You looked smashing in your dinner outfit! It was an awesome weekend.

Nicole

@Kswl...Those jeans are very flattering on you! Very nice outfit! Styling!

As you can imagine, Kswl is great fun to shop with and looked amazing in EVERYTHING she tried on. She even looked good in the fashion disaster item but the disaster part was totally on the cut of the garment.

Such a great weekend and lovely group of women. Also, ilikefriday's whole look is stunning, too - clothes, jewelry, eyewear, hair, make-up - the whole package. I will definitely need to step up my game for the next GWGT!

It was a very fun weekend!

I believe Ks, Ruby, and I all bought something at Sezanne, a store I’d never seen IRL before. I bought these socks

And since K is modeling her outfits, here I am in my new sweater.

And thanks to Jo, I’m going to try Democracy cords. Jo is my personal style influencer.

@rubyclaire

You are too kind! I appreciate the compliments. My kid and dh gave me a little lecture about toning things down a bit for this event. They thought my normal style might be a little too wild for the occasion.... So, I obliged. I didn't want to scare y'all. 😂

Rubyclaire I think you look amazing. No need to do anything different next time. I really enjoyed getting to know you.

You look wonderful! So polished and put together. I look forward to seeing more and hearing more.

I had typed a whole other fashion post, but decided to raise it later. Anyway, Rubyclaire, if I make it to a future get together, not to worry as I will be representing the casual and possibly clueless still there to enjoy. <3

Sue - the sweater looks amazing on you! The color is perfect!

@ilikefriday same ❤️

I want Friday to do my eye makeup next time for sure! (Makeup lessons! another option for your empty nest phase!)

I have really let myself go now that most of the fashion icons have departed. At the museum this morning in my baseball cap. PS I really enjoyed the Blanton.

Seriously, a makeup and style tutorial from Ilikefriday would be the greatest—- her eye makeup in particular was flawless! Friday I’d love to see your style without any toning down; and while we are at it may I ask where you found your black coat which was both very stylish and looked really warm, not an easily found combination?

Sue that sweater looks much better on you than it looked on me. Glad you changed your plans for the day!

Rubyclaire we will have to start planning now where to shop at the next GTG. You look great and I liked both things you bought— both the one you returned and the one you kept. I am wearing a clone of the one you kept right now, one of those indispensable must haves. (There are so many must haves, aren’t there? 😉

I’m smiling so big reading about the GTG. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it (my bestie was in town) … but admit that I’d have felt intimidated by you fashionistas. Still, it would’ve been beyond wonderful meeting you all.

I’m so happy it was a good time. ❤️

ETA: Ks, love your smile up above! :)

@Kswl, @Suebe20

Perhaps we should have a makeup party next time. I could pretend to be the next Mary Kay and spill all my makeup secrets 😊. The key to my eye makeup is multi chrome eyeshadow. It shifts color as the light hits it from different directions. That adds a lot of interest and dimension to the eye. Multichromes are hard to find in department stores, Ulta, and Sephora. You might find one or two DUOchromes in those retailers but the quality will not be great and the salespeople will have no clue what you are talking about if you ask if they carry any. The brand I use is Terra Moons.

https://terramoonscosmetics.com/products/m33

@Kswl

My coat is very warm and comfy! I like to travel with it because it can be stuffed into a small tote bag that I use as a carryon. I purchased it on Etsy. As you can see, there are two sections on the back side of the coat. I didn't like the look of the bottom back section so I cut it off. Then I took it to a seamstress to fix the hem. I also added snap buttons. I purchased a size 4xl because I like the look of oversized clothing.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1552828464/avant-garde-winter-puffer-jacket-for

Wow, a 4XL— you can get a lot of layers under that if you need to, and I imagine sometimes you do living in a cold climate. It’s just so arresting and the fabric is so lovely, even nicer than the photo IRL. I would not have had the nerve to take the scissors to it, unfortunately I am way less confident.

I would love to learn how to make my eyes up in a way that enhances them!

Raise your hand if you’ve already bought your formal Birkenstocks!

St,John crepe gown at Saks.

You may know I am a HUGE proponent of dressy flats with formal and semi- formal wear, but those look silly. I bought a vintage black silk satin long skirt that I’m dropping off at the tailor today to be shortened. I like ballet length skirts rather than maxis bc it reduces the chance you’ll trip on the hem going up or down stairs. Also, the shorter hem works better for my figure proportions and shows off the cute shoes.…. that are decidedly NOT Birks!

Loving seeing outfits for your get together! How exciting!

I made a HUGE (for me) de-cluttering effort over the last few weeks, especially around clothing. I am absolutely the worst about parting with clothing and tend to hang onto things far longer than any sane person would. I took several big boxes to Goodwill over the weekend. I also have another big box that needs to be gone. I was hoping to try selling the clothing as they are really good brands, (designer jeans like Paige, 7 For All Mankind, etc, some Free People, Banana Republic, etc). But looking locally it seems like the shops that sell second hand clothing want "current" trends, specifically for the late teens and twenties. I don't think my clothing is going to be considered trendy for that age group. So I may end up just taking them over to Goodwill anyway.

