Monday Musings- Skirts and Overdoing
Happy Monday ladies. Our weekend seemed to zip past and it feels like I got very little accomplished. Of course, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
I’m listening to Do Nothing on Audible and it’s pretty eye-opening.
I’m pretty sure if you looked up overdoing in the dictionary, you would find my name. Part of it is my job, but part of it is being female. We’ve been told we can do it all for so long, we actually try. Multitasking is second nature for me and I have a hard time doing one thing at a time, which is not healthy.
Skirts
How many of you wear them? I seldom do and wonder why because they’re infinitely more comfortable than most jeans or pants. Don’t they feel as modern as pants?
I have 2 denim skirts that get a lot of wear in the blistering weather, and the maxi skirt that I wore in Hawaii. Maxi skirts are a bit more awkward when you’re moving around a lot, but they cover leg imperfections and look great with flat shoes. Shorter skirts put your legs on display, but so do shorts and crops. Chunky shoes work with long skirts but aren’t as flattering with shorter ones.
Denim skirts are on trend for spring in all shapes and lengths. They seem more casual than other skirts, which may be why I gravitate to them. I prefer my denim skirts styled like a skirt, not like they were made out of a pair of jeans with the diagonal front seam.
More denim skirts
What are your thoughts on wearing skirts? Are they in your wardrobe and do you reach for them?
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
On the subject of doing too much…I developed De Quervains tenosynovitis early last year. It’s a painful swelling of specific tendons of the thumb and wrist. My Dr called it texting thumb because it’s caused by chronic overuse of the wrist and thumb. I had a steroid shot last year which cleared it up miraculously for 10 months. I could have another steroid shot now, but I know that’s not a permanent solution so I’m back in PT and wearing a splint. Ugh…it’s likely because of how I type and use my phone.
It’s also how I drink my tea, hold my makeup brush and a pen, brush my hair and teeth, hold anything really. Opposable thumbs are pretty darn important! I did try acupuncture and he suggested I start doing much more with my left hand… which I’m amazingly clumsy with.
I’m really trying to work through my thoughts on skirts so would love your input.
Thanks for reading and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
I don’t like skirts for three reasons. Number one, they chop you up. A dress gives you a nice long line. Number two, the waistband hits right at my fullest body part. A fitted band is going to be too tight and an elastic waist? No! Just no! Three, finding the right shoes. Flats throw the proportions “off”. Athletic styles look clunky to my eye.
I love skirts, to look at on others, and I always look at them in stores. How every, skirts cut my petite height body in half, and have always been supremely uncomfortable. In elementary private school, we were forced to wear a uniform that included a heavy, wool, pleated, plaid skirt. I think most of my aversion stems from that time. In our cold winter climate, the wind blew the cold right up that skirt and the only leg attire to the uniform was knee socks. I also attribute today’s knee pain to those uncovered knees in winter.
Love wearing a skirt, have always loved a skirt for work or casual wear. Usually dressier and more feminine than pants, a little kinder to many female figures, surprisingly cooler than shorts in hot weather and so many styles and fabrications to choose from. I feel they can hide a multitude of figure concerns if chosen well and can be dressed up or down with tee shirts, blouses, shirts worn open as a jacket, sweaters, cardigans, blazers, jackets, shells, twin sets….etc. Belt with a scarf, a chain, a leather or fabric belt or if you don’t want to emphasize the tummy area float a top over the waistline, or make a tiny tuck on one side and let the rest drape. Shoe choices are unlimited, clunkier styles and trainers seem to be featured lately which isn’t a bad thing for people with “finicky” feet as they can often be the more comfortable of shoe styles. I look forward to wearing my summer pencil, maxi and A-line skirts in everything from denim, cottons, ponte and rayon chalis.
Sorry about your thumb pain Jennifer. Hopefully the PT will gradually make a difference. Not easy getting older. Ha, but better than the alternative!
As to skirts, I hardly ever choose them and they often become orphans in my closet. I think it has to do with the fact that I don’t tuck in much as I feel my belly doesn’t look great. Although I do wear skorts in the summer…maybe it’s the cutting in waist bands I don’t like? If it’s a fancier look I’m going for I find dresses much more comfortable and flattering than skirts.
Thanks for the book recommendation.
I used to wear skirts when I worked. I’m not a big fan of denim skirts b/c they are generally too heavy for summer. I don’t wear white skirts as they dirty too fast. I bought two Talbot’s skirts last year, different lengths between knee and ankle. Love them! They are light and flowy, perfect for NE summers w/sneakers or heeled sandals. (I can’t wear flats b/c not enough arch support.) Now that I don’t work, I have no use for winter skirts despite loving the high boot / longer skirt look.
Good luck with the thumb issue!
Thanks Maeve
I’m glad denim skirts are back. I keep forgetting about mine. I do have leg imperfections and that’s usually why I stick with pants. I sure do understand about your thumb issues. I have arthritis extremely bad in my hands and now it’s attacking my right thumb. Golf does not help but I have great gloves and besides my meds I put on diclofenac topical gel. Trying to use my left hand for things is very difficult, especially opening things. Hope you are doing better.
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Yes to wearing more skirts and ideas of how to do so!
P.S. I stress finding a good self-tanner instead of nylons! I’ve also used leg make-up! I know it sounds weird but IT WORKS when applied well…
I think it’s hard to find skirts that look good and can be well styled. I am a bit overweight, short waisted and at 5’4″ the skirt would need to be pretty short so I could wear a top that won’t be tucked in. At my age (over 70) a skirt that is short enough to qualify would likely no longer look good on my legs!
