Sometimes you feel like a nut…
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| A little quirky, and extremely comfortable. What’s not to love? |
Once again, I’ve “shoe stalked” materfamilias. She posted these Fluevog shoes recently (along with a totally Paris-worthy navy v-neck), mentioned they were on sale, and the rest is history. This makes three pair of Fluevogs that we have in common.
So I’ll admit, I’m totally flummoxed by trying to dress for the office in hot+humid weather. I give up on “serious” and just go for “decent,” “comfortable” and maybe “fun.” What should be the obvious choice for this time of year, skirts and dresses, are difficult for me. I’m rather self-conscious about my splotchy and spider-veined legs. Nutty, I know. Once we’re back in tights weather, I’ll be all over the skirts like fleas on a hound.
Anyone else struggle with this? What’s your formula for hot weather work attire?
And here’s your Gratuitous Garden Shot (our neighbors’ roses).
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Love the gratuitous garden shot! I have garden envy and get green whenever Hostess of the Humble Bungalow or Leslie of the Gardener’s Cottage post their photos.
When I worked, I wore capris or pants with sleeveless tops, cardigans (for the air conditioning) and flats. That was my uniform. I remember going to Montreal and so many woman had large scarves or shawls which I found strange on a very hot day. But it was explained that they would use these for air conditioned offices. I never thought about doing that.
Maybe I’m the only one who thinks this way, but I think a lot of time is wasted being self conscious. I would wear dresses in hot humid weather and be comfortable. Chances are quite good that no one would notice your splotchy spider veined legs.
I am not a career person, but do live in a very hot and humid climate. Dresses and skirts are a salvation.
So far, my legs are spider-vein, cellulite-free, at least below skirt-length, but I like to think that even if/as I develop more signs of my age, I’ll maintain my right to bare my legs in heat. If not, though, long skirts are perfect, especially in light fabric in a floaty cut. Perhaps not for a conservative office, I suppose, but so much more comfortable than pants in the heat.
Thanks for the nod in my direction — aren’t these loafers a wonderful addition to our shoe wardrobe?! And you got yours on sale, you clever thing!
I mean, seriously! First we have to shave, then we have to dye our legs orange? Good lord.
I know! Are there no limits?!
I took mostly black clothes to France, which included time in the HOT south. Everyone wore white. I did great with my black crinkly Babette skirt–I have a beige one too, which I’ll take next time.
Don’t you have the Babette pants? I think they would work well b/c they are loose.
PS Got the Babette thanks to you. Found them in a consignment store in Sonoma.
@frugalscholar, well I *did* have the Babette pants until an unfortunate incident last weekend at the nail salon: an improperly closed bottle of red polish went flying and splattered all over me. I don’t know if the pants can be saved. 🙁
I too had some serious wardrobe envy for Materfamilias’ v-neck sweater. And I checked out the Fluevog’s of course, but decided to wait for fall to add to my collection.
My hot weather uniform is skirts and dresses, period. What saves my ability to wear them is self tanner. I was very snobby about this, plus scarred from what it was like in the 70s. A 20-something employee convinced me to give it a try again. She explained that the modern products give a good result *if you exfoliate*. So I never put it on without a good go with the hemp or nylon scrubbie with soap in the shower, special attention paid to knees and ankles.
I prefer the type that builds color gradually (I use Jergens) which mitigates my still present fear of turning bright orange. It turns my legs to the color that my arms are naturally. This color camouflages my spider veins to the point where I never think about them and am perfectly comfortable baring my legs. I have gone on at such length because this simple and inexpensive process has kept me able so stay cool and pretty in skirts and dresses, which are surely one of the great perks of being a girl! And I want the same for anyone else who is self-conscious about her spider veins.
I used the Juergens self tanner, but found that it would be uneven no matter how careful I was. Then I discovered Sally Hansen leg makeup. It is a little messy spraying on, but it can be evened out, doesn’t rub off until you wash it off and covers the veins and pallor nicely. I’ve used it all summer and loved it. So I’ve been in skirts and dresses most of the summer.
I also use self-tanner on my legs, especially in the early summer. I have also found sleeveless midi dresses from Eileen Fisher and Flax are cool but concealing. In black, grey or tan they are perfect for work or dinner. I wear them with ballet flats to work and platforms on the weekend.
I’ve been reading your blog for a while now and feel compelled to comment.
I’m pretty sure I saw you Monday at the Eileen Fisher store in Century City. (I wanted to approach you but was suddenly overcome with shyness and justified it on the grounds I was involved with a return.) You were wearing a printed skirt or dress, a light jacket and the pointed flame flats from J Crew. You looked fabulous – I never noticed your legs at all.
@Vonse, oh my gosh, yes that was me! Thank you so much; it’s kind of you to say so.
My legs are spotted and veiny so I have taken to wearing Hue capri tights with my summer dresses and skirts.
I have considered having laser treatments but they cost the earth and the tights are cheaper!
