JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Yesterday's subject was a little bleak, yeah? Sorry. I think this past winter has broken me. I just want to be warm again - not only in my kitchen, when the woodstove's blazing, or in my parlor/office, with the doors shut and my wee electrical hater on. I want it to be warm in my whole house, which I keep VERY cool because, as is common in much of northern New England housing, I heat with fuel oil, which is basically tossing ten dollar bills into the furnace to keep it going.
I want it to be warm when I'm working outside, and running errands, and going to church (another huge old building! Even with the new electric radiators, most of us wear coats or woolen scarves during mass.)
And mostly, I want it to be warm so I can finally toss off my three-layer outfits and bulky sweaters and wear something light and fun and colorful!
I know, it sounds so frivolous. But I've been wearing my winter workhorse staples since October, and I've gotten so sick of them. It feels like the only pants I ever put on are black corduroy, red velveteen, and gray flannel. With black cashmere, red wool, and gray alpaca. Sometimes I go wild and wear gray cashmere, black wool, and red alpaca. Woo hoo.
It's not a gendered thing, either. I remember my late husband putting on one of his Hawaiian shirts to wear at school despite the early April sleet. He would go out and do the first yard work of the season in his favorite T-shirt. He always denied he was cold - he used to say a native Mainer didn't need anything else when it was 45°/7°. Maybe. But I suspect he was just as sick of winter clothes as I am now.
I can almost hear them murmuring from the containers beneath my bed and the clothes rack in the attic. "Julia..." they say. "Linen skirts, sleeveless shirts, cropped jeans! Flamingo pink, aqua blue, mango orange!"
Someday, my beloved spring and summer clothing, someday. Yes, it snowed yesterday. Yes, tonight's low will be 24°/-4°. But it won't be cold forever. And I just read we may have a super El Nino year coming, with hotter than usual temperatures! Usually I'm anti-climate change, but after this winter, I may have to change my stance.
How about you, dear readers? Are you longing to exchange your turtlenecks for crop tops? And for those of you living in balmier climes, does the opposite happen? Do you sometimes yearn for boots and sweaters?
Oh, yes, I yearn for the days when I don't have to wrap myself up in heavier clothing and sweaters just to keep warm . . . but the daffodils are popping up and [finally!] there is no more snow on the ground, so warmer weather can't be too far behind . . . .
ReplyDeleteWe have had our air conditioning on several times since the end of January! We never needed air conditioning until fifteen years ago. We regularly reach 100 F, even in March. Reaching 100 used to only happen in July through September.
ReplyDeleteI live in coastal NC where we had a tougher winter this year. I’ve never really lived in very cold climates so really don’t have great winter clothes so my fairly short winter stint made me learn layering. I’m in Michigan at the moment, leaving air conditioned weather for wayyyy colder weather. On my way back today and will be glad to get back to warmer weather.
ReplyDeleteI rather like being bundled into hoodies and cozy pants. My spring and summer garb needs freshening up, especially for professional gigs, but that means SHOPPING, which I find depressing. It will be nice to sit on the deck in a t shirt and shorts, if gin and tonic weather ever gets here.
ReplyDeleteYes, as a new Floridian I embrace the days when I can wear my favorite boots or sweater without looking odd. It is so weird to be at the pool on Halloween or playing pickleball in shorts on Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteMy husband, on the other hand, only ever wears long pants to church. On the cooler days, wearing his shorts and tshirt, he has been asked things like “Where are you from?” and “Are you from Alaska?” People claim our blood will thin after 2-3 years here and we will be “freezing” right along with them when the temperature dips into the 40’s and 50’s and wearing full on parkas, scarves, and gloves. While I feel that I dress appropriately no matter the weather, people here go overboard. I will admit even the slightest breeze here has a bite to it, but also the sun is much hotter on my skin than in Minnesota.
I do think there are some "identifying marks" we take on early in life that don't quite leave us. I always wear a dress and low heels to church. My husband wore a tweed jacket, loafers, chinos, shirt and tie when he went to San Francisco to interview for a headmaster's position in 1996. He got the job but there were many joking remarks. No one doubted that he was from the East coast. (Selden)
DeleteFor the too many funerals that we have attended lately, I have noticed that Jack is over-dressed as he wears pressed pants, a shirt with a tie and an old-man’s cardigan. For my sister’s funeral, my brother said “shouldn’t I wear a suit?” Nooo, we all replied, you would be so obvious and people would think you were the funeral attendants and expect you to pass out the Kleenex. Most people just wash their jeans.
DeleteWhen I ceased being a snowbird and moved my home to FL 6 years ago, the keep warm in winter clothes stayed in CT at Good Will. The long underwear is the only garment I’ve missed (beach walking in the winter wind) but not enough to buy a new pair. The “color switch” that Julia mentions was never a part of my routine. I wore the same colors all year, just changing fabrics and sleeve lengths. Spring always comes as do all the other seasons. Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteI am eyeing the spring dresses at J Crew & Lands End now--even knowing it will be late June before it's warm enough, here by the ocean. Probably, I won't buy any but it is fun to window shop, even in catalogs.
