It has been a rough summer. Things can only improve methinks. I have been sharing “inner selfies” (check the personal reflections in my archives) along this spiral-like health journey. There’s still a place for lightheartedness even now. Pretty little summer wearables to admire whether you’re 25 or 75 isn’t reinventing anything. I’m almost 60, and while thoughts of beauty, design, and personal growth are engaging, I find overthinking anything (including fashion) unhelpful. For me, beauty and fashion are related to creativity, freedom, and embodiment.
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Pretty Little Summer Wearables
A pajama rant
Pajamas? An old acquaintance saw a video I posted last summer on social media where I’m performing a song at the piano wearing pajamas. It touched her that I was singing even while too weak to dress. Apparently broadcasting the messy realness of life offline is becoming more remarkable.
It’s not that I don’t want to set a tone to get work done and present myself to the world. But my world is digital, and in the last couple of years, life has been about survival and managing autoimmune symptoms. I have lost interest in personal social media feeds and only participate to keep the algorithms happy enough to send traffic to my professional content.
Relationship Between Feeling Put Together & Having it Together
“Get up and get dressed” is largely a marketing message we see on our feeds. I follow an adorable influencer genius who equates it with mental hygiene. But I can’t help thinking: what if we just looked in the mirror less on hard days of recovery when we’re decompressing?
Looking good from dressing the part when you feel like crap? It certainly works for capitalism. But does this work for you? For your exhaustion? I totally understand dressing to earn a level of respect and have influence. But overthinking aesthetics and faking it until I make it can hinder getting my needs met.
Like fashion, one size won’t fit everyone. At a certain age, you question the old rules and whether they still apply. When I was younger and higher maintenance on the outside for power and admiration…it worked. High maintenance is great when it brings joy and a measure of influence that feels life affirming.
But I tend to think more and more about the end of life. What will people I love most say at the funeral?
I hope it will be said that I became more and more comfortable in my skin. For me, pajamas often feel life affirming. They are made from natural materials, move with me, don’t constrict, are not complicated in design, and encourage rest. Maybe it is oversized cardigans for you. Or a particular type of sandal. If sandals are your thing, DO SANDALS.
Maybe you’ll notice the dresses and apparel I regularly link to are pajama-like, comfy, and uncomplicated.
Someday, we’ll do a closet tour, and except for all the washed-out light blue denim and chambray, you will notice most clothing is perfect for falling asleep in!
For Ladies Who Love to Lounge
I shared these the other day in a ditty about Julia Berolzheimer style.
The accessories (hat, sandals, bag) in this mix below may qualify as investment pieces, but YAY…the dresses are reasonably priced.
More Blue Dresses, Please!
Me and little blue dresses…when I was a baby, my parents were very busy students in college. My Godmother was all too happy to babysit and took me shopping for a new blue dress each week.
There are oodles of pictures of her holding me up in a photo booth in new blue dresses. What a blessing and privilege to be loved well at an early age!
Here’s something handmade and blue at a friendly price:
And here’s something under $30 you could pair with a white tee as a hot weather uniform:
In fact, spring for a quality linen white tee that costs about the same as a sundress. You’ll wear it constantly.
And did I just find the perfect coastal stripe shirt dress to wear at home, to the beach, and even out and about in a linen blend at an unbeatable price?
Yes, please. This creamy linen shift dress is under $40…making it easy to buy multiple colors:
Need a Pair of Birks to Go With Everything?
Great price and quality on these:
Let’s Try on Provence Style with a Handmade Garden Dress!
Every color is beautiful!
Chambray Shirt Dresses Never Fall From Favor!
Fashion Over 50: Perfect for Almost Any Occasion
How cute would this be with a white denim jacket?
Especially for Coastal Grandmothers
Fashion Over 50: Handmade Linen Dress!
Frugal Fashion Over 50: Timeless Dresses
For readers of a certain age only…Is this pose and expression CLASSIC TWIGGY or what?
I’m sorry, but she is selling it to me, and the bonus 60s vibes are giving me life.
I am loving the whole “daydress” or “housedress” movement happening. Anything blurring the lines between pajamas and streetwear when done well that isn’t boxy or clinging yoga leggings is calling my name.
Fashion Over 50: Barefoot Elegance
Again with this gorgeous elegant Twiggy model…and POCKETS!
BTW. I wear the comfy dresses that please ME. My sons have teased me over the years in their confusion about burlap and linen (i.e. “another burlap bag dress, eh, mama?”). I didn’t let the thumbs down deter me when they were teens, and remain unconcerned about how fashionable a linen shift with pockets and pintuck details may or may not be. (Typical feminist-evolved-intellectual response to them then and now: KISS MY GRITS, sweetie.)
Hahahahaha. You didn’t think I was surrounded exclusively by adoring fans behind the blog, did you?
Fashion Over 50 Dresses: Comfy as PJs
Fashion Over 50: Jumpsuit
Would you, could you? Looks so beachy.
But What About The Dresses That Are Sold Out? POSHMARK!
I am a huge fan of Poshmark and have had great experience finding timeless pieces no longer available in stores. It’s boho and not linen, but for example, this Marcelina midi dress sold out at Anthropologie can still be found on Poshmark.
Don’t yet have a free Poshmark account? Ooh lala, score! I’m about to point you to $10 instantly! On your phone or tablet, simply use my invite code: HELLOLOVELYINC when you sign up by downloading the app. We’ll both get a credit for 10 bucks…what a lovely way to support this blog!
Make sure you sign up on your phone or iPad–you cannot snag the credit signing up for an account via your desktop computer. Use the code HELLOLOVELYINC to sign up.
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Delightful Makeup Artist
Lately I wear less makeup but still love it. In fact, I think I am having even more fun with it as a creative art project. Watching makeup and beauty tutorials is relaxing and a nice escape from the grind. I have learned so much from Lisa Eldridge:
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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Absolutely love how these summer pieces are both timeless and stylish. It’s so refreshing to see fashion that celebrates every age with elegance and ease.
Author
🙂