Kswl - check out this one by Sandro

Navy Trench

Woo hoo! I wantednit in navy but the dark khaki is very nice! I’ll ask for measurements… the MMLF website defines extra small as sizes 0 -2 but that coat certainly looks bigger. Maybe it was mislabeled? Fingers crossed! Thank you Mtn!

I found a similar MMLF navy coat in thin wool— water resistant— in a size small but it’s in really poor condition.

I have become so desperate to find a pair of basic black dress pants that I have turned to…Chico’s. These are arriving any minute now. I don’t think there are any embellishments like rhinestones or feathers, but will check carefully just in case.

The earrings I ordered from nordstrom rack for next week’s wedding arrived and are perfect! I need to try on all the elements sometime this weekend.

Looking forward to seeing the wedding ensemble Sue, those earrings are pretty!

I would also like to find nicely tailored black slacks. Brooks Brothers fit me well except in the seat I have three pair with the alterations lady. It would be wonderful to find a style that fits right off the hanger.

Kswl, have you ever purchased trousers from WHBM? I don’t love a lot of the styles and fabrics but it is my most reliable source for slacks, particularly black that I used to wear while catering.

I have not, but there is a store in DD’s town and I will check there, thanks for that recommendation. I would not have thought of it!

@1929Spanish-GW, your outfits look smashing! You have quite the eye for putting vintage items together. Love the first especially and that Chanel jacket, evenmif it isn’t a shade I usually wear.

@mtnrdredux_gw, the Gorski jacket is fabulous. Love the first two swimsuits. The third almost made me think body suit underwear which made me take a closer look. .

Re jeans, I love those you found, @pricklypearcactus. I’ve worn both brands in the past and liked them but this shopping round, I didn’t find anything from either, or maybe I am just unwilling to pay the price for an item I don’t even wear often. I finally bought a black pair and a blue denim pair from Loft in their ’curvy’ high-rise line that fit nicely. Together they were less than $100.

My go-to dressy black pants these days are the Endless pants from Athleta. I wear them year round. WHBM is a good suggestion though. I often shopped and wore their pants and skirts when I worked.

@OutsidePlaying thank you. I decided to keep it and am wearing it tonight, as it is set to be our coldest day of the year!

In re the suits, the plain black one has an interesting self design that I will either love or hate. Hard to see in the photo I posted. Plus, if you zoom in you will see that it appears to come with an abacus for calculating tips on pina coladas at the beach?

“Plus, if you zoom in you will see that it appears to come with an abacus for calculating tips on pina coladas at the beach?” LOL LOL!!

While I am not a huge fan of beads on clothing I think swimsuits are one garment where a little extra interest or bling is not out of place. The beads above are cute! And come to think of it I have a shirt with logos in tiny beads on the front so I guess that makes me more of a fan than I thought

My Christmas present from DD & DSIL came today! It is a heated vest. The one that was under the tree did not fit because of the battery pack. I wore it for a little while today. It is not a fashion-statement unless you are trying to mimic the Michelin Tire man. Wow! I was finally warm enough for the first time in 2 weeks!

Wasn’t sure whether to put this here or in one of the arts & crafts threads… but I did a little cyanotype print on a plain shirt that I never wear. I think I will add some embroidery on the pocket and along the placket.

I used a peacock feather.

How cool is that, Sue??? How did you manage to restrict the dye to the pocket? It looks great!

Thanks! I just painted it on carefully.

@Sueb20, you are so talented and so clever!!

Yes, add it to arts and crafts! Id love to see some of your embroidery too.

I had to return something yesterday at Target and got roped into the swim section, where they have great options for coverup bottoms. I bought white muslin, black muslin, black mesh and navy crochet. When I finalize my bathing suit choice I will choose among them.

I also got a blue and white striped button down shirt, since I only have 4 or 5 of those. It is very fitted with a bit of a peplum and I like it VM. $20 on sale.

