@Funky Ah, youth—- 7” shorts are a thing of the past for moi. And I also liked 22 but never wore it. There are many JM scents that are too heavy for me in any season. I often order those tiny samples when they’re available just to see (or sniff) what’s new. Sezane has a new light summer scent, I was given a small bottle of that at the store in Austin in January that I wear occasionally, and I bought a small bottle of Clinique’s Happy last summer that I wear occasionally. It has notes of apple and bergamot (the same oil compound in Earl Grey tea) and some days, for some unknown reason, that’s my preference 🤷‍♀️

My oatmeal linen shirt arrived today from Chico’s and I love the bracelet length sleeves. It is a bit large but that will allow me to wear it over a white tee. I have one that is ribbed and has small horn buttons in front that I am going to try underneath, One of the boy’s shorts also arrived and I am impressed that all the inside seams are covered and taped. They are a tan/brown linen with an elastic waist and a drawstring, great for just knocking about the house and garden. Better yet, they fit with no empty drooping rear aspect! I also have a boy’s pair of yarn dyed plaid shorts and white linen shorts in the same style that have yet to arrive.

adding, my order from Hobbs of an ottoman knit, back zip, periwinkle top with roll collar also arrived and I am seriously in love with it, more 60’s vibes ❤️

@Kswl - I can’t wait to see a picture of the top from Hobbs. I love periwinkle and I love rolled collars. When DD was at the University of London for a summer session, she bought a very Jackie-esque dress at Hobbs (black with a small rolled collar). Twenty years later, it still looks great!

Our No. California/Oregon road trip will have a similar dress code/climate to our Iceland trip, I think, so no REAL reason to buy new clothes. Why do I always think I need something(s) new for a trip? Well, I did buy a more serious rain coat with a zip-out lining. I might need to get an extra pair of what I call ”active pants” since we won’t have laundry…better check the Athleta sale while it’s still (I think) going on…

Why do I always think I need something(s) new for a trip?

I do this too, even when it doesnt really make sense.

DD and I were just having this conversation this afternoon. She thinks I’ve bought a lot for our upcoming trip. I think I’ve been rather restrained; I’ve only bought that which was absolutely necessary to buy… I’ve limited myself to a black and white striped tee-shirt (well, 3 of them) and a casual pullover becaue I need something with a little color for lounging around on the ship and a new cashmere sweater - it’s cold in Iceland! There may be one or two other things…

Bbstx, Sue, Mtn, et al…. you’ll get no argument from me on the need for something(s) new for a trip, any trip. What’s the downside of finding something new and pretty that makes us FEEL cute?

Bbstx, here is the Hobbs top in periwinkle and a blood orange red; the former is 3/4 sleeved and the latter is short sleeves. I’m going to be looking for either style in the fall in black, brown and cream.

My white jeans are in the wash, these are cream colored. Top is back zip, very comfortable.

Will wear this with a camel car coat. Also looks good with brown boots. Skinny belt is leopard printed calfhair, one of several I bought last year from J Crew.

My version of The Uniform! Chico’s “no iron” (hah!) linen blouse and white linen shorts, Sam Edelman tote with an Hermes twilly. The leather and linen belt is also one of the J Crews belts.

Here is The Uniform with the shirt over a tee

I don’t love this look on me 🤔

and below without the overshirt

and that is most of the new stuff. When the rest of my boy shorts arrive I will demo them 😎

adding ohmigosh looked at the first picture and I should have pulled the shirt all the way down! That’s partly why i take photos, to spot stuff like that… smacks forehead…

I love your/my oatmeal linen and white outfit with a touch of orange, of course.

I am not a big fan of shirts worn as jackets tho, not sure why.

I don't think the shirt looks too big worn as a shirt.

Skinny belt is leopard printed calfhair, one of several I bought last year from J Crew.

Did I post on this? I have this belt too and have worn it a lot. Maybe in at the GTG?

I bought mine last summer while I was confined to bed after surgery. I also bought the black and cream one that looks like the brown/ linen one. Do you know that I am still finding stuff I bought while I was completely out of it the first few weeks? I have no idea now why I bought those three belts— probably from seeing you post about them (assuming you did)! I like them and wore the leopard a fair bit over the fall and winter. The other two are kind of summery and am just now wearing them— I was not wearing belts much last summer and fall with my non healing incisions :(

LOL I have surprises like that too, Kswl -- and no surgery in the last year as an explanation.

