Remember that I told you I cleaned out my closets when I moved? Great idea! Except now my closet is empty. That’s one problem.
The other is that now that I’ve moved, I have cable TV. For the first time, I get to watch programs that the rest of the world has already seen, such as What Not To Wear (see the WNTW “before and after” pics of a lady named Laurie above)
I know that this is Christmas. I know that there are lots of deep issues that we can talk about, and we will.
But I believe that every woman is beautiful. I really do. But sometimes we can get in a rut. How fun would it be to discover small things that will make you bring out that natural beauty. For the next few weeks this BBR Babe is on a mission to find some Smashin’ Fashion on a Pinchin’ Pennies budget. 
When I say that my closet is empty, of course I jest. It contains four white shirts, three pairs of jeans (that are at least three years old), a pair of black and a pair of grey pants, two professional suits that I wear to speak, and two Mother of the Bride dresses, five sweaters (two that fit), and two jogging outfits.
Other than that, nada/zilch.
My girls have been telling me for a long time that I needed to clothes shop. They drop hints. They ask me to give Santa a list so they can help him shop for Christmas (I tell them that I’d love some new socks or earrings). They pick out things when we are in the store, holding them up with that look in their eye. “Come on, mom. Try this!”
My reaction: “Baby, did you see that price tag?”
CHALLENGE NO. 1: Sticker shock
This is my dilemma. I always see a good place for the money that comes through our household. Things like utility bills, or groceries, or tuition for Richard’s education.
I’m not a tightwad. I just want to make good decisions with our money, especially now that we are in this transition. But the truth is that I don’t splurge on Suzie much, and clothes that fit are important, too.
CHALLENGE NO. 2: I’ve been under an allusion that I had clothes
I had a really, really small closet in the old house. Now I have a smaller home, but a HUGE closet.
In the old house, it seemed packed, but of course when I cleaned it out I realized that most of it was too small, too big, too worn, or fun-but-not-sensible items such as a brightly colored African tunic and an authentic Mexican party dress and some Army pants that I wore to a youth event with a soldier theme.
At heart I’m a jeans girl, and I’m not trying to change that. But if I take a good look, I see that my jeans are faded and have rag tag strings hanging at my heel. (Unfortunately, these really are my fav pair of jeans.)
Stacy, on What Not to Wear, has scolded me several times over the last few weeks now. (She just doesn’t realize she’s talking to me.) “What are you doing wearing jeans that a 13-year-old wouldn’t even wear?” she says, arching that dark eyebrow and pointing her finger.
CHALLENGE NO. 3
I have kept my weight at the LGW (Look Good at the Wedding) level all year by walking and eating sensibly. But my body has changed to my mid-life shape and I don’t think that’s going to change. I’m a size 8 on the top, a size 12 in the midsection, and a size 9 on the bottom.
I don’t like trying on clothes like I once did, because I get discouraged. I used to slide a dress off the hanger and slip it on, and I knew how it would fit. No longer. In fact, that never happens. It hangs on my shoulders or bunches around my middle, or slacks in the butt.
I don’t like shopping for me because it takes work now.
But I’m going Christmas shopping on Saturday. While I’m there I’ll also try on clothes for Suzie (fighting against that voice in my head that says, “what??” this is supposed to be about the names on your list). It will be a great time to pick up a few basic pieces on sale.
MY MISSION, IF I CHOOSE TO TAKE IT
I will begin to build a foundational wardrobe, one that will fit my budget, my body, and my age.
I will buy a couple of pairs of dark jeans.
I will buy a white shirt that will go with jackets (those that hang in my closet aren’t a good fit and I bought them because of the price tag).
I’ll buy some more ”slacks” (I’ve got to break out of this comfy jean mentality) of different colors and with a great fit and leg line.
I’ll experiment with color, with new styles, and try on clothes without looking at the price tag. Then I can choose a piece here and there that will be with me for a long time, and if I’m lucky they’ll be on sale. But that will no longer be the primary factor.
Last, as I do this I’ll celebrate every line, curve, and bump of my body. I’ll celebrate the stretch marks on my backside that say that I gave birth to three beautiful children. I’ll thank God that my hubby likes my body just like it is.
I won’t hide behind jackets, but find shirts that flatter both the small top and larger mid-section, and have fun doing it.
Do you want to take the challenge with me? I’ll keep you updated.
Some Fun Links:
- “Twiggy”, age 58, writes a book for Boomer Women on Fashion
- Ageless Beauty: Fashion for Older Women
- Fashion Solutions for Every Figure
- How to Choose Colors that Flatter Your Skin Tone
Suzie
18 Comments
Suzie, I LOVE WNTW! Clinton and Stacy rock! But we ditched cable before school started, so as not to distract the kids from their homework.
I think that’s the only show I really miss.
And Twiggy’s a size ten? That’s great! Thanks for the links! As an autumn I sometimes get in a color rut (brown, denim, brown … did I mention brown?), and forget that there are other, beautiful colors waiting to be worn. I’ll have to shop for plum and orange after Christmas (no, I won’t be wearing them together).
And YAY to you for working so diligently to keep your weight down! Sounds like you’re the perfect size.
Hmmm … now I need to find that white shirt …
Flea, Your comments really made me think. Funny, but that’s one reason to really try to find fun and complimentary pieces. When you said, “you must be the perfect size” my first thought was, “umm, no. I struggle with my waist size”, and then I checked that because that’s one of the reasons I struggle with shopping: things don’t fit like they did when I was 20, make that 40. : ) And that’s just plain silly because I LOVE being my age and all that comes with that.
