening, I wore my Adea black tank with black leggings and a muted gold swing jacket.

I tried many different items over this tank and found that everything floated across it with no clinging at all. The fabric is buttery smooth, and sleek. It is so comfortable against your skin you will forget you are wearing anything at all. The straps are wide enough to hide your bra straps, which is always a necessary feature for me.

The camisole was so comfortable throughout the whole evening. It did not lose its shape at all.

This fall, Adea is launching a new, reversible camisole! Wear it as a v-neck or a scoop neck, whatever your outfit or mood requires. The reversible camisole will be available in two lengths, standard, and tunic lengths, for more layering choices and is made from Adea’s long-lasting, breathable, wrinkle-resistant fabric. The inch-wide straps also offer coverage for most bra straps, so the camisoles work as tank tops too. The Adea reversible camisole is a must-have wardrobe essential for women – travel with it, wear it to work, lounge with it at home as a v-neck one day, and scoop the next! Made in the USA and Italy. www.myadea.com

These tanks, camisoles, and layering tops made from Italian-made fabrics transform into timeless silhouettes that contour to your body for a modern, feminine fit. They are soft, machine washable, and include UV protection 50+. Adea uses an intelligent, stretch microfiber that gives all of their products the luxurious feeling of a second skin. Great for lounging at home or when you're busy at work, for running around town or around the globe, these pieces will become an indispensable part of your wardrobe. 

After adding some carefully chosen accessories, I was ready for our evening out.

Mr. Mickey and I had dinner at Gourmet and Company and then attended the first performance of the concert season by our Johnson City Symphony Orchestra, celebrating its 45th year.

#CosmopolitanChic

What do you pack to go on vacation?

I pack the same capsule wardrobe I normally wear, including three colors that work together.

Black and white with accents of blue include pieces that can be worn together in various combinations that will serve me well for a three-day stay at the fabulous Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

I may be having dinner at Scarpetta, a modern Italian restaurant by award-winning chef Scott Conant, shopping at All Saints Spitalfields, or attending one of the shows at Marquee, but I will always be comfortably dressed in items that reflect my personality and taste.

MarketPlace

I recently learned about a wonderful organization that helps low-income women in India learn how to run a business.

MarketPlace: Handwork of India is an innovative fair trade, not-for-profit organization that combines the experience of running a business with various support programs designed to effect real, meaningful, and lasting change in the lives of low-income women in India.

The organization works with 480 artisans organized into 14 independent co-operatives, which produce high-quality women's apparel and home decor. As they learn to be in charge of their own businesses, women learn valuable skills and earn a living and support their families. Programs offer educational and enrichment opportunities designed to help the artisans overcome personal, cultural, and financial obstacles.

In MarketPlace's comprehensive and creative organization, economic development is only the first step for these brave and resourceful women.

This beautiful jacket is from their current collection. You can see the whole catalog by clicking here.

This short video shows how the lightweight jacket looks from every angle.