Everywhere I look in the last week everyone is talking about fall clothing! It is always a sign of the end of summer when this happens, isn't it?
But it is soooo hot here this week and I am not planning to put away my summer clothes anytime soon. I am ever hopeful, so plan to not switch out my closet until later September.
What I continue to find is that when I buy much dressy clothing, it sits unworn. I just don't do that kind of thing enough anymore to justify the cost. The theory silk dress I bought last spring has been worn once. I will wear it at least once or twice more before I launder it and pack it away, but my reality now is that a silk dress seems too fussy for me now, for my life.
This dressy clothing category - in between casual and dress-up clothing - is not getting much play for me and will not be added to this fall.
What I am looking for are in fact, variations of what I wore 25 years ago - comfortable pants and tees and sweaters I can wear while working at home. Knit dresses and skirts. Loafers and boots and the odd ballet flat.
The other day I was at the Gap and bought a lovely grey cotton v-neck cardigan from the men's section. It was the perfect combination of slouchy and comfort.
What I have discovered is that I love dressing up, really dressing up, but the rest of the time I want to be chic-ly comfortable. I want to be funky again.
I did purchase a pair of jeans for the fall, and they are indeed funky. Citizens for Humanity waxed kai jeans - which I plan to wear exactly as shown (without the jean vest):
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| these are slightly longer on me, even with my long (short) legs! |
And this simple Theory knit cardigan, which I snaffled on sale:
I am also planning to buy a Brynn Walker black jersey dress and leggings to wear with my boots
Simple neutrals and slouchy knits. And while it seems dark, I will add lots of white and cream and camel and the odd shot of colour when I need to colour it up.
I adore the outfit below from Emerson Fry:
My friend Julie has a love affair with Emerson Fry this fall and I can see why!
The Emerson Fry pencil pant is definitely in my future!
I don't need much - I have added one pair of boots to the fold (besides those winter boots, which I sure hope I don't need to get out until late November!):
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| Steve Madden Trooper |
The joy I have felt this past year in reclaiming my old clothing style, albeit in more expensive versions of what I have always loved, has been wonderful.
There will always be pops of colour - I have ordered the following to see if I like them from J Crew:
And I am sure before the holidays I will be buying a lovely party outfit or at least a lovely party piece.
Oh and I fully expect to dress to the nines when Barry and I hit Chateau Lake Louise next month!
But the rest of the time, you will mostly catch me in very simple, comfortable fare. It feels like I have finally made the transition to the new life and it is a comfortable and comforting place to be!
I hope you have a great day and I look forward to hearing all about your fall style choices! stay safe out there! xoxo wendy
Hi Wendy, this is one of the things I love about the blogs I read - learning about new-to-me brands, like Brynn Walker. I love the other photos you picked too - I'm not one for a lot of embellishment, so these simple, casual looks hit the mark for me.
ReplyDeleteI like what you say about buying clothes in your old style, but more expensive versions - definitely the way to go.
Enjoy your heatwave, we having similar this week too.
Hi Patricia! We have a lovely little shop here in the city which carries it, and a lot of it is too avant garde for my style, but some of it is just lovely and comfy! When I was 20 I only wore punky jeans, old men's sweaters from the 50s and had a bright red corduroy smoking jacket, which I wish I still had! It is EXACTLY the same style, only I have gotten rid of any young pieces that I could have gotten away with then - no one besides Barry is ever seeing my belly again!
DeleteYes I'm definitely loving the look you have going on Wendy! It might be more casual but I think it is very sophisticated and urban looking. That JCrew sweater looks very pretty with the lace detail, let us know how you like it!
ReplyDeleteDani - I think I am becoming the ying to your yang, though you know I do love my yang!
DeleteLove all your choices, Wendy, but so surprised to see the lack of colour! The look is so easy going and relaxed....perfect for working from home! Looking forward to your thoughts on the J Crew pics....love them both.
DeleteRebecca, I still have lots of colour in my winter wear from last year, so no worries, but I am really loving neutrals these days!
DeleteNice look and so wearable I do want to make an effort this fall but will try to avoid buying new and making do with my clothes I have now. Love e fry but it means online shopping and sizing myself is a chore...
ReplyDeleteI've never ordered from Emerson Fry either and they charge higher shipping to canada as well, so I am nervous!
DeleteI am into your fall vision as well, loving the clean lines and neutral tones. Yesterday's EF preview brought me out of my fashion ennui this season. Liking their styling which thankfully I can recreate with things I already have except for that fawn wool tailored coat which I need badly. I want to be that girl in your third to the last picture in oversized scarf, skinny jeans and loafers. I look forward to pictures of you in your fall finery soon.
ReplyDeleteI love their styling except for the crazy massive scarves around the neck which remind me of some crazy old person! Of course I may be saying that because I have a short neck! Just let the scarf hang down a little Marie and you will be smashing!
DeleteI do not have a ton to spend, so almost everything in my closet will be already existing pieces! Lucky me - I already have a fawn cinzia roca coat, so am actually good for coats! I like trying to recreate anyway or recreate more cheaply!
ReplyDeleteI like the neutrals on you and it is so nice to see you discovering your true self!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ina - it feels more like a re-discovery, but given the time span, it probably is a discovery. I never had much in the way of casual clothes when I worked; it was simply too expensive!
DeleteThis is a very good collection here Wendy although I've never been keen on cropped pants or anything else that shortens gams. Everything else very good base pieces and you know how to bring the colour.
ReplyDeleteGSL - I am not surprised that you are not in the cropped pants camp! As for colour you are right - I am sometimes TOO good at dashing it in! ;-)
DeleteWe may be twins with the EF picks. I am hoping it works for me...did not have success with previous purchase but will give it the college try. I love the JC sweater just not the two color choices...they missed some sales not offering it in more colors. Love your picks...need to find you on pinterest. Going to search now. Love ya.
ReplyDeletewell I am at sixes or sevens as to whether to order the ivory crewneck or the pencil pants or both. The pencil pants would go right to the ankle on me, which would be fine. if you can't find me on pinterest let me know!
DeleteI want that Big Cable sweater from EF! It looks so warm and cozy! Too bad it doesn't come in Camel or it would be mine now!
ReplyDeleteFall is my favorite time of year because I love wearing layers and sweaters. I purchased the Rib Stitch cardigan from J Crew and it is thick and made with 100% natural fibers. I can't wait to wear it soon, but the crisp fall weather doesn't hit California until late October, if I'm lucky. Fall and Winter missed us last year, so hopefully this year makes up for it.
That is a gorgeous sweater, isn't it? I like that ribstitch cardigan a lot and loved that it was 100% natural fibres, but I actually (!) have too many cardigans, so I am focusing on tees and pants and even coats. I don't think I have to worry about fall here for the next while - it has been 80 all week!
DeleteComfort is king, Wendy. I love your new pieces and thank you for the shout out. I always struggle with what I like to look at and what actually works on me :-) I'm all about soft knits, denim, linen and silk jersey (DVF) but tailoring and structure should really be what I wear. At 51 - I have just decided to make soft knits work for me-consequently buying less, but buying better so I can be happy.
ReplyDeleteJulie - you and I are the same age and are having the same struggles!! I am getting pickier and pickier which is a good thing! I have still never tried DVF, only because I've never been where it was to try on for size. I am like you on materials and style. I also find that if you want to go less tailored, you do absolutely have to go good quality.
DeleteLet us know how the new pieces work. We are melting out here too. Now that it is fall, summer has decided to visit!
ReplyDeleteJen - I hear you! We are hosting a dinner party tonight and we will definitely not be eating en plein air - we will need the air conditioning!
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