Versatile Outfits for Spring: Cardigans and More
It’s been another busy but productive week, as I’m trying to plow through some offline projects and prep for travel later this month. Just when I think I’ve cleared the decks of administrative tasks, something new crops up. As Gilda Radner’s SNL character Roseanne Roseannadanna used to say, “it’s always something.” 😆 My brain has already checked out for the weekend, so a short post today.
Spring styles on sale…
Talbot’s is having another good promotion this weekend (30% off purchase). Here are a couple of outfits featuring items included in the markdowns.
My sizes: Cardigan – Petite Small, Cashmere Tee – Small, Jeans – 28
I’ve shown this cotton cardigan before; it’s such a versatile piece and so easy to style! It’s available in several colors, in Misses, Petite, Plus, and Plus Petite sizes. And currently 30% off! Here I’m wearing with a Quince cashmere tee, straight-leg jeans, and Birkenstock sandals in Ecru. The colors in the bandana tie together the yellow, blue, and off-white.
These collared polo cardigans are a softer, but still structured, jacket alternative. Here’s one in an open stitch style, and one with a tweedy stripe pattern.
One of my warm weather style hacks (when it’s too warm to layer) is a colorful and/or patterned top. This one is a popover style, and can be worn tucked or untucked. I’m wearing a Petite Small. This pink is an almost perfect match for Spring’s “Flamingo.” But I think some Summers could wear it too, as it’s close to the “Rose Madder” in your palette.
Here’s a classic blue and white stripe number in no-iron poplin (Summers). And a band-collar style in a pretty red and white botanical toile print (Summers, Winters). Soft olive and ivory stripes on this linen shirt are good for you Autumns.
Vision update
The good news is…I don’t have glaucoma! My follow-up peripheral vision test showed no deficits, and the pressure in my eyes is back to normal. We think that it may have been steroids in the over-the-counter nasal spray I’d been using for allergies that was causing the increased pressure. I stopped using it after my first appointment at the doctor’s suggestion, and two weeks later had the normal readings.
Hearing…that’s another story. I’ve noticed my hearing is definitely getting worse. (Both my father and paternal grandmother experienced hearing loss starting in their 60’s.) I’m scheduled for another hearing test next month, and am pretty sure this time hearing aids will be on the menu. (“It’s always something….”)
Hope your weekend is off to a good start!
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Susan—How does a “winter” come up with a comparable outfit without looking too dark for spring/summer dressing? For instance—the colors appropriate with the first collared cardigan for winters, would be the navy or black. We do better with blue or white jeans. You have so many beautiful color combinations. I love color but it’s difficult to come up with combinations that flatter a winter and you get tired of black and white outfits. Any ideas or thoughts that may help? Many times when you showcase an item—like a jacket, cardigan, etc, the only color that’s appropriate for a winter is black or navy and I don’t always want to wear dark in the hot summer.
Hi Rose, the open stitch cardigan I linked to here https://bit.ly/421ROpn in red or white would be great for a Winter. Wear with white jeans and a raspberry pink tee like this one: https://bit.ly/3RAu31r
I enjoy your wardrobe selections — and just wanted to add that I love the “raw hems” on your jeans. I never seem to find jeans with the right hem length, as hard as I try, but sometimes it works to just go after the hems with scissors and let ’em fray. I like the look too.
A note on the cream collared Talbots cardigan – I purchased it as well along with a light printed top that went nicely. Unfortunately the quality details on their products have seriously declined. The buttons on the sweater were SOOO cheesy, that I spent $30 to have a tailor change them out. Used to be a huge Talbots fan but not so much now. I prefer Quince. I did send a note to this effect to them.
Enjoy your posts and have used some of your ideas. I am 5’ tall and 130 lbs. Very helpful.
Jeanne Yoa-Reese
I am sorry to learn of your hearing loss but I also suffer and cannot find any aids that will stay n my ears. The issue is more difficult due to wearing glasses. If you should need hearing aids I would love to hear about your experiences.
