Why Not…Walk The Dog In Style?
“Going out” these days means taking Coco for a walk 🐾 (while maintaining distance, bien sûr). I have to get dressed, so why not have a little fun with it?
Scarf (similar) | Sweater (similar) | Jacket | Pants | Sneakers
I’ve been wearing these utility pants almost daily. They’re comfortable enough for around the house, but feel more put-together than sweats or yoga pants.
It’s still mostly Sweater Weather here, especially in the mornings. This is one of the J.Crew cashmere crewnecks. This color is no longer available, but there are still over a dozen colors (and neutrals) to choose from, in sizes XX-Small to 3X.
My winter scarves are too heavy now, but I still like to have something around my neck to keep the chill off, so why not a fun silk scarf? (“There’s no point in having nice things if you don’t use them,” my Grandmother used to say…) This one was a gift from Red Leopard and doesn’t seem to be available, but they still have several gorgeous styles available. And more here from designer Ivana Nohel.
I decided to pick up the yellow in the scarf with the sneakers.
How have you been working your favorite pieces into your stay-at-home style?
More Stay-At-Home (Or Walking the Dog) Styles
Stay in touch
Sign up to be notified of new posts and updates from une femme d’un certain âge.
Thanks so much for continuing to write your blog. It’s a ray of sunshine and a tie to the BP (before pandemic) era. I’m struggling. I was to retire at the end of 2019. My management asked me to extend into March, which I did and retired on the 13th. The plan was to start off with two weeks in Florida, and then return north. Retirement was largely uncharted, but, I committed to babysitting my infant granddaughter two days per week and planned to spend more time helping and simply being with my elderly mother, who’s sharp as a tack, but in declining health. And, quality time with the husband. Mom had a medical crisis 5 days before I retired, and died on the 17th. We can’t have a visitation, funeral or burial. We can’t gather with the extended family to mourn or clean out her apartment. I won’t babysit after today, as my husband and I are in the higher risk demographic. I do have a wonderful dog to walk but I’m hitting the wall on reading and watching Netflix. I miss the structure of my job and wonderful colleagues. Too soon for gardening and much outdoor activity in Minnesota. I just wanted let you to know how much I always enjoyed and looked forward to reading your blog, and it’s especially appreciated right now.
Oh dear, it sounds like rough sailing ahead.
Hang in there!
Keep the spirits up with video chats!
Jeanette, it is so hard when plans go awry, you lose a loved one and the world is crazy. If you are missing work (I don’t know what your job was, but) maybe you could devise a project to work on, with some time each day devoted to it. Maybe writing a memoir of sorts, or reflections about your life thus far that your granddaughter could read and appreciate in the future. From what I have heard, transitioning to retirement can be hard in the best of times. Good luck and know that “this too shall pass” 🙂
Jeanette, I’m so sorry for your loss. Wishing you peace.
You’ve had so much grief lately! All you can do is let is settle on you. You’ll never forget the love of your mother! Retirement takes some work too. No one prepared me for it….five years later I’m good.
I’m sure you don’t want to heat that time helps, the old platitude, but it truly does.
I’m a stranger sending you love today. Look for all the people who love you .
Stay well…..
I’ve probably read every grief book on the shelf, after several personal losses…want some titles email me!
Oh Jeanette, I’m so very sorry for your loss. I can only imagine how difficult that must be.
Change is stressful even in the best of times. Please be gentle with and take care of yourself.
Oh my goodness, Jeanette–so much change, in such a short and intensive period of time. I don’t know you at all and my heart goes out to you. I wish you peace and hope that good memories of your mother will give you comfort during this time.
Jeanette, I join the others in wishing you peace in your bereavement. I was moved by your comments. You write beautifully. I second Lori’s idea of writing your memories of your mother so your granddaughter can read them in the future.
Jeanette, I read what you wrote and my heart hurts for you. I wanted you to know that I hear you and send you all the best. We are all getting a lot of joy from this blog and I hope that my well wishes bring you some comfort. What a lot of changes you are trying to adjust to right now!
Jeanette, you have been hit hard in a very short time with three major losses/changes in your life. I am so sorry. One loss is bad, but three are overwhelming. I can only tell you to give yourself time. The pandemic will end and life will get back to normal.For now, find a project and keep yourself busy. As someone else suggested, write about your mother. Your granddaughter will never know her, but she could by the stories that you write of her. Write of your own life. We think our children know all about us, but they really don’t. Try painting or drawing. If you miss the structure of the job, then set up a schedule to follow.Reading and Netflix are getting old at my house, too. But I keep in touch with family and friends with Facetime I’m quilting again and learning to use the expensive embroidery/sewing machine that I bought just before I retired. Give yourself some time; it will get better. Sending you hugs and prayers.