Pricklypear, you could put a few items on Poshmark to test the waters. If they don’t sell, donate. I would not assume they won’t sell before at least trying.

My Ann Taylor sequined skirt(a) arrived and ot is absolutely beautiful! The pictires really don’t do it justice, as the flowers are all in bas relief and not simply worked onto a flat fabric. I put them on with a pair of nude siede D’orsay flats and I def need heels I think. I bought a 6 and an 8 and the joke’s on me because I really need a 4! Of course they are now sold out again so I am making the 6 work!

Have you tried Poshmark before Kswl? That might be a great idea. I've never tried Poshmark before.

PP - Agree with Poshmark - I buy my Talbots slim ankle jeans from there due to a weight gain in the last year and having to go up a size. I have found some classic RL NWT blouses on PM as well. Worth a try.

That AT skirt is gorgeous - I looked at it on their site, but my lifestyle today is so casual that it would be a waste purchase for me. Love the colors!

I have not sold anything on Poshmark but I have certainly purchased things. i am thinking I might try to sell the extra new skirt I just received as it seems oddly inappropriate for donation.

This is the skirt! I am going out to look for shoes today. i also have a pair of nude suede buckle shoes that may work, they have a very small heel.

I thought this would look good with pearls but separately I tried on a single strand, a triple strand, and a torsade and none looked better than two gold necklaces combined.

Ks, that skirt is beautiful and the fit looks perfect!

Very special!

Very pretty! You wear that color well.

Just actching up on this thread now. I was a little sorry that I went as casual as I did for the gtg. I kept thinking of the nicer things I left at home! Oh well, Ill do better next time. My main item was a baggy-ish Eileen Fisher sweater, similar to this but in olive green

also my standard Athleta white blouse and Talbots denim shirt. Most of the time I looked prettymuch like this

My goal is took look as trendy as Ilikefriday and as put together as KSWL. Maybe in my next life.

Lollol Ded….we would all like to look as trendy as Ilikefriday! I struck out in the shoe department today so i will wear the nude low heel pumps with buckles if I I wear this outfit tomorrow night. I also have a sort of dressy suit consisting of a black velvet skirt and a brown tweed double breasted jacket with a black velvet collar ….l am considering wearing that and saving the flashy skirt for Valentine’s day. That would give me time to find cuter shoes.

I love your new skirt, Kswl. It’s perfect for Valentine’s Day.

Ded, you are such a kind and lovely person it matters not what you wear. I thought you looked great, fwiw.

Hi rooomie! I noticed the sweater and I loved the olive green color with your hair. I liked the way you wore it over a crisp white untucked button down. Next time I have something nice to say I am going to make a point of saying it!

Excuse me Ded — I thought you looked very hip. I had the thought that I wanted to copy this look. Also, your necklace was cool!

Ha, I didn’t see Mtn’s post earlier — but I agree, I need to voice compliments out loud instead of just in my head.

Our heat wasn’t working today so I’ve been wearing lined leggings and a big fluffy sweatshirt all day…no shower bc no hot water. Tres chic.

Mtn, I was thinking exactly the same, why didnt I tell people how much I admired their look?

Mtn, besides being naturally gorgeous, you have beautiful skin and loved your hair. Of course, for what you paid, it better be gorgeous!

I may have to go back and email each sorority sister and tell what I was admiring inside my slightly vacant head.

Oh, I bought that necklace at my library’s Arts & Crafts show. Kinda like it.

ded - I also loved your olive sweater/denim shirt combo with the popped collar. Loved your hair pulled back in the cute pony. It's a good looking group!

I also thought it was a great looking group. Dedtired I notice your green sweater after we switched seats at the restaurant. I thought that was a great color on you. Also Mtn, your hair totally stood out to me. I thought it was fabulous.

And not to belabor the point Ded but you are enviably wrinkle free! I notice that before anything😎

I think one of the coolest things that happens as we age is that we develop our own style ... one that we are comfortable in and one that reflects our personality. There is no one size fits all when it comes to style.

I absolutely look at what others are wearing and take mental notes about what I'd like to try and/or incorporate into my own look. Sometimes it works-- sometimes it is a complete fail LOL. That's one of the things I love about this monthly thread. I get soooo many new ideas -- but I also note what works beautifully for someone else but wouldnt work for me (sometimes just mentally .. and sometimes in a response).

This is just a really long way of saying: Be you! Embrace you! Every one of you is beautiful! Have fun exploring new things and evolving your style -- but dont knock your style.

