Tuesday Miscellany: At The Shore And More

Style blogger Susan B. wears a casual look for a weekend boat party: white linens shirt, straw fedora and jeans. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

What I Wore: Boat Party

My BIL and SIL are back in Southern California for the next few months with their boat, (the one we stayed on when we visited them in Japan). And a few more folks from our extended family were also in town, so it was a very busy social weekend. Saturday afternoon BIL and SIL threw a party on the boat, and as always they were amazing hosts.

I dressed casually and comfortably in jeans and a white linen shirt, and added a hat with UPF 50+ as I wasn’t sure how much shade there would be. Hats are challenging for me because I have a very small head. This one is still a little big, but not too bad. (Here’s a similar style on sale.) My other lovely SIL took the photo above, thanks K!

Style blogger Susan B. wears a straw fedora, pearl necklace and white shirt. Details at une femme d'un certain age. #pearls #redlipstick #fedora

I posted this car selfie on my Instagram on our way to the party, and a few people asked about the lip color. I tend to accumulate lipsticks and have been going through my stash and trying to either use or toss older ones. This particular shade is no longer available, but is almost identical to Chanel Rouge Coco in “Arthur.”

The pearl necklace (similar) is from French Kande.

A Little Miracle For Earring Lovers

Kendra Scott Lobe Wonder earring support patches. Wear your favorite earrings again! Details at une femme d'un certain age. #earrings

Last week when I was doing my Nordstrom Anniversary Sale reconnaissance, I was admiring some earrings and mentioned to the Sales Associate that I could no longer tolerate earrings with any weight to them. She asked if I’d tried these “Lobe Wonder” patches, and said they really help with heavier earrings. I picked up a package and tried them over the weekend. They take a bit of practice to get placed correctly, but really do help! I still can’t tolerate a few of my heaviest pairs, but can again wear some of my favorites that had been languishing for the last several months. The patches support the earlobe and hold the weight of the earrings, which also helps prevent your piercings from stretching out. They work with posts, hoops or wires.

Morning Brew

White coffee cup and saucer.

A couple of years ago, le Monsieur and I decided that our everyday tableware felt a bit too fussy for our current style. (It was a floral pattern that we’d registered for when we got married over 23 years ago.) We took advantage of some after-holiday sales and replaced with some very simple plates and bowls, but never replaced the coffee cups and mugs. I finally decided to order a few of these. Can’t go wrong with a classic. I no longer make drip coffee at home so don’t need big mugs. (As of yesterday, there was 20% off and free shipping with code FRIENDS, hopefully still active.)

If you haven’t yet had a chance to check out the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, I’ve set up a Shopping page with some of my picks HERE. The Anniversary Sale is currently open to Nordstrom cardholders; general access begins this Friday 7/20.

Do you wear hats often? What style do you prefer?

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31 Comments

  1. Hi Susan—love your outfit, which looks cool and comfortable for a summer outing. Would love to have seen what shoes/sandals your wore. Since the shirt didn’t come in petite sizes do you find it ran long on you and what size did you purchase? I’m about the same size/height as you. Also, did you need to wear another layer underneath due to sheerness? Thank you

  2. It sounds like a marvelous time! And glamorous!
    You look as cool as a cucumber. I would wear the same, though probably with linen capris or a skirt instead of jeans, because it’s usually in the high 80s-low 90s here. Air conditioning is rare, though.
    As for hats, I have many and choose based on the wind. I have a huge hat that’s very Audrey Hepburn, but it’s as light as a feather with a big brim and flies off at so much as a sneeze. That one sadly gets little wear. Another also has a wide brim but is tighter and can behave on a calm day. On windy days I wear a raffia hat that has a little tie around the crown. The tie isn’t just decoration–you can use it to tighten the hat. Brilliant. And on the windiest days I wear a straw bucket hat with a smaller brim.

