https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/retirement-in-the-time-of-covid-19looong Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:16:52 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/retirement-in-the-time-of-covid-19looong#post-2120819 Fri, 15 May 2020 19:08:17 +0000 unfrumped 2120819@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you, Angie and JAileen.&nbsp;<br />I am sort of slowly going through things. Had thought I would do a huge edit but just not in the mood. Trying on a few here and there.&nbsp;<br />I have the luxury of extra closet space in spare bedroom so it has helped me to put things there I know I won't be wearing for months. Not only packed away woolies and things, but any pants and dresses I would only wear for specific occasions with other people. And all non-washables. Again, haven't fully completed even that. <br />For now goal is to weed down to an array of pants,shorts, tops and jackets that I would actually wear at home, on grocery run, walk/exercise, but including nicer items (all my washable nicer knitwear, for example) to experiment with. Also keeping all warm-season footwear in the main closet but arranged with mostly sneakers easiest to get to.<br />I also plan to use my rolling clothes rack, also in spare room, for the "next level up" of items, in case I want to "shop my rack". I think it will help me see more easily what I have that is current "temperature season.".</p> <p>JAileen, I am pretty happy as a homebody, have always enjoyed a lot of "domestic" activities--cooking, arranging flowers, yard work, growing veggies and flowers, table linens--and great to have more time for that. I love being able to "follow the weather"--during working life, I might miss almost whole seasons of what is growing or when to grow it,; now I can be outside when it's sunny and do indoor things when rainy. What a blessing. I do have hobbies and lots of things I like to mess around with, so that is what I am doing. I just want to go see my family members who live out of state! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/retirement-in-the-time-of-covid-19looong#post-2120762 Fri, 15 May 2020 14:41:46 +0000 JAileen 2120762@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congratulations! &nbsp;My husband retired last summer and we’re still adjusting. &nbsp;He goes birding every morning. &nbsp;It fills his heart with joy. &nbsp;While I enjoy it, I don’t want to go every day. &nbsp;So, I do other things - practice my guitar, knit, etc. &nbsp;Having interests that you really love is important. &nbsp;The pandemic has had virtually no effect on my husband. &nbsp;</p> <p>We traveled quite a bit last year, and had to cancel a trip this April. &nbsp;My husband still wanted to go before we realized the magnitude of the pandemic. &nbsp;Our having to cancel a trip is trivial compared to others’ problems, though. &nbsp;I hope you get to do some traveling soonish.<div><div><br /></div><div>I hardly wear jeans anymore. &nbsp;I have Columbia Anytime nylon pants. &nbsp;They are basically hiking pants, but don’t look like it. &nbsp;They stretch and have a drawstring waist. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div></div><div><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.columbia.com/womens-anytime-outdoor-boot-cut-pant-AL8088.html">https://www.columbia.com/women.....L8088.html</a><br /></div><div><br />I had a lot of activities - ukulele class, handbells, volunteering at the thrift store - and everything has been cancelled. &nbsp;I was over scheduled and was relieved to have whole days ahead of me, with nothing. &nbsp;I’ve liked staying home. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/retirement-in-the-time-of-covid-19looong#post-2120750 Fri, 15 May 2020 14:09:35 +0000 Angie 2120750@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congrats, <b>unfrumped</b>! Wishing you the very best in this new chapter of your life :)</p> <p>I'm piggy backing on the end of what wise <b>RunCarla</b> said. Every word! Give yourself time to adjust and re-build your lifestyle and wardrobe accordingly = post COVID-19. I have clients who I help transition into retirement wardrobes and it DOES take time to figure it out. You've got great role models on this forum too. Have fun along the way.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/retirement-in-the-time-of-covid-19looong#post-2120732 Fri, 15 May 2020 12:12:31 +0000 unfrumped 2120732@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachylou, I am seeing mostly athletic wear on the road walkers here.