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!
Jennifer,
I think you look cool and put together in your shorts . The right length and cut are so important so when I find a style that works that brand is my “go to”. Talbots seems never to disappoint. That said I’ve been switching to skorts this summer for a change. The challenge again is the right style and length. Comfort is a given.
My husband has come up with some interesting comments too but I’ve learned to just laugh and move on!
Good Morning Jennifer, great post today! I see a lot of people who might want to consider “not” wearing shorts, you’re not one of those. You look great. Years and years ago, I had a black dress that had a white collar and white cuffs. Can’t remember if hubby or someone at work told me I looked like a pilgrim. I loved that dress and continued to wear it, but each time I put it on, I felt a little self conscience about the pilgrim thing.
It’s amazing how those off hand comments stay with us!
I have bought 3 new shirt dresses this year that are knee length. They are the type of dresses you can wear casually or dress up. They are a cotton blend,so they will be comfortable in the Midwest hot humid weather. The problem is my legs! I have a lot of spider veins, especially on the left leg.
I have been using a self tanner and I have some leg makeup,which does a pretty good job of covering even the worst of the spider veins. I plan to start wearing the dresses this week! This is a big step for me,since I don’t usually wear dresses.
I’m finding dresses so easy this summer
Love this post especially the comment about the white dress and looking like a “nurse”. I am a 73 year old retired R.N. and I am looking for a white linen dress that does not look like a uniform. I ordered one from another company and my husband thought it looked like a nightgown! The one you have on looks cool and comfortable. I have learned so many useful tips from your blog. Thank you for being there as a “consultant” for many of us.
I adore white linen
Jennifer, you made light of your husband‘s comment as we all do but it really struck a nerve with me. (on the heels of a family dinner last night) Why do otherwise kind people say things that are so hurtful? Even if that kind of a thought crossed my mind and usually doesn’t I would never give it voice.
I love that white dress! It looks crisp and cool and current. Ignore hubby and wear it often with one of your beautiful smiles.
What a cute dress
Nothing says nurse about that dress
Good morning, Jennifer. Your post about white dresses evoking nurse images made me smile. I am a 63 year old nurse, just retired after 41 years, and while your daughter is correct, nurses these days wear scrubs and no longer wear white or uniform dresses, I still shy away from a white dress. I’m 63, and when I was a student nurse and for at least 5 years after I graduated, nurses did wear white dresses or pant suits. When I try on a white dress, I still feel like a nurse. Your dress looks lovely on you.
Speaking of nurse-type garments and off-hand comments, some 30 years ago I had a nurse uniform that was a white vest and culottes that I wore over a plain white collared shirt. I put it on to go to work. My husband said I looked like western movie star Dale Evans. I wore it anyway.
LOL, I love that you wore it Jean!
Today I appreciate your insights with a renewed sense of purpose. I attended a 50-yr HS class reunion over the weekend, and let’s just say good thing there were name tags. Everyone knew me. I’ve learned taking care of myself is job #1 and it does show. Thank you for emphasizing we are worth the effort! And I wore my favorite pair of jeans, which is my style.
Amazing! Self care does pay off.
Bonjour ,tu es magnifique, j’ai ri quand tu as dit que ton mari t’a pris une infirmière, le vilain tu es vraiment superbe avec ta robe et ton sac ,il était jaloux c’est tout ,hi hi hi ,j’aime beaucoup ce que tu propose et ce que tu portes sa te va à ravir. Ps:fait la paix avec tes jambes, bizou.
Jennifer, I love your way with words! You cut to the chase and say what many of us are thinking or wondering about.
Some of us just have to reprogram ourselves not to worry about what others think. I’ve read many times that ‘others’ are really only thinking of themselves. Lol
And thank you for that excellent earlier post on types of sun screen. Saved that one too.
Enjoy your week. And another walk or two!
Have a fabulous week Pam!
Hi Jennifer,
I totally understand your post about wanting to be cool on a hot and muggy day. This weekend my dear friend and I attended the annual Lavendar Festival in our state. Needless to say, it was going to be in the 90s and very muggy. I planned ahead with wide leg linen pants and a very old linen shirt that I love! It even has a hole in the back, but I don’t care, it is my summer, breezy hot shirt and I will never get rid of it. With my straw bucket hat and sandals I was very comfortable, until a serious down pour totally drenched us! I didn’t care, we sat in the rain until it passed and I dried off in time to sit down and enjoy a late lunch. In this weather, you have to trust your well learned instincts and the heck with making fashion statements!
Love your Monday musings,
Ana
What a wonderful day Ana and your outfit sounds perfect! I love lavender festivals.
Happy Monday. I wear shorts a lot but admire your gumption (my grandma’s word) in getting out in yours when it’s not your thing. Yesterday, I wore a sleeveless top — something I NEVER do. I put the crepey skin lotion on, which made me feel better but did little for my arms (as yet). My one shorts caveat is … if you don’t wear Bermudas and wear shorter shorts as I often do, be careful of what you sit on. A webbed chair can leave its imprint on your thighs. My daughter does counseling outside for all the nature benefits you mention.
Great point about shorter shorts!
Jennifer-
I am not a fan of shorts much anymore either but it is HOT in the PNW. I recently bought two pairs of the Chico shorts that you have shown, I love the length and they feel really good on this aging body, high waisted and slimming.
You always make me chuckle as I read your post first thing in the morning.
Thank you.
Those Chico’s shorts are a winner for sure.
As a retired nurse, I still struggle with white pants. I wore them for so long at work! You always look great 😊
Very timely post. I think female boomers in general take comments to heart, because it’s instilled in our brains. Remember dress codes for any office/business you worked at? Even if you technically followed the dress code, co workers, almost anyone felt they were entitled to voice a judgement of what you wore. The color is too bright, your suit should be navy or charcoal. The print is too busy, you should stick to solids or subtle stripes. The much younger people I know, don’t even entertain comments about their appearance. If anything is commented that is not totally positive, then it’s considered disrespectful and discarded. Have a blessed week, and survive this hot summer.
Ahhh…the white dress conundrum! I thought it looked good…and definitely not “nursey”. I should know…was an Army nurse from 1971-2001, and believe me….had some truly horrible uniforms….the one with the “winged” sleeves kept getting caught up in IV tubing.
MY white dress trauma is because it’s sleeveless….and it’s too darn hot here to wear even a short sleeved jacket over. So, I either look at it longingly in my closet, or be brave and forget my saggy upper arms.
Be brave and wear it…everyone is too worrried about their own arms to think about yours!
The white dress is great, and you look awesome in it. Sometimes husbands are clueless, LOL.
Thanks Kathy. Yup, they sure can be.
How true that a comment can alter your perspective of an outfit. A few years ago, I had a teal Talbots silk blouse with a ruffled front that I fell in love with. The first time I wore it, my husband said, “Ahoy, matey!”. Needless to say, wearing it never felt the same again. I wish comments could be ignored, but sadly, most don’t. BTW, your white dress looked nice and cool, and not at all nurse-like! And yes, nature can certainly bring peace and harmony.
I’m relieved to know my husband isn’t the only one, and yes, it does change how we see things.