I’ve had De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis in the past and had several steroid shots. I wore a splint also. I can relate to how painful it is. I finally had surgery for it and have never been bothered again. It’s a pretty simple procedure that I’m so glad I did. Best of luck in dealing with this.
I love to wear skirts but for one reason or another I rarely do! LOL. My main motivation is warm weather as skirts are definitely cooler. If I do choose to wear them in cooler, or cold weather its always with tights and boots. Either knee highs or ankle boots; I don’t like the look on me if my boots are ‘mid-way’ between my knees & ankles; but that’s just me. I am uber conscious though of proportion when putting together outfits that include skirts as a skirt length and/or volume can ‘make or break’ an outfit real fast. I am aware of some lengths that get into a ‘dowty’ area that I don’t like on me. The BEST area for length seems to be just above the knee or just below the knee; where my legs are narrowest. If I choose a midi-style the skirt must hit way down just above my ankles, again where my legs are the thinnest; unless I’m wearing boots, then that’s a different ‘ball game’ for me. I gravitate to a more contoured shape although the floaty gauzy fabrics are always tempting, but when I succumb to them I rarely wear them (unless I’m in Hawaii).
As I live longer I’m looking at my legs more critically and find a self-tanner really helps to make me feel more confident when showing my lower legs; shorts? Pretty much the same fashion rules for me as skirts: lots of flats or sandals. NEVER high heels; no no no, looks too too in my opinion when one reaches a certain point in life!!!
Skirts seem to be not in fashion lately and when I don’t see them around, in stores, etc., I forget about them. They are harder to style than pants or denim because of tucking in tops and if you live in a colder climate, you’re stuck wearing tights much of the year. I like skirts in the warm months and your denim options are great.
I had a lot of spider varicose veins on my lower legs and didn’t like the way my legs looked when they were bare. I had sclerotherapy done by my dermatologist, and I was very pleased with the results. It was just an office procedure that took about an hour. Larger veins require treatment by a doctor with expertise in vascular medicine, but can also be scarred down either with chemicals or a laser. I would recommend doing it in the winter, since you have to wear compression stockings for a few weeks afterward. Also, the sclerotherapy injections were much more painful that I expected. I would definitely ask for a prescription for EMLA cream (a topical anesthetic) to use prior to the procedure.
As for skirts, I find that in the summer I prefer skorts. Athleta has some cute ones. They provide a little more coverage than shorts but are still sporty and easy to move in. They look good with sandals or sneakers. I wear a lot of dresses in the summer, but would happily wear more skirts if I could find the right shape. When I was in France a few years ago, we were struck by a heat wave and I didn’t have adequate clothing for hot weather. Women there typically don’t wear shorts, so I went out shopping with the intention of getting a skirt or a dress. I tried on a very cute, A-line midi length skirt in a rust and cream batik print. I ended up not purchasing it (not sure why) and have regretted it ever since. If I could find something like that again, I would wear it all summer!
I liked the post you did on skirts today. You look great in you everything you put together. I also liked the skirts you put on your links. I agree , skirts look so put together and are so much cooler in the warmer months. With that said, I can never feel comfortable in a skirt. My weight is in the middle area . I am never comfortable with my tops tucked in. I also feel dowdy (do not know why) as I like skirts on other women . I wish I could figure it out !!!1
Completely agree with this, Karen. I’ve never been able to wear skirts well. It seems to cut me in half and, my waist is my widest part, so, they’re just not attractive. Skorts I’ll wear all summer (as a short replacement) but no skirts are in my closet.
I had the same thumb condition. Had a simple surgical procedure to release the tendon and it worked. That was about 10 years ago. I recommend it.
Thank you for telling me. I think I will look into a new surgeon.
I agree that skirts – and dresses – are much more comfortable than pants but I find it hard to find ones that fit well. You look great in your denim skirt but I need skirts that hide my tummy. Also, what to do about varicose veins? I’d like to hear from others about experiences with vein treatments.
Sorry to hear about your DeQuervain’s. I had surgery for that at age 17. There have been no issues for me since (now 64!).
I love to wear skirts. They’re almost as easy as slipping on a dress. It’s good to know my trusty denim pencil skirt is back on trend!
I’m hoping to avoid the surgery since my trigger finger one didn’t go as smoothly as planned. I may not be able to so I am interviewing surgeons.
I am 5’2, weigh 113, and have short legs. Skirts were easy in the olden days when I could wear clunky heels–remember Bare Traps? I had back surgery, and now I have to wear flats; flats and a short skirt would be in proportion, but sitting is a problem. Skirts for day are too hard 🙁
Oh yes, as females we find ourselves over tasking so often. I always felt that most women over performed their male counterparts in the work force too. But also, sadly receiving a lesser pay grade too.
Now, my old school thoughts about wearing a skirt with bare legs comes to mind. In the past I always donned those awful panty hose and hated it but…why am I reluctant to wear a skirt today? So,it’s simply easier to avoid the whole issue. I love the longer, easy fit denim skirt and think it would look great with a striped tshirt. Maybe add a longer necklace and comfy sandals.
Sorry about the thumbs and wrist. If I overdo with the phone I have problems as well. I have thumb joint problems where the cartilage wore out . If I wear my splint at night , I seem to be able to go without it in the day. I cannot put too much stress on lifting heavy things ,overuse, etc. There is surgery to fix it, but I would like to avoid it .
I used to wear skirts, but with some veins, and short legs I just prefer not to. I had quite a collection of denim skirts. I wear capris and crops in our hot Texas summers. I do have a long maxi sleeveless dress that is very cool to wear.