Since the world knows I am swimsuit shopping, I got roped into a new site and also ordered these:

I ordered this is navy but this colorway shows the design better

Love all those bathing suits. I've started wearing 2 piece takinis that look like one pieces. Got so tired of fighting with a one piece in the bathroom when I'm sweaty.

I think I am going to buy new ones for my next cruise in March. Wasn't loving my existing ones on my trip last month.

I have been loving Target lately. There's a pair of Aritzia pants I wanted but didn't want to spend that kind of money on something I will wear a couple times a year. Target came out with their version for $35. Tried them on and I love them.

I realized recently I do not have a denim button down. I must have given it away in my last purge. Got this one from Target. I sized up one for more oversized fit. It's really nice. Thick and well made.

In both cases, the items are better looking than the Target photos show. I found each from an influencer that showed them on. I find the Target pics are terrible.

My girls like Target but I was only there to return a household item. If it weren't for DH waiting patiently in the car, I could have wasted a lot more time there. I tried on a pair of striped jeans (remember that brief quest?) and was very excited that I could zip a size 8 (it's been a while) but boy they looked awful. Cant find them on their site, but they were a bit too short and had unflattering large front pockets.

I like more waist definition than I see in a most tankinis, but yeah I agree.

Name a business or organization that has not capitulated; all of their boards are saying ''' do what you have to to appease for now..." Unless i start spinning my own yarn and raising livestock, and forego most media, it's pretty hard to anymore find sources that have stood up for my values. If I can, fine, but otherwise...

OOTD for walking the dogs this morning, lunch with my mother, dinner with friend group then choir rehearsal afterwards. In between these I will be going over the music on my own, making lists for the Monday cleaners and hopefully doing a bit of painting. My stock of ”thinking of you” cards is getting low and those are the ones I send to people on my list from the lay pastoral care committee.

Off white jeans (Talbot’s), wool sweater (Uniqlo), black loafers (Birdies), Le Scarf and skinny leopard belt (J Crew). Everything several years old except the sweater (thank you again Bbstx, these are perfect for me!) and all very middle of the road pricewise. This is definitely one of my favorite regular day looks

Of course it's not crucial. Much of what we do and spend our $$ on are not crucial.

I was really hoping this thread could stay non- political and non- judgmental.

Okay then I will remove my comment. But in our current climate, everything is becoming political and pretending that it's not, well, go ahead.

In my particular case, none of my clothes from last summer, or even last fall, fit, and I am heading on a warm weather vacation. At least 1/3rd of what I buy is used.

I just went thru a closet purge and donated a bunch of stuff.

I think you'd be surprised at the sum total of my wardrobe. It's not that extensive.

That said, I can appreciate that our country is dramatically overclothed.

ETA - for example, i am not home right now but I think I do own now 4 button down blue and white striped shirts. Different weight, fabric, detailing. Only the newest one fits, the others are too large. But they are not so large that I should give them away. Like they are "wearable," so for now they are sort of in limbo. I won't donate them yet but I will probably gravitate to things that fit me best.

I don't see why you need to remove your comment. If people feel defensive about it, maybe that makes us think. How can that be bad?

It was not about the quantity of buying anything, it was about the "necessity" of where, I am not convinced that X from X is such a unicorn that you have no choice. That's all. And my mind is not going to be changed about it.

There are some unicorns for sure, but I don't think they are found at Target, unless one means price-wise.

And wait, your post did say something about buying things every few days IIRC

For those of you who are fortunate enough to live where there are good thrift stores, the woman at Nearly New Cashmere posted a reel on Instagram about used cashmere. She thought there were 3 surprisingly good sources of used cashmere: Land’s End, particularly the older garments although the current ones are good too; Gap, which no longer sells cashmere but if you can find it, it is good; and Marks and Spencer.

If you are unfamiliar with the company, here is their story: https://www.nearlynewcashmere.co.uk/pages/about-us

I’ve never bought from them, but I’ve been tempted.

The "every few days" regarding purchases was really about having a lot of familiarity with what is out there and lots of familarity with lots of different places to maybe get it. And to some extent that if you have a fair amount of clothing, it's a little easier to do without a particular item. When I went through a long period of not buying much, and only at Brooks Brothers except for socks and underwear, I didn't really know off the top of my head where to get nonBB sorts of things. My comment was not about spending a lot of money on clothes in particular.