  3. My current summer hat choices are:

    (1) My favorite is a pinch-front fedora-style black and white straw hat with a brown leather band branded by Carlos Santana. Its black, white and brown colors play well with most other colors, and its classic style complements a range of casually styled ensembles. It should be obvious that I stole it from my husband. 🙂

    (2) I also wear several bill / baseball-style hats, some logo’ed, others not. I choose these hats when my dress is very casual, when the breeze is strong enough to whip any other hat off my head, and when I’m exercising, engaged in sporting activities (from kayaking to hiking), mowing, gardening, or doing more strenuous work on the farm.

  4. I have a small head also, I sew a one inch wide elastic band to the inside ribbon, I measure the tightness needed, overlap ends and sew, then slightly stretch as I sew onto ribbon. Works perfectly!

  5. Hello – I would love to wear more hats but have the opposite problem — a very large heaf! I’m so frustrated by ” one size fits most” and adjustable band hats .I need a “sized” hat like men have e enjoyed forever! Do you, or anyone here, know a label making women’s hats in large sizes? Thanks

    1. Another person with a big head 🙂 ! All the cute ladies hats are too little.
      Overstock.com sells sized hats, so sometimes I look there.

      The lobe things are interesting. I bought some moleskin to put over the back of my fitbit, which was irritating the skin on my wrist, works great, and I still have a roll of it. I’ll have to give that a try with my heavy earrings. Seems like it would be a similar concept.

    2. I had the same problem; it’s difficult to find women’s hat to fit….until I discovered Tilley Hats…finally found a beautiful and stylish selection of women’s hats. I own 3 but always reach for the large brim hemp hat first….I’m a Tilley Endurables hat fan!

    3. Another big head lady here! I can only wear men’s hats, because one size does **not** fit all! I’m currently in the market for a packable hat to take to Italy in August, but have had no luck. I’d like something feminine looking, a bit hard to find in the men’s department. Nordstrom had a cute packable straw hat in the Anniversary Sale, but when I checked it out, I discovered it fits a 21 1/2 inch head size. Sigh. Mine is 23”!

      1. Try the Village Hat Shop website. I also have a 23 inch head and that’s not including when I wrap my braids around my head. I’ve had some luck buying sunhats,both crushable and uncrushable there. They have LOTS of hats. Also if you live near LA they have a store in Long Beach’s Shoreline Village to try on in person.

        1. I also have a large head and always bought men’s hats until I discovered Goorin Bros., a national chain that has a number of shops in Los Angeles. They carry many women’s styles in sizes up to XL. It’s wonderful to have a choice and if you live close to a shop, to be able to try them on. https://www.goorin.com/

    4. Interesting that in Austria, women’s hats are available in sizes. I saw many stylish wool hats in Salzburg last December. Here in the US, I’ve found that hats from the San Diego Hat Company run quite large. Try Tilley Hats, as well.

  6. I would love to see you in other pants other than jeans. White pants or other colors or Capri. Perhaps it is because I don’t wear jeans. Thanks for introducing me to French Kande. Love it! I have bought so many of the shoe and purse options. Even the one when you were in Paris with fringe.
    Eileen Fisher is my go-to choice in my closet

  7. Your boat party outfit looks perfect!
    I am also in the small-head category. Possibly because of that, my only hats are soft, adjustable, logo-less baseball-style hats. Even in France, at the risk of looking like an obvious tourist. Sometimes you just have to keep the sun out of your eyes. I think I saw actual Parisians wearing them the last time I was there, although it may have been wishful thinking.

  8. I also have a small head and have trouble finding hats that fit. I’ve found hats from Wallaroo to be the best. They have an inner drawstring that helps keep them on. They recently have some petite sizes in styles that I like and they fit even better. I’ve also found hats sizes in Europe to be more on the small size.

  9. I suffer from stretched earlobe holes too. A malady brought about by my twin girls balanced on each hip and grabbing my earrings. Holding two babies keeps your hands full so no removing tiny fingers. Eventually I just gave up wearing earrings. I use TWO lobe wonders placed above the hole for more stability. On another note, I purchased the amaryllis lipstick and was wondering what lip liner you use.
    Love the hat. Bought one myself. Erica Javits with a black band and turned down brim. It’s crushable but we shall see.