ReplyDeleteWe have had very bi-polar weather here in Ohio this spring. There have been a few instances of hitting 80 one day and having a high of 45 the next, with a low in the 20's in between. So I have been in short pants a few times already, but haven't dared to put anything away. I also long for spring, but with some consistency!
ReplyDeleteBased on last week's higher temperatures, my poor hubby has been very excited because he is invited to golf today at an exclusive country club he has never played before -- and currently our temperature is 29. He is still in a state of denial, hoping against hope it will warm enough early enough to allow him on the course. I have profound doubts.
I'm more longing to stopping refilling my oil tank!! And yes Maine is cold - yesterday we had more SNOW! I look forward to wearing the sundress I bought the end of last summer......
ReplyDeleteSince moving down here, the temps been up with a high in the 80s and low in the low 30s. And we are talking about this type of change in one week. I wish it would stay consistent so I don't have to unpack the heavy clothes.
ReplyDeleteWhat I am longing for is being able to slip my feet into sandals, no socks, no laces to tie, just slip on the sandals and go outside. I am DONE with the layers -- socks, boots, gloves, scarf, jacket/coat, etc. DONE! Bring on the linens!!
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ReplyDeleteOn Easter it was 79 here, but the nights have still been chilly. I couldn't bear to wear black pants to the Easter Vigil, even though I knew it would be cold by the time I left church at 10:30 or so. I dragged out the plastic container from under the bed and pulled out a pair of my light colored summer pants to wear. And on Sunday I wore a dress! It still had the tags on it because I had bought it on clearance at the end of last summer and never worn it. (I did take the tags off before leaving the house) It's still not quite warm enough to do the big clothing switcheroo, but it's close.
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We got two more inches of snow yesterday. It was 10°F this morning but all will probably melt today. I too am eager for spring but mostly to get outside more and to reduce the heating bill. Last month's electric was utterly shocking. The town's billing clerk published a public apology. It is, of course, not within local control to do anything. I will be investigating solar again. In the past it has been beyond our means.
ReplyDeleteWith my diagnosis of lupus a couple of years ago I have to be covered up most of the time so my clothing choices are never very interesting, winter or summer. However to be honest I've always dressed a bit like the ragpicker's daughter except for dress-up occasions when I take refuge in Talbot's or J. Crew, most of them now vintage. (Selden)
What’s driving me crazy is recently I have been switching between heat and cool settings and then I forget what the thermostat is set for.
ReplyDeleteSomedays, it's 80 degrees, and some mornings, we have a freeze warning in Cincinnati. A few years ago, I found the perfect March/April sweater in a consignment shop: a blend of wool and mohair, a cable knit pullover in the softest shell pink, soft and lightweight, but still warm when layered with a turtleneck.
ReplyDeleteI find that I tend to select from the same small number of clothes each season. I know that about myself, and try to go into the "other" closet or deeper into the drawer so that it isn't the same thing all summer or all winter. I bore myself. There is plenty to choose from here. So, I don't really yearn for hot weather or my warm weather wardrobe. The other thing is I don't "rock" summer clothes anymore. So covering arms and legs and neck in hot weather is necessary in lots of situations. Yeah.
ReplyDeleteGiven that the only real change I make to my wardrobe through the year is pants-to-shorts (and back again) and sweatshirts/jackets to not having to wear them and back again, I don't usually have the same kind of longing for clothes changing as others do.
ReplyDeleteI mean, I can wear my Blind Guardian T-shirt during the summer heat and I can wear it when I go to help my friend out at his record shop today. It will just be underneath the sweatshirt is all.
Guys have it SO much easier since the majority of us are likely not nearly as interested in clothing as anything other than a way to avoid felony charges of indecent exposure.
Julia, your essay today reminded me of when I lived on the East Coast. I remember the winter months being below Zero degrees! In March or was it April, if it was 50 degrees outside, it was considered "warm" and I could wear lighter clothes.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up on the West Coast, we rarely got snow unless we went up to Lake Tahoe / the mountains. Last time it snowed in the Bay Area was about 30 years ago. Though it rarely snows, we do get cold weather during the winter months. I prefer cozy sweaters to cropped tops. I exchange heavy winter clothes for lighter spring / summer clothes. I have not worn a cropped top since I was 21 years old.
Today began at 7:45 with “what a winter wonderland!” comment from the peanut gallery. This followed yesterday’s sighting of all of Santa’s reindeer munching in the top field. By the way, at 5:55am this morning, while doing the braille walk to the facilities, I did notice that there was at that time no precipitation.
ReplyDeleteThe morning news is showing pictures of the moon and the milky way from Artemis – those are awe inspiring!
