Shopping

Elevating your wardrobe with style adjectives

/ edebock / 1 Comment

logo-by-samI was almost finished writing this post when, in spite of saving it several times, it disappeared into thin air! After venting my frustration and calling WordPress a few unmentionable names, I decided to try again. Hopefully I can remember what I was trying to say.

Lately, I’ve noticed a lot of interest in my previous posts about style adjectives, so I thought that that would be a good topic to revisit today. Choosing three to five adjectives to describe your personal style can be very helpful in building a cohesive wardrobe and creating outfits that say what you want to say about yourself.

Almost seven years ago, one of my favourite fashion bloggers, Pamela Lutrell, who writes Over 50, Feeling 40, introduced me to the idea of style adjectives. I initially chose classy, confident, and comfortable to describe my style, but just as our personal style can change over time, so can the words we use to describe it. Although I’ve kept the original three, I later added casual and creative to my list. It’s only by chance that all five words started with C! At one point, I thought about adding colourful to the list because at that time I was trying to add more colour to my wardrobe, but I soon realized that there was a good reason that I always gravitated toward neutrals. Those are the colours that I feel most comfortable in. Eventually, I also realized that creative didn’t really describe my style, so I replaced that word with authentic. According to Merriam-Webster authentic means “true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character” and that’s really what style adjectives are all about.

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When I stand in front of the mirror, especially if I’m wearing an outfit that I haven’t worn recently or very often, I run through my five style adjectives… classy, confident, comfortable, casual, and authentic. If the outfit ticks all five boxes, I know that it will communicate the right things about me and that I’ll feel good wearing it. I do the same when I’m shopping for clothes. In the fitting room, I ask myself whether or not an item fits all or most of my adjectives. If not, it doesn’t come home with me.

If style adjectives are a new idea for you, consider taking a look at the list below and choosing three to five words that describe what you’d like your outfits to say about you. If the words you want aren’t on the list, feel free to choose different ones, but try to be specific. Words like nice and pretty are too vague.

approachable           coordinated          glamorous                  sexy
artistic                         creative                   graceful                        soft
authentic                   current                    happy                             sophisticated
bohemian                  cute                          lively                                sporty
bold                             dressy                      minimalistic                 strong
casual                         eclectic                   modest                           stylish
chic                             edgy                          outdoorsy                     tailored
classic                       elegant                    polished                         trendy
classy                        feminine                  preppy                            unique
colourful                  fierce                        quirky                              vibrant
confident                  fun                            relaxed                            youthful
cool                           funky                        responsible                     whimsical

I’d love to know which style adjectives you choose. Why not share them in the comment section below?

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Shopping for a dress, a cautionary tale

/ edebock / 10 Comments

LogoWhen we received a wedding invitation this week I immediately decided that I would be shopping for a new dress. It’s been absolutely ages since I’ve bought one or had a good reason to. The wedding isn’t until next spring so I have plenty of time to find the right one, but just for fun, I decided to do a quick search of a few of my favourite fashion retailers to see what was out there. 

At this point, I don’t have a specific style, colour, or fabric in mind. All I know for sure is that the dress needs to be suitable for a wedding, I want to feel fabulous in it, and I want to be able to wear it for other occasions in the future. In my initial search, I only found two that stood out to me, both from Laura Canada. 

Glitter Capelet Midi Dress

Wrap-Style Shimmering Dress

As I said, I wasn’t looking for a particular colour, but it’s obvious that Marine, as Laura calls the dark navy, appeals to me! I wonder though, is it too dark for a spring wedding? It does have the advantage of also being suitable for winter occasions. 

Of course, as soon as I started looking at dresses online, ads began showing up everywhere… on my Facebook feed and even when I was trying to read the news. Right now, while I’m just browsing and considering what I might want to buy, that’s not a bad thing as it gives me lots of possibilities to think about. 

I actually fell in love with the look of this one that popped up almost immediately. 

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If I was an impulsive shopper, I might have ordered it, but I’m not and I won’t. The seller was one I’d never heard of and the website was pretty sketchy looking which is why I’m not sharing a link with you. There were just too many red flags. 

