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!
My sister was a nurse – without the white stockings, white shoes and starched white cap, it didn’t look like a nurse’s uniform to me at all! Well, we are women who care about what we wear or we wouldn’t be reading your blog – because we care we’re very attuned to what others think of our choices and we do take them to heart. Various stylists denounce bermuda shorts, but I love them – however, I admit that I worry that I’m wearing the “wrong” thing. It seems there is endless advice on what is “ok” for women our age to wear – prints v. no prints; tucked and belted v. untucked; are denim jackets truly “out,” can you “still” wear a waterfall cardigan and on and on. So, it sounds crazy, but it can feel like an act of courage to wear something out of the house sometimes – are we past the days when “what will people think” was a common worry? I guess not. I got an unwelcome vibe one time when my husband asked, “Is that what you’re wearing?” I knew where he was going with it – he’s very conservative and doesn’t follow trends or styles and he just has to trust that I’m not going to embarrass him! We recently attended a very fancy wedding and I realized I was spending more time looking for a gown than I would be wearing it, which didn’t even make sense. The constant hunt for clothing and shoes that fit, look reasonably good on this aging body, are good quality, aren’t crazy expensive, are suitable for my lifestyle – it’s work, but it’s also “work” that I kind of enjoy and fills a lot of my mental space – not sure what that says about me. It’s kind of a game or a hobby, I guess. As for shorts, when it’s hot, I’m wearing them! I am happy with two skorts I got at Kohl’s this year as well – they’re on the short side but I feel ok in them – for now…if someone commented adversely on them, I wonder if I would feel so good? Is that giving someone else too much power, if I’ve determined that I’m ok with them? Is this overthinking it all :)?!?
Not over thinking at all! I think these are important topics and deserve to be explored.
You always look stylish Jennifer – I so admire that about you. On the subject of shorts, the only time I wear them (or a skort) is to golf or garden. I was golfing yesterday with a gal who winters in Florida and we were discussing how it is so much more casual there, that women wear shorts everywhere, even out to dinner. We live just outside of Toronto (Canada) and would not feel comfortable wearing shorts anywhere except the golf course or around the house. It seems that climate, location and lifestyle are also influencing our choices.
Location really makes a big difference. Plus familiarity. If you see other women wearing shorts everywhere it feels more natural to do it yourself.
Poison his coffee. Quite unexpected, and funny. No, the dress did not look like a nurse at all.
Right now I have a 3 skorts and one pair of shorts and no full length mirror. It’s hot and I am comfortable.
I want more skorts now!
Great post Jennifer and you look amazing. Style and taste is a gift and many do not have it. I decided I am going to dress how I want knowing my North Star is style and taste. Keep on styling and you have genuine class.
You’re fabulous!
Hi Jennifer,
I had a good chuckle at your column today. It’s funny because husbands often comment on the style of their personal shopper and stylist. I remember buying suits, ties, shirts, shoes, and socks to make the most put-together ensemble for my husband. It is like biting the gift horse’s hand. My daughter is a nurse; that would be the day that she would don a nurse’s white dress uniform. You can wear scrubs to work, to bed, to the store, and work in the yard, no fashion decision there.
Same! I choose most of his clothes.
Hi Jennifer, This post is so timely and spot-on for me. I recently turned 61, and it feels like my body has staged a rebellion! All my life, my go-to summer favorite has been white denim jean shorts. That has changed this year; I’m finding them to feel too heavy and tight. My new favorite is Talbots Perfect Shorts. A 7” or 9” inseam seems best for now.
You are only the second person I’ve heard talk about forest bathing. Isn’t it wonderful?! I did it once with a guide who led different meditation exercises at various points along the trail. It was a lovely experience I hope to repeat soon.
BTW, you rocked the white dress! 😉
The forest is my happy place…it’s magical