We all have days where we just need to be a little more relaxed in the way we dress. I know some might argue the point, but we can't be Glamour Girls every single day now, can we?
I'm grocery shopping today. For me that means a trip to Aldi, wrestling groceries in and out of a trolley, back in again into bags, into the car, then home to wrangle them out again and into pantry and refrigerator. Sigh. A dirty job, but someone's got to do it, right?
But hang on. That's no reason to walk out the door wearing a tent. I know. It's hard. Retailers want to sell us tents as Fashion, don't they. It can be darned difficult to find anything that's not either a tent camouflaging as a dress, or a size 6 dress ballooned out to a size 16 with no consideration for whether that's flattering for we older, curvy ladies. Shame on you Retailers, shame, shame, shame.
Here is what I am wearing to go grocery shopping today. It's not exciting really, but can I share, that I put just as much thought and effort into this outfit, as any other I've shown you.
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Firstly, the purchase. This style of shirt goes against the grain for me these days. In fact it is a bit of a 'tent', isn't it.
But here are it's redeeming features:
It's gingham, a timeless and fresh print
It's neutral, so not too shouty
A print will often draw attention to our better features (for me, arms and wrists, hands and nails, and neckline)
It finishes at hip length, which is ideal for Petite Plus Apples
It's comfortable for the task at hand without having to resort to t-shirts and tent dresses
It can be teamed successfully with dark wash bootcut jeans, a black pencil skirt or white pants for hot weather, so it's versatile
It has sleeve details that draw attention to dainty wrists and hands
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Here is how I styled it to give it a French Chic look. These are all tips I've learned from Marie-Anne Lecouer at The French Chic Academy:
1. It has a fussy neckline, so keep hair up and away for a sleek look
2. Similarly, keep earrings neat and small. I'm wearing pearl studs
3. Wear a long necklace for a elongating effect to the silhouette
4. Don't wear matching earrings and necklace...too much
5. Keep pants dark wash, boot cut, and full length (no Capris!) for a long and lean look
6. Manicured fingernails and toenails to say 'I care'
6. Manicured fingernails and toenails to say 'I care'
6. Wear nude shoes to lengthen the leg. Even here, where I am sporting my uber comfy Gizeh Birkis, they are in a nude shade. This gives the illusion of longer legs, even in flats. Frankly, much as I love the Birkis for comfort, they are not a shoe worth making a feature of!
I think I scrub up okay for an old girl heading off to Aldi.
What do you wear grocery shopping?
...Mimi...
