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#210069 - 01/05/11 12:49 AM Your Choices
chatty lady Offline
Writer

Registered: 02/24/04
Posts: 20267
Loc: Nevada
Do you dress to please yourself, for comfort or to mimic the fashion magazine?? I dress for my comfort and for what I feel looks good on my body type, and always have.
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#210077 - 01/05/11 02:29 PM Re: Your Choices [Re: chatty lady]
jabber Offline
Member

Registered: 02/17/05
Posts: 10032
Loc: New York State
Chatty,
I dress for my own comfort. But I have a friend who dresses in whatever fashion is cool with the majority of the public at
any given time. It reminds me of "The Nation of Sheep"; what
everybody else does, is what they do. I don't get it. I would
think people would get a bigger kick out of being an individual
than blending in with the crowd. But may be my personality has
a quirk? I don't know!

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#210081 - 01/05/11 02:47 PM Re: Your Choices [Re: jabber]
yonuh Offline
Member

Registered: 06/14/06
Posts: 2447
Loc: Arizona
I dress to please myself and for comfort. I enjoy putting color together that's different than what people expect, but it works for me. I don't want to be a 'clone' by wearing the latest thing from the big department stores. That's part of the reason I shop thrift and consignment stores; they don't have a limited selection of styles and colors depending on what the 'fashion gurus' have said is the latest thing. And besides, who can afford the price of some of the latest fashions that would make me look awful anyway?
_________________________
Well-behaved women rarely make history. - Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
http://ruthrainwater.wordpress.com/
http://newbeginningsgratitudejournal.wordpress.com/
http://sablewings.wordpress.com/

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#210082 - 01/05/11 02:55 PM Re: Your Choices [Re: yonuh]
Eagle Heart Offline
Member

Registered: 03/22/05
Posts: 4876
Loc: Canada
I dress purely for myself, though sometimes will wear hubby's favourite colours if we're going out somewhere special. I've always dressed in my own style, and like Yonuh, have always enjoyed putting colours together that might not be "in fashion". For most of my life, I shopped almost exclusively at thrift stores, and have built up a nice wardrobe of clothes that only need a sprucing up now and then.

We go to Cuba every year for several weeks...that's my time for cleaning out my closets...I take stuff down to wear while we're there and then leave it behind. They might not always be able to wear it, but they're ingenious with their sewing and can use the materials for all sorts of things, or they use the clothes to barter for other items.

It never bothers me what others wear...live and let live...I like it when people express themselves through hair and clothes, it provides a window into their world. My stepdaughter loves to shop for new and fashionable clothes and always looks amazing.
_________________________
When you don't like a thing, change it.
If you can't change it, change the way you think about it.

(Maya Angelou)

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#210089 - 01/05/11 07:49 PM Re: Your Choices [Re: Eagle Heart]
jabber Offline
Member

Registered: 02/17/05
Posts: 10032
Loc: New York State
I hear you. If I could look as good as some people always seem to look, maybe I'd buy the IN thing too. However, I cannot
justify Coach pocketbook prices. That seems like a waste to me.


Edited by jabber (01/06/11 02:24 PM)

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#210159 - 01/07/11 02:14 PM Re: Your Choices [Re: jabber]
jabber Offline
Member

Registered: 02/17/05
Posts: 10032
Loc: New York State
Anyone here own one of those large, Coach purses? Holy Hannaha!
I love the black'n white one with the stage coach on the front.
But I'm not parting with several hundred dollars to carry one of
'em. Pocketbooks get such harsh use; and it would be sullied
in no time, I'm sure.


Edited by jabber (01/07/11 02:15 PM)

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#210163 - 01/07/11 02:42 PM Re: Your Choices [Re: jabber]
Eagle Heart Offline
Member

Registered: 03/22/05
Posts: 4876
Loc: Canada
I can't stand to carry around a large purse. Several years ago when we began to travel overseas, I splurged on a PacSafe purse...it's fairly small, not the most attractive-looking thing, but has several small pockets inside of it that hold just about everything, even my small digital camera. It has slash-proof strap and the zipper locks so that I don't have to worry about pickpockets opening it and taking my wallet out. It was so handy, that when we got back home I never stopped using it. Anything bigger is too big now. When we were in Las Vegas I was thrilled when we found the same model in black, so now I have it in brown and black. If I need more space when we travel, I use a PacSafe knapsack. The combo works perfectly.
_________________________
When you don't like a thing, change it.
If you can't change it, change the way you think about it.

