Be sure to visit Sally McGraw at Already Pretty this morning for her post about fashion and body image through the years. Sal invited me to contribute, and I was honored to oblige.
When I started Wardrobe Therapy, I was thinking it was because I had nothing to wear. Where I got that impression, I don't know, as it's turning out that I am pretty well supplied (except for cold-weather tops, but I haven't needed any during my personal summer). When it comes to Piles of Bottoms (sorry, Duchess!), I have lots and to spare.
This stack is of the bottoms I will wear for work. From the top: Khaki jeans, black jeans, khaki brushed cotton slacks, black linen capris, and khaki cotton crop pants. I have ordered a pair of L.L. Bean chino khaki-colored walking shorts, as well. We have a uniform black polo to wear with them. Boring, but functional, I feel like I can safely say I have plenty with which to make it through the summer. I suppose they qualify as Stalwart Staples.
My go-to pants, every day lately has been these:
These are Lee Rider stretch jeans, and I have two pair. They are from K-Mart! I can hardly believe it, I NEVER shop at K-Mart. K-Mart opened it's first store a few miles from my house, then grew to huge proportions. Now they are affiliated with Sears in some way, don't ask me to explain. My BIL is a district manager in Green Bay, so you'd think I would shop there more frequently. But the K-Marts around me tend to be a huge mess with products of questionable quality.
Last year, in February, we drove from Detroit to Captiva Island, Florida with friends. On the way home (a two-day drive) I spilled coffee on the one pair of jeans I had brought. No time to do laundry, so I ran into a nearby K-Mart and came back with these. They fit so well, I went back and grabbed a second pair.
Is it kosher to put pairs of nondescript jeans in the category of Superstars? I'm doing it anyway.
I'm such a rebel.
I am including spring/summer bottoms in this WT, so here are a couple more Stalwart Staples...
I think these are Meronas, which is Target's in-house brand. They are comfortable and light, and I have at least three t-shirt style tops to match each of them. I think I've had them for two years, and they get a lot of wear in the summer. So do these, which qualify for Superstar status...
These are Liz Claiborne stretch denim capris. They fit perfectly, and I look great in them. They are also insanely comfortable. What more can you ask for? I can hardly wait until it's warm enough here to wear them. We have a trip coming up to Vero Beach, Florida at the end of April, so I'll be able to wear them then, at the latest.
Some more Superstars...
This pair of chino shorts is from Eddie Bauer. Eddie Bauer has designed their pants, capris, and shorts with my body shape in mind. This pair are called Vashon fit, but I can also wear their other styles easily. There used to be an Eddie Bauer Outlet near me, but alas, they have closed or moved away. Even the clothes from the standard Eddie Bauer store are not expensive, considering the quality of the materials and the construction. The things I buy from them are sturdy, well-made and fashionable. They will last years. Why then, does my heart skip a beat when I see a price tag on a garment I like? I really need to talk myself out of the Target mentality. Cute stuff there, too, but not usually the highest quality. Here are a couple more Superstars...
Left to right: Neutral brown-ish (dirt color!) Mercer fit slacks from Eddie Bauer, Charcoal gray Bremerton fit, side-zip slacks, also from Eddie Bauer. This second pair fits under Velveteen Rabbits, as that third box? Shows the light/shiny spot near the left hip. I have no idea what to do to blend that spot again, but those pants take 10 pounds off of me, and I am not willing to part with them!
I also have those skirts that I kicked off WT with...
I'd like to keep one of the three skirts. I'll need to try them on, and decide then. That combo in the center? Is adorable, and looks AWFUL on me. Not the fit, the color. What was I thinking, buying that straw color? It's almost the exact same shade as my face, so I disappear in it. Worn ONCE. I think they are both either 12s or 14s. If you want them? I will ship them to you (not you, Captain, don't even ask). The last three fit under the category of day dresses. I wear the one on the left a few times every summer, as it's light and comfy, the middle one looks like a jumper from Catholic school. So does the last one, but at least the one on the right is within the realm of "colors I can wear."
Phew, this is a long enough post. More later this week on my "personal fashion statement." The very thought of which makes me tremble.
