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 . . . .
ReplyDeleteI an see the daffs sprouting here - no flowers yet - and yesterday's snow is melting, so there's hope for me as well, Joan!
DeleteWe 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.
ReplyDeleteAnon, where are you? Arizona? The Palm Springs area in California?
DeleteNope the very southern inland end of the Bay Area in California. We in theory had a cooling trend, still got to 90 yesterday. This weather used to happen only in the summer here. Of course SF is only 60 degrees . We have fifteen different micro climates. I am 75 miles south of SF. Ten miles from the coast.
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeletePam, in colder climates, we're all about the layering. I an still hear my mom, and her mom before her, barking, "Put on a sweater!"
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI hear you about shopping, Edith. If stores handed out G&Ts while you were browsing, it would be a much better experience...
DeleteHear, hear, Julia!
DeleteYes, 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.
DeleteOh, there are definitely clothing rules and styles that stay with us throughout life. This winter, I started wearing dress pants (nicely styled!) to church instead of a skirt of a dress, and I swear I can feel my mother's disapproval from beyond the grave.
DeleteI grew up in the 50's going to church and we always had to our hair combed, our Sunday best dress and shoes. A few years ago I drove past our local Catholic church on a Sunday morning and the locals certainly take beach attire to a new level. Everyone was wearing either jeans, shorts, casual shirts and at least tennis shoes as opposed to flip flops. I was pretty shocked. But I'm sure the parents are happy at least their kids are attending and I guess that is what counts!
DeleteMy grandmother was actually wearing slacks to church in the eighties, Julia. But it was more for ease of life. She always wore stockings and girdle, NOT pantyhose with skirts and dresses and when her body just wasn't bending and flexing and she actually went with practicality over fashion. I am, now, comfortable wearing blue denim to church. I've worn black denim for years but not the blue.
DeleteWe went to a beautiful, jam-packed Catholic funeral mass for a friend recently and I noticed that my husband (73) was one of the few men in a suit. Since it was about 0°F, he even wore my father's charcoal wool overcoat, to please me. I wore my mother's black long wool coat. He and I are so ratty most of the time, I do enjoy those occasions when we dress up to the standards we were raised in, in the early 1960s. (Selden)
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
ReplyDeleteElisabeth, I have a good friend who wears the same tightly edited colors in her wardrobe year round, and I envy her discipline. It's a very stylish and practical way to manage how you dress.
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteAt the very least, Becky, it gives one hope to see the models enjoying the clothing in beach and resort settings!
DeleteWe 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.
Fingers crossed for the golf game, Susan!
DeleteI'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......
ReplyDeleteIt may just get warm enough for you to wear it at the end of this summer, CT! :-D
DeleteSince 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.
ReplyDeleteThat's one of the most aggravating parts of this time of year, Dru Ann - the temperature swings!
DeleteWhat 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!!
ReplyDeleteAmanda, the first time I'm able to go outdoors without pulling on boots always feels like Liberation Day!
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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.
ReplyDeleteReplyDelete
I do wonder what it's like to live in a climate where you never have to switch, like Hawai'i. Is it convenient? Or does it get boring?
DeleteMy sister lives in Oahu, HI and they pretty much wear t-shirts, shorts and flip flops year round. The kids attend school barefoot, yes, the shoes are lined up outside the classroom.
DeleteThe funny thing is when she and her family would visit us in So Cal. they would complain how cold it was and were bundled up in jackets, long pants and thick sox and shoes. Our weather in the mid 70's was much too cold for them.
Love to visit Hawaii - just have to throw a towel, bathing suit and a few t-shirts/shorts in the bag and off we go.
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)
Selden, I'm wearing 20 year old Talbots pants right now!
DeleteFor me it's not so much the electric, but the fuel oil. I went though all 275 gallons and ran out in February, and the March fill-up happened after the prices shot up. Groan...
Julia, we have electric heat (as we were advised to, because then it was very cheap). Last month's bill was over $1k. I almost fainted. (Selden)
DeleteWhat’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.
ReplyDeleteEmily, this is the first time I've seen a good use case for those smart thermostats. I always thought, "I can just walk over and switch it myself," but in your case, it makes sense!
DeleteSomedays, 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.
