So... late to the party, as ususal! My work, family, and social life demands most of my time, but I wanted to offer more than my standard word of support for the end-of-year review. After creeping through menopause to enter the crone years almost a decade ago and trying to figure out how to dress myself as a result, here is what I learned this past year: 1) Since getting a handle on my vertical shape (long torso, short legs) and what that means for “conventional flattery,” this year was about moving place holders out and supplanting with pieces that really, finally, do me some favors. I did not purchase a ton, but what I did buy mostly works—save for a few mistakes. I can recognize mistakes pretty quickly, now, which I hope means my fashion/style sense is developing. I was also able this past year to cull my closet fairly definitively, letting go of pieces I had, metaphorically, “outgrown,” but held on to for the wrong reasons. Consignment stores rock! 2) I am still a one-and-done girl. Dresses are still my best friend (are they really that hard to fit on others)? They flatter, fit my “feminine” style moniker, and are easy to throw on in the morning. Dressing for me must be simple. 3) Which leads me to separates. Separates are complex; they require coordination of color, shape, pattern, texture, fabrics. Separates require me to think! I don`t do badly with skirts (I have four), but man oh man do I struggle with pants! 4) This was supposed to be the year of the pant. I bought six pairs of lined wool pants from Talbots’ end-of-season sale last year and had them altered, ready to go. I have worn the black and brown. Period. I still struggle with tops of the right length, color, shape, etc. to flatter to my taste—but I have at least figured out pant footwear. Thanks for teaching me the obvious—narrow pants stay dry, while bootcut, bells, and wide legs absorb ground moisture. I`m waiting for American designers to catch up with other parts of the world on paperbag waists, pleats, and tapered legs for full-length pants. Yes, I have two black crops and have learned to like them; yes, Shopbop sells long pants for $600/pair. I would rather not take out loans to buy clothes, thank you very much. And my aging backside needs the above details to look like something other than sausage casing, like it does with most skinny jeans (yes, I have skinny jeans that are fine. I sized up). On the whole, however, I do think I need tops to go with the new pants. Maybe 2019 will be the year of the top. Sigh. Separates are so much work. 5) Along with one-and-done, I am getting pickier. My sweaters must be long enough to not require a cami when I reach up, but short enough to extend my leg line (yes, I tuck, half-tuck, etc.), and my blouses must be opaque enough to not require a cami to hide my lingerie. I might be on a bra hunt soon. Does anyone have experience with Shapeez? 6) I still prefer to shop end-of-season. Sales are better, and I know what I`m missing by then because I have reached for that phantom piece multiple times, to no avail. I also prefer being a current trend follower rather than leader, 7) Finally (and I`ll pop back if I think of more), I remember reading a fashion writer decades ago who said something like: “People think fashion is easy, but fashion is hard.” Indeed! Thanks, Angie and YLF, for making it less so! xxoo