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Moving, new climate and lifestyle = wardrobe re-evaluation

abc

Veteran

Hello ylf!

Two weeks ago we moved from the big bad city to a much more rural area about 2.5 hours away.

I don't regret the decision one bit as it's been wonderful for the family, but I will admit it's thrown me for a loop in terms of dressing!

This post is really mostly for getting my thoughts out of my head and written down, but I appreciate any and all feedback and help this gracious community can offer.

Climate
- I can't tool around the house in flip flops like I used to bc my feet freeze. Need to figure out a presentable option that works inside and outside house (i.e. No slippers)
- right now socks are a must so need to evaluate options (rules out ballet flats, wedges, sandals etc leaving my boot collection to likely get more wear)
- need to figure out layering for warmth not for style purposes - see my older thread on this

Lifestyle
- dusty area so shoes get dirty easily and not sure how I will feel with open toes in summer - tbd
- lots of cobblestones so heels are not practical at all. Likely leaving the heels for work capsule only
- most days working from home, school shuttle, being w kids around the house and yard -- MOTG super casual
- I tend to like more formal looks than are practical for my lifestyle even before and now even more so. Need to figure out how to be ok with dressing down/casual but still feel pulled together and presentable
- take time to dry hair and put on makeup -- so guilty of not doing this lately and I feel crappy (I blame the move and not having closet setup but it's a lot of laziness on my part, too)
- review jackets and coats and see if I can SYC vs thinking I need something new for this climate (eyeing the athleta rain jacket Janet or the Lucy similar option has but trying so hard not to buy it before I confirm I really need it)
- need to review closet keeping these things in mind -- keeping work capsule(s) intact for that piece of my life when needed (can be called for client onsite at drop of a hat so gotta keep those capsules intact even if they don't get a lot of wear)
- trying to shop less, have less, consume less ... Hard to get that consumerism out of my blood

Thanks for reading my long post. It helped me to get it all out. Thoughts and commiseration welcome xoxo abc

Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from Lucy

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Oh, I hope you keep posting as you muse about these things, because you've touched on a TON of issues that I've been thinking about, as well.

- Needing an über-casual wardrobe for most days, while still having nicer professional options ready to go
- Preferring dressier-than-practical outfits
- Keeping up with hair/makeup, especially when not going to an office
- Consuming less

Your new area sounds beautiful... rural with cobblestones and dust has to mean gorgeous scenery, right? Is it colder because you're at a higher elevation?

abc

Veteran

Thanks for your reply Jenn!

The area is a similar elevation it just gets colder and hotter here than where we were before. In one day temps can range a good 20-25 degrees F. To me it feels colder here but it could be a matter that in the past I wasn't out IN the cold mornings as much as I am now. I think it's both factors.

The new area is surrounded by wineries and artesnal cheese places. Both right up my alley. The scenery is decidedly more rural than the city of 20+ million where we came from, haha, here it's quite dusty and lots of views of mountains and desert too. I don't think of it as a desert but I suppose it is. Probably just a fault in my thinking as you do see lots of cactus around. Luckily there are plenty of green grassy areas, too.

So glad you can identify with the themes of my ramble. I think I am having an internal struggle with accepting the change now. I felt like finally I was in a decent place wardrobe wise then we had to go and move! I'm sure I will deal and its hardly a point given the whole scheme of things - the move has been wonderful for the family. I just have to figure out how to dress myself now, that's all

LaPed

Veteran

Congrats on your move! I went through a very similar series of changes earlier this winter -- urban to rural, hot to cold. I too am trying to figure out how to do über-casual MOTG in a way that is classy and presentable.

I can totally relate to how frustrating it is to not have your closet set up the way you like, and how hard it can be to maintain your routines through a transitional period. I did the entire holiday season out a suitcase!

I'm curious to see how you sort out your footwear conundrums -- especially a flip flop alternative that will keep your feet warm. For now I'm just wearing extra thick socks inside, and have a pair of rubber barn boots that are easy to slip on over even the thickest socks if I need to go outside to do just a quick chore. But where I live tends towards snow/mud rather than wind and dust, so that might be overkill in your environment. A pair of cozy clogs might make more sense. (Birkenstock makes a shearling lined version of their Boston clog: http://www.zappos.com/birkenst.....HLwNK:2016)

El Cee

Veteran

I so appreciate your thoughtful musings. Like you, I am in a period of wardrobe reevaluation due to big changes in lifestyle. I used to work in an office environment but now mostly work from home. I also moved from an urban to a suburban/bordering-on-rural environment a few years ago. On the days that I am out of the house, I am using public transportation and am battling the elements (rain, ice, snow, dust) which takes a toll on my clothing and footwear. I tend to wear flats (often with good grippy rubber soles) both around the house (in lieu of slippers) and for warmer weather when on the run. (I wear boots outdoors in winter.) Pumps and leather soles (for me) lead to slipping/tripping accidents. I try to find fun, colorful slip-ons (ballet flats, loafers, sneakers). I have had a lot of success with Clarks, Hush Puppies, Soft Walk and Sperry brands.