ReplyDeleteThose rare perfect in-between season finds are the real workhorses in every northerner's closet, Margaret!
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteWhy?
DeleteI have a lot of light, drapey summer clothing, and lightweight layers like cardigans and shirts, Judy. As you can imagine, my whole family is VERY conscious of sun exposure...
DeleteGiven 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.
And we're all very grateful you're not getting arrested, Jay! :-D
DeleteJulia, 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.
Diana, I have to admit I used "crop top" for the rhythm of the phrase, not because I wear them. Like you, I think my last foray into baring my midsection happened when I was 21!
DeleteToday 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!
Margo, snickering over Ruth on Shetland's short pants. Why on earth did they choose that style for her? Maybe to get revenge for Ashley Jensen's fabulous wardrobe in Agatha Raisin?
DeleteI'm laughing as well, Margo. And yes - I think our catalogues were Sears or Dillards, but every Easter was a new outfit for me and my sister. I have a photo from 1968 where I'm extremely stylish in brown and white sleeveless dress with a white and brown jacket. Honestly, I'd wear the same thing today - when it gets warmer!
DeleteOh 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!
DeleteGroup shopping trip followed by Happy Hour!
DeleteAbso-effing-lutely!
DeleteEdith and Julia, absolutely! I have a “formal” wedding to attend at the end of this month and must buy a new dress. I saw one I liked yesterday at Sarah Campbell but at $458 (!!!) it was a no. FrugalFannie’s tomorrow morning. Wish me luck!
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.
Ooo, Liz, you're going to be the fashion maven among us this spring and summer! And I hear you about shopping for pants - I swear sometimes it feels like having a pair made by a seamstress or tailor would be better (or at least more sanity-saving.)
DeleteSummer 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…
ReplyDeleteIt's the worst! Fellow former skinny arms person here.
DeleteWeights can fix your arms in six weeks. Not heavy weights, probably need three times a week for thirty minutes.
DeleteOh, Jonelle, the arms are the worst! No sleeveless shirts for me these days...
DeleteJonelle, I just say *bleep* it and wear what I want. It's not like I'm going to look 35 again even if my upper arms are tight...
DeleteEven 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!
DeleteSame story at my Purdue dorm!
DeleteIt must have been the same architect in Ithaca, because we had the same problem at my dorm. It would be zero outside with the wind howling, and our dorm room felt like a steam bath!
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.
Annette, The Hubby had to drag out the winter coat, hat, and gloves when he went out this morning!
DeletePutting away your winter coat is like putting away the snow shovel - if you do it too early, you're just tempting the gods of winter.
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteAnon, I know if we get a string of 90° days here in the summer, I'll be complaining along with the best of them. Everyone should have a hobby, right?
DeleteHard 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
DeleteYes! Always bought Alfred Dunner outfits for my MIL.
DeleteIt' true, Ann, my oldest daughter LIVES in leggings, as do many of her peers. Or, if not leggings, baggy pants that cover your feet entirely. I may look Alfred Dunner, but I'll stick with jeans that fit and don't drag on the floor.
DeleteMy biggest complaint when I was teaching middle school were the teen age boys who not only had baggy pants but they sagged down below their butts. It drove me crazy. I wanted to go over and pull them up and tie a rope thru their belt buckles. ERRRR!!!
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.
ReplyDeleteThe dreaded rumbling of the furnace, Flora... yes, I'm longing for open windows as well!
DeleteBecause of the garden I have been watching the 10-day forecast (which is, oddly, really 14 days) for weeks now. And last night was the last one with freezing temps for the foreseeable future, huzzah! Today, I will put a few of the hardier houseplants out on the back stoop for some remedial sunshine. And to make a little more room in the family room for book club tomorrow night, since it's my turn to host. It will be in the high 70's, so we will also be able to hang out on the screened in porch!
ReplyDeleteJulia, love the catalog photo! I had a shift dress with sailor collar similar to the pink one in the first photo, early high school. It would have been more fun wearing dresses back then if we had not been expected to wear nylons with them. Luckily, today's Lilly Pullitzer-equivalents can be worn with bare legs without sending people into swoons.