I also get in a rut of jogging suits and jeans and a hoodie. You’d think I was 15 years old. : )
I’m breaking out of that rut, Miss Flea!
Suzie!
You could be talking specifically to me… I mean I could have written every word of this! UGH!.
I have those jeans…aren’t they cool because of the frayed bottome…I know I know- NO.
I keep thinking- just another 10 lbs and then I’ll shop.
You’re an inspiration. I can’t wait to hear what you come home with!
Have fun. (I kind of feel like we’re all standing on the side of the pool singing…Suzie, you go first!)
Hugs,
Sue
I will. I will go first. : ) Tomorrow is my first day to shop, though I bought two family members’ complete Christmas online (see Connie’s last post) today. Yeah! It was easy and I found some great sales on just what I was looking for.
Suz
Oh Suzie…you hit the nail on the head! At least twice a week my daughters will say to me “Mom, you’re not going out looking like THAT are you?” I admit I am not a slave to fashion…if it isn’t faded or stained and still fits, I wear it, regardless of how old the item is.
I’ve always loved flannel shirts and sweatpants with my fuzzy socks when I am home relaxing, causeing my youngest daughter to tell me I dress like a grandfather…OUCH! It is just so hard to justify buying myself new clothes when there are so many other areas that need my financial attention - bills, fuel, tithing, college tuition. etc.
It is comforting to know other boom babes experience the same dilemma.
I’m terrible about shopping for clothes. I get a headache in stores that don’t have matching outfits on the racks - i can never figure out what goes with what. So i always end up “grabbing” something in a pinch and it never works. And like you, Suzie - I could live in jeans. I had a good day at work I think b/c it was jean day - ha! I at least have learned to get some nice sweaters to go with those jeans. White shirts - now that’s a novel idea too. The one in my closet is a lousy fit, a quick grab because it was cheap.
i need to take up this challenge and “build” a wardrobe too. It’s tough. I’m lazy. I’d rather spend money on books or coffee . . . everything fits there - LOL!
White shirt to go with sweaters and … a turtleneck! Do people still wear turtlenecks? We didn’t in Florida, but there was a good reason for that.
Do y’all remember Units, the clothing store for women? Dianne, you reminded me of that. I think they were very short lived, but I really wish they were still around. They were basically Garanimals for adults, where everything was mix and match. For those of us who are written regular citations by the fashion police, it was a God send. Who do we petition to bring Units back?
I plan to start by finding at least one, maybe two, new pair of dark jeans. With Christmas ahead, this is a reasonable beginning.
But I will try on lots of different clothes, without looking at the tag. I plan to take my camera and ask friends or family to take pics of the things that they like. That way I can go back when I can afford the next little investment.
Another good way to remember what you liked (once the money becomes available to treat yourself ) is to create a “wish list” on one of your favorite store’s websites. You’ll have to register in order to ’save’ the choices to come back to at another time. But this way you know what you want and can easily make a purchase when the time comes.
Terry, You’ve just added a whole new dimension to this. Thank you. I’ll take a pen and paper and write down what I like, and then put it on my wish list when I get home.
On another note, I went to a parade in our new city last night. It was beautiful, quaint, with lots of candy, little kids in snowman and Santa costumes, and music. I adored it. Our city is small, a university town, and I am falling for it like I never have another place.
Suzie, we drove through your new home town about a month ago and it is the quaintest thing ever. Just beautiful. And I think about all of our Florida friends who made fun of our choice to move to Oklahoma! It’s gorgeous out here!
Do you have Dress Barn where you are? The closest one to where I live is seventy miles away, but it is worth the occasional trip. There are not only dresses, but slacks, skirts, sweaters, blouses and accessories. Clothes are arranged in the store according to color “themes” and categories (casual, dressy, work, etc.). The prices are reasonable, and the quality is exceptional. I should work there, or advertise for them!
It’s a blessing to be thankful to the Lord, even for our aging bodies. And someday . . . He will make all things new!
May the Lord continue to bless you with that joyful, thankful spirit which is so encouraging.
For me, finding things that work together isn’t the problem. It’s investing in clothes that look and feel good. : ) But thanks for the tip, Joyce, and welcome to BBR. It’s nice to see a new face.
Flea, it’s ice, ice, baby. Is it coming your way? I don’t want a repeat of last year.
Suzie
We woke up to a freezing drizzle this morning, with bumpy ice coating the truck. Only the bridges are iced, but the sand trucks were out last night doing that John the Baptist thing - preparing the way. Boy is it cold. Suzie, I can’t imagine the roads out your way!
Suzie, I’m looking forward to hearing about your shoping trip. I’m wondering if you found anything.
I wrote an article for a boomer magazine about this a couplemonths ago. I can hsop for everyone but myself. And most of the time, it’s because I can’t find things I like. THey are either to young looking, or too old! I wish someone would make clothes for boomers who want to look and feel good, but don’t want our butts and books hanging out, or elastic waists.
I have this move that I make, and I hate it. When I sit down I pull up the front of my jeans because they tuck under my belly button, not a great look or feel. But I have super long legs and buying Misses jeans means that I will wear them around my ankles, so the jeans are low-waisted, which is fine except that I don’t have a super skinny waist. They hit me at just the wrong place.
Okay, phase one has begun. I tried on several shirts and pairs of dark jeans. I bought a pair of jeans (50% off! and I didn’t even know it) and a very pretty, but casual dressy brown shirt and necklace. I tried several styles I normally wouldn’t. I didn’t look at price tags first.
Fun!
I am proud! Too bad this has taken over ten years to sink in
I am thankful to hear that you will no longer be hiding your cute figure behind jackets that are too big!!