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Anyone else retired out there?

Violettt

Hi Ladies! I was wondering if there were any other gals out there who are retired and what your wardrobe looks like? Now that I don't work anymore, I have a pretty casual day, usually out the door doing my errands by 11am, and it's challenging to put outfits together for just living and not having to worry about what to wear to the workplace anymore. I love to wear some comfy slacks, a cashmere sweater, or a T, some mules or slip on shoes, a scarf, pearls, and a nice handbag. But I really could use some ideas, on what YOU wear day to day? and what are some activities you do now that you're retired, or those of you who don't work and are over 50. Thx. It's totally a different concept for me now to just wear what I want, not what's appropriate for work. I just retired last summer, and I'm thinking a bit, "now what do I do" with my life? But I can honestly no longer wake up at 5am, rush around to get to work by 7:30. Been there done that for so many years. What do you do ladies, now that you're retired? I love shopping, movies, love love to cook, am involved with my church, but still am feeling old sometimes~

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from SandyG

DizzyLizzy

Early 50’s and newly retired so going to watch this thread closely

In regards to activities I found I needed some sort of structure to my day so I work on health and fitness in the mornings with walking and yoga and catching up with some long overdue home maintenance in the afternoons. All I seem to be wearing currently is painting/gardening clothes so I’m not much help.

Joy

Veteran

Husband and I are both retired. I try to put together outfits that can go out to lunch or to a concert at a moments notice. We often end up watching grandchildren for some of a day and that can involve going to the library or museum. I usually wear pants of some sort and a top plus vest or jacket and/or scarf, flat shoes but seldom sneakers, and some jewelry. I try to wear a dress or skirt at least twice a week. We have season tickets for the symphony and I dress up. There are monthly neighborhood cocktail parties to dress up for and I have joined some women's groups that dress up in what one would wear to church. I teach classes ( volunteer), do book clubs and a health support group. There will be a wealth of volunteer activities in your community and church. I will soon add a day volunteering at a food pantry and cooking for funerals. Organizations are desperate for able bodied volunteers as many retirees need to return to the work force these days to make ends meet. Travel and make plans for it. Do it now while you are able! Run for an office or help out a candidate. Get out and do things.
ETA: I didn't really address your question. I do lots of things to make reasons to wear the clothing I like. I would get depressed putting on sweats or gear every day. I am over 70.

JAileen

Veteran

I don't work and I'm over 50. My husband will be retiring next year. Right now, the alarm goes off at 5:30. I'm not gong to miss that!

What I wear: jeans and a tee every day. When I go out I try to look decent, wearing a nice jacket and boots. This seems to dress up my jeans and tee.

How I spend my time: 1. I'm a CASA which is an advocate for foster children. I've had the same case for nearly six years, and the youngest child will age out in a couple months. 2. I'm a member of a nonprofit that runs a thrift store. The proceeds benefit our various programs. I volunteer in the food pantry for low income seniors, and also in the thrift store. 3. I volunteer at the local food bank, packing food. 4. I just agreed to become the financial secretary for our church. I was an accountant so it shouldn't be too taxing for me. 4. I have a big vegetable garden. 5. I have two dogs. 6. My husband and I go birding on the weekends. 7. I'm a knitter, and some friends and I are trying to teach ourselves how to crochet.

cindysmith

Veteran

Not over 50, but semi-retired at 47. My style is pretty RATE, so I don't know if I can give specific outfit advice for you, but I know what works for me in a general sense.

Burn the $30 candle. That's both literal and figurative. Literally, I burn the $30 candles I buy at World Market because I feel like I'm wasting the money if I don't burn it. You know? So, figuratively, I burn the $30 candle by wearing the nice stuff even though I live in the middle of nowhere, where cowboy boots blue jeans and t-shirts are dressed up clothes. I don't care that nobody around here doesn't know who Rick Owens is and I don't care if they think I'm a Satan worshipper or emotional kid or whatever when I wear my Rick owens sweater with leather leggings and wicked cool stiletto ankle boots. Burn the $30 candle. Wear the nice stuff. You bought it for a reason, enjoy it. Life is too short. Wear the pearls and dress pants to the grocery store. Wear the cocktail dress out to dinner with the husband. I've worn Armani to a hristmas day 12 step meetings that was held in a distressed part of town and had couches with questionable stains. I dress up for ME, I don't care if it's a rural town or a distressed neighborhood or just the grocery store.

