Pix-Elated

I had all day teaching sessions twice this week in Prince Edward County. And our weather is insane! On Monday it was really cold so I was wearing booties, wool culottes, leather jacket. Yesterday it was in the high 20s (80s F) and today it was back to 15C, so I tried out Angie's tweed and graphic tee. My shirt is from Out of Print and it is library card stamps -- the students in my writing workshop loved it. 

ETA: I almost forgot!!! I wore the tweedy outfit out to lunch afterward my teaching and it was the place our PM ate at a few days ago! A really great little spot called Agrarian. The server told us that he and Sophie were incredibly warm and gracious and loved the food and the other customers (yes, they kept the place open!) were extremely polite and left them alone, except for two men who went over and introduced themselves. 

So, I am on the hunt for wide leg crops. I'd like a pair in dark wash denim and/ or a pair in linen or some other summery fabric, maybe chambray. Here's my dilemma. Because I'm short legged and crops can be challenging for me to wear without careful styling -- plus, wide-legs can be a bit overwhelming to my frame -- ideally I'd like a higher rise, but I'm worried that is going to prove impossible.

Here's why: I'm long in the rise for my height/ size.

High waisted jeans often give me a "wedgie". I'm having flashbacks!! This was my constant frustration back in the 80s and now that the higher rises are coming back it looks to be happening again. A mid rise seems more "adjustable" somehow, or at any rate, I've never had this problem with any mid or low rise pant. (A low rise can occasionally be too low, and was also "leg shortening" to my body type, but that is a different issue.

I ordered these great GAP high rise wide legs in my regular size and a size up (even though people said they fit large). Guess what? Not on me. The problem is, you guessed it, the rise, which isn't quite long enough in either size. If I size up any more, they will be too big all over.

To describe the fit problem more specifically -- they fit in the waist/ hip. They fit in the bum (from side to side, if that makes sense). It is from the waist to the crotch point that they feel "grabby" and uncomfortable. They look (and generally feel) okay in the front. You would never know there was a problem, looking straight on. But the back rise feels awful.  I have very bad memories of wearing pants like this all the time in the 80s -- now I remember why I wore skirts all the time back then when I could!!

So, does this mean I should simply stick to a mid-rise? J. Crew has a cute chambray mid-rise version I could try, for instance. Or I could order the ones LisaP found (though I'd rather not have black).

Another possibility -- more voluminous ones might work...I used to get a better fit sometimes with pleated trousers back in the 80s or ones that had more drape, or maybe some elastic in the waist for adjustability up and down on the body -- I don't need it for the width but for where the pant sits on me vertically. 

Anybody have thoughts? If you are also long in the rise have you had success with this style yet?

I had an entire 3 hours of shopping time in the big city today and yesterday, whoo-hoo!!! 

Except it didn't turn out to be quite the spend-a-thon I might have hoped for. :)  I went to Bloor Street for about an hour on Wednesday evening and the Eaton Centre from 10 until noon today. 

Friends, I am learning why I shop online!

In all seriousness, it was lovely to have the time on my own to wander. It was great to be there in the morning today, when everything was quiet and serene. I got great service and had lots of space around me. It was fun to finger things and see colours in real life. 

But apart from my fun new jacket, I found nothing worth bringing home with me. :( 

I had ordered a few things from J. Crew but nothing worked except for a pair of shorts and a metallic tee. Either the size was off or the cut wasn't right or something. I will probably re-order the popover in a different size. It was not available in store. Nor were the Rayner jeans in my size. In fact, almost nothing was available in my size. 

I went to BR in two locations, in hope of finding those fun linen pants LisaP discovered -- no luck. Did not find anything else I liked, either. 

Went into both Zaras (Bloor and Eaton) and liked a few things in both stores, a least in theory -- but they did not have my size. 

Went into Massimo Dutti and saw gorgeous orchid coloured sweaters, etc., but do not need. 

Went to the new M0851 and enjoyed looking but was not crazy about unlined bags. 

Went into Club Monaco and was not tempted by anything. 

Went into Ann Taylor and did not fall in love with anything; went into Loft and tried the toile blazer but I needed a size down (or was between sizes) and they did not have it. It didn't look as good on me as the tweed jacket I ended up buying. 

