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The Retirement Closet

deb

Veteran

Before I retired I worked mostly from home and only went into the office once or twice a week. This was my schedule for the past 9 or 10 years. I really thought my closed was retirement ready but I was so wrong. My wonderful shoe collection never gave me problems and basically it took years for me to wear a pair out. Well, I am finding now that I am not sitting at my desk for so long I am walking more. And I am living in an apartment and no longer can let the dog into the back yard to do his business so we go on walks four or five times a day. I am purging shoes left and right because the hurt. Same shoes I have worn for years that I never made earn their keep.

What I have learned is that I do not like laces of any kind. If I cannot slip in and out of my footwear, I do not wear them. I love the new laced ankle flats but wish the were pre laces with a zipper in back. Sneaker must be slipons, I am ready to purge the others.

Bags are another item I am changing. I never carried large bags but the ones I did I feel are too big now. I do not need the stuff I carried back and forth to the office. Everything I need is here at home and I am only gone for short periods of time. I am going crazy with small crossbody bags now, constantly on the lookout for new and different. I cannot even think about passing the larger bags on so I will put them in their covers and keep them in a cupboard.

The rest of the closet is in pretty good shape, except for bathing suits. I have a pool available now and plan on getting my exercise that way. No balance necessary. I have one suit I bought several years ago for a trip to Hawaii and it is too big now. I am dreading shopping for some new suits. I really should get out now before they are picked over, but I do not want to. Yes, life is tough as a retiree.

General

23 replies

Latest reply was from MsGreer

Joy

Veteran

Your post goes to show that it is hard to predict what life changes will do to your wardrobe. Recently I've been forced to use larger bags when my preference is a large clutch or clutch/crossbody/shoulder. Having to take insulin now means carrying more stuff, even to go out to eat. Health issues have also delegated me to no sandals or heels. Friends have had shoulder issues and limited arm movement. That can mean button front, not pullover tops. I have spent hours looking for button front pjs for a friend this week. They are hard to find. The only constant is change.
Enjoy your retirement.

rachylou

Veteran

Ah yes: this is totally me with my dog. I wear my crossbody around my waist now and eat a pair of shoes a month, I swear.

Nebraskim

Veteran

My retirement from an office 18 months ago coincided with the start of a style shift in which I suddenly loved the whole "long over lean" look. I had been wearing a lot of skirts with shirts and toppers (not unlike Ms. Mary's look) but now I'm more into dresses over leggings or lots of layers. I fell in love with ponchos this year. I'm wearing more pants now than I did before. I still have a fairly robust PR consulting business, but I find I can be far more casual than I used to be, which was pretty casual. I have sent quite a few skirts and more businessy looking outfits to the charity shops. I have not devolved into wearing workout gear all the time, but it has become more common for me to wear it just around the house if I know I'm not going out for the day.

Anonymous

If all goes as planned, I'm less than 4 years away from retirement. I'm trying not to load up on too many office-only outfits because I know I won't need too much of that when I resign. I will need some, as my DH is a dept. head and I don't like dressing too casually. I won't want that many dress pants, though.

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Well, that sounds so much like me!

I wear slip-ons only at home. Walking 2 dogs 4-5 times a day requires really comfy but easy to wear/remove footwear. However, I do like my laced sneakers for my own exercise...they grip the foot much better.

I love the *idea* of large bags and have a few, but I often use only smaller bags.

It's time to go swimsuit shopping, Deb. You've lost a ton of weight and you need one! I saw a post on Wardrobe Oxygen recently....check that out. http://www.wardrobeoxygen.com/.....urves.html

Laurinda

Veteran

Just a couple ideas...

if you wanted to keep any pairs of sneakers would elastic laces help to make them slip-on ready?

If they are just for exercise Costco regularly has Speedo swimsuits for US$20.

Hope you are enjoying this next chapter!