Pastels are not my first choice, so at the end of summer I am always eager for my jewel- and autumn-toned cozy sweaters, scarves, cord pants, and boots. Pretty sure I wore my boots for the last time until fall last weekend.
We've had a late cold snap here, Karen, after many of tropicals were already set out! But nothing below mid forties and now warming up again, so I think all is okay--if I can just get all the plants into their pots!
DeleteWe're still predicted to have below freezing temps for the majority of the nights in our 10 day forecast, Karen. I'm reminding myself that makes for a long and productive maple syrup season!
DeleteMy current trip began with me going to the REI in San Jose to grab shorts and a skort for the weather in the 80s. I also picked up a merino quarter-zip on sale that came in very handy for the 35* in Chicago yesterday, which I enjoyed because between SoCal and menopause I don’t get to wear cozy clothes any more.
ReplyDeleteLisa, my most recent book tour sent me to Sottsdale, AZ (upper 60s, low 70s) the Houston (upper 80s) and then immediately to Portland, ME and upstate NY (35 to well below freezing.) Packing was a real challenge!
DeletePacking for different weather is certainly a challenge Julia! We had to pack for a very rainy and very cold Norway then fly to a very hot and sunny east coast one year. We tried to pack everything into each of our one carry on. Not easy but was doable.
DeleteNow that I am retired, I wear what I love and what is comfortable. I have a favorite sweatshirt that is a good 30 years old (daughters' high school) and it is like a favorite blanket! Fortunately it is in excellent condition. I have a few jeans, and a couple of yoga pants that are intentionally on the loose side (appropriate to my age) which is what just about everyone - old/young - wear around town.
ReplyDeleteUGG boots - regular boots and ankle boots. I don't care if they are fashionable or not they make my feet so happy!
DeleteComfy clothes and happy feet are what it's all about, Anons!
DeleteMorning All ~ what a fun posting! And those pictures. It seems to me that buying/wearing new clothes and dresses was more fun back then. I get a sweet feeling looking at those pictures. Nobody dresses up around here. Jeans rule a very boring dress code. I long for a nice dress that doesn’t scream the 50’s and 60’s thus making me look my age (but they were so pretty) but that are a fun way to celebrate spring and summer. Oh the memories of the new outfit for Easter that included patten leather Mary Janes and a new purse to match. Dressing was more fun, thus so was shopping. Now I really dislike clothes shopping. And on the one hand, wearing jeans is easier than dressing up, and on the other hand, dressing up made me happy back in the day. Thanks for the words and the pictures. A delightful blog today.
ReplyDeletePaula, I dress up to suit myself when I want to - although I admit, I wouldn't do the everything-matches look we had back then. On the other hand, if anyone wants to bring back hats, I could get behind that!
Delete"patten leather Mary Janes" OMG! I loved my Mary Janes - I thought they were so cute and definitely an Easter must have.
ReplyDeleteAnon, they're literally coming back for grown ups! It's a great look for the "stylish but my feet are picky" crowd.
DeleteYes, leather shoes like Mary Janes hurt my bunions now - so sadly they are out.
DeleteI love the transitional weather… Where I can wear a floaty skirt and a big sweater. so funny though, there is always the day, and you can put your finger on it, where do you think nope, sweaters are over. Wool things get sent to the cleaners. It’s such a seasonal rite!
ReplyDeleteI do not even own a wool sweater, cotton only. There are very few days that I can wear sweaters in my current California climate.
DeleteYep, the end of the season wool-and-cashmere laundering is also a ritual for me.
DeleteAnon, if I lived in SoCal, I wouldn't own any woolen sweaters either!
Yes, please. Although today while wearing my ice cleats and walking my dog back into the upper field, I was able to have my coat open - progress! I am so ready for tee shirts and light weight jeans without flannel lining. That's not too much to ask!
ReplyDeleteOoo, the open coat! For me, it's when I can go from the house to the car and the car to the Hanneford without a coat... keeping in mind I'm wearing a long-sleeved undershirt, turtleneck, and wool sweater...
DeleteWarm or seasonal? That is the question from my MA perch in 30-40 degree weather. Right now I have two sweaters on for inside the house. When I was getting ready to go out yesterday I was thinking I should wear something colorful and seasonal then I heard the forecast and put on dull and warm.