So sorry about your mum! No matter their age it leaves an ever present ache in your heart.
I’m so sorry, Jeanette! It does seem timing is everything and you’ve had a run of very sad luck. I’ve worked from home part-time since my older son was born and was just starting to look at getting back into the workforce full-time after my last long-time contract was up. I couldn’t have picked a worse time to be looking for work, especially as I near 60, but at least I’m used to being a homebody, and have built up networks of friend groups that continue to help me feel connected. I know we all have love/hate relationships with Facebook, but one of the good things it does offer is Groups of all kinds, and when you find the right one, it can’t be such a blessing. I’ve made friends all over the country with parents of my son’s university and have been the primary admin of his engineering college’s parent group for the past five years, watching it grow from about 20 members to more than 2,000. It doesn’t pay anything obviously, but it does provide a wonderful service to other parents, and helps me feel useful (and to practice being a benign dictator!). Perhaps you can find a group or two to begin to connect with. And then when this whole horrible nightmare is over, you might even have some new friends to visit in other locales. Peace and health to you and your family!
*Sorry, that was meant to say CAN be such a blessing! So wish we had an edit button! 🙂
Oh, Jeanette – Another stranger telling you how terribly sorry she is for all these losses. The loss of structure is discombobulating in itself, combined with the loss of your mother and that shock. And – no babyhead smell with which to comfort yourself. Sending you Light to get through this incredibly difficult time with these unanticipated burdens.
So sorry for your loss, Jeanette. So many changes occurring at one time. You will survive all this and be stronger on the other side. We’re all here for you.
I like silk scarves with those nylon puffy jackets.
With a twill/denim jacket I’m more inclined to go with a cottonish fabric.
Susan, You can walk down my street anytime! Thanks for the cheerful pic.
Adorable! It’s so enjoyable to see the fun you’re having with your new colors and new style. I love it!!
Susan,
I continue to love the new colors on you. They are very flattering. I am curious: when you wear sweaters at home, do you hand wash them each time? Or, do you wear the sweater a few times before washing? I suppose this is one reason I have been hesitant to dress better at home, but I am feeling ready to up my game. Perhaps you might consider writing a post on how you launder and maintain your wardrobe? That would be interesting and helpful. I tend to shy away from some clothing items because of the higher level of maintenance. You may have methods I have missed.
I love your blog.
Thanks Amy! It’s funny you mention that as I was actually working on a post on clothing (and shoe) care for later this week. 😉
I appreciate the wink to Diana Vreeland in your post title!
(For those who are puzzled: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a2620/diana-vreeland-why-dont-you/)
Susan, I have many of those J Crew cashmere sweaters. Quite a few of mine have developed holes. I’ve brought them to a dry cleaner WITHOUT holes and am bringing them back with. Asked the dry cleaner why and she said I must have moths. Wondering if it’s a defect in the fabric as I definitely don’t have moths.
Have you experienced this problem?
I would note that dry cleaning can be harsh especially on cashmere. Also some J Crew cashmere is finer/lighter than others but… no sweater should return with holes they didn’t have before. I wash all my cashmere by hand with shampoo generally or, for older ones or thrift store finds, in the washing machine. Sounds shocking but cashmere neither felts nor shrinks.
Just FYI…Cashmere *will* indeed felt — I just felted two very old, beautiful and much-loved sweaters to make into mittens. It may not felt as readily as wool, but it will shrink down to a gorgeous, thick, soft material after a few hot water cycles in a washing machine. I totally agree on it being safe to hand wash and even machine machine gently.
Never take your cashmere to the dry cleaner; its very washable and it will get nicer with each washing. I worked in fiber related businesses for a long time and have worked with fiber all of my adult life. I wear cashmere as everyday clothing, I wash it on the woolwash cycle of my washer, using and organic detergent, I give it an extra rinse cycle and let it spin dry (every knitter knows that animal fibers can not be damaged in the spin cycle), and lay it flat to dry. I have cashmere sweaters well over a decade old that are still in perfect condition and have never seen a dry cleaner. Uless you are a smoker, or for some reason exercise in your cashmere, you should be able to wear it multiple times without washing
Lisa B., I don’t have any experience with cashmere sweaters, but I wanted to encourage you to do a little reading on visible mending as a way of salvaging them. I’ve enjoyed reading on wrenbirdarts.com and TomofHolland.com. Erin, of Wrenbird, recently showed a pic of a sweater mended with an embroidered moth, which I loved! Tom of Holland does commissions, I believe, and his work is clever, too, but maybe not as whimsical. Hope this sparks some ideas for you!
What a delightful website, Wendy! Thank you for sharing that link.
Here’s a vote for invisible repairs. Knitters should be able to do this. Usually you take some matching yarn from a seam and use it to replace the missing stitches. My daughters bring me sweaters with holes in them on a regular basis. You need patience and good eyesight. (Visible repairs would be awkward if the holes are right at your middle, which they often are.)