<br /> Firecracker, thanks- it’s interesting because I have items I got to go with specific other items— the top needed to fit under the jacket, a color needed to go with this or that—and now I won’t be wearing a lot of those pieces for a long time, some never.<br /> That doesn’t mean throwing everything out— I will use a holding zone so I won’t “ neat spree” myself into not having some things I could use later. Also, I am not reviewing warm fall- winter items at all right now. Put them aside.<br /> But, as you say, it does cause one to be more mindful of how something “ feels”, without regard for occasion or destination. If it feels great but doesn’t LOOK how I’d like ( baggy sweats, hmmm!), I hope to see how to improve. And vice versa. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/retirement-in-the-time-of-covid-19looong#post-2120674 Fri, 15 May 2020 03:31:04 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 2120674@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Wow, an interesting point in your style journey, with the added twist of pandemic-world thrown in! <br /></div><div>I can relate a bit to your comment about wearing what you like without regard to what you bought it for. During the pandemic, I've been choosing what to wear based on what I feel like putting on my body, whereas before, I would consider where I was going during the day, what the activities would be, and what the weather is. Now I pretty much have the same destinations and activities each day, so I dress for the weather and what I feel like wearing, period. It's simple. And I find I've been wearing things that I haven't worn in a while, some old favorites or some combinations I hadn't thought of before. It's kind of fun. This experience is making me realize which items in my closet just don't appeal to me anymore. I kind of wonder if some of those feelings will prove temporary; it's such a strange time. <br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/retirement-in-the-time-of-covid-19looong#post-2120627 Thu, 14 May 2020 23:12:33 +0000 Preppy Pear 2120627@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congratulations on your retirement! It has to be tough making a big transition just before the whole world turned upside down...I admire your sunny attitude.</p> <p>I will be looking forward to hearing more about how your style evolves, and I was especially intrigued by the idea that “nice” pieces that you love and are comfy might become more relaxed wear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/retirement-in-the-time-of-covid-19looong#post-2120621 Thu, 14 May 2020 22:50:10 +0000 rachylou 2120621@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congratulations!</p> <p>At Home days are an interesting challenge. And it’s interesting, when we go out on walks, to see what people are wearing, now that everyone is at home. That back and forth from the garden, walks, grocery run, etc. My bakery uniform is almost all that I wear now, it’s awful practical, but it could use some spiffing up for at-home days. Could be a little more genteel, if you know what I mean.</p> <p>But back to my neighbourhood... a lot of people out now that don’t look like they live here. Which is interesting. I don’t think they’re invaders, lol, but I do think their clothes are oriented more towards wherever they went to work. People wearing shiny purple puffers, lol. Before covid, it was pretty strictly birding gear, lol. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/retirement-in-the-time-of-covid-19looong#post-2120605 Thu, 14 May 2020 20:43:16 +0000 unfrumped 2120605@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you!<br /> Runcarla, I followed your pre- retirement posts with interest. I do relate to ROTG outfits concept, though now, without much OTG, it’s easy to devolve into more casual attire. Still I am thinking of what worked for “ Saturday errands” in my former life— over time I identified some FFBO’s in somewhat smart- casual range. I suspect I will be a notch or so below that for isolation day- wear, but am trying to think in “ outfits “ and maybe maybe some closet rail space.<br /> The biggest thing is my DD2 and SIL and my grandchildren, who moved further west. We had been flying to see them and I had planned more visits, woohoo, not having to deal with work schedule. DH is still working but I could have gone myself at times. Now would be a 2-day drive with motel night which of course pre-COVID I thought we might do- western car trip adventure. Kids are WFH and wrangling the little ones. Might actually be the best time to go out there, but it’s weird, this being fearful of what could happen and yet missing so much. