To tuck or not to tuck

June 14, 2024June 13, 2024 / edebock / 2 Comments

Recently, a reader commenting on one of the fashion blogs that I follow suggested that the blogger consider tucking in her blouse because, in her words, it would reduce the “frump factor”. The blogger took exception to being told that she looked frumpy and responded by devoting part of her next post to the topic. She pointed out that tucking tops in doesn’t necessarily work for everyone and that many very stylish women choose not to tuck. That post resulted in a lengthy discussion amongst her readers and inspired me to write today’s post. So, with apologies to Shakespeare, to tuck or not to tuck, that is the question!

I very rarely tuck my tops in. The quality of the photos isn’t great, but I’ll let them speak for themselves. This is just a simple jeans and t-shirt outfit that I’d wear around home, but I think it’s sufficient to make my point.

For me, to tuck or not to tuck has a lot to do with body type. I’m tall and thin, but I have a boyish figure with a wide waist and narrow hips. To top that off, as is true of most women who are midlife or beyond, I have some extra me around the middle. Leaving my top untucked tricks the eye and makes that less noticeable. To see what I mean, look at the line between my t-shirt and pants in the photos. When my top is tucked in, your eye is drawn to my waist, the area that I don’t want to emphasize, but leaving it untucked draws your attention away from that area. An important key to making this work is to choose a top that drifts over the body instead of clinging to it and showing every bulge.

When I do tuck in my top, I usually wear a third piece over it as I’m doing in this photo from a recent post. This actually has a narrowing effect as only a small portion of the line between my top and pants shows.

When it comes down to it though, to tuck or not to tuck is a personal choice. There is no right or wrong answer. That’s why we call it “personal” style.

Can I still style it?

May 24, 2024May 23, 2024 / edebock / 3 Comments

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That was me earlier this week trying to think of a topic for this week’s fashion post! Then, while I was out walking on Wednesday afternoon, the title of today’s post popped into my head.

This photo first appeared in a Fashion Friday post a little over eight years ago when I added the weekly feature to my blog. The classic grey blazer, leftover from my days in the classroom, was already several years old by that time. Believe it or not, even though I haven’t worn it very often since then, I still have it. It’s such a basic piece that I’ve hesitated to part with it, but can I still style it?

Just for fun, I decided to try recreating that original photo. The porch and the siding on the house have changed and I’m 8 years older. The haircut is new, the jeans are a different wash and I chose to wear sneakers instead of flats, but the blazer is the same!

For the first look, I created a column of blue with a basic tee from Uniqlo. A column of colour creates a long, lean look and is a good way to show off the contrasting third piece; in this case the blazer. I liked this look, but decided to try some others. It’s always good to be able to style a piece at least 3 ways.

Staying with the blue/grey colour combination, I switched the blue t-shirt for a sleeveless patterned top. The top is long and loose. I often wear it untucked, but with the blazer, I thought it looked better tucked in.

Next, there’s that sleeveless animal print top again! It has appeared on the blog many times before as it’s so versatile and seems to go with almost everything in my wardrobe.

For the final look, I chose the long-sleeved striped top that I bought at Reitmans earlier this spring. I call it my Where’s Waldo? shirt!

So, can I still style it? Clearly the answer is yes! The blazer is such a timeless piece that it’s worth keeping even if I only wear it occasionally.

Mixing old and new

May 17, 2024May 13, 2024 / edebock / 3 Comments

Instead 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

More stripes for spring

April 5, 2024April 2, 2024 / edebock / 7 Comments

When 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.

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.

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!

Is it too weird?

May 19, 2023May 18, 2023 / edebock / 31 Comments

Today I want your honest opinion about something. Awhile ago, while thrift store shopping with my daughter and one of my teenage granddaughters, I found this top. I liked the fabric and the colour, but I was unsure about the unconventional neckline.

Though I was hesitant, I decided to try it on. When I stepped out of the fitting room, I asked my granddaughter whether she thought it was weird or not. She didn’t say anything, but the look on her face told me that she was skeptical. My daughter, however, said she really liked it. Hmm… what to do? Buy it or not?

I decided then and there that I’d do something I’d never done before. I’d buy it and ask your opinion!

Shortly after hanging it in my closet, I noticed that cabi was offering a top with a somewhat similar neckline as one of their spring specials. Maybe my top wasn’t so weird after all.

1080 I haven’t actually worn it anywhere yet except out to the yard to take these photos. I’m waiting for your opinion, so… is this top weird or not? I’m looking forward to knowing what you think.

Casual summer look

August 7, 2020August 5, 2020 / edebock / 6 Comments

Like many of you, we’ve been experiencing a heat wave lately. Summer clothes that literally never saw the light of day during last year’s non-summer have finally come out to play again! I’ve been wearing shorts and sleeveless tops almost every day.

When I culled my summer closet during my wardrobe funk back in June, I didn’t identify sleeveless tops as something I needed more of. In fact, I have quite a few of them. Some stay in my closet year round and are worn under sweaters and jackets in the cooler seasons.

No, I didn’t really need another sleeveless top, but I spotted this one in the local thrift store earlier this week and it came home with me. I was actually there to look for books because I’ve been reading more than ever this summer and I was running out. The fitting rooms are still closed, but I was able to try the top on over the one I was wearing. I knew it fit but there was no mirror anywhere. I had no idea how it looked on me, but I decided to take a chance. At just $3.00, with all it’s original tags still on and an original price of $75.00, what did I have to lose? Besides, I wanted something new to share with you today!

The greige (is it grey or is it beige?) colour, the soft, breathable fabric, the mother-of-pearl buttons, and the lacy inlays give the top a romantic, vintage look.

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I’ve styled it with an old pair of light cotton capris for a cool, casual look on a hot summer day. A thrifted necklace that I’ve had for several years, a pair of gold flip flops, and a hat finish off the look.