Labor Day Cookout - YouLookFab Forum

I am looking forward to a Labor Day Cookout and want your ideas and suggestions please. I am going to make some remarks as I cannot post pics. But will be able to show finds.
I will be going with my DS and DDIL. Host and hostess about same age as they are, and so are most other guests. Then there will be parents of most of them , which are heading toward my age group. Unless some unknown person comes out of nowhere (that will not happen) I will be most senior person in group. The hostess loves and knows clothes, and will be neatest person there. A beautiful person inside and out. All the women there will be dressed in nice casual clothes. I have known these people for a good many years, and they each have their own style of dressing, as it should be.
I have been a redhead for many years, at least as long as I have known them and years before except for my son. During pandemic I have reverted to my now natural hair color. I had black hair about first 35 to 40 years of my life. My now natural is salt and pepper, and I am trying very hard to dress with that in mind.
I feel best when I am wearing something new or almost new. The only thing I have in mind is a new pair of jeans from NAS sale, and I know several of you have them also
I have two new white linen tops I have worn this summer, still like new, but MAYBE rather not wear, one reason, wanting slightly more fall and/or holiday look ( white would fit holiday look, of course) but we will probably be seated outside informally, and have to balance food. I am afraid of dropping something on a white top would be too noticeable. (Yes, I am an overthinker) I have the navy jeans, light and dark wash jeans, well worn, white jeans, pink pants, and STUFF to wear with them.
I have navy tops, white tops, etc. Going to stop. I have shoes and bags, and if I have to buy any one item I would be ok with that, but would want to order from Nordies by tomorrow. I do have something to return to Talbots in the same city where party is and could probably get something there. Absolutely no other shopping and /or time available to me currently.
To be very concise, from info I have given what would you suggest I wear, or perhaps some of you could say what you would like for your mother to wear if she were in my place? Love all of you.

Nordstrom

NYDJ Marilyn Straight Leg Jeans

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Talbots

Relaxed Chinos - Watercolor Paisley

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Nordstrom

French Connection French Cotton Esther Lace Cotton Blouse

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Nordstrom

Chaus Banded Waist Flare Sleeve Top

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2 years ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Bridgie, how fantastic to see you! I have missed you. Didn’t you move?- is your profile still correct?! It still says you have red hair!
I think the paler chinos with the beautiful navy and white top would be perfect. I’m sure you must have great shoes and bags xx

Joy

Navy top with your jeans and maybe red shoe and bag or white?
Bridgie, good to see you. Put on your lovely smile.

bridgie

Yes Doctor. I've cleaned up my profile. Thanks for reminding me.
I did move from North Carolina to Kentucky in November 2020 (whew) or rather my 2 dds and ddil did. They did all the work, while I took care of ds and ddil pets at their home near me. One son lives in North Carolina where I moved from and the other son and ddil live here in Ky. They kinda got their heads together and encouraged me to move here. I agreed with them. North Carolina, for various reasons, was not a good fit for me. And I will quickly say, it was not all bad, and I still have a few good friends and family there. Fortunately, I am still able to live independently, and drive. I go to North Carolina occasionally to visit.
I am looking forward to seeing these long time friends Labor Day. Because of pandemic , I, like everybody else had not seen them for 2 years now. Thank you for posting and Take care of yourself!

Joy, thank you. I like your suggestions, and can easily do it without having to shop. I think if someone suddenly invited me in for a cup of coffee, I would have to make it later, and go shopping first. LOL. Not really, I now have you fab people to ask first. Continue to take care of yourself. And I hope DH is doing well.

Stagiaire Fash

What would my mother wear? Nothing as cool as the pieces in your finds! I still absolutely love those paisley pants. Do they work with the navy top? You could wear that. Or what about a b/w patterned top (unless you wear straight black well) to play off your “new” salt n pepper hair? Main thing is to wear something you feel good in and that feels good on, so you can forget it and focus on seeing old friends.

I didn’t realize you had moved to Ky. One of these days I’ve got to get back there to visit my friend in the bluegrass. I’ve made & remade multiple packing lists of what to wear when I see him.

