Monday Musings on Putting Yourself Out There
My Monday posts are generally when I chat about what’s on my mind and often include thoughts on my personal style. For example, I wore the outfit below for an outdoor party we attended on Saturday, and I loved how I felt in it.
The skirt swishes when I walk and has a feminine vibe that’s appealing to me these days. I’m determined to work at incorporating more skirts into my wardrobe. I’m not sure why I’ve steered away from them in recent years, but they really are perfect for warm days.
Here’s what I wore on Sunday for some errands, then a very casual Father’s Day dinner at my son’s house. Same Jack Rogers sandals again…because they’re sort of perfect with so many things this time of year.
I want to discuss a few comments and emails I got last week. I’m hoping to clear up some confusion people have about what I’m doing here on A Well Styled Life.
One reader commented that the proportions of this outfit in last week’s dressing room diary were unflattering on me. I explained that my dressing room diary try-ons are not about me and I’m not shopping for myself. Their only goal is to share what’s new in the store and show some ways to combine things. These are not clothes I’m adding to my wardrobe. I do occasionally find something I can’t live without, but that’s not my main goal. The shapes are often awful for my figure, and the colors are frequently not flattering.
Many bloggers order massive amounts of clothes to their homes to do their try-ons. They steam the clothes, photograph them, then pack them all up and mail them back to the store. It gives them the opportunity to style items with their own shoes and accessories, creating very nice-looking outfits. They have my complete respect because it entails a massive amount of work, and frankly, I don’t have the energy for that, so I’ve chosen to do mine in the store.
Another reader left a comment saying that my content and the clothes I shared made her feel old and unseen. This really surprised me because I try to style and share the brands my readers know, love, and shop. She suggested that I should write my blog as a personal style journey the way other bloggers do. That’s never been my goal for AWSL. This blog is meant to be a resource for women with all different styles.
It might get pretty one-dimensional around here if all I share is my style. I like to think my personal style is just a tiny part of this blog. I don’t pretend that all the clothes I style are my personal taste. I share them with you to inspire you to think outside the box and find what makes you feel most confident.
My personal style will only appeal to a small portion of my readers. This community is diverse and filled with many stylish women who are looking for new ways to wear their things. It also includes lots of readers who are feeling a bit lost and hoping to get inspired to try the new styles. AWSL readers are either retired, actively working, traveling extensively, or staying close to home as a full-time caregiver for a loved one. Your well styled life will be as unique as you are and there’s room here for every woman.
Thanks for reading and making this community as rich as it is.
I read your blog for inspiration. I am a budget shopper and I sew. So when I see something in your blog that interests me I may find a way to recreate it on my budget. I am a full time caregiver for my husband with dementia so I don’t get out much, but I am trying to look put together because that makes me feel good. I enjoy your classic style with a flair.
Bless you Barb! This is a tough time for you. I’m so glad you’re taking time to put yourself together. It’s critical for your spirit right now.
Thank you! I enjoy your blog because you are willing to try on things that you probably don’t want for yourself. The fact that you are willing to put yourself out there is brave and also very helpful. We have similar style and taste in clothes so I really appreciate what you do!
Thanks so much,
Suzanne from PA
Well said Jennifer.
I like your discussion today. I’m always curious about behind-the-scenes goings-on of blogs and I’m interested in you. And you have discussed it in a balanced way. I do think one of your personal styles is tying tops at the waist. You carry it off so well. It’s one of my own favorite styles.
Well said!!!! AMEN!!!
Jennifer –
I really enjoy your posts because you are so down-to-earth and easy to relate to in your posts. Your clothes selections that you show on your posts gives me ideas that perhaps I would never have thought of trying. Not all work for me and not all I can afford but good ideas to be adventurous and try new ideas. I am retired and I do not travel often but do like to look nice and put together.
Thank you for your blog!
Best wishes,
Marilyn Foster
I have been following you for a year or two (not as long as some readers) and I find your blog a breath of fresh air! I am very tall where you are petite, so some of the clothes you feature I know will not look good on me or more common – won’t come in tall sizes. I use your blog for inspiration – just as you said today – often to just look in my own closet for new ways to wear old items. The new look of wide pants is a trend I’m finding hard to incorporate into my own wardrobe because my inseam is very long, and even those styles of pants in what few tall sizes I can find, are usually only ankle length or shorter on me. If I want a full length, wide pairs of pants, I’m going to have to sew them for myself (sometimes this is very frustrating). I am a lover of skinny pants. They fit my body type well and I can usually find them long enough to not look like “high waters.” After being made fun of during my youth for wearing pants that were too short (my mom tried – I was too thin and tall for any jeans to fit me right growing up), I’m self-conscious about wearing clothes that work with my body and style. I keep hearing that skinny jeans are out of style, but as they are still sold virtually everywhere, I think better terminology is that they are not a current style trend, but they are still appropriate if a person loves to wear them (as is with a lot of different styles). I feel like you do a wonderful job of showcasing various pieces and styles of clothing for all figures. Those people complaining are just wanting to find fault with something. Bloggers cannot please everyone! Readers should look at the trends and styles that work for them to either buy or shop their own closet to recreate similar looks. The bottom line: Keep doing what you’re doing – I think it works terrific for most of us!