Went into about 8 shoe stores and could not find bright shoes apart from a few total flats or sky high heels. Lots of lovely neutral shoes but I want a bright colour. 

So, what think you? Was this a fluke, or what? I'm going to get busy with some serious online shopping this weekend!!   :) 

Meanwhile, you see below the sum total of my spring/ summer refresh so far! 

What I want: 

• Wide leg crop jeans/ pants (either, or more likely, both -- for pants, linen would be great or light cotton).
• A few short boxy tops to wear with them. 
• A bright red or fuchsia shoe or sandal, not a flat, not a loafer, but not a high heel. 
• A red or fuchsia or yellow bag (should be easier to find)
• A top with interesting sleeve detail

You know my saga about the unworn booties sitting in my closet. I  bought five pair this year [cough, blush, count them]. Yes, five. In my defence, these were replacements for older worn ones. 

Two of these proved rugged enough for at least occasional street wear in late fall/ winter on my horrid slushy icy snowy streets (at least on plowed days when I was not walking far). 

But three pair were simply unwearable except indoors. And I did not get a chance to wear the white ones even once -- despite a super high comfort factor on these. 

Well, people, I am here to tell you, it is spring!! Still grey, still no green, still chilly -- but no slush, snow, or sleet in sight. I wore these today to the dentist of all places and already got three compliments! 

Nothing special about the outfit except fun footwear!! Yay!!! 

So...it's not quite time for my annual closet switch out, but I’m easing into things by washing and putting away the cashmere sweaters and weeding out the items that are worn out or too rarely worn and no longer loved.

I have not bought clothes since December, and December's purchase was pair of snow boots, one heavy sweater to replace a worn-out version, and a necklace. So in truth, I haven’t made any significant clothing purchases since September. I've barely browsed the online stores, haven't looked much in at B&M stores, and don't even glance at the sale notices that file into my junk folder. 

I didn’t need anything, and I didn’t miss shopping. Instead, I got busy with my life (which has been quite stressful) and I wore the heck out of my clothes.

Actually, to be more accurate, I wore the heck out of my at-home uniform. Increasingly, since I started wearing my hair grey, I seem to gravitate to navy/ ink denim and sweaters/ shirts, with a good belt and chunky silver/ pewter accessories. Add fab booties/ boots and coat for when I go out, and a fab bag. (Actual items in Finds)

Yes, I have a striped sweater, a patterned sweater, pink pullover, a pale blue pullover, a grey cardigan, a burgundy cardigan (see Finds)— and I wore each and every one of these multiple times this winter. And yes, there were days when I was glad to be putting on something a bit out of the ordinary. 

But honestly? My navy/ ink stuff is what I reach for 8 times out of 10 for my at-home work wear — and even for my “going out” wear, although in that case it will be supplemented by a 3rd piece like a statement jacket or (gasp)  a navy blazer and more jewellery or a scarf.

My navy/ ink stuff is what I do not tire of. I always feel capable, confident, smart, professional, dramatic, and easy in ink/navy. 

In summer, add white to that, and I’d be fine if I had nothing else — as long as I had a super fun bright or metallic bag and footwear.

What does this mean? I think I’m just in a phase of uniform dressing and that is okay. I still respond to colour but love it especially in bags, footwear, coats, scarves, and jackets. I still like (and get) variety via the cut of my jeans. It is vital for me to have an updated denim capsule. I still like fun statement pieces for special events. And, I still need them. I’m not going to toss anything that I still enjoy, even if I only wear it a couple of times a year.

But this does make me think I might consider investing more in my “uniform” of ink/ navy (with some grey, and with lashings of white in summer) and make it more deliberate, the way Jenn has done.

I am also considering the "French 5" now that I have my essentials more or less in place. 5 fabulous higher quality items per season (I will do four seasons). 

I am trying to think about spring purchases. I definitely want: 

A silver/ pewter sneaker
A new and interesting belt
A new bag

Not sure what else should be on my 5. I need to investigate the state of my spring knits. I do have a few spring weight sweaters but I think I am due for more.