Before the pandemic, I went on a shopping spree for dressy work clothes, then the world shut down and we all went casual. The first time I had to dress up again, I was so disappointed that none of my new clothes fit. I donated everything. Midlife took its toll and I resigned myself to sweatshirts, jeans or running clothes. I use to have a flare for fashion. It became more about comfort than anything else. I panic now when I have an event that requires me to dress up. It's like I don't know how to anymore 😕. And clothes just don't fit like they use to. 😞
Oh, how I can relate to this, Robin! Sounds like we're both on a journey to figure out what style means for each of us at this stage of life. I've decided I want to have some fun with this and be open to what style in my 50s could look like, and that which makes me happy and confident. And something I have noticed is that there are more options, it seems, with finding clothing that is both stylish and comfortable. That's definitely a priority for me!
Ahhh…the Sears catalog😍My style has changed with my new short pixie cut and then retirement. It seems I’m still trying to reconcile my lifestyle with my wardrobe.
I most definitely think what we wear, and how we feel in it, adds or subtracts to our level of confidence!
Pixie cuts are LIFE CHANGING. I don't think women realize the amount of noise long hair creates in our lives, especially if you are trying to stay active. I had a pixie a few years ago and long to go back to it.
Ahh, I love hearing this and also I am not so sure I could pull off the pixie cut. I have had long hair for so many years. But you both are making me think...you definitely rock this hairstyle, Marnie! I can see how it must be so liberating.
Love this post as it is something I’ve been grappling with since I’ll be turning 50 this month. It’s a goal for my new decade to dress for my body type-which I did a deep dive on-and the color palette that is best for me. There’s so much information out there, but it has been a fun research project. And yes to Quince! Great pieces at great prices. Enjoy your trip to England.
My closet is equally full! And I switch out summer and winter clothes at some point too, so I probably wear an outfit only once each year. But I love it! I go through different phases so that I make sure to wear everything—an all yellow week or only dresses for a week, etc. It makes getting dressed for work more fun. I have just as much jewelry and scarves too, so I rotate through all of them. I hardly spend any money on it. Hand me downs and some of the pieces are from 30 years ago. I just “visibly mended “ a wool cardigan I bought when I was a freshman in high school (1989!).
I probably should switch out summer and winter clothes — that might help my too-full closet situation! I haven't done that yet because I think to myself, maybe I will want to wear this sleeveless top in the winter, underneath a cardigan. So I am so curious about how you do this! Do you only put certain things away in the "off" season? And jewelry! I love that you mention this. I once wore so much more jewelry on a daily basis, and I loved finding statement pieces like a chunky necklace or fun bracelet that went with certain outfits. You've made me think I need to revisit this...I also have held on to a few items from long, long ago. I have a sweater I got in college, from American Eagle before that store turned weird, we're talking 1993-94 timeframe, and I still love it. p.s. I was a freshman in 1989, too. :)
Highly recommend the seasonal switch! It can give you new perspective to get rid of items or to appreciate them anew. Also love a closet challenge - wear everything in order in a row of dresses - if you can’t bring yourself to wear it, it goes!
What a great idea, the closet challenge! Though I fear I'd still want to hold on to certain things "just in case." Emma (my 24-year-old daughter) also has chastised me for tossing older clothes, particularly from the 90s, now that much of that is back in.
I’m a teacher and our school follows a traditional schedule, so the summer/winter switch over is pretty easy to do. Cut offs, tank tops, hippy skirts, sandals, and beach wear are in bins in an attic waiting for me right now! Well, maybe they aren’t quite ready to make an entrance yet with the snow we got tonight!
Yes. At 46 I'm dressing more 'artsy' and stylish and I love it. Because I don't give 2 &%*^*)( what anyone thinks. I just got back from Japan and am in love with the aesthetic there - boxy, classic, edgy. Perfect for midlife weight gain too.
Travel to Europe is always easy and fun to pack for - wide leg trousers (athleta), classic trench coat, scarves of various lengths and colors and solid t-shirts or thin sweaters and a silk shirt. Maybe a jumpsuit (oiselle) if needed.
Boden is a great site for fun, quality clothes to mix up your basics too.
Thank you, Becca! I love hearing that you are dressing more 'artsy' and stylish. This is a vibe I'd like to experiment with. And yes to not giving a *&^ about what anyone thinks!
Great thoughts for travel pieces, thank you! I have a few pieces from Boden, from a few years ago, and I should take another look at what they've got currently. Really love the quality and classic and statement-type pieces they have.
I agree, it's really nice to receive a random compliment on an outfit. I have tried to return the sentiment when I see someone wearing something that looks fun and great on them.