FWIW I will be casual at the 2026 GTG .. I am very rarely not in some kind of sneaker and often in jeans and some sort of tee. I am likely to spark it up with jewelry but it is definitely a casual style. Oh .. and I am likely to carry very fashionable (cough cough) hiking sticks as an accessory to help prevent me from tripping, falling or knocking into people, walls! (Hopefully by then I will have worked through my embarrassment/self consciousness with using them in public.)

@Funkyart, I think ”trekking poles” are very Continental. Every time I go to Europe, I see scads of people using them in the cities as well as the countryside!

Same here, Bbstx— I saw trekking poles all over Scotland employed by mostly young people. One of our neighbors, a very hale and hearty 80 year old man from Switzerland, attributes his health (and lack of falls in his long hiking history) to the use of poles.

Funky you’ll be the coolest — and safest!

Ok all, I promise this is THE LAST OUTFIT of January! I am keeping the pink sweater and blingy skirt for Valentine’s day, so I am now contemplating this ensemble for tomorrow night’s murder mystery dinner. Black velvet skirt and my new-to-me blue silk sweater with mink cuffs. I have on my dancing shoes with this, not sure if they will make it out the door. The big question is jewelry. I tried on many different things and settled on a gold chain with a pearl pendant and gold chain bow earrings. I will wear stockings with this and my black velvet evening cloak—- and possibly a thin black velvet headband with a flat bow if I am going full-on Girl. I also have black patent kitten heel slingbacks and black lace d’orsay flats and low heeled pumps with beweled buckles. So questions are for jewelry; strings of pearls too high contrast with dark sweater so its either this or some iteration of a gold mesh collar necklace or several small gold necklaces worn together. Would like to wear these bow earrings regardless but COULD wear dangly 2 pearl ones (and maybe no necklace?). And— does this lend itself to The Headband?

in situ

and finally I cant seem to take a full length pic in which the necklace shows so this is it

Thank you in advance and no further peep out of me until Valentine’s Eve!

Oh my! Those earrings are adorable ❤️

Absolutely adore the dangly bow earrings. The blackvelvet cloak sounds perfect for a murder mystery event!

i will trust you to make the right choices, since your taste is much better than mine.

I am SO glad you two like the earrings! I thought they were adorable but they can’t be worn with just anything. I like them so much I had a local jeweler make bow earrings from a seed pearl necklace I had as a child. Then I bought another smaller pair of bow earrings and DD snagged those within a month 🙂 These are very lightweight and bounce around, which I love!

Nicole

The earrings are very unusual...and very much fitting the outfit! Girly indeed! Nice touch. Love the single pearl necklace....and mink cuffs...I've not seen those since my stylish mom wore those....and those will always be a hit! Right out of Vogue!

So cute! Love the earrings….I would say a headband with bow might be too much with the earrings, but that’s just me. I have no doubt you’ll look great whatever you decide.

Love the earrings! I’m a sucker for a bow! Having said that, I have to agree with Sueb. The bow headband may be one bow too many.

A bow too far……….you’re undoubtedly right 🙄 I don’t often get on the bow train but when I do, I don’t know when to stop.

I have been eyeing Frank & Eileen for a long time, particularly their Mini Belfast Jacket. Decided to look on Poshmark and found a new one in my size for less than 1/2 of the usual price. I love it. I am not usually into the ragged-edges look, but I made an exception. It will be great for a trip to FL/GA in March.

What happened to the Brazilian wax thread? I have an email where someone commented an hour and a half ago. When I try to follow the link, it goes nowhere. And nothing is showing in my “activity.” Did Nicole take it down?

LOL I knew it couldn’t last. Too bad, it seemed like it had potential to be entertaining.

Sue, they had one that kept coming up under "trench coat" but was also that material. Love that color.

Thank you, @dedtired and @ilikefriday for your lovely compliments! 😊

See you in Austin!

Wait, @Kswl, that's what you wear for airplane travel? Wow. Joggers, sweatshirts and sneakers for me, and if I'm feeling fancy, they might actually match.

So happy you all had a wonderful time. I hope I can join the next one in PA, which is a quick drive for me. And if there's a shopping trip involved, that would be awesome. I can't imagine anything more fun than shopping with you fashionistas!

@salonva we can compete at the next GTG for the most casually, maybe most underdressed, person in attendance!

SueB that is a great poshmark find!I love that site.

Jsk I flew by myself for the first time when I was six or seven, shipped off to an aunt for a few weeks in summer before I started going to sleepaway camp. I was dressed to the nines for that flight — dress, hat, small pocketbook, gloves and white leather Mary Janes with turned down ankle socks. I was on my best behavior as one often is when dressed very nicely and I felt very pleased and grown up flying alone. I guess that whole experience was a template for me because I still endeavor to look as nice as I possibly can as a credit to the wonderful privilege of travel. I sometimes wonder if people would behave better on airplanes (and in general in public) if they didn’t wear pajamas and fuzzy houseshoes on board.🤔 FWIW though I do understand the whole comfy athleisure dress on a plane even though I go in the opposite direction.