What I Wore Last Week and How It Made Me Feel
Happy Tuesday, ladies. My Sunday was spent (visiting family and grandsons), so I had no post for you yesterday. After mentally beating myself up about it, I decided to let it go because I can’t live a well styled life if I put too much pressure on myself. Unlike many bloggers, I don’t have a large team of people working for me, so there will be days when life takes precedence, as I believe it should. I’ve been thinking a lot about how I want to run this business going forward, and once it’s clearer in my mind, I’ll share it in an email.
What I Wore Last Week
DENIM SHIRTDRESS
Monday was nice and almost warm, so I broke out sandals and a sun hat. This very simple, one-and-done outfit was so easy to throw on, so I’ll likely repeat it all spring long. I felt stylish and a bit quirky in this outfit, which worked perfectly for a trip to get my blood drawn, buy groceries, and wait in a long line at the post office.
This Frank & Eileen denim dress always looks more shapely with a belt, but frankly, I wanted a less structured feel that day, so I left it loose. I added my new bucket hat, comfy cognac-colored sandals from Talbots, and a navy bag. The sandals are as old as the hills and must be reader favorites because they’re still sold today in several colors.
I’d been on the hunt for a navy handbag for several years and love the simple, minimalist ’90s vibe of this one. It was a splurge for me, but this year seems to be my ‘bag’ year because I’m updating old ones that have either worn out or no longer match my style.
As I picked up things at Whole Foods, I got the distinct impression that a few shoppers thought I looked goofy. (You can often tell by the expressions on their faces as they look you up and down.) I assumed it was because of my hat since the bucket shape is quite deep, and it has a very stylized appearance…which I adore. The bee brooch may have also played a role in their perception. The funny thing is, I felt so good about how I looked that I didn’t care what they thought. I guess that’s part of becoming more comfortable in my own skin and nearing 69.
WHITE SHIRT AND SLIM JEANS
I spent Tuesday working from home, then took my grandson to batting practice. Any time I get to spend with him is such a treat. After practice, I brought him back to our house for a few rousing hands of 500 Rummy and 5-Crowns. As I recall, he pummeled us.
I wore my newest white shirt, which Frank & Eileen developed in collaboration with Julianne Moore. It’s a crisp, soft cotton that’s longer in the back and covers my backside…a feature I prefer with slim-leg jeans like these. I skipped earrings because I stacked my aquamarine mood necklace with this pearl pendant and felt it was enough.
On days when I’m unsure what I want to wear, I often just reach for a white button-up shirt and jeans. It’s easy, and I always feel put together, so it’s become a bit of a uniform for me. I have no problem wearing variations on a theme, over and over, with small changes in accessories and shapes. Do you?
STRIPED TEE AND WIDE-LEG JEANS
I never met a stripe I didn’t love, and this spring, I’ve had to replace some of my heavily worn, verging-on shabby, striped tees. There’s something so easy and relaxed about a T-shirt and jeans, which works well for my casual lifestyle.
Wednesday was filled with errands, returns, and sitting at my laptop. Since I wanted to be comfy and casual, wore this navy and white striped tee by the Saint James brand. They’ve a French company that has been making classic Breton tops for over 130 years. I love the 3/4 sleeves for the upcoming warm weather, and of course, the color could not be more perfect for me. I tucked it into these stretchy wide-leg jeans, added a gray belt, and wore my ancient blue ballet flats. I’ve worn these shoes so often that the toes are starting to look worn, so it’s time to take them to the cobbler for a refresh. I first discovered this shoe brand when I was hunting for wide widths, which my feet need more than ever these days. Feet spreading with age? Probably.
I finished the look with my Lizzie Fortunato resin hoops earrings and switched to my pre-loved, pale blue bag. I don’t change handbags daily, but often enough to keep the inside clutter down.
TRENCH COAT, WHITE SHIRT AND JEANS
Thursday was chillier, and we were headed to the Bay Area, where the coastal fog makes everything feel damper, so I finally got to wear my Clyde Trench Coat by Sezane. I’ve had my eye on this trench for several seasons and love it!
This coat comes in several colors and is made from a water-repellent fabric with a checked lining. Since I’m short, I got to… (notice I didn’t say I had to?) fold up the cuffs and show off the lining. The truth is I am pretty short, but I refuse to see it as a negative. I’ve decided to look at the brighter side of things 🥰.
When I ordered the trench, I also ordered this pretty white shirt with ruffles at the cuff and around the neck. It’s a different type of shirt for me. I’m not sure I love it with the width of the bootcut jeans, so next time, I’ll try wearing it untucked over a slimmer leg or possibly my chinos. I wore a simple belt and these Chan Luu Pearl earrings.