  10. I live in Arizona so I do wear a hat if out in sun walking. I just got the cutest hat, crushable for travel, nice brim and as cute as can be. I got at Costco if you can believe it and it is really cute and has sun protection.
    I have used lobe wonders for a couple of years and they do work. A bit of practice to get placed on your lobe correctly but they are virtually weightless and invisible!! Try them, I was able to use a lot of my earrings that previously made the hole from piercing hang really low, and these actually work!!
    You look great on the boat!! Makes me wish we had more lakes than swimming pools here! LOL

  11. I”m a hat fan as well and have been since my 20’s. Originally I started wearing them because we dug for Mayan artifacts and minerals and crystals in New Mexico and Arizona. The hat you’ve featured is unique because the color bands are woven into it. It really pretty! I have no clue where I’ve been the last couple of years! Just stamp stupid on my forehead, because I’ve missed 98% of your great fashion advice. I’m onboard now, so I hope to fix that! Brenda

  12. Great look!! I’m in SoCal too. I have worn hats for years. Casual is either canvas or straw for me. I do a bright lip and earrings w my hats. I love the look and always get compliments! YOU look just perfect!

  13. What a great photo of you…looking relaxed and so calm. Purchased one of my fav hats on the Isle of Capri almost two years ago!! From a darling little girl who reminded me of my granddaughter…at Positano would have been about 50+ euros…here 10! Wish I could have bought more!
    Enjoy the boats and family!

  14. In my personal life, I really don’t wear hats. But on stage (I’m an opera singer) I have to wear hats all the time. When they are too big, or at risk of falling off (which you really don’t want to happen) they add a self stick foam under the band in the brim, and I have to say it works wonders. Maybe it can help you with hats that you love, but are a bit too big? Any how, you look great as always.

  15. I always wear a very large brimmed hat to walk the dog on the Strand and at the beach. Every opportunity I get I wear one of my(way too)many vintage hats. A group of friends and I have recently taken to monthly outing for tea as an excuse to give some of out hats an outing.

  16. No one has mentioned fringes (I think you call them bangs in the US?). The crown of any hat has to sit above my fringe otherwise my hair gets stuck to my forehead, not a good look when I take the hat off! So, very limited to what styles I can wear. I keep my hats on with an antique hat pin when windy, sent to me by my sister who lives in New England. What styles do you suggest, Susan?

  17. I’m a fan of Lobe Wonder too! Got mine on Amazon. Same product, just not co-branded with Kendra Scott.
    I have a big head and lots of hair, sigh. One-size hats never fit me either, unless they are men’s.

  18. Have a small head as well…live in Sonoma, CA, so wear hats at least half the year. Have purchased the rolls of foam hat strips online that have removable adhesive, which you put inside the inner band. I cut 2 strips and put in the front and back, or one on each side. You can move them or take out if not just right. That usually gives a firm fit. Rag and Bone has hats in sizes–small/medium fits a small head. Some of the Eric Javits, but have put the foam in them to get a tighter fit. Ordered 2 Caslon hats from Nord. this year that have an adjusting ribbon inside–not expensive and very good quality– flattering in the fedora and medium brim style for a smaller person. Adjustable baseball caps for walking…Yup, need hats here…

  19. Since I live in FL hats are a necessity for me. I have several Wallaroo hats, my favorite is the Sydney model which still looks great after lots of wear and being crushed into suitcases and tote bags countless times over the past 7-8 years! As someone else mentioned they have an inner drawstring for adjustment. They also make child size hats that worked very well for my petite sister.
    For a trip earlier this year I purchased a Tilley raffia hat because I was looking for something with a chin strap. I have worn it for the past several months and I like it but it does not travel as well as my Wallaroo.

  20. Absolutely love your outfit: simple, sophisticated, comfortable….and very chic. Think I will have to try the French Kande. I have resisted due to the price, but it looks so good in every photo! Thank you for your blog. I love it.