And to repeat the comments above, I hand wash my cashmere sweaters with no problem. I even deliberately shrunk a too-big sweater down a size. The internet can tell you how to do anything!
So funny–I’ve been working from home for 2 weeks now, and I am Tired Of Lounge Wear! I am wearing the softest most comfy of my work clothing today–wide-legged pull on trousers with a polka dot sweater–because I cannot stomach the sloppy clothing anymore! The new color palette is such a refreshing change to see you in. Thank you for your continued posts. They are helpful.
Susan, Thanks for your post. I find that no matter what I’m wearing around the house or garden that applying makeup each morning is one of the best things I do for myself. I tell my husband that if I’m not in the best of moods just let me get my “face” on then I’ll be okay. Also I always wear earrings and a small chain with a cross always.
I love the pop of color the yellow sneakers provide. Yellow is my number one choice for a cheer up color!
Yes, the yellow! Just magical – like sunshine on a rainy day. 🙂
Thanks for your uplifting posts, it really helps. I worked from home for twenty years, designing handwoven clothing, so I am familiar with staying in. The internet/ radio/ TV, phone, helped. It helped to know I was doing something with a purpose, that was key.
Susan, you must be the best dressed dog walker in your neighborhood!
Jeanette, so sorry for your many losses! I agree with the idea of structuring your day as a place to start retirement life, though that is particularly difficult right now.
I have enjoyed writing of all types and art of all types, both viewing and doing, including arts and crafts. For getting in touch with your creative side, I highly recommend Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s way, with daily guided exercises for creativity, available in many libraries. It is surprising to me that people don’t write more, although I never did until I retired! People write journals, memoirs, novels, how to books, poems, and inspirational stories! It is hard to start, but rewarding! Perhaps some kind of memorial to your mom would be good!
Best of luck to you on your journey.
I haven’t tried my dresses yet, but I do wear high heels every other day. So my muscles don’t forget what my demands are.
Greetje
Jeanette, so sorry about your mom, especially as you were looking forward to spending more time with her after your retirement. No matter our age, they are always our moms and we miss them so much when they are gone. I had a similar plan to help with grands when I retired and that did help with my transition from crazy busy to now what. It does take time to get used to being retired. Eventually, you will be amazed at how enjoyable your life is. (Except for right now.) I’m reading a lot, catching up on British tv series and movies and doing online jigsaw puzzles. Sending you warm thoughts and a virtual hug from Wisconsin.
The yellow sneakers really catch my eye.
Susan –
Finding your way with your true colors has been fun to witness, and I love what you are doing as you move away from black. The lead outfit today was perfect. Well done!
Ann
Your positive attitude/posts make my day. You can go for a walk in my neighborhood anytime. Me, I’m going to be comfortably chic and go fly my colorful nylon kite.
I am so jealous of those sneakers. I would buy them in every color if they didn’t have that darn seam. Just tried a few more before the current situation and I must have princess feet because that seam hurt after a few minutes and left a mark.
For Jeanette…my heart to yours. Retirement is a big enough jolt without the rest. I wish there were an easy way through loss and grief. Soon this current lock down will be over, spring will really be here, you can throw a big celebration of life for your mom and begin to heal. Few of us who follow this blog actually know each other but someway/somehow we seem to have a warm sense of community. Thank you Susan for creating this. Everyone…hang in there…there is light at the end of the tunnel and may I say, I’m cleaning nooks and crannies!
Jan, I have similar issues with a lot of shoes, but for some reason I don’t have that problem with Ecco sneakers, even the ones with seams. But Ecco is a rare brand I can wear comfortably, as I have very thin feet. I wonder if another brand more suitable for your sensitive feet might have some similar colors. I find Zappos a wonderful resource for researching shoes. Searching by individual colors has yielded some nice surprises!.
Nice colors. Perfect choice with the scarf echoing the hues of the rest of the ensemble. Just ’cause we’re isolating is no reason not to dress nice. 🙂
Susan, I cannot tell you how much I look forward to your posts, now more than ever. It seems your transition to your “truer” colors couldn’t have come at a better time for your readers, as those brighter hues so brighten each of our days. I hope you know how appreciated you are. Stay well!
Susan – those colors really are lovely on you, and the casual yet put-together feel of that outfit is very appealing. So much so that you have me actually considering those utility pants on your recommendation – although they’re not anything I would have considered. Question: is that puffer one of the Uniqlo light weight ones? Also, random fashion trivia I recently learned: Jil Sander did a collection with Uniqlo back in the day.
Hi Blyma, thanks! Yes this is the “compact down” jacket from Uniqlo.https://bit.ly/2xgWCei