CASHMERE CARDIGAN, WHITE TEE, AND JEANS
The following day wasn’t much warmer, so I wore a simple white tee tucked into these Quince jeans and a Quince cashmere cardigan in one of my favorite colors. The minute I saw this sweater color, I knew I needed it. They call it “faded denim,” and it’s just perfect for me. The wide-leg jeans are of great quality and well-made! Although I was just wearing a tee shirt, sneakers, and jeans, I felt color-coordinated, which always makes me feel put together. My belt is ancient, a similar one here. My necklaces are here and here.
BOOTCUT JEANS AND STRIPED TEE
It was cooler on Sunday, so I added a cardigan around my shoulders for some extra warmth and ended up wearing it by the evening when we stopped for dinner out…which we haven’t been doing much since my husband got his new hip.
We spent the afternoon visiting with our grandsons, and I spent a fair amount of time on the floor playing with the youngest one, which was amazing! He can’t say my name yet, but he sure knows who I am and what he likes.
I wore another new striped tee, this time a long sleeve in red and white. I’m still not sure how I feel about the red, but I love it bookended with a black sweater around my shoulders, black shoes, a black belt, and a black bag. I own a fair amount of cashmere, so I know amazing quality when I feel it. This cardigan is from a new-to-me brand called Naked Cashmere, and it is the softest thing I’ve worn in a very long time! It’s a 12ply knit with pearl buttons and is as luxe as it gets. This is a sustainable, fair-trade, and cruelty-free cashmere, which you can read more about here. It’s not cheap, but it’s not nearly as pricey as Jenni Kane, and I love it even more.
It was a week of denim and jeans every day, but one. That’s not unusual for me because I love them, but I plan to do some ironing and mix it up a bit more this week.
Thanks for reading, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.
The red and white stripe tee you wore Saturday looks great on you. And you could wear it with so many colors.
Jennifer – the question you posed in your email today has made me pause and think. I love seeing your everyday outfits – it inspires me on ways to put together looks from my own closet. I also enjoy when you do a try on session as it let’s me see how the clothing items look on a real person who is more similar to my height and shape rather than a model who is 10 inches taller and 30lbs lighter. I love the idea of a meetup although busy schedules and travel costs might prove prohibitive. But it would be so fun!! And I know I for one would try to make it work. But if an in-person meetup doesn’t work, perhaps a zoom meetup? Not as fun as in person but a close second.
I love your ideas about capsule wardrobes. I personally would not do a style consultation as I know my shape and style personality and feel very confident in my selections. But I do like seeing new additions to your wardrobe as it inspires me to get out of my comfort zone and try new styles – wide leg jeans and cropped jackets are a case in point. I also like seeing where you purchased from and sizes- it makes me aware of new brands as well as helps me make the best guess as to what size I might need in that brand.
I also like when you share what you are trying and how it worked for makeup, haircare, dry eyes, skincare, etc. Those have been so helpful.
I appreciate all of the effort you put into your blog and the snippets of your life you share with your readers.
What she said! Well done Lisa. I enjoy all parts of you Jennifer.
Thanks Kate!
I love your try on sessions. It is so helpful to see the clothes on a real person not just the model or the Manikin.
Hi Jennifer,
I have enjoyed your blog for a few years now and love and identify with your style. However, my limited finances do not extend to most of your selections of brands. You asked how you could help the members of your blog community. For me, I would greatly appreciate a focus on budget options now and then yet with your fabulous style, quality of fabric and fit.
That’s great feedback. Thank you Sharon.
I agree…it would be nice to have some more budget-friendly options.
Agree, more budget friendly options would be helpful.
Love all your outfits! The blue cardigan is a lovely color for you and I can’t resist a stripe, especially the red one. It looked great!
My two cents, no need to beat yourself up….I believe that most females, especially within certain age ranges have to learn to “get over it and move on”, men are so good at letting things roll off their shoulders. It will give the brain (and body) a chance to rest and do better going forward as well. We’re all still here….. 🙂
You would have been the lady standing in line and looking so chic, as some of us maybe are still in work out gear and thinking I want to dress better and be like her……have a great day.
Lol, I love that idea of being an inspiration. Thanks Robin.
Thank you for the invitation to imagine what content would be most useful going forward. Newly retired, I would like to see more capsule wardrobes, offering guidance on how to slim down my closet and re-focus on smart, comfortable styles.
Thank you for being so helpful. I read you every day.
I’ll look into more capsules. We all use them to one extent or another. Even a huge wardrobe is a capsule for that woman.
You look fabulous in each and every outfit, Jennifer! Lots of inspiration for me – my coloring is similar to yours.
