Monday Musings on Cotton Gauze, Long Skirts, and 4 Ways to Wear Red Pants
Happy Monday, ladies. This week, I’m musing about the fashion choices I’ve spotted other women making while traveling. This is what I wore to fly home on Friday.
When I got home to my wardrobe on Friday, it looked uninspiring and bland. Perhaps it’s because I’m still dragging my tail feathers from my recent bout with COVID, but I’m wondering if it indicates I’m in the mood to shake things up a bit. My daughter urged me to take it slow, so the citron yellow top I adored, did not get ordered yet, and I’ll see how I feel in a few days.
Here are some of the things I spotted. I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please share in the comments.
Long Skirts
I spotted many women wearing long, almost maxi skirts with athletic sneakers on the streets of Helsinki this summer. The look seemed ‘off’ when I first started seeing it, but the more outfits I saw, the more it appealed to me. Long skirts are cool, easy to wear, and a great solution for covering your legs in the heat. Athletic sneakers may not be my first choice with a skirt, but there’s no denying they’re comfy, and the skirt length conceals much of the foot. You could see the shoe as these women walked, but all it looked was sensible and comfy. I only have a few skirts but the more I saw, the more I wish I’d packed mine. Are you a fan of maxi skirts? Do you feel the length gives you more freedom to choose comfy footwear?
Cotton Gauze
I spotted no less than 5 women wearing cotton gauze sets in the airport last week. All were pants with some type of coordinating top. I used to think of this look for more leisure time, like running errands, being near the ocean, or hanging close to home, but apparently not!
These ladies all looked coordinated, comfortable, and put together in an elevated way. Several wore white sneakers, and a few wore sandals. I think what really stood out for me was that they all looked modern and stylish. They were also in colors, not a black, beige, or white in sight.
Cotton gauze is one of my favorite fabrics for summer because it’s cool, easy-care, and never requires ironing. Many brands are making them this year at all price points. I believe you get what you pay for and also recognize that we must shop within our budgets.
MORE COTTON GAUZE
4 Ways to Wear Red Pants
Styling your clothes in multiple ways saves money and allows you to work with a smaller wardrobe. That’s not only good for your wallet, it’s good for the planet. It makes getting dressed easier when your pieces can be styled for different looks. You may think red pants wouldn’t be versatile, but here are 4 easy ways to wear red pants.
Outfit #1
Outfit #2
Outfit #3
Outfit #4
This is just the tip of the iceberg for the number of outfits you can create around one great pair of red pants.
Thanks for reading, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.
Just returned from an Alaskan cruise with Covid , loved the trip- not the virus 😕
Although I have cruised many times, and had carefully packed- I found I was reaching for the same thing over and over. I made a mental note of what I was happy wearing and what I wished I had brought. Funny, since I thought I had really prepared my outfits! Take care, and hope you recover soon.
OH NO! I’m so sorry. Feel better soon
Okay – I’m getting personal and being nosy here….exactly what type of “slip” would you wear under a maxi skirt? Being of “an older age,” I have numerous slips in my dresser but probably would look strange wearing them but….I also wouldn’t want to “run around” with only the skirt and nothing but undergarments….’tis a puzzlement.
I’ve always liked the look of maxi dresses and skirts eons ago; but now, when I want to wear them, I’m curious as to “what’s underneath?”
Any slip that comes partway down your thighs would work. I have some oldies in my drawer that I like to wear when needed
My favorite style from the 1990s was wearing a calf or ankle-length full skirt and white Keds. I will happily take up wearing this style again.
I hope you are feeling better. The last time I had COVID-19, the fatigue and long recovery were the worst parts of it. I never had a problem with breathing; muscle soreness and fatigue kept me down. Be well soon.
I’m loving the look too!! That fatigue is a bear this time.
I was having lunch in the Oregon wine country yesterday and saw women of all ages wearing lovely, striped midi and maxi dresses. Mostly shirt and sun dresses. Lots of tennis shoes, sneakers and sun hats. Loved it!
I love that look too. Oregon wine country sounds glorious!
I am so happy that this style is making a comeback.
Me too!
I’ve been reading (and enjoying) your blog for a few years now. I’m sure that on at least 2 other occasions you’ve written about “shaking things up” in your wardrobe. I wonder what you’re waiting for. Get the red pants.
Lol, I was not considering the red pants for myself. I know I would not feel comfortable wearing them.
Hi Jennifer, Thanks for all the time and thought you put in to your column! I appreciate your focus on the needs for older women. I discovered you when planning a trip to Europe this Fall. I have 2 requests: 1)I want to pack in one carryon bag. I will be in NE France and Paris ( temperatures probably in the 40s, plus rain) and then south to Portugal and Spain where it will be somewhat warmer. Im from S. Ca, so sensitive to cold. I will be exploring the possibility of moving to Spain/Portugal. Dont need anything really dressy. 2) My go-to bra for years was Warners “Daisy”. It seems to have been discontinued–that happens a lot with favorites these days! Of course I dont expect you to model underwear, but would love some advice to find another comfortable every day bra style for the older figure. ( I need adjustable straps, and do not want underwires. I liked that this bra had a very light padding which made it good with tee shirts, but not adding a lot to my bust profile. I used to wear 36 B–big rib cage. ) I appreciate any suggestions! Gwen
I have shared some ideas and reader favorites in this post. You may get some good ideas from it.
I live in Texas and I find that “swingy” full maxi skirts in lightweight (usually linen) are very cool, super comfortable, and when accessorized right, very stylish! I prefer to wear them with a crisp white blouse tied at the waist, popped collar, big earrings, and cute sandals—usually red as they always seems to make practically every outfit pop just a tad! Neat, cool, comfy, and always compliments! Also love all white with turquoise accessories! Love your articles! Go for the colors!!!! Be BOLD!!!
White and turquoise is such a great combo for summer!
Recently took a trip to Florida and wore a pair of linen blend, colorful bottoms and a simple scoopneck top. Also packed the orange gauze set from Old Navy and absolutely loved it.
But I also came back with Covid
Oh no! I hope you get over it soon. It’s a nasty strain.
Ooooh, I’m familiar with that feeling about my wardrobe. I’ve got the well edited (over-edited?) wardrobe of quality pieces in cool neutrals down, and it works for me about 95% of the time. But then, I’ll have a baby or bridal shower on an unexpectedly beautiful spring day and I want to look summery and feminine. Or I’m going out for the evening and suddenly want to feel a little edgy. Now what? How to manage those unexpected, uncharacteristic needs? What do you do?
You’ve described it perfectly. That’s when I rely heavily on my accessories to change things up.