@bbstx only yhe older M&S cashmere IIRC.

Hi everyone I have been gone for a bit…been a busy bee! Mtn..this is my fav trench..waiting for a sale…still a great price.

I know it is still winter but thinking of our Florida trip in March…we spend two weeks on the Beach…I bought these items last year in June..and lived in them at the pool all summer! best swim suit I have ever purchased and the cotton stretch short romper was so comfy and cool..I also bought it in yellow and black…the sorel sandles were so great with summer dresses and rompers…thought I would share..Amazon!

Julie! Was thinking about you today and wondering if you and your family were ok?! Hope you had a great Christmas with those adorable grands!!

@1929Spanish-GW, she tends to prefer the older offerings so I’m not surprised at the M&S preference.

@mtnrdredux_gw - have you found a home yet for your rash guard? Let me know.

I have a trench that looks just like the one you posted - I can't remember name on tag (haven't worn it very much). I need to do a HUGE closet purge.

Must be a nice feeling that nothing fits because everything is too big on .you!

Also - LOVE the last two suits - I haven't transitioned from two piece suits - but those two one piece suits look really nice. Would you mind sharing details? Plus, I need to start finding some one piece ones - I'm not a tankini bathing suit person.

Maybe we should set up a Buy Nothing Sell Nothing for us to trade clothes?

Flo I have been fine..so sweet thinking of me🩷just busy traveling after the new year…Seattle and than just returned from Texas visit…yes seeing my granddaughters has been a blessing and so much fun!

Mtn, too large clothing is definitely something to celebrate--and shop for!

WRT Target, we do know that boycotts work. For me personally boycotting Target is no problem at all as the closest one is 45-50 minutes away and no hardship because the only thing I have ever found to wear is a pair of vintage gingham slacks on Poshmark. I must have missed the golden age of ready to wear at Target; what I see now is trendy and poorly made. (Maybe that's just what they ship to Georgia?) I would have a much harder time boycotting a particular grocery store since there are few in my area.

Unfortunately, Target is my go to for many things, not just clothing. It would be very difficult to boycott. And the alternative is the big A which IMO is not any better from that prospective.

@Kswl I've actually been amazed at the quality of some of the things I've purchased from Target. The most recent being the denim shirt. My local store is terrible. Almost everything I purchase is on line and almost always says 'not available at <my store>'. I think the stores vary wildly in what they stock.

You are right about that, Jsk---there's a Belk in my town and is is NOTHING like the one in Atlanta. They might be on completely different planets!.

Funny….I live within 15 minutes or less from four Target stores. Ridiculous! I buy household goods there because I can’t stand Walmart, but thats anout all I buy.

Julie RL never goes on sale. BUY IT! You won't regret the investment. I have had one of his trenches for 30 plus years and still looks amazing!

Speaking of investment pieces My Miller Dickey Blazer was an investement piece that I have also worn the heck out of. You can zip in different Dickeys to change the look. I have never regreted it and it is easy and makes everything instantly put together. I love to wear it with jeans and loafers or boots.

some recent purchases that I love. I am in NC so I start investing in dresses for the new spring/summer/fall season and this one I wore in CA last week and it is wonderful

I also grabbed this for comfortable air travel and have lived in it since putting it on

and last I grabbed this top to wear under sweaters. The stand up collar looks great under a crew neck or v neck.

The Chico’s pants I ordered fit great. So I now own my first Chico’s item. Am I old now?

So I now own my first Chico’s item. Am I old now?

Depends. What is the rhinestone quotient? 😂

Just cut out the tag, Sue. No one will ever know.

I needed a pair of walking sneakers that were comfortable and cute. I went to DSW just to try on various styles, and the Adidas Barreda Decode had a decent amount of arch support. I didn't like the colors DSW carried, so I jumped online and ordered these:

Definitely keeping the first one. On the fence about whether I need the second one.