As for shorts length-- I have very short legs and the mid to lower thigh length looks best on me. I have two that are knee length or just above -- the wide leg version works because they are wide leg and flowy (but still betting they'd look better shorter). I am really ALL torso with little stubby legs lol.

I ALWAYS get something new for a trip -- it doesnt have to be big but always something. I just rebooked my trip that was postponed twice. Each time it was scheduled I bought something new lol ... of course the weather was different in April, June and July. That's my excuse and I am sticking with it ;)

I am looking at ski jackets for our August trip to Bariloche (the rest of the itinerary will be moderate temps). Mine are at least 6 or 7 years old. They are still in excellent condition, but DH always says "new clothes just look so much nicer." Plus, July is a great time to buy ski clothes!

Meanwhile my DD has a ski jacket she has worn since the 5th or 6th grade, and she brought it over for me to try. The fur is so attractive around the face, and the colorway is slimming. Funny story about this jacket. We were in a local ski shop buying goggles and such and she wanted to try it on. We both loved it. I checked the price tag and was surprised how very reasonable it was so I said; sure buy it. Turns out I missed a ZERO. But I did not reneg. (hey you only live once). She is a college senior and still wears it. She loans it to her friends on date nights because everyone looks so good in it!

Love the fur collar with its rust streaks

what a striking ski jacket! But crazy that she has had it since 5th/6th grade!

I know, she pretty much never got rid of anything unless it wore out! I felt guilty about the jacket but, lesson learned, it is still going strong. Per wearing probably less than the stuff she bought at Forever 21!

“New clothes always look nicer” Thats funny because I don’t like to look like I’m wearing new clothes IYKWIM!

(tina marie)

When I go to my annual conferences, I try to wear something new just so I am not wearing the same things all the time. Fortunately, MIL bought me for my birthday the Kasper tops I was wearing at my photoshoot (the purple button down is Eddie Bauer), so those worked out well for both the photos and the conferences.

I ordered these pants a while ago — I am into the light and airy, baggy pants this summer — and I actually liked them better IRL than in photos. But they run very large, so I returned them for a smaller size, which is on the way. I hope they fit because they would be comfy travel pants. (I got the dark brownish color.)

I also have these from Gap, which have a similar fit. I have the black and wore them for our Iceland flights. I am thinking of getting a second pair. I got the top too, but in white, and haven’t worn it yet.

I love baggy pants too, Sue but I have been havng a hard time finding a good fit so gave up for this year. I do love the look -- and those anthro pants are adorable!

I snagged the funnel neck athleta sweatshirt you posted above -- thanks for the tip!

Thats funny because I don’t like to look like I’m wearing new clothes IYKWIM!

Obviously, something else I’m behind on. Tina Marie, why would one not want to look like they are wearing new clothes?

why would one not want to look like they are wearing new clothes?

Maybe it sends a "trying too hard" vibe?

@Sueb20 those pants look heavenly to travel in, or sleep in, or sit around in, or for a hot hot sticky day but for me they may be too cold on a plane? Loving traveling with my oversized cashmere wrap - and it was a bargain at J Crew

I have a more general question about this look, which I see a lot now. I can see cropped pants with a tapered leg and heels, but in this style the cropped look is horrible on me. I can't imagine it does anyone any favors, yet I see it a lot. What is the aesthetic or functional justification for all this cropping all of a sudden?

I avoid crops. I think they just make me look shorter and wider. And the wider the legs, the wider I feel. I have some crops but on me they are ankle pants.

And speaking of wide pants…whatever happened to palazzo pants? I used to have a fantastic pair of chiffon palazzo pants. They were the foundation of the outfit whenever I needed anything formal.

I like cropped pants on me -- but admittedly they generally hit the ankle. Wide-leg crops are a little trickier .. they have to have some flow/movement. The denim wide leg crops that are all over the place look terrible on me (at least the ones I have tried). They make me look huge.

I am pear shaped like Sue .. does that make them better or worse for us? I dont know what experts say but for me, they emphasize my waist and de-emphasize the hips.

My legs are short enough that I could probably wear petites if it wasnt for the shorter rise. I have a long torso and need the length of the regular proportions.

EF was my go-to for wide leg cropped pants but they are just not working for me right now. I just ordered these wide leg crops from spanx -- I have a pair in the air essentials line which i love but are more casual. These are in their ponte fabric. In seam is 27" and will likely hit me at the ankles like in the photo. I am sure I will wear the heck out of them.