I'm 47. I feel like, as a younger woman, I had a very clear vision for the kind of stylish midlife lady I wanted to transition into, and I'm just...not there yet. I love my wool leggings - like I love them A LOT - but the other day I realized that I basically cycled between my three pair all. winter. long with the very occasional occasion that I wore jeans or, even more occasionally, a dress. Leggings are wonderful for comfy days and walks, but they aren't anywhere near the vision I had for a personal style at this stage of life. I think for me, the big obstacle is putting the time and hassle into shopping and trying things on. I like clothes but I don't like the shopping process, and you sort of can't have one without the other. Going into a new season always feels like an opportunity to change things up, though, and I do love a good summer dress...
I'm a big fan of their cashmere and wool sweaters. I have the batwing sweater in several colors, as well as a cardigan and a fisherman pullover. All very nice and on regular rotation. I got one of their linen dresses last year (a long tiered style) and liked it so well I'm getting another (fit and flare this time) and I also have some basic layering tees on the way - my sister in law has a few of them and said they are super soft and comfy, and I think they were only $15.
That's a good way of saying it, Meagan—not feeling quite there yet with being the kind of stylish midlife lady you imagined. I feel this. I see older women who have a style I admire, and I make a mental note of what they're wearing and think about how I might adapt the look for myself. One thing I started doing more recently is wearing a belt and tucking in shirts—a simple thing, but for a few different reasons (feeling self conscious about my waist, being used to wearing longer, more flow-y tops because I thought those would look better on me and have been more comfortable...) I just didn't gravitate toward this look. But I've found I like doing this small thing and how it makes me feel more pulled together. I'm also re-discovering scarves.
I think a big part of it all for me is accepting my body for what it is now and not thinking too hard about what I used to wear, or how things once hung on my body. I'm older, I don't want or need to look the same exact way I did in my 30s or early-mid 40s. At the same time, I wonder about how my body could eventually change yet again as I get older, especially after menopause, because I've heard this happens, too, in a good way!
Summer always feels easier for dressing nicely and feeling pulled together in a certain personal style, I am finding. I also love a great summer dress—I have one I got on Nantucket when Emma and I traveled there a couple of years ago and I pretty much wear it nonstop all summer.
Before the pandemic, I went on a shopping spree for dressy work clothes, then the world shut down and we all went casual. The first time I had to dress up again, I was so disappointed that none of my new clothes fit. I donated everything. Midlife took its toll and I resigned myself to sweatshirts, jeans or running clothes. I use to have a flare for fashion. It became more about comfort than anything else. I panic now when I have an event that requires me to dress up. It's like I don't know how to anymore 😕. And clothes just don't fit like they use to. 😞
Oh, how I can relate to this, Robin! Sounds like we're both on a journey to figure out what style means for each of us at this stage of life. I've decided I want to have some fun with this and be open to what style in my 50s could look like, and that which makes me happy and confident. And something I have noticed is that there are more options, it seems, with finding clothing that is both stylish and comfortable. That's definitely a priority for me!
Ahhh…the Sears catalog😍My style has changed with my new short pixie cut and then retirement. It seems I’m still trying to reconcile my lifestyle with my wardrobe.
I most definitely think what we wear, and how we feel in it, adds or subtracts to our level of confidence!
Love that the Sears catalog means something to you, too! 🙂
Marnie, I have loved seeing your outfits on Instagram. I adore your style!
Pixie cuts are LIFE CHANGING. I don't think women realize the amount of noise long hair creates in our lives, especially if you are trying to stay active. I had a pixie a few years ago and long to go back to it.
It has been Hair Freedom. I don’t think I’ll ever go back to long hair:)
Ahh, I love hearing this and also I am not so sure I could pull off the pixie cut. I have had long hair for so many years. But you both are making me think...you definitely rock this hairstyle, Marnie! I can see how it must be so liberating.
Love this post as it is something I’ve been grappling with since I’ll be turning 50 this month. It’s a goal for my new decade to dress for my body type-which I did a deep dive on-and the color palette that is best for me. There’s so much information out there, but it has been a fun research project. And yes to Quince! Great pieces at great prices. Enjoy your trip to England.
Hi, Tricia! I like the idea of making this a fun research project. This is what it feels like! Thanks for being here and commenting! ❤️
My closet is equally full! And I switch out summer and winter clothes at some point too, so I probably wear an outfit only once each year. But I love it! I go through different phases so that I make sure to wear everything—an all yellow week or only dresses for a week, etc. It makes getting dressed for work more fun. I have just as much jewelry and scarves too, so I rotate through all of them. I hardly spend any money on it. Hand me downs and some of the pieces are from 30 years ago. I just “visibly mended “ a wool cardigan I bought when I was a freshman in high school (1989!).