Debbie

Veteran

Deb I am so glad you posted this. I am seriously considering retiring in Oct. I will still do a little bookkeeping from home but I feel my wardrobe is going to change some. I need to swimsuit shop too and I am not looking forward to it.

Dar

I'm beginning my second year of retirement from a management position and the first items I purged were my suits. I've kept a couple pencil skirts but softened my look with tunics or feminine tees and I find that shifts with sweaters or blazer are polished enough for the office where I now work part time.
A problem area in my wardrobe has always been casual clothing but I get some great inspiration from all of you on YLF.
Deb, I'd love to see your collection of cross body bags. (-:

JAileen

Veteran

Congratulations on retiring!

I'm not retired, but I don't have a job. I have a few nice clothes, but wear jeans and tees most of the time. When I'm out in the public I make my outfit interesting with the third piece. Right now I'm loving ponchos.

My walking shoes have zip laces (#1). I like Salomon because they have great traction and are waterproof. I wear them for dog walking, hiking, and birding when it's not too cold. They are not fashionable, I know, but they are really comfortable and I can wear my orthotics with them. Mine look like those in #2.

When we went to Hawaii I ordered a bunch of swim suit pieces from Lands End. What I didn't keep I was able to return to Sears. I don't know if you can still do that. But I got some great pieces including a rash guard and boy shorts.

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Bijou

Veteran

Deb I feel for you on the shopping for swim suits - not the sort of clothes shopping that I enjoy either. I shop at a dedicated swim wear shop that stocks many different brands. When I walk in, the women who work there ask what styles I like and then based upon my figure, will make suggestions. Invariably they pick something that works. Also, if you are swimming in a pool, go for chlorine resistant fabrics as your swim suit will last much longer. I find swim wear to be similar to buying bras, it is all about getting the right fit and professional help does make a difference.

karen13

Veteran

I am laughing, because I left the (very) corporate world 15 years ago and I only got rid of the last three of my extremely corporate suits a few days ago. Hey - they made me feel powerful!

I adore Merrill clogs for a comfy slip on shoe that stays on my foot. I have 4 pairs, and now they come in summery mesh versions, so I will be looking into those.
http://www.merrell.com/US/en/s.....8;prefv1=W

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Inge

(website)

Sounds like you have a great handle on your current wants and needs, Deb, which is excellent (SO get it about needing different footwear when you're on your feet more). I'm also loving the sound of that pool, but I hear you on the swimsuit shopping.

If you're after a one-piece, I can highly recommend the "Sweetheart" by La Blanca. It's not cheap, but I find it flattering (I have it in the royal blue), and it has held up very well.
Oh, and if you like Marimekko prints, there are some swimwear options in the upcoming Target collection.

Angie's also written several swimwear posts with tips on brands that have been winners on her clients. Even if those exact styles are no longer available, it might be worth checking out the brands:
http://youlookfab.com/2013/04/.....swimsuits/

http://youlookfab.com/2015/04/.....cessories/

http://youlookfab.com/2014/04/.....swimsuits/

http://youlookfab.com/2011/05/.....d-bottoms/

http://youlookfab.com/2011/05/.....swimsuits/

I also found a ton of crossbody bags, but I don't want to hijack your thread, so I'll start a separate thread for those here

La Blanca 'Sweetheart' One-Piece Swimsuit

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Anonymous

Interesting post. I can see how things might change unpredictably.

Summer

Veteran

My transition to retirement was much like yours, Deb, having worked from home for many years. I haven't had to change much at all, except for a new-found interest in fashion and style - I'm a late developer!

You seem to have your wardrobe needs all sorted, which is great. I think you should really go to town on your swimwear collection, starting with that fabulous suit that Inge has posted. It almost makes me want to take up swimming myself.

Style Fan

Veteran

I retired 5 years ago and purged a lot of my work clothes. I kept pieces that were gems. Things like my Boss tweed jacket that had a Chanel flavour, Sarah Pacini sweaters and pants, black pants for funerals, etc. I also walk a lot. It is hard to predict what life will look like when you retire and what you will be doing.
I have thought about taking up swimming and Aquafit. I only have "decoration" swimming suits. A good functional suit seems a necessity to exercise in.

