There is something in me that cannot abide a uniform (or 'corporate dress'). Having said that, every single morning I put on socks, trousers and a long top. The tops are a gaudy collection of floral, faux patchwork, chintz and animal prints, because that's what appeals to me.
I don't - never have - expected admiration for what I wear. Occasionally I've had it, but that's on the basis of something strikingly handmade. Which is as it should be: the artist is praised for her work.
My friend who is an author emphatically looks like an author, and I think needs to in order to give the right impression to the public/agents. What I mean is that she wears vintage clothes, has a bit of a bohemian look, generally a shawl or a scarf. It's part of her "brand". No hats involved though.
@Graven Image I would second the suggestion of Hotters. They're not cheap but they do do a massive range of sizes some of which seem designed exclusively to be comfortable (i.e. look frumpy but are really comfortable).
@Graven Image I would second the suggestion of Hotters. They're not cheap but they do do a massive range of sizes some of which seem designed exclusively to be comfortable (i.e. look frumpy but are really comfortable).
Thank you I now have them bookmarked when the need next appears. Better not cheap that works, then many cheap that hurt.
I’ve stopped bothering to try other shoe brands, apart from the occasional Rieker. Skecher trainers fit me, but their other shoes seem to have a mission to wear a groove in the tendon to my big toe. Hotter always fit me and it’s better than buying a pair of shoes that fit perfectly in the shop but not the first time I go for a walk.
Part of it is the same tall foot problem Lamb Chopped mentioned, combined with my fourth toe on one foot dislocating if held at a certain angle by a shoe. Most of my dad’s family (where hyper mobility is rife) have some problems with finding clothing to fit. My oldest aunt, born in 1916, was 6 feet tall and had UK size 9 feet.
I have a beret that I'd forgotten that I had. It's burgundy, made of wool. Before I got my pandemic haircut 3 weeks ago (prior haircut was Dec 2019), I wore it riding my bicycle. My wife did not think I looked as dashing I felt with long hair organized under it. I had thought of growing my hair longer, perhaps having french braids again like I did in 1973, Or getting a cape and including this in my cycling costume. But alas, my hair is now 5" shorter and the beret itches.
Riffing off Stercus Tauri's observation on occupation and style.... Many years ago the financial industry slid into "something more comfortable" which they were pleased to call "business casual". This was a mistake for a number of reasons, not least an extended period of uncertainty and confusion as to what was considered acceptable in the office. I resisted this, and persisted in wearing a jacket and tie most of the time. When I moved banks, I went straight on business casual. One day I didn't come into the office until about 1.30, black suit and tie. Two colleagues passed me, and jovially asked, "Interview or funeral?" "Funeral," I said, and took my desk.
I do like a good suit. I have been accused, because of one ensemble, of emulating Tom Wolfe, which I don't. My style often gets me mistaken as being socially and politically conservative, whereas I'm very much a left social democrat. At this time of year, though, suits are only for parties and church (shirt, cargo shorts and sandals, otherwise), but The Plague means that I've had nothing but my casual ensemble since April. After some gardening last week, I appeared at the pub in a Henley (and some soil), and received a couple of looks from the other regulars. ("He has let himself go of late...")
@Graven Image I would second the suggestion of Hotters. They're not cheap but they do do a massive range of sizes some of which seem designed exclusively to be comfortable (i.e. look frumpy but are really comfortable).
I agree - the boots are stylish ‘tho, not frumpy at all.
I buy a pair each year so now I have brown, black, blue and maroon pairs.
Edinburgh Woollen Mill is going base over apex. I may have to change my image.
Totnes (twinned with Narnia) used to have an image similar to Glastonbury - why is it that everyone who tries so hard to be individual ends up looking the same? But, on my last visit, almost everyone there looked like they had been dressed by M&S.
Something I realised recently is that when my face is covered by a mask and my hair is bedraggled by the wind and rain, I apparently look like I could be a teenager, rather than a middle aged person who'll be 50 in a couple of years! My clothes are pretty nondescript, I'd say - I dress for comfort and convenience. DMs are the best shoes for my feet (being roomy enough for my wide, high feet, and strong enough to withstand many walks). I do wear kids' ones, as my feet are small, and they are cheaper. Leggings are the best things to put on my legs, as they give pressure, to help the blood pump up to my heart and head. And I wear a roomy black raincoat, designed for men, as it has more pockets than the ones designed for women. And I do carry a rucksack for when I go shopping, as things are easier to carry that way.
Dressed like this, I went to the chemist the other day to pick up a prescription, and as the pharmacist was bringing me my prescription and I was looking on my phone to find the screenshot I'd taken of my pre-paid prescription, so I could give her the number, she spoke to me in an uppity, sarcastic tone, as if she were a teacher scolding a rude teenager: 'Are you going to take this... or are you just going to keep looking at your phone?' I was quite taken aback - I tried to put on my best dignified, adult voice as I replied 'I'm finding my prescription number, as I thought you needed that?' And then she did say sorry and talked to me in a more respectful, adult-to-adult way!
