Retirement Dressing - YouLookFab Forum

Sal

Oh Debbie - challenging emotions and times. It's hard when there is a lot swirling around at once.

I think I would pick a pair of jeans or a sweater or something that you know and love. And see if you can wear it three ways over the week. And try something else the next week.

I am not retired, but have worked from home and been home with young children. If you have do one nice thing for yourself every day - something that gives you joy, Coffee alone or with a friend, 30 mins with a novel or a tv show you love, phone chat with someone who makes you feel good, or cleaning a drawer that you have wanted to tackle for ages.

5 days ago

Runcarla

Veteran

First of all, congratulations on your retirement, Debbie!

No matter the curve ball life throws at you on your retirement, I’m sure you’ll rise to the occasion and find your joie de vie as well as your fashion mojo! The main piece of advice I’ll give you is to do something for yourself. Your DH was used to you being off at work for however many hours you dedicated to your job. Just because you are retired doesn’t mean you both have to live in each other’s pocket!

By all means keep up with any activities, clubs, or associations you were involved in before you withdrew from the world of paid work. Or, join something new! Most communities have a seniors (age 55+) centre or seniors programming as part of a community centre. Our local CC has programs from 7am to 9 pm every day. All kinds of exercise classes, badminton, pickleball, cards and other mind games, crafts and hobby groups. There is regular programming, short term activities, and one-off workshops. Some are mixed ages and some are just for seniors. The local library has lots of activities as well, not restricted to just seniors.

My fave activities at the CC are Tai Chi, Bridge, and the UFO club (bring your unfinished craft project) and some of the one off workshops or seminars. I swim laps at a sports facility, and go during the ‘adult swim’. There’s an aqua fit class in the therapy pool and lane swims in the big pool - and no screaming kids splashing and misbehaving! LOL! I go to the library once every 3 weeks and get lost in the stacks for an hour or two and leave with a bag of books to read or look through.

You will also find that shifting your regular activities and chores (like grocery shopping or running other errands) to times other than the weekend or night time - results in a more leisurely pace. Getting outside the house and into your community during the day puts you into contact with other people - other retirees who are out and about, mums and dads with pre-schoolers or who home school, and folks with unusual jobs and flexible work situations. It’s a whole other (interesting) world!

Any activity that gets you outside the house, will provide the occasion for dressing ‘up’. How dressed up you get is up to you! I’m pretty casual (jeans, a sweater, sneakers) most days, but I dress up for Bridge, or when I’m running errands.

I’ll admit it took me a while to discover my retirement style, because I didn’t really have a developed casual style. Before I retired, I was in business/work clothes, or chore clothes! I actually found YLF while googling ‘what to wear in retirement’ - 5 years before I did retire! I did do an edit 6 months after retiring, and a significant purge one year after that. It took me about 5 years to figure out how I wanted to be ‘seen’, and to get my closet sorted for my new lifestyle after I retired.

FWIW, the pandemic hit 11 months after I retired! So, yeah, not what DH and I planned!

5 days ago

Star

Veteran

It will take a while to adjust to the change for sure. What I did/do is as follows:
I dress every morning. Nothing to be called exciting (especially in winter) but I put on an outfit, mostly made up of jeans/cords and knits now in winter, a co-ordinating turtleneck and socks, even if only my DH and I see them I know they go together. Only my coat and hat/gloves will be seen outside. I finally got a co-ordinating complement which helps with the pulled together feeling. Every morning after moisturising I apply my eyebrows and earrings regardless of the day or if I am going somewhere. If going out the door a slick of lipstick or coloured lip balm. I go for a neighbourhood walk every day and evening. So my point is you will develop daily routines/rituals over time that work for you. Maybe this is not applicable because you will be going out accompanying your DH on medical visits. However one thing i know for sure is that if I stay in sweats all day I feel like my day never happened, hence I always dress in outside clothes. I realise others are ok with this and I am just sharing my personal experience. Good luck, it is still early days and it is natural you are feeling this way.

5 days ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Well Debbie I am not retired yet but I work 3 days a week and obviously don’t work the other 4. So more days based at home than not. Today I was just wearing a tank and shorts (summer here) but put a bright floral blouse over to go grocery shopping as they have it cold in the store. Then I remembered last time my legs got cold in the store wearing shorts so I put on the matching midi floral skirt. And a necklace and earrings! I felt more like me and it didn’t take long, and my legs were not cold.
Some days I make little effort if it’s a home day but most days I do feel better if I am actually wearing something that matches or tones somewhat, it doesn’t take much time as I have plenty to choose from.
I am sorry about your husband’s health. I haven’t taken up regular hobbies outside the house yet as I will still be helping look after my granddaughter when they return from holiday. Maybe one day if circumstances allow.

5 days ago

Sisi

Veteran

First of all congratulations! I am not retired but I have seen people struggling with retirement . It is a big change. I suggest to make an effort to dress well even if you are at home, and go out as often as possible for a walk, for a coffee with friends and such. Put on lipstick! I am sure you will find a new balance soon. Best wishes for your husband.

5 days ago

Dee

Veteran

I retired in 2020 and it was a forced retirement due to covid. It wasn't my intention to retire quite that soon but that's the way it turned out.

It's been a huge transition for me. You've now got to find new meaning and purpose for your life moving forward. That's the real challenge. I'm sorry to hear of your husband's medical issues, of course they will have to be given some consideration, but never forget about your own health and well being too. I agree with Star, not dressing for the day and just staying in sweats all day just brings me down. I find it really important to make this effort no matter what. If you're ever feeling up to it again, please share some these outfits with us too.

I also agree wholeheartedly with the wonderful advice Runcarla has suggested. Don't lose sight of who you used to be, she's still there. Slowly through time you will find your way.

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