I have reached that certain wonderful age where wearing shorts in public just doesn't work for me. I never really wore them many places but I would run early morning errands while wearing them. I do own a lot of capris and I am fine wearing them around and about, but those can get pretty warm, especially on a day like today when it is in the mid nineties with 80 percent humidity and not a cloud in the sky. I had a list of errands to run, which was going to mean hopping in and out of the car about a gozillion times with each stop just long enough for the car to become an oven by the time each errand was done.
What to do, what to do? I was digging through the closet and found 2 lightweight denim dresses. They are thick enough that you can't see through them in direct sunlight, but light enough to be cool. Both have waists slightly above the natural waist and have free flowing skirts so air can move around all the places that are usually air restricted.
I wore one today. It has a scooped neck with spaghetti straps, so I did throw a shrug on , but I was relatively cool all day. With a dressier pair of leather flip flops and a straw hat (to cover the low ponytailed bun) it looked almost like a deliberate ensemble. I actually had one lady stop me and ask where I got the dress (10 bucks at Dollar General about 4 years ago)
I think women years ago were on to a good thing and somehow or another we decided to throw out the proverbial baby with the bath water. They knew what they were doing when they wore a house dress (Which by definition was not a muumuu, as I always thought, but a cotton dress that was not as dressy as work outfits.) I am going to start wearing these around the house (except for crappy chore days) because they are unfitted enough that I can get by wearing a sports bra, and fitted enough that with a pair of flip flops and a hat I will look decent enough to do my daily running arounds.
Bring on summer! I am ready now! Who's in?
What to do, what to do? I was digging through the closet and found 2 lightweight denim dresses. They are thick enough that you can't see through them in direct sunlight, but light enough to be cool. Both have waists slightly above the natural waist and have free flowing skirts so air can move around all the places that are usually air restricted.
I wore one today. It has a scooped neck with spaghetti straps, so I did throw a shrug on , but I was relatively cool all day. With a dressier pair of leather flip flops and a straw hat (to cover the low ponytailed bun) it looked almost like a deliberate ensemble. I actually had one lady stop me and ask where I got the dress (10 bucks at Dollar General about 4 years ago)
I think women years ago were on to a good thing and somehow or another we decided to throw out the proverbial baby with the bath water. They knew what they were doing when they wore a house dress (Which by definition was not a muumuu, as I always thought, but a cotton dress that was not as dressy as work outfits.) I am going to start wearing these around the house (except for crappy chore days) because they are unfitted enough that I can get by wearing a sports bra, and fitted enough that with a pair of flip flops and a hat I will look decent enough to do my daily running arounds.
Bring on summer! I am ready now! Who's in?
The dress I wore is actually very similar (hence the need for a shrug) to this but is longer (lower knee) and the body it fits on looks nothing like this one!
I like skirts and dress in the summer, but my thighs don't. On these hot, humid days, the car never gets cool a bit because the distance between stops is never more than a mile or two, most like a quarter of a mile. When I come home, I put on a cotton nightgown. I go to the mailbox in it and to feed Dominique. Any longer and the mosquitoes attack me all over. I quit wearing shorts and switched to pants in the summer because of mosquitoes. I always wear a sleeve, at least a short sleeve, for the same reason. At night and even in the heat, I will put on a sweatshirt to go outside the house for very long. Then, I gained weight and do not want to wear shorts even though women a hundred pounds larger than I am do wear shorts in this town. Walmart is full of them. Your outfit today sounds cute and cool. Bra? What? Only if you are employing me and paying me!
ReplyDeleteWhere is the Tuesday post?
I didn't do a Tuesday post this week. I was busy last week and didn't jot down the crazies, but don't worry__this week is filling up just fine.
DeleteI put on a bra before I leave my room in the morning. I guess since I had only sons I learned early that they were more comfortable if I dressed before I ever walked out of my bedroom. It is just a habit now. Understand though that dressing is subjective. I am not usually dressed for the day but I always have on at least a bra, shorts or sweats and a top
I've actually been thinking along these same lines myself. I don't wear shorts anymore and capris are my go-to on hot days, but I'm thinking skirts and dresses make a lot more sense. I'm in!
ReplyDeleteMaybe we can start a revolution. I have seen young women wearing dresses everywhere this summer and they look both cute and cool. I am not trying to imitate them but I am all for staying as cool on hot days as possible.
DeleteI have several cottonny skirts and dresses that are pretty casual that I can wear with flip flops for errands and flats for business casual. I do wear shorts though but longer versions.
ReplyDeleteI still wear shorts, just not out running errands. I only wear the longer versions too.
DeleteIt rarely gets very hot here, but I love dresses in the summer. As you say it's easy to look pretty good without any real effort as well as keeping cool.
ReplyDeleteIt is sweltering here and I was seriously cooler than I would have been wearing capris. I think I have found my new summer look.
DeleteYes, the humidity has really kicked in this past week or so. I don't wear shorts. Capris are all I wear. I hope they never go out of style. Even if they do, I'm old enough not to care. lol
ReplyDeleteMe and thee! After a certain age shorts no longer look good for anywhere but around the house, and I am definately after a certain age.
DeleteOh yes! They have been in for quite sometime now haven't they? Of course my daughters wouldn't be caught 'dead' in them.
DeleteI still wear shorts even after a certain age. However, I'm having problems finding a style that I think looks good. So I bought a pattern and might sew a pair. That's a big deal because I've haven't sewn a garment in about 30 years!
