Fashion For Retirement

 Being comfortable is a must for me.

No more trying to be fashionable unless it brings comfort to this aging body.
I'm retired and not many dresses find their way into my closet these days,
so pants it is.

 I am always either hot or cold and it's rare that I can honestly say that the temperature is perfect,  and lately it's either been too sticky outdoors or too chilly indoors due to a husband that likes to keep things at a temperature you can leave a frozen Ding Dong on the counter for days before it thaws completely.

That said, you will seldom find me in shorts... but instead my trusty Inc. Ponte pants that I purchased last fall at Macy's.  I have three pair and they see MUCH use and if they sell them again this coming fall I'll most likely get more.  I mean, if you aren't buying what you love, then you aren't going to wear it and it ends up in the Goodwill pile.

Along with these simple slacks, I wear a simple sleeveless button down shirt. It's a no-iron that I can wash, give it a shake, and hang to dry.  A bright summery beaded necklace and a very lightweight yellow and white scarf at the neck complete the look, and if I am chilly indoors a light sweater takes care of that little problem for me

The brown leather hat has been in my fashion arsenal for a long time.  It goes nearly everywhere I go and keeps the sun off my fair hair and skin.  I've seen far too many wrinkly ladies to NOT wear a wide brimmed hat.

 Did I tell you I love cheap flip flops?

This pair is black and from Wal-Mart.

A bargain at .98 cents.  Oh... you go ahead and wear your fancy schmancy flip flops... these do the trick just fine for me; I also have a pair of pink ones, should I choose to change my 'look'.  LOL

 I'd rather spend my money on pretty blooming bushes this time of the year.

Check out my mock orange that's just finishing up blooming for the season.

I am so thankful it survived our harsh winter!

Fashion Disillusion

 Fashion may not be at the top of your list when it come to reading blogs or websites, however, I happen to enjoy a few of them and visit them from time to time.

 Mostly I enjoy those that show you how to stretch your fashion budget with links to the items the blogger is wearing pictured in their post.

BUT.

I now have a bone to pick with some of the fashion blogs I have been reading for some time, in that they started out as being more budget friendly with styles that the mid to a bit lower income gal can afford to purchase.

 Once some of these bloggers connect with the companies who pay them to wear and blog about their clothing, they suddenly show us VERY expensive items, ie: $400 plus handbags, $200-400 jeans, and jewelry, that although it is probably costume jewelry, is well over $100.

I am becoming disillusioned not only with the fact that they show us expensive fashion items, but it seems a bit deceiving to have a blog title that contains words ie:budget friendly, mentions pennies or being affordable, that would lead one to believe the blog is somthing different, or WAS different when it first started.

 It's amazing to me what the handout of the almighty dollar  or the offer of free expensive items can do to a blogger and her original intent at the start of her blog.

 So, what is this gal who lives in the country wearing as she stands in her garden of straw covered berries today?

A leather hat from Leather Haus in our local mall... $65.

A green barn coat lined with yummy warm plaid flannel a corduroy collar and zip closure, that I have had since the early 90's.

A knee length chanbray shirt from Penelope store of which there are 5 or 6 around our state.

A pair of black stretch pants by Hue at JC Penny last year.

A chain necklace with faux blue gems also from Penelope for $27.

And my ugly moccasin style slippers from Target last year.

 It just goes to show you that you can look great, either in the garden or on a trip into town, sans the slippers and instead add boots, and NOT spend a fortune simply because you are making a buck off of some fashion corporation.

*yes, I understand that some of you make your living this way, 

but calling it a budget type blog and showing a nearly $500 handbag makes no sense*