Runcarla

The Chaus top with your ‘well worn’ white jeans would be quite trendy/stylish. Navy, silver or ‘pop of colour’ footwear and co-ordinating bag. Red sneakers and a red bag could be fun. Nice to see you posting, and have a wonderful Labour Day weekend!

Ha Bridgie! I didn’t know where you had moved to. I know very little about Kentucky- horses, bourbon and “my old Kentucky home”?

rachylou

I like Joy and Carla’s suggestions. And I think the navy top with the lighter paisley jeans in your finds would be smart!

… I’m afraid of white jeans as well as white tops, but am ok with white sweaters and patterned jeans with a white background… just so you know what I have at the back of my mind (!) Lol, I managed to get coffee on the outside of one of my masks and No! I didn’t forget I was wearing a mask and try to take a sip. I really have no idea how I managed it.

Star

I like Joy's suggestion. If you have a silver/metallic complement of handbags and shoes would also be nice with your hair. I have also gone natural and I find I have had to up my make-up game with a bit more color (in the cheeks and on the lips), and extra thought to accessories is also working for me.

Jenni, the governor of Kentucky called my friend the n-word over that song. They were trying to change from it being the state song because the way it refers to Black people is demeaning. Seems the gov was just fine with demeaning Black people. But anyway, just letting you know that not everyone is fine with that song.

Oh thanks I don’t actually know the song, just those 4 words. My husband knew the tune for those 4 words, but that’s literally all either of us would know. The detail of all the different states eludes us down under. We kind of know New York on one coast, California on the other, Alaska out to the side, Hawaii is in the Pacific, and Texas is big. Although I am over-simplifying it a bit there, but you know, lots of Statesiders don’t know that our little country even exists.
I suppose we heard of Kansas as kids too because of the Wizard and Dorothy.

Jenni, the knowledge people outside the USA have of it vs our knowledge of the rest of the world is stunning and embarrassing. I never mean to imply others should know more about us, just thought you’d like to know that the song you mentioned has negative connotations for some people.
ETA one of your compatriots, tired of people conflating Australia & New Zealand. https://clutchpoints.com/steve.....alia-mate/

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

So many good suggestions, and lovely to see you Bridgie! You will look splendid at the cook-out

Sorry I didn't get back sooner. Thanks to all of you. Every response was helpful.
And for a change, I am ahead of the game. You could say I have been editing my closet, or at least shopping my closet. I have actually sorted, pulled a great number items out and put them together in capsules that I can wear.
I cannot possibly know until the day of what I will feel most comfortable to wear, depending on the weather mostly and therefor my mood.
Each comment made reminded that I did have that item or something very similar in my closet. So, instead of shopping for anything, I am going for a manicure. Oops, now I have to think what color polish.
Next week, I will post what I actually wore.
PS Still accepting suggestions and /or comments.

CocoLion

I agree with Runcarla 100%. I have an additional suggestion. Bring or buy a bandana either in navy or the color of your footwear / bag. You can tie it around your bag to carry it. When it's time to eat you can lay it flat on your lap to save your white jeans.

I love bandanas, they are so practical.

Well it sounds like you are having a good tidy-up anyway which is a positive way to approach these times! I hope you had a good time.

CocoLion Thanks for chiming in. Actually, Runcarla,s idea is at the top of my mental list. I do have a silver bag, and loafers and I have red Sneaks and red medium size tote bag, and favoring the red. And I just happened to have a navy bandana which I put in that capsule after your excellent selection. Plan to use it with whatever the final decision is. I am amazed how sharply and professionally dressed you always are and to do such hard work as restaurant owner. That was my impression when I first saw your avatar.

Jenni NZ, And thanks to another hard working beautifully dressed lady..
You know, I was retired when I first became aware of YLF. But, when I was working It always happened that I would make friends with other people who loved fashion !

Anonymous

I'd definitely go darker for a cookout, just in case- but all look great to me! Nice to see you again

Thanks suntiger. Yes, it is not as noticeable if one drops or spills on a dark item as it is on a lighter color. Glad you commented. I'm a regular follower of your interesting and helpful posts. Keep them coming!

Thanks!

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