Like you, I gravitate to more formal looks and sometimes miss my office days. Although I am mostly in jeans these days, I am trying to find ways to adapt dressier looks to fit my new lifestyle. I have lately been wearing a lot of knit dresses and casualizing them by wearing them over leggings, skinny jeans, flared jeans or capris/crops. I am going to start experimenting with casualizing skirts this Spring as I have quite a collection of pencil skirts that I have not been wearing in recent months.

Your ideas for SYC and closet review are spot on. I need to do the same. And I am also with you on the need to avoid consumerism. These days I would rather spend my time and money doing things with family and friends. Congratulations on your move and wishing you and your family much joy in your new environment. There is much to love about country life. (My current next door neighbors are cows. They are delightful creatures.)

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Ginger

Veteran

Wow, this is a lot to process! BIG changes for you. I'm so glad the move has clearly been a good thing overall. I did have a couple of thoughts:

- Footwear inside & out. I'm not sure what you mean by "presentable" for "outside" - do you mean appropriate for errands? I tend to just change shoes/footwear when I leave the house. I'm not running in and out all the time, so it's not burdensome or tedious to keep switching. It's also more comfortable than traipsing around inside in heavy shoes.

- Layering for warmth is interesting. I keep my house a bit cool in winter, so when I'm home most of the day I use a lot of traditional layering pieces, like layering tees and t-necks. I also have several cozy/drapey cardigans. Fleece-lined tights and leggings add a lot of warmth without visible layering, which can be convenient.

- Because of cobblestones thin heels may be out, but wedges sound perfect. Also block heels. The lift given by a heel makes me feel instantly more fab. Nothing but flats feels dull eventually.

- Liking formal looks. Can you maybe add a subtle formal touch that makes you happy, without throwing off the whole look? Like some really nice, refined jewelry - pearls, diamond studs, good watch. Focus on getting items you really like, and carefully coordinated with other items. Maybe matching things carefully instead of mixing it up will make you feel pulled together? A really nice rain jacket, like the ones from Athleta, might actually help in this instance, too. I know I feel less than fab when I'm "making do" with something. And I think maybe being disciplined about hair and makeup will help, too. I wear makeup even when I'm alone all day; I feel blah and lazy and sloppy when I don't spend that 10 minutes. The discipline is good for me, and I feel put together and prepared.

Hang in there! Re-evaluation can kind of being daunting, but it can be kind of exciting, too. Who knows what you'll discover?

rachylou

Veteran

I'm rather in the same place. My office clothes are languishing. I need shoes that are all about walkability, and could use some better indoor footwear than my thin slippers. I'm feeling a little like a high school student... which feels a little rolled out of bed/too dressed down.

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Congrats on the move and I hope the settling-in process goes smoothly. When I read your post, I immediately thought of Uggs (*ducks) in all the variations--short boots, slippers, even Chelseas. The fleece will keep you warm, and they make great indoor/outdoor slippers.

JAileen

Veteran

Your new weather sounds a little like mine. I live at about 4500 feet in elevation. We have 30 degree temperature swings nearly every day. This morning it was in the 20s and now it's in the 50s.

I wear slippers with socks at home, and change, usually to boots, when I go out. We get snow, but most days it's just cold. Nice boots can make an outfit.

With dust and cobblestones, I don't have summer footwear suggestions. Our summers are hot and so I wear sandals all summer. I like Birkenstocks because they're easy to slip on, but I wear other types too.

This morning when it was in the 20s I wore a down jacket walking the dogs, but now I'm wearing a fleece vest. It might be warm enough to discard the vest. We have to peel off layers every day.

Traci

Veteran

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/bo.....ordsearch- You may find them too rustic, but I got these booties a few weeks ago and they are so comfy and waterproof and sturdy. Layered with a pair of wool socks, my feet are in heaven.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Unfortunately, I don't have any useful advice (I've never moved away to a different climate!), but I can sympathize with the having to dress down part. I definitely put style on a back burner when I'm at the ranch, and it's tough to feel fab there. I'm sure you will acclimate soon. I mainly wanted to say congrats on the move and wish you luck.

abc

Veteran

Thank you for all the responses.

I wrote this as I was still organizing the closet. Now I have it mostly put together. You can at least see what I have and the shoes have been unpacked (a large source of the angst I was expressing above). I still have a lot of work to do to marry my style with my new climate and lifestyle, but I'm on the way! Thanks again.