  • prices that were too good to be true
  • “sale ends today” pressure to buy immediately
  • lack of information about the company
  • lack of a phone number, physical address, or live chat option
  • no independent reviews of the company or their products
  • lack of detailed information about the product such as what kind of fabric the dress is made of

If that wasn’t enough, I knew that something was very wrong when the identical picture showed up the next day on a similar looking website with an entirely different name! The internet is definitely buyer beware territory and when I do buy my dress, it will probably be in person. 

Mixing old and new

/ edebock / 3 Comments

Logo by SamInstead of going home after church last Sunday, hubby and I set out for the little village of Donalda and the Willow Canyon trail, one of our favourite places to go hiking. Realizing that the restored train station near the trailhead would make a great backdrop for photos, I wore the outfit that I planned to share with you this week to church and changed into my hiking clothes after the photo shoot.

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In addition to the jean jacket, thrifted several years ago, my outfit consists of one of the oldest items in my wardrobe as well as the newest. I distinctly remember buying the dark navy pinstriped pants at Uniqlo shortly after our arrival in Japan in 2008. They were a workhorse in my teaching wardrobe that year and again in 2013 when we taught in China, but after that they spent a lot of time hanging in storage. I kept them because they fit well and I really liked them and when wider legs came back in style, I started wearing them again. They’ve appeared on the blog several times in the past year or two. 

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Someone painted the bench in front of the station since the last time we were there, so of course I had to try it out. 

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The new item in this week’s outfit is the linen blend top purchased at Sweet Home on Main in Stetter on a recent retreat weekend with several ladies from our church. 

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It was obviously a popular item as two of us bought it and it’s presently out of stock. Simple and versatile, it can easily be dressed up or down and the soft ecru colour is more flattering to my complexion than white would be. I prefer a linen blend to pure linen as it has a similar feel and drapes just as well, but it doesn’t wrinkle as badly. 

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I usually wear longer tops, but I wanted to step outside my comfort zone and try this short boxy style. I just have to make sure that I wear it with high waisted pants and I won’t be raising my arms very high in the air when I’m wearing it. At 71, my midriff isn’t as attractive as it once was! 

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And finally, here I am just waiting for my train. Actually, I don’t think one has been by here in a very long time! 

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Choosing the right walking shoes

/ edebock / 7 Comments

Screenshot 2024-05-09 at 7.40.11 PMAfter writing about my 150 day walking challenge earlier this week and encouraging you to consider joining me, I thought that this would be a good time for a post about how to choose the right walking shoes. If you’re walking in comfy, but well-worn sneakers, you might want to consider investing in a new pair that are dedicated to walking.

The American Podiatric Medical Association recommends replacing your walking shoes every 600 to 800 miles (approximately 950 to 1300 km). Some experts advise replacing them even more often, so be sure to check yours from time to time. If they’re becoming worn or have lost cushioning, it’s time for a new pair. Brand-new, well-fitting walking shoes might even put a bit more spring in your step and encourage you to walk a little farther.

Because feet come in various shapes and sizes, it’s impossible to recommend a specific style or brand that would suit everyone, but there are some tips that can help you find a pair that are right for you. First of all, shop late in the day. Our feet tend to expand a little throughout the day, so it’s best to try on shoes when they’ve swelled a bit. Also think about what kind of socks you’ll wear on your walks. The thickness of your socks will affect how the shoes fit, so take them shopping with you. If you wear orthotics, be sure to take those too. 

Comfort and fit go hand in hand and are by far the most important factors to consider when choosing the right walking shoes. Choose a shoe that is lightweight and breathable. You want it to fit snuggly at the heel and through to the middle of your foot, but it shouldn’t crowd your toes. The toe box should have enough wiggle room for your toes to splay out a bit, but not too much. Make sure that there’s a finger’s width or about half an inch between the end of your longest toe and the front of the shoe. Don’t hesitate to try on several different brands and styles to find the one that is right for you. 

The insole of a good walking shoe should cushion each step and it should feel like it’s adequately supporting the arch of your foot. Look for a uniform level of cushioning, rather than a higher heel cushion. The outer sole should provide adequate traction. 

Check the shoe for flexibility and stability. Hold it by the heel and bend the toe upward. It should bend at the ball of the foot. Grasp it at the heel and toe, then twist. You should feel moderate resistance. 