Something I realised recently is that when my face is covered by a mask and my hair is bedraggled by the wind and rain, I apparently look like I could be a teenager
Ah, that would explain the incredulity of the health team when I turned up for my flu jab the other day. They seemed to think I'd just walked in off the street, sneaking in under age, rather than making an approved appointment.
It appears that my Ehlers-Danlos has one advantage (If you can call it so). Apparently it makes me look at least a decade or so younger than I really am (something to do with the skin). Now if I only had a disease that made me look more attractive than I really am, and not merely younger...
We shop only in the 7am to 8am times for older people. My wife was almost turned away. They didn't believe she was an older adult (we don't use the term "senior citizen"). Alas, this doesn't happen to me when I go.
Indeed. Back in the day when I was regularly commuting to and from my office, I remember one early evening on a very crowded streetcar. I was in a bad mood, and being pressed upon and jostled wasn't helping things. The adults were incarnations of late modern ennui, and an atmosphere of general surl pervaded the car. As I was trying to get off the street car a boy (15?) from the local housing project bumped into me, and said, "Sorry, sir." "You're fine." I told him. He was an example to us. His politeness rather helped my mood.
Indeed. Back in the day when I was regularly commuting to and from my office, I remember one early evening on a very crowded streetcar. I was in a bad mood, and being pressed upon and jostled wasn't helping things. The adults were incarnations of late modern ennui, and an atmosphere of general surl pervaded the car. As I was trying to get off the street car a boy (15?) from the local housing project bumped into me, and said, "Sorry, sir." "You're fine." I told him. He was an example to us. His politeness rather helped my mood.
Possibly one for the language differences thread, but what is a street car?
Some of my kids used to say that adults were very often outstandingly rude, just because They Were Young People.
Appears to be sadly a thing......
Early in the first year I was a professor, and still quite young-looking, I went to the school library on a day when I had no classes, wearing jeans and a t-shirt and carrying a backpack. The librarian was short with me and dismissive, until I pulled out my faculty ID to check out some books. It made me re-think the library assignment I was putting together for my freshmen comp students.
Comments
I don't - never have - expected admiration for what I wear. Occasionally I've had it, but that's on the basis of something strikingly handmade. Which is as it should be: the artist is praised for her work.
@Graven Image I would second the suggestion of Hotters. They're not cheap but they do do a massive range of sizes some of which seem designed exclusively to be comfortable (i.e. look frumpy but are really comfortable).
Thank you I now have them bookmarked when the need next appears. Better not cheap that works, then many cheap that hurt.
Part of it is the same tall foot problem Lamb Chopped mentioned, combined with my fourth toe on one foot dislocating if held at a certain angle by a shoe. Most of my dad’s family (where hyper mobility is rife) have some problems with finding clothing to fit. My oldest aunt, born in 1916, was 6 feet tall and had UK size 9 feet.
I do like a good suit. I have been accused, because of one ensemble, of emulating Tom Wolfe, which I don't. My style often gets me mistaken as being socially and politically conservative, whereas I'm very much a left social democrat. At this time of year, though, suits are only for parties and church (shirt, cargo shorts and sandals, otherwise), but The Plague means that I've had nothing but my casual ensemble since April. After some gardening last week, I appeared at the pub in a Henley (and some soil), and received a couple of looks from the other regulars. ("He has let himself go of late...")
I agree - the boots are stylish ‘tho, not frumpy at all.
I buy a pair each year so now I have brown, black, blue and maroon pairs.
I love them!
Totnes (twinned with Narnia) used to have an image similar to Glastonbury - why is it that everyone who tries so hard to be individual ends up looking the same? But, on my last visit, almost everyone there looked like they had been dressed by M&S.
Dressed like this, I went to the chemist the other day to pick up a prescription, and as the pharmacist was bringing me my prescription and I was looking on my phone to find the screenshot I'd taken of my pre-paid prescription, so I could give her the number, she spoke to me in an uppity, sarcastic tone, as if she were a teacher scolding a rude teenager: 'Are you going to take this... or are you just going to keep looking at your phone?' I was quite taken aback - I tried to put on my best dignified, adult voice as I replied 'I'm finding my prescription number, as I thought you needed that?' And then she did say sorry and talked to me in a more respectful, adult-to-adult way!
Ah, that would explain the incredulity of the health team when I turned up for my flu jab the other day. They seemed to think I'd just walked in off the street, sneaking in under age, rather than making an approved appointment.
Appears to be sadly a thing......
Possibly one for the language differences thread, but what is a street car?
Early in the first year I was a professor, and still quite young-looking, I went to the school library on a day when I had no classes, wearing jeans and a t-shirt and carrying a backpack. The librarian was short with me and dismissive, until I pulled out my faculty ID to check out some books. It made me re-think the library assignment I was putting together for my freshmen comp students.