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Logistics of an Outfit

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I had a busy day today, and lots of things to think about when getting dressed. It was supposed to be nice, but was cool when I left the house. I had a chiropractor appointment this morning where they would need to access my lower back and also my calves. I had a class, and then an appointment to donate blood, so I would need access to my arms as well.
I ended up wearing a cowl neck sleeveless swing dress with leggings, booties, and a denim jacket (which I took off for my blood donation).
It was a lot to think about for one outfit, and I was wondering what logistics everyone else thinks about when dressing.

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Dressing

19 replies

Latest reply was from chewyspaghetti

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Whoa, that WAS a lot to think about for one outfit. It came out very cute, by the way!
Usually my thoughts are mostly about what footwear I need for the day--how much walking am I doing, is it going to be pouring or just drizzly, etc. Then the coat--again, usually the extent-of-rain question--and then I figure out what outfit will suit the footwear and coat I need.

Diana

Veteran

Wow, that's a lot of body parts that needed to be accessible! I think your outfit is a great solution! I definitely had an awkward situations on year with a flu shot and long sleeves I couldn't roll up high enough.... at work they basically give the employee flu shots in the cafeteria so no privacy! I ended up awkwardly pulling the shirt down from the top over my shoulder. This year I made sure to wear a tank top under my blouse just in case!

My outfit logistics usually revolve around footwear and how much I'll be walking. Every work day I have my commute (which includes about a mile of walking each way) and most of my everyday shoes are fine for that, but if I'm planning a day with extra walking or a lot of on-my-feet stuff in the lab I need to make sure I wear extra comfy shoes.

And weather, but that's a given.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Firecracker, that's a smart way to approach outfit planning.

Diana- footwear is usually where I start, too.

anne

Veteran

It's a great outfit! I've had days where I need to consider that too - I have blood test fairly often.

Anonymous

You had a lot to think about with that outfit. One of my styling challenges that crops up often is to wear a smart casual outfit that allows me to get down and sit on the floor when teaching children". Getting up and down from the floor gracefully is not easy anyway when you are 70. The same outfit probably needs to take me dog walking on a dusty gravel trail, be up to a toddler pulling on it and give easy access to stomach for insulin injections. Then there is the chilly to warm and back to chilly temperatures to deal with.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Thanks Anne!

Joy- you have quite a bit to contend with!

Carla

Veteran

Since I try to workout during my lunch hour 3-4 times a week, clothes that don't require too much struggle to get in and out of quickly factor in. That is also the reason I don't do accessories much, either. I save pussy bows and layered looks for days off from the gym.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

You crack me up. Not only did the outfit serve all of your duties of the day, but you also look fantastic!

Thank you for donating blood. My SO has a blood disease requiring frequent transfusions, and I always think about the people who give.

binkle

Veteran

As the recipient of many blood-product transfusions over the past 2 years, you have my heartfelt thanks!

Sisi

Veteran

Wow, three different activities for one outfit, that is challenging! That is a functional and pretty outfit. You have been very smart! Generally when I get dressed in the morning I have to think only of temperature fluctuations (that's why I keep a reserve of clothes and shoes at my workplace). Time ago I planned an outfit to go to a conference after work and it it was a complete failure! The dressy overcoat was too light for the wind and rain that started when I left the office, and while I was walking I remembered why I had put aside that old pair of very pretty shoes: they hurt!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Runcarla- a mid-day workout is something I couldn't even imagine. I always do mine at the beginning or end of the day. Good for you!

CocoLion and binkie- my youngest was on heart-lung bypass for the first week of life and required lots of blood products so we have a vested interest in donating. I'm not sure if I'll be able to donate again, though. I had a bad reaction to the chemical they use and passed out. Luckily, my boyfriend and kiddo were there with me to make sure I got home safely.

Sisi- I have done that with shoes also. Why do we keep them if they hurt? We should just donate them!

LaPed

Veteran

I have a dog, a toddler, seven chickens, and wood heat -- my logistics at this point involve not wearing anything that can get destroyed too easily! Jeans, hoodies, boots, etc. My "nice" stuff only comes out in the evenings when I go out to try a new restaurant or see a show.

Traci

Veteran

Let's see. I usually start off with whether my house is hot or cold in the morning. I've found if I try to dress for the forecast I can end up miserable, though I do make sure to grab a jacket or wear layers according to the forecast.

Next I think about how much walking or sitting I'll be doing. If I'm sitting all day I need a comfortable waistband. If I'm walking a lot the shoes must not pinch.

Next comes my emotions for the day. Do I need armour? Comfort? Confidence? Invisibility? Humor?

Sara L.

Veteran

Cute outfit! I have a similar dress that I thought of wearing today.

I usually start with the weather - hot or cold? Then move to shoes. Today I have a similar situation to you though - a doctor appointment where access to my upper arm will be necessary. I made sure I could roll my sleeve up high enough.

lady

That's a great outfit and I can see how it will serve you well today.

Aside from obvious weather considerations, I'm still nursing so all my tops need to be easy access. I usually accomplish this through layering a cami underneath a blouse. I do have a few button blouses that serve me well here too.

I have to be careful w accessories due to my baby. I'm more of a large statement earring kinda girl. But I rock studs and buttons instead. I don't wear necklaces much. I stick to stretchy bracelets. Finally, I need to be able to get down and up off the floor. I can do this in most of my bottoms but I rarely reach for skirts for this reason.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

La Pedestrienne- that's very practical.

Traci- I have the same issue with the weather report.

Sara- always smart to make sure your sleeve can be rolled before a Dr. Apt.

Lady- babies come with lots of logistical issues! Sounds like you've figured it out.

Helena

Veteran

I work in a preschool so ... "If bleach or snot gets on this, will I be upset ...?"

sylvie55

(website)

1. What's the weather like? No light-colored pants if it's raining. I always bring a sweater or jacket because my office is often freezing.
2. Will I be walking a lot today? How achy are my troublesome feet? Crucial for shoe choice.
3. Am I going somewhere right after work? If I'm heading to one of my sons' football/baseball games it has to be comfy, washable and weather-suitable. If we're going out to dinner I pay a bit more attention to looking cute, though we never go to fancy spots during the week.
4. Is it one of those crazy-busy workdays where I may end up having to eat lunch at my desk? Washable outfit.
5. Am I going to yoga at lunchtime? Then my outfit needs to be easy to get in and out, since I only have an hour. (Confession: I usually wear ponte pants or dressy track pants with an under-tank or a t-shirt-like top on Mondays so I can attend a wonderful yoga class at a further-away location which leaves no time to change. It's not hot yoga so I don't sweat.)
6. Am I presenting at a meeting? Then I think more about looking presentable.
7. How am I feeling? If it's confident, I may try something new/fashionable. If I'm in need of comfort, I wear an old favorite.

I see from writing this that my daily choices tend to have a lot more to do with practicality than fashion. That explains a lot!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I applaud you teachers and mid-day workout mavens!