Monday Musings: On Shorts, Nurses, and Forest Bathing
I wore shorts last week. Willingly. In public.
This is noteworthy because I don’t usually wear shorts. Not because I’m morally opposed to them but because they’re a little more casual than I prefer and, frankly, my legs and I are still renegotiating our relationship. The skin is softer than it used to be, and when the sun hits just right, there’s a certain crepey sheen that no bronzer in the world can disguise.
But it was hot and muggy. The kind of hot where you stop caring about looking elegant and just want to make it through the afternoon without melting into the patio furniture. So out came the shorts. Navy, and not too tight. I paired them with a striped tee and a straw hat and pretended I was strolling the French Riviera instead of walking three blocks to the farmer’s market.
Let’s just say it was…liberating. Slightly humbling. And very ventilated.
When Your Husband Thinks You’re a Nurse
Over the weekend, we went out for a family dinner. I wore a white cotton dress with a wide bubble hem, neutral wedge sandals, and carried a straw bag I’ve been leaning on all summer. I felt breezy and effortless until my husband casually mentioned I looked like a nurse.
Not a glamorous, vintage Grace Kelly–era nurse. More like a World War II field medic. Apparently, the crisp white dress gave him movie flashbacks to 1950s hospital uniforms.
My daughter, who thankfully understands nuance (and fashion), kindly pointed out that nurses today wear scrubs and no one under 75 associates a white dress with the medical profession. (Well, he is 75 after all). I was relieved and still considering whether I should poison his coffee. Just a little.
Still, I couldn’t help but wonder how often we let one offhand comment derail a perfectly good outfit. If you’ve ever gotten dressed, felt great, and then had someone ask if you’re going to a costume party, you know what I mean.
The truth is, I liked how I looked. And that should really be enough.
Forest Walks and the Gentle Reset
Later on in the weekend, my daughter and I went for a walk through the forest near our neighborhood. It wasn’t a fitness thing—as I’ve said before, it’s something for the spirit. The Japanese call it Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing,” and it’s been studied for its effects on stress reduction, focus, and even blood pressure. You don’t need to do anything special. Just walk quietly, breathe deeply, and let the trees remind you to be present.
I always come home from those walks feeling a little lighter. A little less fixated on ruffled hems or the state of my knees. Nature has a way of gently putting things back in their place.
Why This Matters
When you’re a woman over 60, getting dressed in the heat can feel like a battle between comfort and confidence. Throw in changing bodies, outdated comments, and the occasional mosquito, and it’s easy to feel like style isn’t worth the fuss.
But it is. Because when we make peace with how we look, and maybe even laugh at it…we make room to actually enjoy the lives we’re dressing for.
Applying This to Your Wardrobe
- If shorts make you cringe, try a looser cut or soft linen styles in your seasonal colors. They don’t have to be short to be called shorts.
- A white summer dress can be a staple, just add bold earrings, modern sandals, or a statement bag to keep it from feeling too “uniform.”
- Nature is free therapy. Even five minutes under a shady tree can calm your mind and reset your day.
Have you worn something recently that made you second-guess yourself? Or has nature reminded you it doesn’t matter as much as we think? I’d love to hear about it.
Thanks for reading and being part of our community!
I wear shorts daily during hot, humid Chicago summers. Mid-thigh or Bermuda are the most flattering but are hard-pressed to find at times as fashion trends dictate ridiculously short shorts! In the 1970s these were called “hot pants” which my mother wisely forbid me to wear. I was wearing skorts even back then and still do! As for your forest walk, there is nothing else like it besides being in church that brings peace.
Bermuda is my preferred length for sure
I’ve always been envious of longer legs and the styles one can wear if blessed with them. (No midis or wide leg pants for me!) I’m 5’2” now and at 74 I’m happy to say I still look decent in shorts with 6” inseams.
The whole legs paragraph! I laughed, I commiserated. It’s all spot on!
And the white dress is cute and very non-nursey. (I once had a co-worker flat-out tell me that my sweater was “ugly.” At least your husband didn’t mean to be like that!)
