What To Where Part 2

krishnidoux

A lot of you responded to my first question: what are your day-to-day activities. From your answers, I was able to establish a list of occasions for which we need to think about dressing. I have tried to classify it accordingly.

WHAT I'D LIKE YOU TO DO:

1. Please help me tweak it!
2. Pick one or more activities you recognize doing and suggest a full-proof dressing formula: what works best?
3. Pick one or more activities you recognize doing and suggest a troubleshooting tip: for example, what DOES NOT work in this circumstance?

Any input will help us! The goal is to make us think and dress for the life we have, not the life we don't have, and therefore, better shop and better organize our closets.

ON WITH THE LIST:

Boy, are we a busy bunch or what! What do we do?

We shop:

Grocery shopping (indoor)
Farmers Market (outdoor)
Clothes shopping
Errands shopping
Downtown window shopping
Mall shopping

We work hard:

Commuting to and from work
Working at office
Working at home alone
Working from home meeting clients
Videoconferencing
Meetings (formal)
Meetings (casual)
Presentations
Consulting
Providing corporate training
Teaching art classes
Public appearances
Teaching children

We play hard:

Date night with BFF
Evening in a pub
Dining out with a friend
Date night with DH/partner
Clubbing (involves dancing)
Entertaining at home
Dinner Parties (invited)
Dinner Parties (hosting)
Going to friends' house for casual evening
Book Club
Various club meetings
Pool parties at friends' houses
Eating out (dressy)
Eating out (casual)
Lunch out with friends

We unwind:

Beach combing
Lounging at home
Cycling
Walking
Sailing
Golfing

We pray:

Church
Church related meetings and small groups

We take care of ourselves:

Visiting doctor
Visiting dentist

We take care of others:

Volunteering
Visit aging parent in their Home
Caring for aging parent

We exercise:

Yoga class
Dance class
Cycling
Swimming
Weight lifting
Exercise Class
Tennis

We travel:

Weekend away capsules
Distance vacation travel
Beach vacation
Visit family
Cruising capsules
Travelling by train
Travelling by plane
Travelling by car
Cruising drives

We do cool things:

Winery Visits/Tastings
Writing in coffee shop
City day outing
Outdoor fairs and festivals
attending local sports event
Concerts (formal)
Concerts (rock)
Concerts (school)
Outdoor concerts
Opera/ symphony/ ballet performances
Plays (formal)
Plays (school)
Bowling

We are parents or grandparents:

Childrens preschool drop off/pickup
Taking kids to lessons/sports
Taking kids to park
children's museum/attraction
Taking care of children at home
With children at pool
Kid’s play dates
School functions
Meet The Teachers

We are wives/partners:

Social functions related to DH work (smart casual)
Social functions related to DH work (dressy)

We dress up:

Fundraiser evenings (dressy)
Weddings
Social functions related to DH work (dressy)

We dress down:

House cleaning
Home improvement
Work in deep storage
Collections repair and maintenance
Gardening
Furniture refinishing

12 years ago

Dressing

13 replies

Latest reply was from

(website)

Veteran

Huh, my first suggestion isn't even on the list. It's what I found myself dressing for most so far this year! When bowling socially (not wearing league attire) - always wear clothes with armpits that let you move and SOCKS. No socks is a disaster for bowling

12 years ago

Anonymous

I think we all could probably use a few atractive tops that take a pair of basic jeans from drab to fab so that we can either wear sneakers with to go to the park with the kids or add some nice shoes and a bag to pop to a pub with friends.
Also if having a clear out, always keep back some old jeans and worn out shoes to do gardening in.
When I travel abroad for two weeks I stick to a colour palette of about four colours and I always take 2 dresses, two pairs of trousers and 3 skirts. I have about 5 tops and two cover up cardis (for if it cools down at night). With 3 pairs of shoes and two belts plus jewelry I have enough options for 14 nights out. All day is spent in swimwear, shorts and Tees or beach kaftans., plus flip-flops.

12 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Boy, it's a big list! I can see myself doing everything on it, but I guess the real question is what do I expect to being soon and most of.

Haha. I guess that means I should start with clothes shopping, I totally believe in a tank top and leggings and slip-on shoes and a long labcoat type coat. Makes it easier to try on things if you don't have to fuss taking your own clothes on and off.

Next would be the farmer's market. I may be in a unique situation, in that mine is right across the street on Sunday's. So no worries about walking to it. My only concern is holding my own and showing sufficient hipster cred. Ahaha! And a good shopping bag. Let me say what doesn't work in the form of shopping carriers: wire baskets (esp with wire handles), straw baskets, carriers that your long baguettes tip out of. A good one is tall enough to keep your baguette in, has a little pocket for your wallet, doesn't cut into your hand when you're loaded down, and can be held close to the body when the load is heavy. IMHO.

I carry funky little flat slip-ons for walking when I take public transport to work. It does mean I have to change shoes, which is a little wonky.

I have one, non-wool suit for interviewing for new projects. It's high-tech, so a proper suit is off-putting, but you don't want to go casual in that situation.

And then everything else I think can be divided into "dressy casual" and "hard-wearing casual." For my life and environment.

