I can definitively relate to this. Having retired I seem to have devolved to mostly yoga pants and tees. For errands I may switch the yoga pants to jeans and add sneakers. Not a pulled together look at all. I live in an extremely casual city but still I feel sloppy and not good.

Thanks to all who have made suggestions. Today I put on booties instead of sneakers with my jeans and already feel a bit more stylish (it's a low bar!)

Good luck with your resolution!
I'll tell you what happened to me: the place I work in used to be very casual. I have never been too casual, and kept wearing skirts dresses and heels when I started working here. Now I notice most of my colleagues have started dressing up more! We always compliment each other on something nice/originale BTW!

I have been nodding along with a lot of the comments here Debbie - casual has become such the new normal that it does feel almost strange to dress up - even a little in some areas or environments! That said, I have never wanted to fall into the trap of looking like I didn't care, esp. as I get older. Over the years here on YLF I've learned that the basic things like the fit, material thickness, drape, color palette, silhouette, shoes and of course good grooming can make even the most casual outfit appear more "dressed" in a good way.

I feel like I *can* wear a simple v-neck tee with jeans and feel put together as long as the fit is right, nothing is wrinkled, torn or stained, etc. I might cuff up the jeans if needed to avoid a "too long" look, add a belt and semi-tuck the tee, wear a simple pendant necklace, clean shoes (sneakers work fine if they are clean and work with the color of the outfit) and of course pay attention to hair and other grooming.

I've definitely let my environment influence my style. My job and my home life are hard on clothes, so I've been buying less high-end stuff because I don't want it ruined. It's been suggested I buy clothes for working, but I know I'll never wear stuff like carhartt, so I just keep buying things I really like or even love but don't spend much on them because I don't want to be heartbroken if it gets ruined.

It's a conundrum, because some days it just leaves me feeling less than fab. But the alternative is heartbreak, which I don't want either.

What an important resolution. I have this issue with dresses. I tried on a stunning dress that was so very flattering, and yet could not think of a single time and place that I could wear it in the next few months. Wishful wardrobing, so reluctantly left it behind.

Debbie - When I started working I bought a very professional formal wardrobe which I felt really good in. However, after I had my son, my professional wardrobe felt wrong even at work. I devolved, as you said, to my most casual denominator. I think I spent about 5 yrs in this state frazzled momminess before a very chic and well groomed patient, who I was extremely fond of and who's personal style I greatly admired, asked me why I had given up on dressing nicely? I realized that she was my sartorial and grooming ideal, not to mention charming, interesting and fun. Although she's at least 10 yrs older, she always looked classic but with a major edge, age appropriate but wow. I realized that I wanted to be her!! That's when I truly developed a greater interest in fashion, style and self presentation. She's the standard I hold myself to. Not mimicking her style, (although there was a lot of crossover in our tastes) but wearing a great outfit, edgy hair cut, natural but flattering make up, and the coolest boots/booties my neuroma will tolerate. Now I'm not her, but I feel I'm on the road to looking like the best "me," inside and out!

Thank you Ladies. The second half of this is going to be the photographic evidence. I am going to try and photograph two outfits a week. Maybe we will get a little closer to feeling like ourselves.