Which brings me to yesterday evening, and today’s essay. I was (not - for once) sleeping in the chair, fully clothed – never mind – with pants that are referred to as my holey pants – more holes than pants. Every day that I wear them, I wonder if it will be their last, and doubt they will make it to gardening, but they are so comfortable and have pockets. Sweatshirt pulled up over my head, and hands in front pocket. Fireplace had the room toasty and warm, so no need for the blankie on my knees. ‘Shetland’ looked cold - Tosh and the other one had huge scarfs wrapped around their necks. The other one’s pants were still too short. Like a flash, I wished that I was in shorts. Maybe still with the sweatshirt, but so I could feel the air on my legs. Maybe on Geriatric Row…
Yesterday, when I was not doing the Income Tax – excuse was that the Internet was wonky – I went shopping for fresh t-shirts, new long pants to garden in, and new underwear – the kind with elastic that works. I need new sneakers too…
Speaking of Easter, which we were a few days ago, does anyone remember getting the Simpson’s or Eaton’s catalogue, picking out the frock, and wearing it (freezing) to church. The one that I remember the most for some reason and not because I liked it, was a Jackie Kennedy style mauve suit. In the picture, I look frozen – but classy!
Oh Julia, this last winter has been awful in so many ways! Yesterday’s snow and grey was bleah! I love the catalog photos. I’d completely forgotten about “Ship’n’Shore”! While winter clothing can camouflage I cannot wait to ditch the socks and turtlenecks and sweaters and scarves! (Although I need to go shopping for spring and summer clothes.cough! I hate clothes shopping!)
ReplyDeleteSuzette, because I also hate shopping, maybe we should go together. I can pick out things for you and you can return the favor!
DeleteAt the urging (insisting) of The Hubby I went shopping this year. Aided by massive sales and an extra 30% off for reactivating my Macy's card (it was an act of mercy - the sales clerk needed 1 more for his monthly quota and it got him a $100 bonus), I bought a full wardrobe including pants that fit through the hips, waist, and thigh! They need hemming, but shopping for pants is enough to reduce me to tears. I also got a full collection of summer shirts. I'm waiting on the final piece, which are new sandals from Clarks.
ReplyDeleteThe Hubby agrees I've done my shopping quota for the year and he can leave me alone for a while.
Summer colors YES! I am dying to fling my black winter uniform back in the closet. But I’ll admit I’ve always sort of disliked summer styles because MY ARMS. When I was young they were absurdly gangly and skinny, and then suddenly I looked down at my elbows a few years ago and…who gave the universe permission to install all that crepey skin where everyone can see it? I’ll just be over here in the long sleeve section, admiring your cheery summer togs from afar…
ReplyDeleteEven though I live in Chicago, I've been wearing shorts and t-shirts at home all winter... my old building has radiator heat (that I can't control) and it is an overachiever! Going outside is another story... but I have to say I prefer the winter wardrobe to the summer one.
ReplyDeleteI lived in a studio apartment in Bloomington, Indiana 49 years ago where I couldn't control the heat. I had to open the window so I didn't die of the heat and snow blew in!
DeleteIt's been a weird(er than normal) spring here in southwestern Pennsylvania. We've had a couple of 80-degree days immediately followed by a 30-something degree day... with fierce wind/thunderstorms in the night between. I could really do without those.
ReplyDeleteI've been gradually swapping my heavier sweaters with a few t-shirts, easing into spring clothes. What I'm REALLY looking forward to, though, is being able to put away the winter coat. I fear it's still too soon, especially since we had frost this morning.
I used to complain about the cold winters and longed for spring and summer. But, then summer came along blazing hot and miserable. Visiting relatives in St. Louis in the summer meant sitting inside with the A/C blasting on high. With climate change it's never predicable.
ReplyDeleteHard freeze last night, up here on the tundra. It was 21 when I got up, and bright sunshine on the frost was gorgeous. But the signs of spring persist, budding dogwoods, rhodies, and forsythia, blooming winter aconite and Scylla and crocuses and Snowdrops. Even the orchids are getting ready to bloom.
ReplyDeleteBut I still live in jeans and sweaters.
About those jeans. Remember the Alfred Dunner matchy-matchy from JC Penney that our mothers wore? Always polyester? Yeah those. Now I notice that most women of a “certain age” are wearing jeans for casual and not so casual. But the young ones? They live in leggings. Like thick panty hose without feet.
I’m thinking all these jeans are my generation’s version of Alfred Dunner.
Quelle horreur!
May be horreur, Ann. But Lee and Levi are the new Dunner . As Prufrock says, “I grow old, I grow old. Shall I wear the bottom of my trousers rolled?” Happy Wednesday. Elisabeth
DeleteI am so with you, Julia! Like my fellow Ohioans have remarked, our temps have been up, down, down further, way up, oops down again! Every week! The pattern seems to have settled on warm, but rain and thunderstorms, then SUNSHINE! but freeze your socks off weather. I wince every time the furnace kicks on and am sick and tired of being bundled up. I want open windows, t-shirts, capris, sandals.
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