Changes being made. . . . . . . . . . .

Monday again and before practicing my Tai Chi (oooh! it's really 

hard to remember all the moves) for tonight's class, I feel like writing

 a 'fashion post' of sorts.

I'm making what hopefully will be some easier to manage wardrobe changes.

This winter I decided to start on minimizing my overloaded closet.

This doesn't mean I've yet completed this project by any stretch of

the imagination. . . . . . . .but I have made some changes and am

definitely working on more. When I pack away my cold weather clothes

come Spring I plan to donate everything I didn't wear.

At my age I don't require so many clothes hanging in closets, folded on

 shelves, and stacked in drawers.

I have some favorites I will never part with. I have many items of the past few

 years working perfectly for my lifestyle, but I also have a load of lesser loved

clothes which have run their course for one reason or another. 

This doesn't mean I'll never not shop for anymore clothes, shoes, bags etc.

Let's face it, I'm only human and admit to being a woman who loves fashion.

Also, between you and me, just today I ordered footwear. . . . . more on that

in another post!

What I'm wanting for my lifestyle when it comes to dressing at this time of my life, 

is a cut and dried plan where less is more. It's going to be hard but the outcome 

looks promising.  Sailing on ships where I've been limited to keeping my 

clothing at a minimum due to space, I've discovered life is a lot easier 

when you have less to choose from, and even more exciting when your

 creative side is tapped into.

I plan to follow the mantra of companies such as Cuyana, 

'Fewer, better things.' 

This embodies essential pieces for the modern woman

made from premium materials and well constructed.

Eileen Fisher also comes to mind and I often look for sales as regular

 prices are high, but I can vouch that her clothes wear very well, the

 fabrics are wonderful, my type of elegant fashion - styles are edgy and

 never look dated.

I'm also a great J.Jill fan (see below) of many years and have several

now 'almost vintage' pieces of their clothing still wearable and enjoyed.

I think back to my younger days when my wardrobe was similar, much more

 sparse (and what I'm aiming for again) mainly because my mother made

 many of my clothes, textiles were important to us, and I didn't find what I 

wanted to wear in affordable shops. These days, with so many options for

 purchasing trendy clothing at cut rate prices, it seems we are lured into

 buying far too much. This way of dressing is great for the young, however

 perhaps we mature women need less as we downsize not only our wardrobes,

 but also many other facets of our lives. 

All that said, as I go through my clothes choosing what to pack for my upcoming

somewhat 'wild trip', I decided I will take one dress after all!

Several years ago I purchased a really nice black textured knit dress from J.Jill -

in fact I liked it so much I bought another when it went on sale. 

For me it's actually a perfect length worn as an above the knee tunic over leggings

 so will be ideal on board the ship as we don't need to take formal clothes.

 This little dress can easily be 'dressed up' with scarves or jewelry for evening. 

Jewelry!

That's something I plan to address also in another post.

Costume jewelry to be exact - not our keepsake pieces marking those

very special dates in our lives - all the other cheapo 'stuff' which gets crammed

 into jewelry boxes, little cloth drawstring bags, discarded chocolate boxes!!!

You know where I'm coming from don't you?

Hope this will be a great week wherever you are.

Any plans to reorganize your own wardrobe?

Tips will be appreciated.

The lovely Japanese decluttering guru Marie Kondo can help with

 organizing and more. I'm pulling my copy of Spark Joy out of the

 bookcase right now!

Please note, I'm not involved in any advertising on my blog - any companies' products I name are only because I use/wear the items myself. 

Wrapping up for Spring. . . . . . . .

I'm moving on now, ready to discuss and share happier things in life than 

health issues and aging! I must just say though that I really appreciated

your well wishes, and that you shared your personal stories, in your 

comments on my previous post. Thank you so much.

I love clothes in neutral shades. If you looked in my closet you might think 'boring'.

I have nothing in primary colors but plenty in black, and at least 50 shades of grey! 

Are you going to see that movie? I haven't even read the book, doubt I will,  

and although I love Jamie Dornan and am currently watching The Fall, 

the BBC psychological drama he stars in, this big screen movie with him is 

definitely not on my list. . . . .call me a bit of a prude if you must!

Anyway let's get on to the more serious business of COATS, putting them on not 

taking them off!  Coats, along with jackets, are wardrobe items I enjoy a lot.

At first I missed wearing beautiful warm, heavy wool coats when I 

moved south. My 'life in England' years, followed by twelve New England Winters, 

meant bringing out the bulky coats, those buttoned, belted maxis, dragging on the 

ground when one sat down or tried to enter and exit the car. They were warm when 

snug was a prerequisite for life in chilly, damp climates. I have gradually let go of my 

heavy coats having lived here in the warmer Winters of North Carolina almost 35 years. 

I now seek only lighter versions, usually unlined, loose, no more than one button, 

definitely no belts, and for me the perfect length is just at the knee.

Zara Spring coat looks interesting - styled more like a loose jacket.

I would really love a new Spring coat this year. My go to coat this mild Winter 
has been my very comfy, unlined, black/white boucle from J.Jill some years back. 
I love it and get many compliments on it. It's as comfy as a big, loose sweater jacket.

Similar in fabric and color to the above coat, its style is very much like this 
mustard colored coat below.

For some reason I adore this very yellow coat!

Would I wear it? I'm wondering. I would never get lost in this coat. 
On the other hand I could never hide in it either, except perhaps in a field of daffodils!  
Would I look like a NYC taxicab, or a school crossing guard on a rainy day? 
I love it with black and white, especially the stripes.

ZARA coats are lovely - many of their clothes are awesome, I've shopped in 

several stores when in Europe. I know they're in major US cities and am hoping for 

a bricks and mortar store here soon. ZARA are you listening? Please come to

Raleigh, North Carolina.

Meanwhile I may have to order online to see, feel, try on one of these!