Also gave an anthro pant a try-- a diff style than Sue's but same concept. These are the somerset pants. I will wear these to lounge about-- specifically for when I get up in the morning at SO's house. They dont look like crops on the model but they took license -- the inseam is 26"

I don’t care for the barrel leg style, which we used to call cowboy pants because they made people look like they’ve been riding a western saddle for a week. 😎 I don’t think they flatter any body type and the wide leg crops fall into that same category for me. They are fashionable but IMO not stylish— a distinction I make for myself when shopping. If something is both fashionable AND stylish that is a big, rare — for me—win. I’ve (almost) stopped buying for the clothes and am trying to buy only for my body type. It’s a process 🙄

As for the relaxed/ baggy look, I easily achieve that by simply buying anything my size 🤷‍♀️

We just got back from the dog park and I wore my new linen boy shorts, see how they are not bagging AT ALL?? Yay!

@Funkyart, both of those are fine. The pair I reposted, I don't get.

Agree Funky, those you posted that hit at the ankles are the easy breezy ankle length type I WISH I could wear!

KSWL, what brand are the shorts?

But they are cropped-- that is why i shared the inseam measurements. They did some magic with the models to have them hit the ankles, no? I am pretty sure on most of you at reg heights and leg lengths, they would fit like the anthro pants Mtn shared.

I have learned not to trust the model photos-- check the measurements!

So back to my question; why does anyone like this?

I have a similar situation Funky, in that I am very short waisted. Almost everything I buy is “cropped” but doesn’t look so on me— similar to someone with a shorter leg in proportion to their torso. Sometimes these proportions do work in our favor :) Looking forward to hearing how the pants fit.

Eld the shorts are Tommy Hilfiger. I have white ones and plaid on the way!

Mtn.. idk…maybe another case of trust no one but the influencers paid to promote them? In that vein I saw a woman modeling a tee shirt and joggers, both from Amazin, on Instagram and touting them as “elevated basics.” There is nothing wrong per se with Amazin clothing or buying it, but there was also nothing whatsoever remotely ”elevated” about this outfit. There were dozens of comments gushing in agreement asking for the link 🤷‍♀️ wth….?

Amazon actually sells quite a bit of quality, name brand clothing. I havent tried it myself, but i know people who have bought designer items. Some brand names have amazon ’storefronts’. (Tina Marie)

ETA I love flowy, wide leg ankle pants. I do not like baggy. The pants have to be slimmer through the hips and then wider down the leg, if that makes sense. They must also be a fabric that will hang/flow just right. Of course, the right top and shoes have to be factored in. (tina marie)

Kswl, those fit you so well -- and totally address the bum sag! Great solution!

And you are so right-- I put these shorts on today and happened to be on the site so I grabbed a photo. The pink line shows where they hit me -- at least 3" lower on the leg! I will say that mine are not so snug so that might be part of it ... but also, I think they look better on me than the model (and i do not often say that!)

My lunch date cancelled on me this morning-- so I have been on way too many sites this morning. I leave on my trip (rescheduled twice) in less than 2 weeks .. if I am going to order anything, it will be this weekend!

ETA .. yeah, I dont know, Mtn .. but I am clearly not an influencer lol. In Sue's case, I would expect they would fit her like they'd fit me-- closer to ankle length.

Also, KSWL, I have fallen prey to some of those "you must get this on amazon" influencers and have always been disappointed. The one exception was my Tommy Hilfiger polo dress but much as it was from Az, it was a known-to-me brand.

Yes I too have bought brand name items on Amazon as long as was from the brand’s storefront and not a third party seller from overseas as those tend to be counterfeit goods.

The plaid boy shorts just arrived in the mail and they are SUPER cute! I am so excited about them, they are just the right length and a cheerful, happy plaid. They also have the drawstring which is good as they are just a tad bit large in the waist, but the hips are perfect. Also received that NYDJ white jean skirt from Nordstrom today. It showed on the (obviously tres tall) model as above the knee but on me it’s below. I like it otherwise and the size 4 fits great except for the length so I am keeping it and will have it hemmed. Now just waiting for the blue blouse from Talbot’s and the everyday white linen (blend, I think) boy shorts.