As for activities, 12 step meetings and the occasional party or other social event. I garden, I crochet, I color, I make jam and pickles. My husband is wanting to start volunteering at the creative arts center, teaching kids to draw. I've thought about volunteering with the local theatre group; not as an actor but as the very well trained and highly capable audio stage technician I used to be. I've taken up archery, albeit sporadically until we finish building our house. I am fairly introverted, but if I were of a mind to socialize with people I'd probably have no trouble finding some sort of guild or group that crochet around here and we could have lunches and shop for supplies together and in general have girls time.

If you love shopping, I say find a dress-for-success (or similar) organization in your area and volunteer. You seem to have the kind of experience those women need: how to dress professionally, how to conduct oneself in a job interview, etcetera. Those ladies need help and you could shop the donations to help ladies make outfits, then give them interview tips.

It was hard at first, moving out here with no shopping and not a lot of people. The adjustment doesn't happen overnight, and that's frustrating and I get that. I still get frustrated sometimes. I've chosen to view all of thE things I do as "experiments", that way I'm not upset/disappointed if it doesn't work out. We get to experiment with our lives now that we don't have to be slaves for corporate America. That "experiment" mindset has really helped me cope with frustrations and confusion.

I hope you find a routine or some activities that work for you! And if you do, burn the $30 candle

Runcarla

Veteran

Late 50's and the countdown to retirement has started! 3 1/2 months to go. I will be gaining 60 hours a week once I am out of the workforce (daily commute and work day 7am - 7pm.) I plan to spend them the following way:

-2 extra hours to sleep (going up to 8 from my current 6.).
-at least 1-2 hours a day for piano practice!
-move my gym time to during the day (instead of squeezing it into the pm 8-10)

This takes care of half my new-found time, leaving me with 30 hours to 'spend'. I'm an avid gardener, with a big garden, so May-October I will be quite busy out of doors. I would also like to join our local horticultural club. I'm also a sewer and quilter, and have a few finished quilt tops that need to be quilted up (I quilt by hand). DH and I are bibliophiles and have already planned to have a library 'date' twice a week - pick out books, and then have a coffee and treat at the local bakery Cafe. We also play bridge, and DH wants me for his partner for one night a week!

I am also looking forward to reading or watching a little TV after dinner, instead of dashing off to the gym. I haven't watched any TV in over 3 years! I have a sneaking suspicion I will be one of those retirees with a full agenda, who never has enough time!

There are some work clothes that I will cull and donate after my last workday, much like packaging off maternity wear after the last baby!

I think I will be mostly in jeans (long and cropped)! A T (preferably striped, or a sweater. I would like to pick up a couple of flannel shirts, since button downs suit my build. The hole in my wardrobe is summer casual wear. I do love (and own) white jeans, but I have only 2 pairs of shorts. 2018 will be an interesting year clothes-wise as I sort out what my retirement style will look like !

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ladypainter

Hi @Violettt!
Your post lured me out of my lurking status to actually sign up and comment.
I'm 55--5 years ago, DH and I decided to go for early retirement in an "art" city on the Camino Real in the American Southwest.
After many years of priding myself on fitting in wherever we've lived (corporate nomads), I'm finding it very difficult to assemble a wardrobe that encompasses:

The outdoor life (hiking, camping, dogs)
My studio life
Looking like a local instead of an "art tourist", but still just-a-bit artsy and creative
Low-key socializing
Occasional events
Post-menopausal/sports-injury body changes

As a result, I'm working on a complete wardrobe overhaul.
Current activity: Long-time studio and graphic artist, I was introduced to botanical art almost 10 years ago. When we moved here, I chose to get serious about it and started a long-distance diploma program.
Looking forward to seeing your fashion explorations!