Finally, take a walk around the store before you decide to buy to ensure that the shoes you choose fit well and are completely comfortable. The old idea that shoes need to be broken in doesn’t apply to walking shoes. 

Good quality athletic shoes can be expensive, but your feet are worth it. You are worth it! Consider these shoes an investment in your well-being. Then get out there and enjoy walking!  

Fashion Revolution Week

/ edebock / 9 Comments

Logo by SamFashion Revolution is a not-for-profit global movement that was founded by British fashion designers Orsola de Castro and Carry Somers following the collapse of the Rana Plaza garment factory in Bangladesh on April 24, 2013 that killed 1,134 people and injured another 2,500. Fashion Revolution campaigns for a clean, safe, fair, transparent and accountable fashion industry; one that that conserves and restores the environment and values people over growth and profit. Over the past ten years, it has grown to become the world’s largest fashion activism movement, mobilizing citizens, brands and policymakers through research, education and advocacy. Every year, they organize Fashion Revolution Week in April, but this year’s campaign is marking a decade of active campaigning with ten days of action running from April 15 to 24.

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I don’t consider myself a fashion activist, but I do believe that everyone has a part to play in building a fashion industry that puts people and the planet first. Until our our clothing is made in safe, clean, and fair ways, we’re all part of the problem.

Those of us who live in North America have little choice but to buy clothes that are produced overseas and it’s virtually impossible to find out whether they are made in sweatshops where workers are exploited and forced to work in unsafe conditions or manufactured in socially and environmentally responsible factories. So, what can we do? How can we be part of the solution instead of the problem?

Overconsumption has become a huge problem. Apparently, the number of clothes that the average consumer purchased between 2000 and 2014 increased by 60 percent and those clothes tended to kept about only half as long as in the past. Individually, we can do our part by buying less and choosing quality over quantity. After all, how much do we really need hanging in our closets? At least one of the fashion bloggers that I follow has committed to The Rule of 5, planning to buying no more than five new fashion items this year. She’s decided to explore second-hand shopping which, as you know, is one of my favourite ways to add to my wardrobe.

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Another way that we can take action is to extend the life of our clothing by learning to mend, repair, and upcycle. In cities around the world Fashion Revolution activists are planning to come together in public spaces tomorrow to work on personal mending projects while drawing attention to the goals of the movement. That reminds me that I still have two pieces set aside from my recent closet cull waiting for some simple upcycling. Though I won’t be doing it in a public place, perhaps that should be my Fashion Revolution Week project.

More stripes for spring

/ edebock / 7 Comments

Logo by SamWhen I was young, we were told that wearing horizontal stripes would make us look fat, while vertical stripes would make us look taller and thinner. It turns out that that fashion advice was totally wrong. According the the Helmholtz illusion, horizontal stripes won’t make you look fatter. In fact, they may even make you look thinner!

Regardless of whether they make me look fatter or thinner, I have always liked horizontal stripes. While I specifically went into Reitmans looking for the sweater that I showed you last week, this top was on sale and I decided to buy it too.

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I was intrigued by the stretchy ribbed knit fabric. Very soft and lightweight, it’s made of “EcoCozy” biodegradable fibres which are apparently made from certified sustainable wood pulp from sustainably-managed and renewable plantations. I think it will be especially good for this transition season. Our days are not truly warm yet, but no longer freezing cold. I probably could have gone down one size, but I wanted it to be body skimming as opposed to clingy.

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The pop of red is a nice addition to my wardrobe and the very light cream looks much better on me than pure white would. The top can easily be dressed up or down depending on what I choose as a third piece. Here I’m wearing it under my faded denim shirt from Uniqlo, but it could also be worn with a jean jacket, a dressier sweater or a blazer. 

It sure was nice to be able to take this week’s photos outdoors even if there were still patches of snow lying around!

Stripes for spring

/ edebock / 4 Comments

First of all, a very big thank you for all your kind responses to last Friday’s post on here, on Facebook, and on Pam Lutrell’s blog, Over 50 Feeling 40. I especially appreciate those who promised to pray for me! The medical oncology team discussed my case earlier this week and I now have an appointment on April 17 with a doctor that I haven’t met before to discuss their recommendations and make decisions about further treatment. I will keep you posted.