Anonymous

Thanks for this thread, Deb. There's some real practical wisdom for me here as I look ahead to and plan for retirement. Like Bettycrocker, I am trying not to buy items that fall under the serious workwear category.

Linda

Very interesting post! I am currently 21 months away from retirement and have been thinking about my wardrobe a lot lately. I don't work from home, but I have been getting away from purchasing "serious" suits like I have in the past. Since I walk a lot anyway, I always have a pair of comfortable flats to change into at lunch for walking. Also, as I age, I find I have less and less tolerance for uncomfortable shoes. I've been purchasing more comfortable shoes like Munroe American, Sofft, Taryn Rose, and Me Too.

I have a ton of swimsuits as I swim laps almost four days a week as the indoor pool where I work. I love the $20 dollar Speedo Suits at Costco and have four of them.

I hadn't even thought about handbags! I generally don't carry a large bag, but I like a cross-body for travel so they should work!

catgirl

Veteran

The shoes which saved my life in Vegas are a pair of Skechers Go Flex slip-ons. Light, comfy, and easy to get on and off.

What an interesting post - wish I were contemplating a retirement closet!

Anonymous

Wishing you a lovely retirement! I had so much fun cleaning out my closet when I retired. All those memories of overly long meetings, frustrating projects, looming deadlines, gnarly Excel spreadsheets -- gone!! It's been a pleasure to restock it with play clothes. Enjoy your swimsuit search! Be sure to check out the Seafolly line, out of Australia. Very cute styles.

Gaylene

Veteran

Retirement wardrobes are tricky because, unlike the workplace ones, YOU get to set the rules. The ubiquitous pants, T's, sweater, cross-body bag, and comfortable shoes "uniform" is pretty common, but overall impression can run from uber-casual to city-street smart.

Things I've discovered:
Comfortable, but stylish, shoes and boots are wardrobe essentials. But comfort isn't "comfortable for the office" comfort"; instead think "comfortable for MY FEET for a full day of walking in Vegas or Paris" comfort. The big challenge is finding this kind of comfort in a non-trainer shoe; it's possible, but it's not easy.

Everyday wear is what I can put on in the morning, walk for an hour, meet a friend for coffee, go grocery shopping and run errands in the afternoon, and still look presentable for dinner at a nice restaurant with my DH. Actually my current everyday wardrobe is not unlike my former travel wardrobe--clothes which are practical, attractive, and suitable for a variety of activities and temperatures. My casual, "relaxing-around-the-house" capsule is minuscule these day because it's TOO relaxed. I want (and need!) to look stylish on a regular basis even if I'm just walking the dog or running a quick errand.

Downsizing meant a smaller wardrobe for me, but a much more thoughtful one. I still experiment, but I prefer to spend my retirement income on experiences, not heaps of potentially discardable clothing. Spending more per item to find the combination of style and functionality I want seems a better route.

And, finally, buying at specialty/boutique shops has been much more rewarding than discount or warehouse stores. The cuts and fabrics seem to look better on my older body--and the staff are more attentive to my needs. I refurbished my swimsuit wardrobe at a swimwear boutique a few months ago, and, like Bijou, found the staff enormously helpful. The cost might have been a bit more than in a department store, but the pieces fit, flatter, and make me feel good about my 65+ body.

Inge

(website)

Perhaps you need these sneakers, Deb
http://www.businessoffashion.c.....ng-sneaker

deb

Veteran

Thanks all for the wisdom. Inge, if those sneakers did the initial lacing I would jump right on.

MsGreer

Lucky you and congrats on retirement! I find my feet hurting so I wear flats as much as possible. Always have heels in my bag at desk for those last minute changes in schedule or appointments. My feet and arches are just out-of-shape these days...lol