Bonnie

Veteran

I'm retired and busy. I like to play games so I have found groups to play with three afternoons every week. I also belong to a Birthday Lunch group, a book discussion group, and a Virtues discussion group - all meet once a month. At home, I practice piano for a half hour a day and practice bridge for about an hour a day (I'm the beginner in the group so I need to catch up). For exercise, I practice Yoga for about 45 minutes and walk outside in the foothills for an hour daily. I reserve Wed. and the weekends for outings with DH. We like to go to movies, have season tickets for the Opera and Symphony, and play Bocce with the neighbors.

I usually wear joggers and tees with a flannel shirt for cold days around the house. I have an "Out and About" wardrobe for the social activities. I also have hiking and yoga capsules.

Sometimes I feel a bit guilty because my retirement is all about having fun, but then I remember all of the giving I did raising children and working as a teacher. I'm enjoying my retirement!

Violettt

Hi Fabulous Ladies! Wow! I am so thrilled you wrote in! I relished reading every word from you all!
JOY: You are amazing and do so much! I am not all that able bodied, which is one reason why I retired a bit early, I have a bad back from a horse riding accident years ago, so I can only stand up or walk for not longer than one hour really. So standing and volunteering somewhere is out for me! or I'd do it in a minute.
DIZZYLIZZY: Your workout fitness routine sounds wonderful! Good for you! It's so important when we age to do something! I do walk my doggie (akita/chow) every morning, sometimes twice a day around our neighborhood and by the time I get home, my back is about to collapse and my bad ankle hurts too which I broke 2 years ago and it never healed properly. I know I need to begin doing some sort of fitness regimen, like yoga, or swimming. We recently moved to a new city and the YMCA is awful, there are other gyms, but I haven't made that commitment yet, swimming really is the best thing for bad backs!
CINDYSMITH: I 100% agree with you about burning the $30.00 candle. Girl, I know what you mean! I've always been a clothes horse, and loved to dress up, plan outfits, what I'm going to wear to work every day, etc. loved consignment shopping and planning new outfits, now that I'm home every day, I'm kinda stuck! Laziness???? On days when I feel good, I'll pull together a great outfit, then I get so many stares in the grocery store or at Petco or Target like I'm from another planet or something! Like why is that lady wearing a long sparkly pearl necklace to a 12-step meeting??? and lipstick, and velvet shoes? But you know what? Life is meant to be lived, and our clothes and jewelry we love is meant to be enjoyed! And worn! I'm coming to realize this more and more! I haven't fully enjoyed my nice clothes and jewelry ever since I retired last summer. All my good china is still packed away in our garage after one year, time to pull it out. I used to have English tea parties and invite my girlfriends.......throw showers, etc. yes, I want to again.....!!!! wish you all could come over!!~!
RUNCARLA: Love hearing about your plans! You're a pianist? Awesome! I've always been the artsy type, and used to sing........I LOVE all your pics~ You look fabulous!
LADYPAINTER: Wonderful! Yes, sometimes we need a wardrobe overhaul don't we? Love hearing about all your lives!

Violettt

Hi Bonnie: Super! That is so awesome you have season tickets to the Opera and Symphony! I love Opera and used to go occasionally, wish I could go more, but we moved about an hour away from city, now so it's not quite as easy. Also I wish my husband was retired too, then we could do stuff together! He's 10 years younger so still has about 15 more years of working! lol. I also would love to play some games! Have wanted to learn to play Mai Jong, the chinese game......saw the set at Barnes and Noble the other day........and some more card games! I love your paragraph about your "yoga capsules" knocking about the house capsules, joggers with a flannel, and then social activities capsule! Love this. Some days, I find myself not doing anything except walking the dog, going to the grocery store, cooking, then I love watching historical miniseries on TV. If any of you love these, these are fabulous: "The Borgias", "The Tudors", "Victoria", and "The Crown". There are many more. My husband works 2 jobs, so every night I'm home by my lonesome with doggie. Love to watch fashion bloggers on YouTube too! Bonnie: I'm also a retired teacher, (high school English), and also an Esthetician. What did you teach?