(Maya Angelou)

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#210178 - 01/08/11 02:09 AM Re: Your Choices [Re: Eagle Heart]
Di Offline
Member

Registered: 11/15/05
Posts: 2798
Loc: NM, transplant from NJ
Lately, I've been re-novating my wardrobe. I'm wanting to wear more dresses (long) and some skirts. A recent purchase was a couple pair of leg warmers (remember them?). Since we do outdoor retail, I have to layer up. And for me, pants are a hindrance in movement etc. Very binding since I have to wear so many layers. So, I'm opting for comfort. Nothing like corduroy skirts and nice dark brown or navy tights. (Love the 'preppy' look, too!)

And, since I am in the Southwest now (and have been for over 23 years!), I'm having a friend embellish some of my denim jumpers and cotton blouses with southwest-type pieces. Especially for the market since tourists like to see that!

Also working on my color choices. Wearing more browns, rusts, dark avocado greens etc. Much more appealing for my coloring.

I'm having fun....especially shopping at Savers!!

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#210181 - 01/08/11 04:19 AM Re: Your Choices [Re: Di]
yonuh Offline
Member

Registered: 06/14/06
Posts: 2447
Loc: Arizona
Ooh, I love Savers!!
_________________________
Well-behaved women rarely make history. - Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
http://ruthrainwater.wordpress.com/
http://newbeginningsgratitudejournal.wordpress.com/
http://sablewings.wordpress.com/

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#210182 - 01/08/11 11:29 AM Re: Your Choices [Re: yonuh]
Dotsie Offline
Founder

Registered: 07/09/08
Posts: 23647
Loc: Maryland
I can't say I dress fashionably, but I definitely like to feel put together. Most of the time I wear jeans or black pants, and have many shirts and sweaters to mix it up with. I've taking a liking to scarves to spruce up my outfits, plus I love them because they really keep me warm.

We don't have Savers. Tell me about it...
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#210192 - 01/08/11 03:40 PM Re: Your Choices [Re: Dotsie]
yonuh Offline
Member

Registered: 06/14/06
Posts: 2447
Loc: Arizona
Here in Tucson, it's a huge thrift store. They always have so much stuff it takes a couple of hours just to go through the clothes. But the clothes are arranged by color within the sizes so it's easy to find what you're looking for if you know what you want. I never know exactly what I want, but I appreciate the color groupings because I know what colors work for me and which ones don't.

There are also a couple of consignment stores here that have high end labels but very inexpensive. One of them has a room where everything is $10 or less, which is mostly where I look unless I'm looking for something specific that's not in there. I once picked up a cream silk Yves St Laurent pantsuit for $5. Can't beat those prices!!
_________________________
Well-behaved women rarely make history. - Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
http://ruthrainwater.wordpress.com/
http://newbeginningsgratitudejournal.wordpress.com/
http://sablewings.wordpress.com/

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#210194 - 01/08/11 03:51 PM Re: Your Choices [Re: yonuh]
Eagle Heart Offline
Member

Registered: 03/22/05
Posts: 4876
Loc: Canada
Yonuh, it's been such a long time since I've had a long stretch of time to go browsing through our nearby thrift store! We're retired, but there still aren't enough hours in the day to do all the things I want to! You've inspired me to get hubby to drop me off (still can't drive yet due to the surgery) for a couple of hours next week.
_________________________
When you don't like a thing, change it.
If you can't change it, change the way you think about it.

(Maya Angelou)

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#210195 - 01/08/11 03:58 PM Re: Your Choices [Re: Eagle Heart]
Eagle Heart Offline
Member

Registered: 03/22/05
Posts: 4876
Loc: Canada
Dotsie, that seems like such a smart way to build a wardrobe. It reminds me of two of the women on one of the bus tours we were on a few years ago. They only brought 2-3 pairs of black slacks, and several tops to suit various occasions and climates. They always looked so well-put-together. I've been trying to add some light-weight travel pieces to my wardrobe so I can pack the same way. I've always liked variety in colours and styles, but that doesn't translate well into packing co-ordinated outfits in such a way as to keep the suitcase within the ever-restrictive weight allowances these days.
_________________________
When you don't like a thing, change it.
If you can't change it, change the way you think about it.