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/retirement-in-the-time-of-covid-19looong#post-2120590 Thu, 14 May 2020 19:27:34 +0000 Cardiff girl 2120590@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome to retirement.You picked your moment !Hopefully there will be many more years to enjoy going out and about and dressing for that,for now enjoy that garden. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/retirement-in-the-time-of-covid-19looong#post-2120586 Thu, 14 May 2020 19:17:11 +0000 Carla 2120586@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Congratulations on your retirement, unfrumped. &nbsp;Give yourself time to adjust - and not just because of Covid lifestyle changes. &nbsp;I spent YEARS thinking and planning for retirement. &nbsp;I’m glad I did, because we (DH and I) were well prepared for lots of things. &nbsp;However, the reality was still different than the imagined. &nbsp;<div><br /></div><div>We gave ourselves a year to settle into a home routine with plans to ramp up travel in year two. &nbsp;I got two trips in, with two more partially booked when Covid hit. &nbsp;I just finished chasing down all the refunds after canceling hotels and travel. &nbsp;:-(</p> <p>With regards to wardrobe, it took a year post retirement to get that truly sorted. &nbsp;My thoughts are that the ROTG wardrobe has a lot in common with the MOTG wardrobe. &nbsp;As I posted in in another thread, it’s not about PJ’s and track pants!<br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/retirement-in-the-time-of-covid-19looong#post-2120567 Thu, 14 May 2020 18:19:14 +0000 Barbara Diane 2120567@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, you had a very well thought out plan that kept you focused at the end of your work life, a good analysis of your activities in retirement, and you are making smart adjustments for the current situation.&nbsp;</p> <p>It is hard knowing people "in the trenches". I only know a few; I'm sure it is quite different for you.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/retirement-in-the-time-of-covid-19looong#post-2120540 Thu, 14 May 2020 15:53:16 +0000 unfrumped 2120540@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wait for it—I have retired ! (sort of re-retired, as I had<br /> retired and returned to work in a different specialty a few years ago) .</p> <p>&nbsp;Did so just before the full awareness of the pandemic<br /> hit, so had only a couple of weeks &nbsp;of “freedom”<br /> before generally staying at home.. That is&nbsp; a whole separate discussion, stages of grief that could be done on that. So much for “don’t<br /> hibernate, plan to get together with people”, do more at church, have lunches with friends, travel to see the grandchildren and to all the places I hope to go…trips and retreats and volunteer activities cancelled and so on.&nbsp;But, I am every day thankful for the huge blessings and still great opportunities I have in being retired.&nbsp;Fortunately,&nbsp;retirement was&nbsp; &nbsp;announced way&nbsp; in advance, which helped&nbsp;mitigate the later feelings of abandoning ship ( after 40 years in medicine ! &nbsp;) just in time for &nbsp;the pandemic. However, I practiced in several&nbsp;specialties that are high-demand for COVID-19 , and so it is hard to hear about&nbsp;&nbsp;what my friends/former &nbsp;colleagues are&nbsp;going through.</p> <p>This post, however is about wardrobe/fashion related to the<br /> above! After deciding to retire I had planned to post &nbsp; about pre-retirement wardrobe stages and<br /> planning, but for various reasons, never did. So most of that seems irrelevant now especially because even Fabbers planning retirement are in the “new reality”. </p> <p>I can say that in pre-retirement, I started getting used to the idea that there would be no more quest for the perfect work blazer or pencil skirt or the cohesive work wardrobe and instead I would need items for more outdoor activities, travel.&nbsp;I would be dressing differently, in part due to fabrics and tailoring.&nbsp; &nbsp;I had actually compromised comfort, to some extent, with some work outfits. Over time this mainly was footwear that was JUST that bit too tapered or pinched by end of day or, face it, even booties need to be almost flat, if for all-day wear. I cut<br /> back on shopping and buying but did buy some F/W items that were more casual and that could juxtapose.&nbsp; Still I had to keep reminding myself of what not to buy more of.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Pre-retirement, I had fun trying more SYC&nbsp; for new combinations, for work and&nbsp; other occasions. I found I had a lot of items that<br /> had been really good choices, in part because my work wardrobe was not corporate, though not super casual either, and could still be worn. My issue was going to be, I no longer would need so MANY choices of the more business items, as would not need the “daily outfit,” only a few best business casual outfits for each weather-season for some ongoing interactions.