Thanks,
Amy
I wear hearing aids and glasses also….it is a problem…too much hanging on our ears!!!
My husband got hearing aids last year — a game changer for him and for those of us around him— and he’s been very happy with the ones he got at Costco, and with the service he’s gotten there too. He wears glasses all of the time and hasn’t had a problem. However, face masks with bands around the ears are a problem. The hearing aids were well priced relative to other ones ($1600 including all maintenance), are discreet (little clear wires) and have a phone interface that works well. It’s different for everyone, but I share this in case it’s helpful.
Thanks for reminder about “Its always something,” which can be applied to just about anything today.
Love the items in this post! Hearing aids are becoming the newest ear accessory in our age group. I sport mine so when others say” I don’t seem to hear things well”, I can point out my discreet aids and urge having a hearing test.
So agree, I’ve been wearing hearing aids since my forties….(26years) and am so glad. My issue was not volume, always knew someone was speaking, just couldn’t make out many words. I just thought everyone was mumbling. Haha. Hearing aids changed my life for the better. No one is embarrassed to wear glasses….so why not hearing aids??
I’ve had that same issue for the past 2-3 years in that I can hear volume but others sound like they’re mumbling; so now that I’ve just had my 67th bday, I realize I’m overdue to get tested and I’ve accepted I’ll be wearing aids soon. Let us know how your experience goes, Susan, with any info you think may be helpful for those who are right behind you.
I love those crisp cotton striped shirts ! They would go with EVERYTHING ! Jeans, white linen pants, shorts …thanks for the ideas.
PS.. I live in the mid-west and Spring ( although officially here) is a long way off. You give me hope that warmer weather is coming soon
You gave me a smile with your Gilda Radner quote which I also used recently… I am coming up to my first anniversary using a left hearing aid…due to hearing loss associated with Meniere’s. My new Apple I – phone is linked to Bernafon for ease of volume and battery life. Initially felt weird, but very useful to hear in both ears, although on my own now ,I tend to not always “plug in”, but was warned not do that too often. As a reader noted, wearing glasses can be a challenge, even sun glasses. Traveling means coming to terms with using my hearing aid , especially in dining situations on board the Uniworld cruise through NL and Belgium , from which I just returned.
My poor feet struggled with the cobbles , in every old village… so soothing foot cream and lying with feet elevated definitely helped. Extended walks in airports certainly did not help my rather puffy feet. Happy to have my warm beanie bag back on them once home.
My cataract surgeries …left in April and right in May …are coming soon.
As I turn 75 in a few months , I guess I am doing pretty well fending off the big things…but “there’s always something! “
Yes, it’s always something. Thank you for the seasonal suggestions. Love to see them in the comments fro all the interesting readers too. Will follow along on your hearing aide journey. 2025 is the year for mine, can no longer put it off.
I love everything shown in the yellow outfit. Madewell makes the cutest bandanas and they’re a bargain to boot. I read the Quince posting very closely and I can’t find the length of the cashmere tee anywhere. It looks quite short?
Thanks, Lily! The Quince tee is 22″ from shoulder to hem (size Small). I’ve half-tucked it here.
That pink/red top is ever so nice. Glad your eyes are good again. You’d think that the OTC nasal spray should never have allowed on the market when they contain steroids. Now the next thing, hearing! . As you say, “It’s always something”.
Greetje
So good to learn that you won’t be having to deal with Glaucoma, Susan.
As for hearing aids, I’ll be fitted for some in the next month or so. I wear glasses too, and was concerned about overcrowding the tiny real estate behind my ears, but the audiologist let me try a couple of models (Phonak and Resound) that were so small they didn’t seem to interfere (but WOW pricey!) The Soundly website: https://www.soundly.com/blog/best-hearing-aids has a lot of information that I found useful about the pros and cons of various models.
A question about your frayed hem jeans: I remember reading somewhere about a spray that can be used to prevent/discourage unraveling. Have you, or any of your readers, tried a product like this? My frayed jeans are just the right length and I don’t want them to get any shorter!