(Maya Angelou)

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#210196 - 01/08/11 04:11 PM Re: Your Choices [Re: Eagle Heart]
Mountain Ash Offline
Member

Registered: 12/30/05
Posts: 3027
I trimmed my wardrobe from smart teaching clothes to my lifestyle now wardrobe..have not got it spot on..always looking for smart casual.
can rise to the occassion with smart coat handbag and accesories..dont wear jeans so well cut black trousers are what I look for...long tunics sweathers and scarves...and more scarves.luckily I have a knitter in the family and a hatbox full of shades.I also like hats...berets with felted flowers and cloche hats.

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#210201 - 01/08/11 08:55 PM Re: Your Choices [Re: Mountain Ash]
Anne Holmes Administrator Offline
Boomer in Chief

Registered: 03/12/10
Posts: 3212
Loc: Illinois
I used to be such a clothes horse. And every outfit had its own paid of shoes.

I'll never forget going on a week-long business trip to DC with the (unrealized) potential of meeting the President - and the actual experience of meeting with several Senators and Congressmen in their offices.

I ended up with three bags as I recall, mostly filled with skirted suits each with enhancing accessories and matching shoes. I specifically recall that in addition to a black suit, there was a pink suit, a light blue one, a purple one, a red one, etc. Probably 10 outfits in all. And each outfit had earrings, necklaces, and etc.

As you might expect, traveling with such a wardrobe meant that I had to have help from some of the others on the trip to haul it all through the airport. (Actually I could have done it myself, but I was slowing the men down...and yes, the others in the group were 5 men, each with one bag apiece.)


These days I am SO pared down.
Like Mountain Ash I don't wear jeans, but choose black slacks most of the time. Though I do have a pair of purple cords that I love, and wear often in the winter. (Hey, it's not going to get warmer than 20 degrees here today!)

Also I love to wear colorful tops. Mostly warm turtleneck sweaters enhanced with scarves during these winter months.

I buy pieces I can wear for years - and I can travel lightly, 2 pairs of black slacks and a selection of sweaters and scarves. No jewelry other than my rings.

The new me is so much easier. But the old me had studied fashion design in college -- and loved to be perfectly turned out at all times.
_________________________
Boomer in Chief of Boomer Women Speak and the National Association of Baby Boomer Women.
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#210210 - 01/09/11 01:16 AM Re: Your Choices [Re: Anne Holmes]
Ellemm Offline


Registered: 11/04/08
Posts: 601
I also have a uniform style of dressing: mostly black pants with black or more colorful tops. I have a little bit of brown and gray, but not much. This is deliberate: I can pretty much grab some slacks and a top almost without looking and they will go together. I am really liking longer, lightweight cardigans now. Add a piece of jewelry or a scarf and I'm done. I also wear silver jewelry with a few color variations -- and some pearls. In fact, most of my earrings are hoops. Simple, simple, simple.

Some may call it lazy but I just want to look decent without much effort.

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#210267 - 01/10/11 11:58 PM Re: Your Choices [Re: Ellemm]
meredithbead Offline
The Divine Ms M

Registered: 07/07/03
Posts: 4894
Loc: Orange County, California
I've always loved fashion while maintaining my own style. However, if I don't like it, I don't wear it, no matter how trendy it is.

My staple is black stretch knit pants, barely more than leggings in warmer months and a little heavier in winter. That way I can wear all my colorful tops and sweaters. Also ethnic pattern pants with full legs and elastic waist. Summer it's colorful shorts with bright tops.

I love hats! Crocheted hats in every color (that I wear). Head wrap scarves in summer (like my avatar pic.) Lots of jewelry -- surprise! I often decide on jewelry first, and then choose an outfit to match.

When I travel, I color-coordinate with no more than 2 color schemes per week to minimize luggage.

Since my early 30s, I placed a premium on comfort -- so no heels and no jeans.