Wow, that was one nasty co-worker. I’d be tempted to reply with something snarky
What a great post, Jennifer. The only garment I hate more than shorts is a bathing suit! This week I went to J Crew Factory and bought a pair of navy tailored shorts on a good sale. I tried on several pairs with different cuts and lengths and had my husband help me critique them (thank goodness he was kind and helpful). Exhausting, but it worked. We went to happy hour after. A few years ago, I wore a monochromatic outfit of all white, and my husband said I looked like the ice cream man, so I know what you mean.
Happy hour is a great reward for shorts shopping 🙂
I’m new to your blog and have to say how much I’m enjoying it. Witty and helpful – the perfect combination! Those husbands – they can humble us rather quickly at times haha.
Welcome Tess! Yes, they are a challenge
Thank you for pointing out the obvious!
I am a retired 67 year-old RN. I wore a white uniform and a cap with pride in my early years of work and scrubs in the later years. I do not think for a minute that your beautiful, breezy white dress made you look like a nurse. There are many misconceptions of nurses that a white uniform dress seems to set off, especially around Halloween with terrible jokes.
I loved the crisp look of those white uniforms with caps!
You look great in the shorts and the white dress!
Jennifer, the white dress ensemble looks fabulous on you. 🙂
Lol on the white dress thing….I could see my husband thinking and saying something like that. Then it’s like a song you can’t get out of your head…..
Have a great day.
Yes! Exactly like that.
Your shorts outfit looked effortless and classic! Husbands…..years ago I had on gold sandals. His comment…going to the casino🤣🤣🤣. He is the first to say he is clueless on clothes. Catholic school uniforms, then a lifetime in scrubs.
LOL…it just rolls off their tongues
Jennifer, You look great n your white dress! You also look fabulous in your shorts! Men are so funny sometimes with random comments. I’m a teacher and years ago I wore a coat-dress to school. I thought that it was darling! One boy in class kept repeating, Is that a coat or a dress? It was kind of funny, but I never wore that dress again! Silly on my part! I love your posts. You are authentic and real! Have a lovely Monday. Kathleen
That’s unusual and unfortunate but I totally get it!
Nature is free therapy. I LOVE this! Thank you! Hope you have a wonderful week. 🙂
You too!
Hi Jennifer, I like the white dress on you! You look cool, comfortable and polished, as you say! In the shorts too!
As a nurse in the 1980’s I did wear white, even a dress at times but never one with a ruffle! (I was much happier in the scrubs).
They certainly seem more practical and comfortable for the job!
I loved this post! You looked lovely. Husbands what do they know about fashion? Your daughter’s reply was spot on. Have a great week
Agreed, most are fashion clueless. He freely admits that but always has an opinion.
You look great in those blue shorts and striped tee.
Thanks!
Today’s post gave me a chuckle. You are so wonderful!!
Thanks for being here Lisa
Such a good column today which inspired me to ramble here on a few topics. (1) Years ago the owner of a boutique I shopped in told me my outfit “did nothing for me.” I was a frequent and good customer. I never went back, but I’ve hesitated buying anything in the color burgundy since. (2) As for shorts, I’m a Florida resident and I do wear them for my morning walks and around the house, but never anyplace else. (3) I love white and am always in search of a good white dress that doesn’t give me the Nurse Ratchet look. I finally found a few that work and I usually add a raffia belt which helps.
Wow! That boutique owner was clueless!!
I LOVE the white dress, and no you didn’t look like a nurse. But I get it, even off-hand, humor based comments can sting and deflate us. I have resorted to knee length skorts this summer, which keeps me cooler, but also looks (for me) a bit more polished. It really is about the confidence! Sometimes I have more than other times. 😉
Same with me Bunnie..sometimes I think and rethink after someone makes an off hand comment.
You look great in the white dress.
Jennifer,
Thank you for this!
I always appreciate your insight.
Recent super muggy DC visit wearing a nondescript loose tshirt dress. My son asked if I was wearing a nightgown. Too hot to care
Oh boy!