Jenn, thanks again

La Pedestrienne, when you figure out

über-casual MOTG in a way that is classy and presentable, please let me in on the secret! Re shoes, again yesterday I was reprimanded (jokingly) by DH regarding my footwear choice. I think the root of the issue is that when I can, I choose to tool around the house in my PJs in a defiant act of denial that I really need to get dressed and get on with my day. I was wearing clarks mary janes with my PJs and he has commented several times how silly it looks. I guess I just need to give up on wearing my PJs any longer in the mornings and put on proper clothes and shoes and that would solve the issue. I have a pair of flip flops I keep around the bedroom to slide off and on (sometimes admittedly with socks) and the offending Clarks. Maybe I should look into clogs or house shoes - thing is they must be easy to slip off and on, no ties or laces. Thanks for the suggestion on the clogs.

El Cee, I never winterize my dresses but it's an idea. And I totally relate to your pencil skirt topic. When it comes time, would you be willing to share some of those looks and lessons learned from your casualizing skirt exercise?? It would help me a lot as I have several pencil skirts hanging unworn, too. And yes, cows are lovely, we just took the kids to a farm about 5 min away and they loved seeing the farm animals.

Ginger, you are spot on regarding the footwear. I have no wedges for summer but want to add some given my new climate and lifestyle. I explained more about the footwear issues above (for your reading pleasure, haha). I like your idea of layering and can use the pieces you mentioned as starting points for my own closet. I think also we feel swings in temps bc we don't have air conditioning or heating here. I like it even though sometimes I end up sleeping in PJs and a hoodie, haha.

RL - rolled out of bed? You just described my look for the past 3 weeks, haha.

GF - thanks for the suggestion. I tend to have a poison eye for those shoes (for myself) but know the brand makes more than just that type of shoe.

JAileen, our elevation is over 6,000 feet here. I can relate to everything you said. I need to learn to layer and put on and peel off layers during the day as needed. I think that will go a long way to make me feel more comfortable here.

Traci, thanks for the suggestion, I will check out those boots.

Janet, thanks! Commiseration welcome! It is nice to hear you don't feel your fab self all the time when at the ranch. I just need to find a way to balance my need to feel good and the wardrobe that makes that happen with my lifestyle.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Congrats on the move! That sounds like a huge change, and yes, for sure your dressing needs will be a little different. I do think layers are key to this type of climate. Scarves are a great thing to have available. They seem to warm you up and cool you down in no time. In winter, merino wool layers can be nice -- it is warm but not too warm, if you know what I mean. And a couple of long cardigans could be useful.

As for footwear, I struggle with the same sorts of issues, as you know, albeit in a different climate. For my in home wear I am currently (in winter) using the Merrells below (recommended by Gryffin and Angie -- I have the wool lined version but there is also a version without the warm lining). They are not beautiful but they are highly supportive and easy to get on and off and go quickly outdoors if need be.

In summer I wear my slip on sneakers inside quite a lot. Or bare feet, to be honest.

Merrell Women's Encore Ice Clog

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abc

Veteran

Thanks for chiming in, Suz! I appreciate your feedback. The first pair of shoes may be what I need to slip on and wear around the house. Thanks for the suggestion. And merino wool is perfect for me, I run a little hot and don't like bulk at all. I have one EF sweater made of that fabric and it is by far my favorite. Thanks again!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yes, I don't wear them as true outer shoes, but if I need to take out the garbage or meet the UPS guy at the door, they are just the thing!!

I don't know about you, but I found the transition back to student-hood created a bit of extra wardrobe stress until I figured out how I wanted to handle it. I think any change in our living circumstances calls for some tweaks to the wardrobe.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Having just moved myself, I'm very familiar with how much work discomfiture is involved, and my move was relatively smooth and happy!

I've found making capsules to be even more helpful as I figure out muy new lifestyle. Mine are meant to last just 4-8 weeks. I also encourage the use of light layers to keep warm. I suspect you might "adjust" over times, and you might feel the cold less in a season or two.

Lucy

Veteran

So this is me, in opposites!
Last year I moved from Sydney to Brisbane, not a big move by some standards, less than a 1000km, but quite different in terms of climate. Sydney has four seasons, with some hot and cold. Brisbane is much warmer, and it is warmer for a much longer part of the year. Last winter, I did not wear more than half my winter clothes, and those I did wear were mainly when I travelled!
So I found I had way too few clothes for summer - I got really sick of mine when I was wearing them for nine months! I also found that though I had some nice summer clothes, a lot of them had sleeves, while really sleeveless is required here for at least 3 or 4 months.
And lastly, my new workplace is dressier, so I had to up my game there!
See, exactly the opposite to your problems
I held off buying too much at first, but about six months in I went to an outlet centre with some of my favourite labels, and bought quite a lot - five or six sleeveless dresses, and some other stuff too. I had to add more sandals too, I have worn sandals for about 9 months of the year, and some of my booties never got a look in! The mid year refresh has largely kept me happy, and I have added a few new sleeveless things in the last few weeks, too, as I was getting pretty bored with the same old same old, even though I don't have a small closet!
I would only buy the real essentials to start with - some around the house shoes for a start - but factor in a slightly bigger shop once the haze and fatigue of the move has ended! You will think more clearly then, and know more about your real needs.