If you love skinny jeans, you should rock them with confidence! Trends are best served in very small doses.
So sorry you must suffer the slings and arrows of misunderstandings! I have thought you have made your goals and reasons for showing various items quite clear. At minimum, seeing you try on something that doesn’t look good reminds me of how color and proportion are individual and how important it is to understand one’s own colors, proportions, and style. And sometimes, what does not suit you WOULD suit me….
That’s my hope! Thanks for confirming it’s helpful.
I read other style bloggers for clothing suggestions. I read AWSL because it’s about so much more than that. I find you so very interesting Jennifer. Please keep doing what you’re doing!
The underside of influencing and blogging is corrosive comments. Anonymity encourages people to bring a pin to a balloon instead of bouncing it. You’ve created a colony where different sizes and styles are acknowledged and valued. Just keep doing what you’re doing; don’t feel compelled to answer petty criticism.
Great analogy!
I appreciate your blog just the way it is, Jennifer. Even though my shape is slightly different than yours I’m the same height, so I’m able to see how proportions would work (or not) for me. Many of these shops aren’t nearby, so it great to see what’s in the shop on a real person. It means I usually have fewer things to return! You have a great writing style – very relatable and like chatting with a friend who tells it like it is. Thanks for your time and effort!
Dear Jennifer,
Enjoy your contributions! It not only the style inspirations, it’s your honesty in your communications about aging gracefully, trends, family, holidays, whatever, that sometimes means more to me then your style inspirations. You’re all about community and I appreciate your words. God bless you! Been with you for at least three years. Your peer,
Marcie
Wow! Lots to think about with some of the comments you shared. I like your blog a lot. I recently started reading fashion blogs for women over 50. While it’s true that each blogger has their own style, the different styles is what makes it entertaining and educational.
I enjoy your blog and appreciate your unique way of approaching it. Stay true to yourself.
Keep doing what you’re doing and the heck with the complainers. I read your blog because of exactly what you said is the reason you write a blog. To show fashion and style to other woman. It’s not just about YOU. Thank you for being a fashionable, funny, heart warming blog to read.
Agree!
I couldn’t have said it better! I look forward to reading your blog every day.
Agree! Love your blog and the outfits above are beautiful!
I personally love the fact that you visit many stores and try on lots of styles that may give me an idea on how to style something I own.
Thank you for everything you do to help us learn the best styles for each of us. Many times I have learned what I like and what I don’t like about how things look when you try them on.
It’s very difficult for me to shop on line and you have saved me from purchasing something I would not be happy with.
I look forward to reading your blog every morning! I appreciate all you do! Keep it up, please!
I think what you do is wonderful! I really appreciate your posts and all the information that you share. Don’t let the negativity change what you do!
Jennifer, good morning. The way you’ve chosen to create your blog is precisely why I find it so valuable and enjoyable. Please don’t change a thing as you’re filling a niche that’s helpful to so many women. I appreciate you!
I know my blog is different so thanks for letting me know.
Good morning, Jennifer. I enjoy your blog, usually every morning with my cup of coffee. I’ve found many lovely pieces here that you have “shopped and shared” and I thank you for your efforts and presentation!
Love your blog. I am 72 and retired. I love seeing all the different clothes and get wonderful ideas to incorporate into my wardrobe. I enjoy your other lifestyle suggestions, resources and even book recommendations. I appreciate all the hard work you do. You are a class act! Thank you.
Ah, thank you. I love to read all of your book suggestions so too.
Jennifer- I have always enjoyed ur blog & get many ideas from you as to what goes together. I am a better shopper b/c of what you show us. Thank you very much & I am very pleased with ur blog!!
First, I love your blog Jennifer. I use it as a resource as you intend and it helps me greatly. I have low vision so it’s difficult to see clothing in stores as well as getting there. Shopping online is much easier and I enjoy seeing all the different styles you try on. Second, I like skirts but find them hard to style. I bought a midi skirt and no top looks right. It needs a cropped top. But I see you with a tied shirt and now know how to style it. Thank you for sharing all your style tips. Now to find that shirt…