</p> <p>Moving &nbsp;to “updated roles and goals”, for retirement I had anticipated: a lot of gardening;&nbsp; <i>apres</i>-gardening loungewear/comfie casual for<br /> fixing supper, evening; in-home exercise, church and related activities; errands; &nbsp; local<br /> professional conferences /lectures I attend for CME and seeing former<br /> colleagues and friends; “date nights’, theater; a range of friend-get togethers; volunteer work; travel in U.S., very casual including hiking, but needing cohesive capsules and learning to pack lighter; aspirational international travel.</p> <p>But—hahahaha to most of that for now!</p> <p>So for now, for gardening I have a pretty good capsule of tough casual items.&nbsp;&nbsp;However I had a footwear deficiency. I have Muck shoes but needed more support &nbsp;and need to tradeoff at times,<br /> my terrain is rough and I do a lot of spading, very hard on my feet (I love theslip-on convenience but…). For years I had worn an old pair of full leather NB sneakers which eventually fell apart. So recently I added some Magellan leather hiking boots and Columbia leather+fabric boot-sneaker, from sales, and so far working ok. I also realized, my shirts are not too short, it’s my pants that are too low! So for future, would like higher waist “tough fabric” pants, but that is dicey for very active comfort, heading in to elastic territory.</p> <p>Moving up one notch, I am sorting out a “loungewear”<br /> capsule. Not aiming to be suitable for leaving home, &nbsp;but the goal is a degree of coordination.. Realistically likely to default to elastic/drawstring waist, easy tops, footwear likely include memory<br /> foam slip-ons if I am to avoid slippers, but aiming for that elusive degree of “fit” and fun, that still is super-comfortable. This would be after-gardening shower/cook dinner capsule to &nbsp;avoid<br /> going directly to PJ’s ! I have contenders including what might be “tailored PJ’s “but also&nbsp; &nbsp;pants that are more tailored than sweats , and “special “ sweats/joggers,&nbsp;with not-too sloppy tops.&nbsp;</p> <p>Next, how to dress daily, for regular isolation day? &nbsp;Which in summer for me includes going outside<br /> to feed the birds, harvest veggies (not full-on yard work), housework, and taking walks. One thing is how “cold” I run. I have still had to wear fleece items in May due to cool snaps! I had put some<br /> things away for the season and then pulled them out again. I might change tops and comfortable jackets several times a day as day warms up, and different shoes for indoors vs my walking shoes. I think it is<br /> because, well, if I’m at home, why would I stay in this top/jacket/shoes if I would like to change? So it has brought home needing to keep a range of items&nbsp;available.</p> <p>I tend not to wear jeans if I have something more<br /> comfortable—hence would need “more comfortable jeans” and other pants. I &nbsp;will likely do some as forms of, dare I say, Athleisure or maybe Sporty Luxe but for me that is because I like some of the features of technical fabrics, stretch, , fit and I feel energized.&nbsp; &nbsp;I am a fan of zipper<br /> pockets in jackets and pants for travel, also. Plus &nbsp;washable, and can get warmer fabrics than washable wovens. However, I like my actual "exercise capsule" to be completely separate, to say, "now exercise!". Also, I wear long or cropped pants indoors even for much of summer--shorts more outside. So still working on all of that.</p> <p>One thing the&nbsp; isolation&nbsp; &nbsp;re-emphasizes, as has YLF, is, what am I saving things for? I will miss the window on fit,&nbsp;&nbsp;weather, or&nbsp; preferences. So&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I try to remove “role blinders” &nbsp;of where/what for I USED to wear the item, and evaluate just on the fit and comfort and practicality. That means an EF sweater I “kept nice” for work, but bought because the fabric was great and a happy color, &nbsp;may be in my loungewear capsule.&nbsp; This is really nothing more than “what are your favorites and why”, but before pandemic, I had planned to&nbsp; set aside some special outfits/capsules for specific occasions because I wanted to be sure I had them ready to go.&nbsp;&nbsp;But I would have been actuallly&nbsp; wearing them occasionally so could tell if still fit, worked right.&nbsp;</p> <p>Thanks for reading. Hope to update with some results of try-ons<br /> and re-imagining the wardrobe !</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </p>