Violettt

"We get to experiment with our lives now that we don't have to be slaves for corporate America. That "experiment" mindset has really helped me cope with frustrations and confusion."
LOVE what you said here CINDYSMITH! Indeed! I guess our lives are an experiment! Every decade too, right? I can recall going through so many fashion changes throughout the decades, the Victorian stage, with antique finds, growing my blonde wavy hair super long, the super frilly feminine sexy clothes stage, wearing heels, etc. the mountain bike athletic stage, (best shape of my life) when I first married we would mtn bike together as a family all the time! Now, I'm "finding" my new self! Interesting how life is isn't it?

PS: I wish there was a reply button for each person's post***easier than going all the way down to the bottom of the thread to comment!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Just a reminder to busy retirees about long range perspectives.

My parents were setting up their snowbird home when my son was a toddler/preschooler, and were busy meeting new people. My mother doesn’t remember the comment, but I’ll never forget that when I asked them to come out around the start of fall semester (many preschools close for a week in August, just as the academic year is cranking up), she said “you should be GRATEFUL” we are building our life here. Well, no. I would have been grateful if she’d helped me with mine as a single mother, instead of forbidding me to bring home work over Christmas break, one of the very few chances a year academics have to focus on their own work.

My point is not to complain about my mother, but rather that she now complains and wishes she and my son had a closer relationship. I wish they did too, but really don’t see what more could have come from our side. So, as important as not being idle and having social connections are, make sure you also consider what matters most to you in the long run and that you have built in ways of strengthening that.

Style Fan

Veteran

I have been retired for 6 years. My husband is also retired. He was a high school teacher. I teach part-time (very small amount) at the University in my field (Social Work/Psychotherapy). We travel a bit which we both enjoy.
I spend my days doing Yoga, walking my dog, reading, helping some of my students with their pursuits (this could be applying to graduate school, career plans, etc.), preparing my course and administrative work for the University. My husband and I go on walks together. I like to watch movies.
If I am at home I wear very casual clothes. My outfit could be joggers, denim shirt and a cardigan. When I go out I usually wear jeans, T-shirt and cardigan. I put some of my outfits in the finds.

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jill58

Veteran

I am a retired public librarian. At 59 I feel so fortunate to be able to do the things I love -- running -- lots of reading -- caring for my large collection of orchids -- spending time with my husband, friends, and three cats.

deb

Veteran

I retired at 62 two years ago in January. Structure in my daily routine was my issue at first. Now I have my grandsons Tuesdays and Thursdays and this has helped me immensely. I have always been a jeans gal and fluctuate between button downs and tees. I am currently in a tee phase. I am loving all the cardigans in the market place now. They can really add character to an outfit. I also always put on makeup every single day. I worked at home most of the week prior to retirement and did not wear makeup on those days but now, I make the effort. I am afraid of becoming complacent and I feel put together when I look in the mirror. Shoes are an important item for me and they have been my whole life. I can be in plain jeans and a white tee and have wonderful shoes on and feel on top of my game. It sounds like you already make quite an effort with your accessories so I say keep on doing what you are doing. That is unless you do not feel the best with what you are wearing. As far as what to do, have you tried volunteering?

Violettt

fashiontern: Your post really resonated with me! When my parents retired, right as I was raising my young children, they picked up and left our family home, and moved 5 hours away. They pretty much totally isolated themselves from the family, traveling a ton, going to Europe, going to cruises, etc. etc. never once did they come down to visit us, or help me with my boys. I felt so abandoned. Yes, I had my in laws, but my MIL and I were never that close, like my own mom. Still to this day, I feel it really fractured our family a lot. We used to have X-Eve throughout my life there with my huge family, never again. It's like my parents just wanted to escape and be alone in their retirement. Never understood that. My husband's parents still live in his family home 10 minutes away, but his mom passed away. I don't have any grandkids yet, my kids are not even married yet, but I tell you, family is the most important to me! And I hope I can always live near my children and help them raise their families, one day if I'm able. So I hear you, how "just taking off" can really fracture a family unit.
stylefan: I love your outfits, especially the blazer and the down vests. I love vests! I have a white one with fur trim from Calvin Klein I bought last winter, and it's all I ever needed, as it's never very cold here~
Deb: That's great you love shoes as an accessory! What kind of shoes? Can you post some pics? I love handbags! They are my favorite accessory! I plan my outfits actually around which purse I feel like wearing today! I have quite a collection, a couple vintage Chanels, some Italian leather ones, a Longchamp that I bought in Paris, some Kate Spade ones, a couple Michael Kors I love, a Givenchy dupe, and just some cute ones I love from Aldo, they are a French Canadian brand and have such cute unique bags! I just bought another Italian tote this week, which I really do not need, so may take it back. Just plain nice Italian leather. Couldn't decide between the blush pink, red, or black. First I bought the blush pink, then realized I have too many others in this color, so exchanged it for the black, perfect for traveling. I'll have to learn how to post pics. I go on this site on my laptop, but any pics are on my phone, so how do I do that?