In 2010, my big fashion changes were:
1. Leggings. Love, love, love! I bought 2 pair in black: 1 lacy and 1 with rivets, so I can still wear my little skirts in summer.
2. Boots. I recently bought a pair of knee high gray suede-look with large buckles. I was getting tired of gym shoes all the time. I wear these all day at the market (with thick socks) and they're as comfortable as gym shoes.
_________________________
My handcrafted jewelry:
limited edition designs
more jewelry, plus bead supplies

Poet and essayist

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#210271 - 01/11/11 01:29 AM Re: Your Choices [Re: meredithbead]
yonuh Offline
Member

Registered: 06/14/06
Posts: 2447
Loc: Arizona
Meredith, I thought I was the only one who picked out the jewelry first. smile
_________________________
Well-behaved women rarely make history. - Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
http://ruthrainwater.wordpress.com/
http://newbeginningsgratitudejournal.wordpress.com/
http://sablewings.wordpress.com/

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#210463 - 01/16/11 03:14 PM Re: Your Choices [Re: yonuh]
CrosstitchQueen Offline
Member

Registered: 09/20/05
Posts: 477
Loc: Sanford, Florida
I spend a lot of days in my gym clothes. Head to the gym first thing in the morning and sometimes go shopping or run errands on my way home. So my usual uniform is black yoga pants (sometimes dark gray or navy) An assortment of bright colored workout tops go over these and I have every style and type of hoodie imaginable (lightweight sleeveless, medium weight short-sleeved, heavier long-sleeved, for whatever weather) so I can throw that on over the top and run into the grocery store without feeling naked. Sneakers (right now I'm into Reebok Simply Tones. Will let you know if I ever get a tight butt from walking in them!)
If I'm doing something else -- meeting gal pals for lunch or doing something fun with friends -- it's usually jeans (or shorts, I prefer longer ones) or capri's, matched up with a top of some sort. If we're going to a restaurant I usually bring a matching jacket or sweater.
I am a clothes horse! I love to shop! Purses, shoes, watches are all big weaknesses. But I'm with Meredith -- if it's not comfortable, I don't wear it. If I don't like it, I don't wear it.
Like Anne I remember traveling to meetings in Washington DC or conventions in other parts of the country and how I dreaded packing for them. Pantyhose. Slips. The right shoes for every outfit. The right bra. Accessories. It would take me an entire day to get things lined up for a week's trip. We don't travel like that anymore. Most trips these days are fishing tournaments. All I worry about is the weather and make sure I have jeans, sweatshirts,raingear.

Since we're on this topic...........does anybody have any really helpful hints on packing for a cruise? I'm going on a 7-day cruise to the Caribbean. I've looked at the packing hints and tips online, and have already done most of their suggestions. No matter what I do it seems like I have way too much stuff picked out. I'm really trying to keep it down, but it seems impossible, and I'm getting stressed out........and cruises are supposed to be fun!! HELP!!
_________________________
Ann

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#210464 - 01/16/11 03:52 PM Re: Your Choices [Re: CrosstitchQueen]
yonuh Offline
Member

Registered: 06/14/06
Posts: 2447
Loc: Arizona
I think going with separates you can mix and match would be good. I don't know how long the cruise is or if there will be any need for formal attire. 3 or 4 tops and 3 or 4 bottoms that are interchangeable will give you at least 9 outfits. If there is a formal, then black pants or long skirt with a sparkly top is probably fine. And the pants or skirt could be part of the other options, too. I've never been on a cruise, but I love separates as it gives me more options.
_________________________
Well-behaved women rarely make history. - Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
http://ruthrainwater.wordpress.com/
http://newbeginningsgratitudejournal.wordpress.com/
http://sablewings.wordpress.com/

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#210469 - 01/16/11 04:20 PM Re: Your Choices [Re: yonuh]
Eagle Heart Offline
Member

Registered: 03/22/05
Posts: 4876
Loc: Canada
We've been on two cruises and I way-overpacked for both of them! Didn't wear half of the stuff I brought, even though one was 14 days and the other was 10.