Your shoes look great with those pants…
I’m pretty sure that mater will be smiling when she reads this post!
😉
Lightweight pants, three quarter length sleeves… Those shoes are cute! (Do they come with a heel?) 🙂
I wear pants and sleeveless tops. I find pants far more comfortable that skirts, especially the popular maxis (they make me sweat just looking at them).
No problems with hot weather over here; ).
However, these days I applaud for comfort. Comfortable wear, and you feel, look great!
I LOVE the shoes on you, just as I loved them on mater. I have a weird urge to buy a pair myself, just to be triplets. Except I don’t know how I’d wear them. Boo! Let’s pretend:).
As for the legs, I posted a photo today of myself in a skirt, no tights, and sure enough someone commented on my horrible white legs. It hadn’t even OCCURRED to me that was an issue. Ha!
@LPC, Seriously?? I thought you looked GREAT.
No!! Are you kidding me?! What is wrong with us, as women, that we would criticise such things as horrible white legs. . . I mean, aren’t they standard issue?!
And please, please, please I wanna be Fluevog triplets! If you buy ’em, LPC, I’ll book a special flight down for a meet-up photo-op. Seriously!!
White legs are another thing I have never worried about. Needless to say, I’m fairly low maintenance I thought Lisa’s legs looked just fine. That commenter was really searching for something negative to say.
Welcome to my world! Although I don’t work in an office any more, but I did for many years in the steamy swamp of Houston, TX. My main work mode was pants with a sleeveless tank, and a lightweight jacket on top. The jacket went on when I entered the building, and came off the minute I went out the door for the long walk across the sweltering asphalt to my car ( aka my “Easy Bake Oven). I also had some midcalf, button front, sleeveless dresses. I would unbutton the bottom few buttons, up to slightly above knee length, so I had ventilation but was also covered up. Then the aforementioned lightweight jacket on top.
It doesn’t cool off at all here until well into October, so I’m always envious of those of you who can start wearing sweaters & jackets sooner. Hell, I’m envious of people who can wear SLEEVES before November.
Cropped pants and maxis here! And like you, waiting for the leggings for fall.
Love the shoes – so dapper looking and fun. I have splotchy skin on my legs, a few spider veins and other unpleasant issues. Agree with some of the others – use a self-tanner or leg make-up. I tried the Clinique and liked it. Sally Hansen makes a spray on makeup too that works pretty well. Not perfect result, but better than bare. So what if I have a pale face and tan legs! And yes, I like to wear skirts and dresses along with pants.
I think we all worry way too much (myself included) about what we consider “imperfect” body parts. As an artist and designer, I consider myself a very visual person, and I couldn’t describe the skin on any of my girlfriends legs, if my life depended upon it. Their face yes, but not the rest. Boy, we’re all so hard on ourselves!
I don’t dare start buying Fluevogs although I admire them on every blogger I see who owns them. I have a sort of double-standard about the naked legs in skirts in the summer. I’m fine with them everywhere but WORK. I actually pulled on a pair of nylons with a dress for a full day of meetings on Monday. It’s hard not to have some sort of age spot or scar, or heaven forbid, whiskers, on our legs when we’ve achieved our age.
I’m all for comfort. Very unstylish black fisherman-style sandals for me with my normal black pants in the summer. Today I wore my black slide-wedges and word got back to me someone was inquiring “don’t we have a dress code???” Seems toe cleavage frowned upon by another woman in the office. Jeesh. Back to fisherman (closed toes but still strappy and cooling) tomorrow! I’ve only bared “naked legs,” bottle-tanned, once this summer at the office – with a midi-length shift with deep side slits and capri leggings under with canvas wedge (closed toe) espadrilles. Summer dressing is a challenge for the office.
I’ve got to echo Eva’s comment on Sally Hansen Air Brushed Legs ($13 at the drugstore). It’s fabulous. Try it, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Not a self tanner — like the aforementioned Jergens which smells horrible — it’s more like a tinted moisturizer, with a little glimmer. Glides on easily and doesn’t have that dreaded orange color. And it stays put. There’s just enough color to even out the splotches and spider veins (no, they don’t totally disappear!), and put you back in dresses/skirts again with more confidence.
I am so grateful that I have summers “off” from work clothes, but we are starting next week in the heat, and I fully intend to begin the semester in cotton Boden sleeveless dresses, with deep V-necks and a J Crew cardi tied around my neck for privacy. I haven’t worn tights since I worked in an embassy as a speechwriter back in the late 1980s and couldn’t imagine ever putting on a pair again (even in winter). Honestly, dress for comfort: bare your legs and own the look. You’ll look terrific.
I would suggest skin colored fishnet stockings as they do wonders to hide veins etc,but don’t come off as weird or too evening wear or lad-of-the-evening.They’re fairly subtle and don’t add much layer so aren’t really hot either…If they’re a close match they’re almost invisible…The can be found at SockDreams.com
Heidi in L.A.