cjh

(website)

Veteran

I've been retired just one year ago December 1, and a few weeks ago spent a couple of days doing a big closet clean out. Mostly what I culled were warm weather work clothes. I pulled out what I didn't wear for church or social activities during the spring and summer to be donated. I kept the dressy things I had worn to church and a few parties/events. I had done the same process on my cold weather items last spring.

RunCarla has asked me several months ago whether I would continue wearing my skirts in warm weather as I had for work. At the time I thought I might, but I did not, choosing colored sheeting or chino shorts instead. Skirts were worn to church and only a few other times. Skirts were a large portion of my donation pile this time, as were many dressy sleeveless blouses and summer toppers and jackets. Any things that I transitioned to retired casual, I kept.

I run or work out in a gym or a class several days a week, so I have a small dresser full of athletic wear. At home I mostly wear the same things as out, but occasionally tend to go with cozier layers in coldest winter, such as yoga pants, wooly socks, and some old long sleeve cotton shirts and gray sweatshirts I got from races. My activities at home are reading, sewing and quilting, making mixed media collages and greeting cards, cooking. Currently my outside activities are church, exercise and running, one monthly book group, going to galleries (alone), college basketball games with husband, and spending time with daughters and families. One daughter lives an hour away, and the other an overnight train ride away. When I finished my last volunteer job (after 40 years of various volunteer positions in lots of organizations) a year before I finished work, I intended to find something else to volunteer for, but have not. I was asked to chair something at church, and just wasn't interested in being in charge of anything right now. The last couple years of work really burned me out, I think.

Now that it's cold weather again, here are examples of what I've worn in the past several days for my retired life:

1. Activities: haircut, trip to daughter's for dinner and to deliver a bed my husband made for oldest granddaughter. Charcoal skinnies, black and white striped button up shirt, black with yellow stripes pullover sweater, dark gray and black striped socks, dark green Converse tennies.

2. Activity: family Thanksgiving at in-laws (very warm house). Dark green skinnies, green/cream mini-stripe long sleeve tshirt, black/white geometric print quilted vest, cream socks, green Converse.

3. Activity: family Thanksgiving (lasagna version) at my home with my daughters' families, including kids age 2-8. Denim skinnies, cream/gray striped long sleeve tshirt, citron boyfriend cardigan, turquoise Converse.

4. Activity: shopping, errands. Denim skinnies, pink/white stripe long sleeve tshirt, navy quilted vest, colorful pink/white/navy/blue/yellow bird print socks, pink Converse. It was very warm that day so I didn't need a coat.

5. Activity: book discussion group at senior rec center, shopping. Dark denim skinny jeans, white blouse with tiny blue print, navy pullover wool sweater with bell sleeves that have wide cream, gold and burgundy stripes at the bottom, gray socks with navy spots, dark green Converse.

6. Activity: staying home sewing and quilting (on long arm), cooking dinner, laundry, changing sheets, working on collages and greeting cards. Corduroy gray jeans, purple long sleeve tshirt, gray fleece vest or black pullover sweater, gray socks, gray Adidas tennies. Or some variation of corduroy jeans, long sleeve tshirt, fleece vest or pullover. My main rules are to stick to two colors plus one accent if unavoidable, MUST wear socks that coordinate, MUST wear makeup and earrings, try to look like I cared. HA.