I often buy cropped pants. I like really funky platform boot sandals and imo cropped pants do a great job of showing off that type of footwear. If it were not for the footwear I would be neutral on the style.

Ilikefriday, you could wear practically anything and make it look stylish and you would look gorgeous in it. I’m willing to bet you could make something chic out of a tablecloth! I do not have that kind of flair and for my own protection (lol) am best served by almost ”formula” dressing, iykwim. The ability to create style rather than just wear it, is rare!

To hit me in the same place, those blue crops would need to be 28“-ish. 28.5 barely covers my ankle.

Friday, I think you hit the nail on the head. Footwear dictates, to some extent, the length of the pants. I do not like the Anthro pants with Birks, but I can see them on you with some funky footwear. I think the platform would make all the difference in the world.

kswl, I think your solution of buying boy’s shorts is brilliant. I’m so pleased they are fitting your the way you want.

DS is on the way here and we are playing a short round at 6:30…I’m wearing my new shorts!

Those are adorable! What a great discovery for you!

Thank you! I’m pretty pleased with my new shorts pipeline 😁

adding…that is the baseball cap I bought from the Beacon Hill Bookstore when we visited Boston last November. SueB had posted about the shop months earlier and the pictures were so inviting I had to see it for myself. The cap is a lighter denim, embroidered with their logo of a squirrel sitting on a stack of books—- so cute🥰 The books have all the colors in my shorts. (I did buy some books also!)

Just saw JJill is having a sale on linen pants. Last time I think I bought regular vs. petite to have them more ankle length.

Seeing the grandboys today! They got home from the beach last night and I am picking them up this am for a day with Grammie and Gramps. Today’s casual, kid friendly outfit is a vintage madras skirt with a thin denim waistband, light blue denim Mary Janes and a short sleeved chambray shirt. This is not the shirt I was waiting for— I completely forgot that I already had a short sleeved one 🤔 But I also have three long sleeved ones so clearly this is something I really like. The new one is different—it has pintucks and smocking so I will undoubtedly keep it 🤷‍♀️

A word of warning about Amazon name brand purchases. My sister wears 1/4 zip golf pullovers a lot, like almost her daily uniform. She has many brand name shirts of these from sporting goods and golf stores. Some of these brands also sell on Amazon. She has ordered from Amazon and been disappointed in the quality when they arrived. Thinner fabric, sloppy construction, cheaper zipper, etc.

Just know it may not be the same piece of clothing.

Today I am off to Staples and the post office with my large pile of returns. The Gap is always so tempting with their sales (and easy/free returns), but I end up returning almost everything so I just need to STOP. Athleta is still worthwhile because a lot of their activewear pants, at least, work well for me.

I ordered 3 things from April Cornell and 2 worked. No pics to share but one was a nice summer dress, navy with a small floral print and I found myself thinking, this would work for a summer funeral. Sad but true. My summer wardrobe is two extremes -- very casual or dressy but in casual/bright colors. Nothing suitable for a somber event. Not that I am expecting any funerals any time soon! But the reality is that most of my friends have at least one living parent in the 85-90 range...

Today I am getting my arse back on the Peloton after 2+ weeks away, and doing some yard work before it gets too hot. I am wearing my RBX shorts and my Surly Wench t-shirt (from a bar in Tucson)...will spare you the pics.

Did the orange J Crew dress work for you? I thnk I mentioned DGD2 has a sundress in that same fabric. It is so happy. I just love it!

Yes, it is very cute IMO as a beach coverup. I kinda hoped I could even wear it as a sundress, but it is way too sheer. I now have two coverups from J Crew that I like a lot! The other has long sleeves, almost like an oversized shirt, from a few years ago.

Surly Wench t-shirt

Ha ha. Must link!

LOL, it is a dive bar. They seem to have new t-shirt designs. Mine is different.

https://surly-wench-merch.myshopify.com

DS lived in Tucson right after college. We walked by the Surly Wench when he first moved there, but it was very dark and a little scary looking, so we (just me and DS) were too shy to go in. Several months later, DH visited him and I made them go back to see if they had t-shirts! A few years later I made DS get me a Ya Mama’s t-shirt from a bar in New Orleans (the next city he moved to). Ya Mama’s is now closed so my shirt is now very valuable, just sayin.

Yes, I am quite the fashionista.

I have no caption for this

What the…?

There goes shopping for shoes on the sale rack!

AI run amok!

Hey - that's 2 left feet - it does exist!