And now, on to fashion!

LogoStripes are a forever classic that never really go out of style, but they’re everywhere this season. Horizontal, vertical, pin stripe; on shirts, dresses, sweaters, pants, and even accessories, stripes are the print of the season. Bold, high-visibility stripes, often in eye-catching colours, are especially on trend.

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Ads for this long-sleeve crew-neck sweater from Reitmans kept popping up on my Facebook feed, but I seldom shop for clothes online. I prefer to see things in person, feel the fabric, and try things on. I also like to support brick and mortar stores that provide employment and I detest the fact that more than 25% of all returns end up in the garbage! The ads caught my attention though and I was tempted, but I waited until we went into the city for my recent treatment and shopped in person instead. I’m glad I did as the sweater fits a bit large and I probably would have ordered the wrong size.

(Please ignore my hair in the photos! I’m way overdue for a cut, but my hairdresser has been sick.)

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I love the relaxed fit, the length, and the soft, cozy knit. While the sweater is also available in a true white, Reitmans calls the light oatmeal colour of mine Heather Latte, an off-white that works well with my complexion. Here, I’m wearing the sweater with jeans, but it would pair well with leggings and I’ve also worn it with black pants for a dressier look.

I also came home with a second striped top, but I’ll save that one for another post, maybe next week.

The top three

/ edebock / 2 Comments

LogoOne of the things that I enjoy about blogging with WordPress is the stats that they show me. While I can’t actually see who you are, at any given time I can see how many people have visited the blog on a particular day, week, month, or year as well as how many posts they’ve read and where the readers are from. It’s always fun to see different countries around the world light up on the little map on the stats page!

But what does this have to do with fashion, you ask! Out of curiosity and also to help me determine what most appeals to my readers, I recently checked to see which of my fashion posts have been the most popular. Since quite a few readers have joined us recently, I thought today I’d share the top three again. If you’re interested in looking back and reading any of these posts, simply click on the titles.

#1  How to shop like a celebrity

Helen Mirren thrifting

Published on August 2, 2019, this post about celebrities who shop thrift stores has been read a whopping 14 530 times! Of course, that probably has more to do with search engines picking up famous names like Helen Mirren and Julia Roberts than it does with my writing skills or my popularity as a blogger!

#2  A model who embraced her age

Cindy Joseph

Cindy Joseph on the front cover of Viv magazine – July 2007

This post, now read 9306 times, was written on July 27, 2018 to share the sad news of the untimely death of Cindy Joseph, model and founder of BOOM! by Cindy Joseph, a pro-age skin and cosmetics line. The company, now BOOM! Beauty, continues to honour Cindy’s legacy with their pro-age, as opposed to anti-age, philosophy. Amongst their products are the popular and easy to use multitasking “Boomsticks” that act as lipstick, blush, and eyeshadow all in one.

#3  50 characteristics of an elegant woman

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At 1809 reads, this post, published on September 11, 2020, is a distant third, but it seems to be gaining in popularity as it has been showing up in my stats almost daily lately. In fact, it was read over 200 times in the month of January alone. That makes me wonder if there’s a growing interest in elegance among today’s women. That’s food for thought and perhaps a topic for a future post!

On an entirely different note, for those who are interested, I’m still waiting for a date for the treatment that I’m to have to destroy the tumour on my liver. I would say waiting patiently, but that would be a lie and #51 on my list of characteristics of an elegant woman should probably be “Is a woman of integrity who always tells the truth!” 

One top, several looks

/ edebock / 11 Comments

Logo by SamI didn’t do a post about what I packed for our recent trip to Mexico, but regardless of where you’re going or for how long, the key to packing successfully is to choose pieces that coordinate well with one another so that they can be combined in different ways. One easy way to do that is to choose a limited colour palette. For our recent trip, I chose mainly blues and neutrals.

Today, I’m going to show you several ways that I wore one top with other pieces from my suitcase. The photos were taken in our hotel room as I didn’t want to climb up and down Mount Dunamar (our nickname for the 60 stairs from ground level to our fourth storey room) in between outfits.

First, let’s look at the Calvin Klein top that I bought second-hand at one of our local thrift shops in the summer of 2022. Simple and sleeveless with a gathered neckline, it can easily be dressed up or down. The timeless animal print pattern in black, white, and beige coordinates well with other neutrals.