12 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I have to echo Diane's choice of 2 pants, 3 skirts and 2 dresses for travel, with 3 pair shoes. Add 5 shirts and 2 or 3 toppers depending on climate and you are set. I did this for my recent New Orleans trip and it was perfect. I only did one week, but with 2 outfits per day. (oh, and I added BF shorts and 2 layer tanks for poolside)

12 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

For dressing down and chores, in general, I would want to feel reasonable presentable to answer the door by throwing on or stripping another layer. Eg housecoat, hubby's old shirt or what have you. Also, I subdivide into wet and dirty or dry and dirty, dictating whether I dust myself off and throw on a layer or strip off a wet mucky shirt.

When working outdoors...always wear wide brimmed hat and sunscreen. Melanoma free is always an attractive look.

12 years ago

Parsley

Veteran

BJ- I'm 100% in agreement! The most important thing I ever wear is sunscreen. I wear it more often than anything else: every single day.

12 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I keep ONE winter & one summer outfit for cleaning - I mean the heavy stuff like painting or cleaning baths & floors. In my experience if I keep any more than one I start wearing them in place of my proper clothes.

When shopping for new outfits I wear the clothes that are my absolute best/favourite at the time - the new clothes I am trying then need to measure up to this standard - if they don't I don't buy them.

12 years ago

Makrame

Veteran

Yes to the wide-brim hat! For a fool-proof gardening outfit, I also add a UVP long-sleeved shirt, longish (maybe ankle-length) pants, and waterproof slip-on shoes (I have cute Sloggers shoes).

I also like to have running capsules (some for summer, some for fall/spring, some for winter) with only 1-2 of each type of item since they can be dried quickly. So one pair of running shorts + 2 t-shirts; 1 pair of capris + one running vest and a couple of long-sleeved tops; 1 pair of long running tights + a couple of jackets. Same goes for skiing (one pair of cross-country ski pants and a cross-country ski jacket; same for downhill skiing).

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12 years ago

krishnidoux

Veteran

Tons of good advice!

Mo, I don't know how I could forget your bowling! I fixed it. I'll remember your tips next time I go bowling.

Diane, what a clever remark. I take note... more cute tops. And it's a good trick to stick to fewer colours when travelling, as it allows a maximum of possibilities with the accessories. So as Mo summed it up nicely, the ideal travel capsule comprises:
2 pants, 3 skirts and 2 dresses for travel, 3 pair shoes. 5 shirts and 2 to 3 toppers.

Rach, I LOVE your shopping idea outfit! Yay, I'm doing this next time I shop. I don't own a lab coat but certainly have a button-up long tunic.And you are so right about bags and carriers. But the idea of a fresh baguette sticking out of a straw bag is so romantic though...

bj1111, house chore attire that is still presentable has always been a challenge for me. I have to use aggressive products sometimes such as Javel water, and have ruined my share of casual tees/shorts. I often dress down to my underwear, and cross my fingers that nobody shows up! So you're saying the trick is to hang a roomy shirt close by?
And I cannot but agree with you, sunscreen and brimmed hat are the best and most basic accessories.

Caro, that is so interesting! So limiting your heavy duty attire to one outfit has helped you wear better clothes in other circumstances. And what an astute shopping strategy too.

Makrame, thank you for this gardening outfit description, and the pic. That is certainly something I need, as I tend to wear old sandals and get all sorts of bites on my toes - not the best when wearing those pointy dressy shoes later on! LOL. Great running capsules suggestions too. May I add: if you run in a cooler climate, a roomy sweatshirt. It has to be somewhat sturdy so it doesn't drape and cling around you as you run, but keeps the heat in. It also has to have no hoodie, as they tend to bounce and be distracting. And finally, a front short zipper at the neck allows you to control temperature, i.e. zip it up in the frigid wind or zip it down in patches of sun. Do you agree?

12 years ago

Makrame

Veteran

That's an interesting idea! I don't actually own any roomy sweatshirts for running. It can be pretty cold here in winter but I only wear a few close-fitting layers for running, haven't tried anything more relaxed-fitting. I definitely agree with the need for a zipper on top for temperature control.

12 years ago

Anonymous

Chiming in again to say that It's useful to have some kind of classic LBD, or what ever colour suits you, that can be dressed up with lovely shoes, jewelry, bag etc that can take you to a dressy night out and it could also be paired with a knit jacket and less dressy shoes for work or meetings with professionals etc. Equally a classic dark skirt, maybe even lace over dark lining, could be worn with a pretty top for evenings out or with a jacket and shirt for work. Making pieces multi task helps your wardrobe work with you. I think Ingunn is a good example of someone who does this a lot.

12 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

Krish...now that you mention it...i have done nasty chores in my undies so having my hubs old shirt is necessary to avoid giving the ups man a stroke. After all, who will deliver my nordies packages?

12 years ago

Anonymous

My outfits for this list would vary by season. Since we will soon be in hot weather, I'll think in terms of summer.
For dress up, social functions, church, classical concerts, travel, I depend on sleeveless sheath dresses with a couple of different summer weight jackets. I like a dark neutral, maybe a light neutral or color, and a print all in fabric that won't wrinkle easily. I like jackets that can dress down like denim and dress up like silk. On my feet, low heeled pumps or sandals.

what would not work in these situations for me would be anything revealing...low neckline, strapless, mini skirt, bare midriff. For most of these jeans would also not be my choice, even dressed up.

12 years ago

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