I probably should switch out summer and winter clothes — that might help my too-full closet situation! I haven't done that yet because I think to myself, maybe I will want to wear this sleeveless top in the winter, underneath a cardigan. So I am so curious about how you do this! Do you only put certain things away in the "off" season? And jewelry! I love that you mention this. I once wore so much more jewelry on a daily basis, and I loved finding statement pieces like a chunky necklace or fun bracelet that went with certain outfits. You've made me think I need to revisit this...I also have held on to a few items from long, long ago. I have a sweater I got in college, from American Eagle before that store turned weird, we're talking 1993-94 timeframe, and I still love it. p.s. I was a freshman in 1989, too. :)
Highly recommend the seasonal switch! It can give you new perspective to get rid of items or to appreciate them anew. Also love a closet challenge - wear everything in order in a row of dresses - if you can’t bring yourself to wear it, it goes!
What a great idea, the closet challenge! Though I fear I'd still want to hold on to certain things "just in case." Emma (my 24-year-old daughter) also has chastised me for tossing older clothes, particularly from the 90s, now that much of that is back in.
I’m a teacher and our school follows a traditional schedule, so the summer/winter switch over is pretty easy to do. Cut offs, tank tops, hippy skirts, sandals, and beach wear are in bins in an attic waiting for me right now! Well, maybe they aren’t quite ready to make an entrance yet with the snow we got tonight!
Yes. At 46 I'm dressing more 'artsy' and stylish and I love it. Because I don't give 2 &%*^*)( what anyone thinks. I just got back from Japan and am in love with the aesthetic there - boxy, classic, edgy. Perfect for midlife weight gain too.
Travel to Europe is always easy and fun to pack for - wide leg trousers (athleta), classic trench coat, scarves of various lengths and colors and solid t-shirts or thin sweaters and a silk shirt. Maybe a jumpsuit (oiselle) if needed.
Boden is a great site for fun, quality clothes to mix up your basics too.
Enjoy your travels!
Thank you, Becca! I love hearing that you are dressing more 'artsy' and stylish. This is a vibe I'd like to experiment with. And yes to not giving a *&^ about what anyone thinks!
Great thoughts for travel pieces, thank you! I have a few pieces from Boden, from a few years ago, and I should take another look at what they've got currently. Really love the quality and classic and statement-type pieces they have.
Happy you are here!
Loved this post so much! I really adore strangers who go out of their way to compliment an outfit.
Thank you for reading and being here, Rochelle!
I agree, it's really nice to receive a random compliment on an outfit. I have tried to return the sentiment when I see someone wearing something that looks fun and great on them.
I'm 47. I feel like, as a younger woman, I had a very clear vision for the kind of stylish midlife lady I wanted to transition into, and I'm just...not there yet. I love my wool leggings - like I love them A LOT - but the other day I realized that I basically cycled between my three pair all. winter. long with the very occasional occasion that I wore jeans or, even more occasionally, a dress. Leggings are wonderful for comfy days and walks, but they aren't anywhere near the vision I had for a personal style at this stage of life. I think for me, the big obstacle is putting the time and hassle into shopping and trying things on. I like clothes but I don't like the shopping process, and you sort of can't have one without the other. Going into a new season always feels like an opportunity to change things up, though, and I do love a good summer dress...
PS I really love Quince! When I've taken the time to shop the site carefully I've been able to find some basics that I can go back to again and again.
I'd love to hear what you found! I'm really liking what I am seeing on this site.
I'm a big fan of their cashmere and wool sweaters. I have the batwing sweater in several colors, as well as a cardigan and a fisherman pullover. All very nice and on regular rotation. I got one of their linen dresses last year (a long tiered style) and liked it so well I'm getting another (fit and flare this time) and I also have some basic layering tees on the way - my sister in law has a few of them and said they are super soft and comfy, and I think they were only $15.
That's a good way of saying it, Meagan—not feeling quite there yet with being the kind of stylish midlife lady you imagined. I feel this. I see older women who have a style I admire, and I make a mental note of what they're wearing and think about how I might adapt the look for myself. One thing I started doing more recently is wearing a belt and tucking in shirts—a simple thing, but for a few different reasons (feeling self conscious about my waist, being used to wearing longer, more flow-y tops because I thought those would look better on me and have been more comfortable...) I just didn't gravitate toward this look. But I've found I like doing this small thing and how it makes me feel more pulled together. I'm also re-discovering scarves.
I think a big part of it all for me is accepting my body for what it is now and not thinking too hard about what I used to wear, or how things once hung on my body. I'm older, I don't want or need to look the same exact way I did in my 30s or early-mid 40s. At the same time, I wonder about how my body could eventually change yet again as I get older, especially after menopause, because I've heard this happens, too, in a good way!
Summer always feels easier for dressing nicely and feeling pulled together in a certain personal style, I am finding. I also love a great summer dress—I have one I got on Nantucket when Emma and I traveled there a couple of years ago and I pretty much wear it nonstop all summer.