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For a casual daytime look, I wore the top with a pair of white shorts.

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To go for dinner, I wore it over a little black sheath dress that I’ve probably had for 30 years or more. It originally came with a separate chiffon overlay, but all I remember about that piece is that it was predominantly red. That’s how long it’s been gone from my closet! The little black dress is perfect for travel because it doesn’t wrinkle, hardly takes up any space in a suitcase, and while I probably wouldn’t wear it alone, it can be worn with so many other things. 

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The wide-legged pants in the next few photos didn’t actually go to Mexico in my suitcase, but they did come home with me. I fell in love with them in the resort gift shop. When I discovered that they were made in Mexico and that they were on sale for more than 75% off their original price, I knew they were meant to be mine. Since a general rule of thumb is that a fuller shape on the bottom looks best with a more fitted top, they paired well with the animal print top, but my dilemma was whether or not to to tuck it in. I rarely tuck my tops in because I think that that emphasizes the fact that I don’t have a very feminine waistline, but I liked the interesting waistband and wanted to show it off. 

I decided to step outside my comfort zone and wear the outfit to dinner with the top tucked in. Which look do you like better? 

The pants are very lightweight, totally unsuitable for winter in Alberta, so they’re now in storage with the rest of my warm weather clothes, but I’m looking forward to wearing them again when summer returns. The top is one of those pieces that stays in my closet year round though because it can easily be worn under a cardigan or jacket. 

Is thrifting ethical or not?

/ edebock / 12 Comments

Logo by SamIf you’ve been following my blog for long, you know that many of my clothes come from second-hand stores, not because I can’t afford to buy new, but because I love thrifting and because one of my fashion goals is to be a more ethical shopper. The benefits of second-hand fashion are undeniable. Instead of going to the landfill, clothing that is no longer wanted finds new life in someone else’s closet. Textiles are reused and the harmful environmental impacts that result from producing new garments are reduced. Sadly, however, thrifting is not without ethical concerns.

One of the most common criticisms of thrift store shopping is related to supply and demand. If people like me, who can afford to buy our clothes new, instead choose to shop second-hand, will there be enough for those those in need? While this fear of “stealing from the poor” may be a good-hearted concern, it doesn’t accurately portray the situation. In reality, because we are such an affluent society, most second-hand stores receive far more in donations than they can possibly sell. The sad reality of thrifting is that while some of the clothes that go unsold are donated to women’s shelters and other charitable organizations, a large percentage end up in landfills or are shipped to third world countries.

While there is little danger of second-hand stores not having enough stock to meet the needs of low-income customers, thrifting as a fashion choice among the more well-to-do has led to a different problem. The “gentrification” of thrift stores, as this trend has become known, has led to some second-hand stores raising their prices making it more difficult for those who are in need to access clothing that they can afford. I do the vast majority of my thrift store shopping at two small shops in my local area where prices have been kept very low, but I have definitely noticed an increase in prices in the larger city stores that I visit occasionally. For example, three of the thrifted items that I bought in the past year were purchased in city second-hand stores for between $7.00 and $14.99. They would have cost $2.50 each at one of the shops in our small rural community.

The most valid criticism of thrift store shopping, however, is not directed at those of us who purchase clothing to add to or fill gaps in our own wardrobes. It zeroes in on those who frequently buy far more than they can reasonably use so that they can feature their “hauls” on TikTok and YouTube and on those entrepreneurial thrifters who buy quality items at thrift store prices and then resell them for more on popular apps like thredUp. For some, thrifting has become a lucrative business, but how ethical is it to buy donated items at not for profit shops like Goodwill and use them to turn a profit?

So, the question remains: Is thrifting truly an ethical way to shop or not? Personally, I think it is, especially if you live in an area where there is a high volume of second-hand clothing available. Thrifting is the recycling of the fashion world, but being an ethical thrifter requires mindfulness and discipline. It requires shopping with your practical needs in mind and not falling into the trap of overconsumption simply because the prices are so low. As a conscious shopper, you might also ask how you can strengthen or support the industry. This might look like volunteering your time and/or donating your own gently worn clothes to continue the cycle.