ReplyDeleteSunday, I saw the Easter bunny hopping by with earmuffs on. I also think I may have seen some fur peeking out from under the Easter bonnets.
My sweaters just laugh at me for even thinking about putting them away.
But…tomorrow is another day, at least it is not snowing today and it may even get to 50 tomorrow with a hint of 60 for Friday.
The Boston marathon is a little over a week away and I have never seen the runners going by with snow boots and parkas. You aren’t that far away in Maine so you can come visit for a gradual thaw-out. The daffodils should be waving their leaves with their blossoms in full bloom by then.
That's a good thought, Anon - and no one ever suggests Revere, Dawes and Prescott had to ride through snow to warn each Middlesex village and farm!
DeleteIt is definitely time to do the seasonal clothes switcheroo here. I only kept three short sleeved t-shirts out of the storage box over the winter and those are now the daily rotation. Maybe tomorrow I'll drag the boxes out of the attic.
ReplyDeleteJulia, I loved the photos! And I think those Fifties dresses are back in fashion.
They are, Debs! I keep seeing them online and thinking, wait - I have family photos of my mother and her sisters wearing those same dresses!
DeleteMany of the cozy mysteries on Acorn and BritBox have shows that take place in the 1950's and I love the 50's womens fashions. Father Brown has the best 50's outfits imho.
DeleteHere in Minnesota, we’re finally having temperatures that support puffy coat downsizing! I’ve broken out what I call my “Nigella;” a white denim jacket. (I saw Nigella Lawson wearing one on her cooking show a million years ago and just had to have one!)
ReplyDeleteThese temperature bounces are driving me nuts. Not what to wear so much as whether I need the heat or the A/C. Currently I'm wearing my jeans until it gets too hot for them. A tee under my sweatshirt. I'm not leaving the house today so I don't care what I look like.
ReplyDeleteYesterday after my physical therapy, I had some more things to do out and about, but I only had a t-shirt on and no jacket in the car. It wasn't cold outside, but it was chilly, and part of my plans was sitting outside for about an hour. Instead of going home to get a jacket, I was close to Kohl's, so I decided to go buy a new one. This was not quite the indulging act it may sound like. I needed a new jacket anyway. Well, while picking up a jacket there, I also came across some spring/summer items that I thought would be good for our cruise the first two weeks of August, with four days in Athens before that and two days in Barcelona after. And, I was thinking color because I was thinking of bright sunny days (which will probably be hot as Hades days), so I found a couple of blouses that could only be called cheerful. Of course, I bought them, and when I was in line waiting, I went to the Kohl's site on my phone and an extra 30% off the already on-sale items popped up, an offer lasting for only an hour. I've started looking at some light, colorful dresses, too online. I didn't realize just how much I had worn black all winter, and it felt good to see the colorful new options. Oh, and about the cruise. It's a small ship cruise, limit of 670 people. I know some people love the big ships, but I don't have any desire to get on one of those.
ReplyDeleteJulia, like Debs, I enjoyed seeing the pictures of the 50s dresses in your post. I've always liked the dresses from then. I have a favorite picture of my mother and two of her neighbor friends sitting on the wall of our driveway in their summer dress.
Another Mainer here, but I have only lived in Maine for a year and a half. After 25 years of living in North Carolina, 3/4 of my wardrobe is spring and summer attire,—lots of floaty skirts, shorts, tank tops, T-shirts, and sandals. Yes, I am very tired of that 1/4 of my wardrobe that’s actually winter stuff. I do love warm and cozy sweaters, sheepskin, boots, and all that, but not for nine months out of the year! I grew up in Pennsylvania, and spent the first 45 years of my life there, so I was used to the cold, but not Maine cold! I walked around my yard today, and saw day lilies and hyacinths and some daffodils coming up, so I do think spring is on the way. Hallelujah!
ReplyDeleteThere was that one weekend in January with 3 days of ice when it was comfortable to wear long pants, long sleeves. Then we jumped back to early Spring, when wearing long pants was tolerable. Then our temperatures got back on track & here we are with the best weather of the year, April in north Texas (about 50 miles south of Deborah C.) So, we kinda’ do “seasonal” for a couple of weeks. HOT comes too soon, stays too long. No complaints about cool weather here.
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