I would love capsule outfit examples and guidelines. I have some that work well, but for other situations, I struggle to have a capsule that is flexible and flattering. Your posts are so helpful; I look forward to seeing how you continue to develop the blog!
I will have to say, all the suggestions you brought up sound amazing! I love reading your blog and enjoy your style, putting outfits together helps me. Also, you have been helpful with health and beauty information.
I love how you turned up the sleeves of your trench! I probably would have agonized about getting the sleeves hemmed, as I am also petite. But your solution looks like a very intentional design choice.
Good Morning Jennifer. Love everything about your article today. Probably because I’m big on denim. I really like the white shirt combo and it looks good on you. I don’t have one, do you have any suggestions on a brand that’s not so pricey? I’d like to see how often I wear it before spending that much. And I’m with you on stripes. Question about the Quince cardigan. It looks good on you, but it looks boxy on the model on their website. Did you size down?
It’s very boxy. I’m wearing a small so yes, I went down one size from what I usually wear in their sweaters.
Chicos makes great no iron shirts. Size up in all white shirts for a relaxed vibe.
I have the same cardigan and size small-same color. I could have gone to an XS. But I absolutely love it. I wear it all of the time. It pills-as all cashmere dies, bought a good quality sweater shaver and all is good. LOVE QUINCE!
I tried the XS but the sleeves were too short. It’s intended to be oversized.
I appreciate your capsule wardrobe suggestions. Since I live in a shopping desert, most of my purchases are online from Eileen Fisher, J Jill and Talbots, as I’ve become familiar with how their sizes run. I like it when you introduce brands I don’t have access to and when you evaluate a particular item, e.g., comfortable sandals, as I don’t have access to shoe stores and ordering and returning items gets old. I’ve followed several of your suggestions for skin care products and I appreciate the research you do.
I have such a love/hate relationship with hats. On the one hand, they’re necessary for sun protection and can look so elegant on other women. On the other hand, I can’t seem to tolerate having anything on my head in the hot summer and prefer a parasol. This doesn’t stop me from buying what I keep dreaming will be the hat of my dreams – a hat that will be cool and light, but not fall off in a breeze and work with all my summer outfits..
I love parasols too! There’s nothing better in very hot weather.
Thanks for sharing. I really enjoy the “what I wore” posts. 🙂
I love hearing from you each day. My only suggestion would be more affordable clothes and clothes that are casual but suitable for church, a play or maybe running errands. Today’s society is very casual yet I fins myself wanting to look presentable at the grocery store as well as dinner and a play. Since I am retired, I need clothes that can be dressed up or down. Thank you for your dedication to this blog.
I see you are wearing a white tee shirt in one pix. I just cleared out two. But I am trying to find some new ones, maybe with a bit of an Aline to camouflage my tummy roll since my back is tilting forward a bit as I am aging (working on it but….). Any sources?
Check out Talbots or J Jill. I’m wearing an older one from J Crew.
Jennifer, when you offer us several outfits, I like to play a game with myself by identifying a favorite (so that I might duplicate the look sometime in the future). Today my favorite is the red striped top and jeans. To me that is a smashing success outfit! So happy to hear of your joy spending time with your grandsons. I have 6 grandchildren, and I adore them all!
I particularly enjoyed this post showing what you wore daily and what you were doing. And I would be interested in learning more about a capsule wardrobe. Thanks!
Would love to see more capsule ideas as it comes in handy when packing for travel. As well as eye makeup tips, particularly eyeliner on lower lashes. I have found that using liquid eyeliner for my upper lids is more difficult with age as my hands are not as steady. 🫣
Have you tried an eyeliner gel pen?
No I haven’t. Thank you for the suggestion. Let me know if there is a particular one you would recommend.
Glam Girl Gabi on YouTube is a great resource for makeup tips. She focuses on older women’s issues with cosmetics. In her most current video she commented that liquid eyeliner is not a good idea for older eyelids and explained why.
Hi. I enjoy following AWSL from the UK. My lifestyle is changing to allow some more time for travel and time with my family now I’ve passed 60. I hope you don’t change your blog and business too much! I’ve found your posts inspiring. I’d like to see some more alternatives offered – similar styles at lower price points and (selfishly) some more items accessible for UK. In the meantime, can you suggest a very lightweight jacket/shrug or similar that I can wear as a respectful cover up when sightseeing churches etc in a very hot country please? Thank you so much for all your inspiration and positivity – and style in its widest sense.
I would suggest a very lightweight, cotton woven scarf that you can use to cover your head when visiting churches etc, that you can then fold and carry in your tote bag. It’s often too hot to wear on your body so a light tote is helpful.