Here's how I would (hopefully) pack for a cruise now. For 7 days:
2 pairs of capris and 3-4 tops to match...I'd probably bring 3 short sleeve cotton tops for shore excursions and one 3/4 length sleeve in case of cooler weather;

1 pair of long pants (but I would actually have 2 pairs because I'd wear a different pair on the plane...that airplane pair of long pants is convertible to capris, so that actually gives me the third pair of capris as well as the 2nd pair of long pants, though they're jean-type and not at all dressy) and 2 tops - one slightly dressier and the other long-sleeve;

good walking shoes - I have to wear orthotics, so always wear sneakers on the plane, and pack a pair of comfortable walking sandals;

for a 7-day cruise, pack one complete outfit for the formal night if you're planning on eating in the dining room. I take a long lightweight black velveteen skirt and 2 dressy tops; add dressy sandals, jewellery, and a pashmini (I also pack a dressy black velveteen sweater) to match.

Because I get cold easily, I also wear one sweater-that-goes-with-everything and a jacket on the plane...my usual travel jacket's lightweight, rainproof and goes with almost everything, and has been indispensible on every trip I've brought it on.

[Sidestory about the jacket - in Morocco, there were about 25 people in our group, trying to weave our way through the narrow cobblestone streets of a very crowded medina (a marketplace labrynth!). Our tour leader led at the front, but the people in the back could never see him in all the crowds (people and donkeys!). So I ended up sticking myself in the middle of the group, and held my yellow-coated arm and umbrella in the air for the entire morning's tour. The people in the back constantly remarked how grateful they were for that bright yellow jacket.]

I would also include a shorter skirt, again for shore excursions/shopping, but I rarely ever wear them, I usually just wear capris.

And don't forget at least one bathing suit and cover-up (to get from the room to the pool). And sunscreen.
_________________________
When you don't like a thing, change it.
If you can't change it, change the way you think about it.

(Maya Angelou)

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#210474 - 01/17/11 03:25 AM Re: Your Choices [Re: CrosstitchQueen]
Anne Holmes Administrator Offline
Boomer in Chief

Registered: 03/12/10
Posts: 3212
Loc: Illinois
Ann, with regard to packing for a cruise:

First of all, congratulations and I know you will enjoy yourself. I think it would be my dream to live on a cruise ship for a year - maybe take an around the world cruise. I LOVE cruise travel!

Second, the separates are a good idea, and Yonuh is smart to suggest that...

Depending on what line you're taking, you may or may not need to dress up a bit for dinner. The first cruise we took, people seemed to dress up a bit for dinner, the rest of them, they didn't.
_________________________
Boomer in Chief of Boomer Women Speak and the National Association of Baby Boomer Women.
www.nabbw.com
www.boomerwomenspeak.com
www.boomerlifestyle.com
www.boomerco.com

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#210484 - 01/17/11 02:24 PM Re: Your Choices [Re: Anne Holmes]
Eagle Heart Offline
Member

Registered: 03/22/05
Posts: 4876
Loc: Canada
Ann, I may have gone a bit overboard (no pun intended) on my suggestions...I may have been mentally packing my own bag for our next trip, whenever that might be. I hope you have a great time! What islands are you visiting?
_________________________
When you don't like a thing, change it.
If you can't change it, change the way you think about it.

(Maya Angelou)

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#210496 - 01/17/11 10:45 PM Re: Your Choices [Re: Eagle Heart]
CrosstitchQueen Offline
Member

Registered: 09/20/05
Posts: 477
Loc: Sanford, Florida
A bit overboard......ha ha!! Funny! We're going to Cozumel, Belize, Costa Maya and Isle of Roatan. I've never been to any of them. Have any of you gals? This is my first time on Carnival cruise line. I've done 2 cruises to the Bahamas on Royal Caribbean. For us, it's only an hour drive to Port Canaveral, and we depart from there.
As for the packing, I was stressing yesterday, but I'm over it. Talked to several of my friends -- some of whom are world travelers -- and the majority of them say they always end up overpacking too. It made me feel better. I was feeling disorganized (which I hate!) and like I ought to be able to get it together better than this. Went thru my bag one more time this morning and deleted a couple of pieces. Went over what I have to wear during the days and what I can wear to dinner. That's it, I'm not stressing over it anymore.
I always do seperates. Almost everything in my bag can be worn with everything else. I think the problem stems from the fact that I just own too much stuff and I pick out too much of it that I want to take with me!!
_________________________
Ann

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