Regarding boycotting etc., I'm a proponent of that type of activism, but I think the real benefit is awareness of consumerism. If I need something, and A or T are the only sources, sure, I'll buy from them. I did for those above. But frequency has lessened, and that's my act of rebellion in my little corner of the world. If I want to "treat" myself to a purchase, I'm more inclined to visit a local store in my community, than to shop online. I have found some really great locally owned stores in the process.

“The Chico’s pants I ordered fit great. So I now own my first Chico’s item. Am I old now?”

Yes, and welcome to the club. 😳

More recent looks:

Church this past Sunday

Top from Hobbs and a dark charcoal gored skirt with ancient spectator flats.

Babysitting:

Salmon corduroy pants, topsiders, and a cotton zip up navy sweater. Underneath is a men’s Barbour shirt in XS in a plaid of gray, navy and this same red— I wish it showed, it’s all under the seeater. I bought it last summer with no idea what it would go with but I loved the plaid (of course) and it’s perfect with these pants. B

Kswl, those sweet babies will surely have fond memories of you for so much more than your outfits, but you will definitely be remembered as the BDG--best dressed grammy. :-)

Thank you Feathers, what a noce thing to say!

Golf yesterday— I FINALLY found anuse for that Spanx Air Essential athleisure top!

Today I am shopping for art supplies this morning, have a ladies’ lincheon in a neighboring town, and going to DD’s afterwards to drop off knee socks for the

boys (their legs are NOT warm enough!), a valentine collection box for Tommy and a little sweater I mended for Lucy. It is cool and misty outside and this outfit goes nicely with my green raincoat:

(No makeup in this, yikes!)

This sweater

was a gift from my SIL and developed a 1 cm hole right in the front when DD washed it. I watched a youtube video on darning and mended the hole so you cannot tell it was there. So pleased we did not have to return it.

@Kswl are those the J McL checked pants? I have and love those and cannot wait for it to warm up here to wear them again. I also have them in light pink because they were on sale.

No they are Target from Poshmark. I have the J Mclaughlin gingham pants in navy though. Love both…. love plaid!

Gingham! My brain could not come up with the word and resorted to checked :-)

I'm actually not a plaid fan, but I love these.

So today I was early for my luncheon and there was a Soma store in The Avenue near the restaurant. I’ve been wanting to try their bralettes (because I seem to be in between Spanx’ sizes) and am happy to report they are ultra comfortable and I bought five. I noticed a lot of the other stores were advertising huge sales so I went back much later in the day and hit all the ladies’ shops. Everything that was on sale was an additional 60% off— and this was every clothing store. No idea if it was a local promotion or just a coincidence, but whoa! I went to Talbot’s first and found a denim skirt that I love— it replaces one that was retired a few years ago. I chose a larger size so it would sit just below my navel and give me a bit of extra length. After 60% off the clearance price it was…. wait for it…..$6 !

(I’m trying it on with stockings that Inpit on to try another dress, more about that one later). I also got this skirt— which I liked in the summer catalog but never tried it on bc it was too theme-y (travel images lole suitcases and Eiffel towers if you look closely). I tried it on and loved the weight and feel and thought it woild be great with sandals and a white tee shirt. I also tried it on with a white button down and ballet flats and like it this way too

This one was $26 after 60% off clearance!

But my favorite of the shopping trip was at Loft, where I rarely go bc they are not usually my style. I found this short gray FELT mini skirt with sequin snowflakes… it kind of looks like a winter skating skirt. The fabric is thick and warm and wintery and it feels almost like a pet 😎 They had a couple of large sizes and a 2, which I KNEW would not fit but I tried it on anyway and it did! I had just bought a silver turtleneck with a metallic thread and knew it would be perfect:

The stockings (which I had) are black with silver sparkles and the flats are shiny black. It’s VERY short but the tights cover all the iffy bits. I can also wear it with quieter gray tights and pewter flats but this is more fun 😁 Now I am just LOOKING for an opportunity to wear it, maybe to the next dinner dance after Valentine’s.