7. Favorite from last spring, activity of art class, errands. Gray tshirt with butterfly design in rust, peach, teal and gold tones, citron cardigan, washed old wide-ish leg jeans, gold socks, turquoise Converse.

So you can see that my wardrobe is not dressy. I rarely wear any jewelry other than earrings, watch and wedding rings, whereas I wore and enjoyed bracelets and necklaces everyday while working. I feel best when I have on a little quirkiness, but not so much as to look nutso.

Good luck figuring out what is YOU, in what you do, how you spend your time and what you wear.

Anonymous

I'm 56, and about 1.5 years away from retirement. I will most definitely devote more time to playing piano (perfect practice makes perfect, not just practice) and cooking. I will probably wear the same stuff I wear now, as I work in a business casual office. I like to look nice.

Violettt

cjn: thank you so much for sharing, this is really so helpful for me! xo I'd love your lasagna recipe!
BC:I love to cook and love to watch Rachel Ray and online Jamie Oliver and get new recipes to try. Sometimes I'm just too tired though, at 60 you will be, so I just order a pizza and watch Netflix. Hey The Crown comes out today Season 2 which is awesome! Let's discuss!

Anonymous

I have to see The Crown!!!

P.S. I didn't mean to sound like the pianist and teacher that I am, but it doesn't help to practice if you practice your mistakes over and over until they become so ingrained that you can't correct them. That's what I always told my students when I was teaching. I will not go back to teaching piano, though. That is not on my list of things to do.

Violettt

Why not BC? Piano is wonderful!

DonnaF

Veteran

I am 64 and semi-retired; I only dress for work once a week. My husband retired three years ago. Blending in with my environment is not a priority for me and athleisure is not my style. In the past few years I have bought LOTS of casual dresses, many of which I wear with cropped jeans underneath when it’s cooler.

Church committees take up much of my time. My husband’s health has turned fragile in the past year so the active life I had envisioned may not happen. Perhaps folks’ hyperactive travels in early retirement is motivated by the fear that they won’t be physically able to do so down the road.

SandyG

Veteran

Violettt, when you outlined all your fashion changes and wardrobe styles through the years, I had to smile -- me too! Are you newly retired? If so, you have adventure ahead, of course with more solo activities as your husband is working. I'm not retired but not really working right now so I'm kinda a hybrid. My husband keeps working ... all the time, weekends included. If I got called back to teaching theatre I'd charge off and be happy and busy, immersed in classrooms and stages day and night. If I don't get a gig and my main activity is training two working dogs for another year, that will be great too. My wardrobe has edited itself down to more practical selections than I wore in theatre (currently many skinny jeans and leggings) and away from my beloved vintage and Victorian items with wild shoes. It's due partly to getting older, which doesn't pair well with 'vintage', having health issues, not performing on stage at present, but mostly the dogs. Fragile antique clothes, velvets and silks that provided a lot of character, support and Wow! in auditions and meetings aren't sturdy enough for the accidental happy-muddy paws jumping up to ruin them. I'm 68, petite and still a bit of a clotheshorse (I kept almost all my hats).

A car accident a decade ago ended a lifetime of riding, running and gym/Pilates. It was a long and painful recovery. I'm better now but have a few medical problems and parts of me, including one foot, have chronic pain. Those wild shoes don't work and that was the harshest lesson.The edgy heels and fashion-forward sample shoes that captured a lot of attention .... yummy attention, are gone but not forgotten ... insert tiny tears over this 1st world problem. Nowadays I look rather less willow-y actress and more elf, being child-sized in these low-pitch sensible shoes that my feet tolerate.

As you have fun with your wardrobe, remember life can be long and should be fun. As a nudge I'll recommend a book, "Younger Next Year", or the version aimed at women. At retirement people get new 'jobs' and fresh responsibilities, and this book lays them out in a reasonable, highly entertaining way. It's become my muse, and also laugh out loud therapy if you have pain, which is pretty welcome around here.