ReplyDeleteAs for dresses, I'm not sure. I only have a few and my feet need more supportive shoes for running around than looks good with most of them. However, I do like the flowing idea.
I pretty much live in flip flops, and casual dresses work fine with them.
DeleteHave fun sewing! I can do it but I really don't enjoy it al all, and only get my machine out on an emergency basis.
I LIVE in dresses during the Summer! And have for years now. I won't be caught dead out in public in shorts. I live in nightgowns or house dresses if I don't have to leave the house when it's hot out.
ReplyDeleteI am going to do the majority of my living this summer in dresses. I could not believe what a difference it made with the heat.
DeleteI typically wear capris, maxi dresses, or maxi skirts and a tank top if I am going out of the house (which is most days). I love wearing a maxi dress/skirt with flip flops. I do ocassionally wear shorts but it is usally if I am at my moms house for a casual get together or if I am out walking with the family.
ReplyDeleteI think I am going to have to get a couple of maxi dresses. Then I can be cool, plus silky smooth legs are not critical!
DeleteI tend to wear black tights but much shorter ones, just above the knee and tunic tops. That's because I bike most places during the summer and I find dresses awkward for cycling. I do like dresses in the summer for when I'm at the various festivals like Sunfest and the Home County Folk Festival. I think a knee length loose flowing dress is the coolest thing a woman can wear on the hot and humid days.
ReplyDeleteI don't think dresses and a bike are terrible compatible. Since I drive most places that is not a consideration, but you are right about the coolness factor of a loose fitting fdress.
DeleteDresses do look cute, but I remember the agony of chub rub. Although there are products that lube I have never tried them. And some women wear bike shorts under dresses. I wear shorts at home and chinos when I go out.
ReplyDeleteI wear chinos a lot but it is just too blazing hot here in the summer to wear long pants during the day.
DeleteI am just not a dress girl (there I said it) but do wear Capri's a ton in summer. I am also not keen on shorts but Greece was so bloody hot I had to. Now I actually have a bit of tan on my legs. I do like the lighter material capri's though, and it never really gets too hot here so usually I can just go with them.
ReplyDeleteI had never thought of myself as a dress girl, but I am quickly changing me opinion. I have some lighter fabric capris and they are fine even in the very hot weather. And now that I have been griping about the intense heat, we had major storms late yesterday and it is only in the mid 70's and overcast. All that mouthing for nothing__until later today or tomorrow.
DeleteI gave up shorts a few years ago myself- even on a great looking gal with a good figure I don't think they're flattering when you are over 60. I have 1 'house dress' I occasionally wear after an afternoon shower when I know I am home for the duration. I wear skirts to church. Beall's sells some really lightweight capris- I wear them when I visiting my clients.
ReplyDeleteI am all for everyone wearing whatever they are comfortable wearing. (And that is kind of untrue. Once we were eating at a white tablecloth restaurant and a woman and man, both about 60 walked in. He was dressed in dress slacks, a button down and blazer. She was wearing a black merry widow, black sheer undies, a garter belt and black lace hose. We tried not to stare which was difficult since they were at the table next to ours. We figured they were enjoying some very public S and D play. Fine for them but we were very uncomfortable, asked for the check and left after the appetizer course)
DeleteWhen I moved to Florida, I was shocked to see people in church wearing shorts and t-shirts. Although I won't dress that casually for church, my style of dress has changed. During the summer I wear a lot of cotton skirts that reach a bit above the knee. I wear them with cotton t-shirts or tank tops. Let the bra straps show. In Florida, it's too hot to be fussy about what we wear.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
We are just slightly north of you and it gets very hot here too. I don't get too upset about straps showing but I do have a set of removable clear ones that I wear if they are too obvious.
DeleteI'm 58 and I always wear smart shorts - wore em today at the market with a nice top. It's not my legs that are the problem at all - need to cover the belly and if I wore a dress with little straps I would keep tripping over my boobs! I think it's a question of how we perceive ourselves (within reason). When I was on holiday in Greece last year I got chatting to a very attractive Welsh lady. She was heavy and was saying how envious she was of me but "of course I couldn't wear shorts with my fat legs"! I just told her that when I saw her all I saw was her beautiful coffee-coloured skin and didn't even notice her legs. After that she wore shorts for the rest of the holiday. My good deed for that week! Anna
ReplyDeleteI can wear the little straps but I have to wear a bra with, well with everything. I feel uncomfortable wearing shorts in public so I don't wear them, but good for you for telling the traveler you only saw her skin!
DeleteI have one pair of shorts which I used to wear around the house (I say used to wear because I don't know if they'll fit me, this summer). I wear skirts, dresses, or pants when I go outside (even to water the front garden). I can't wear flip-flops, so I always wear shoes. I might look for a comfortable pair of sandals this summer, though.
ReplyDeleteI still wear shorts in the house and in my yard, just not out in and among the general public. I don;t know how I would live without flip flops. I even wear them in the house in the dead of winter.
DeleteI wear skirts and dresses for the same reason, never wear shorts and wear long shorts or capris alot. No one wants to see my knees trust me. I think the right one fell before the left one.
ReplyDeleteI am finding I feel better in a dress or skit when I am doing my out and about running around. And they are so much cooler to boot! However, in the house__well anything goes.
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