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"I no longer care about clothes, and it's a glorious, liberating feeling"

(79 Posts)
Grannyknot Tue 17-Mar-15 07:29:08

I read this article this morning, and - having "retired" (I still work part time from home) last year, I feel pretty much the same as this man smile

www.telegraph.co.uk/men/fashion-and-style/11465130/I-no-longer-care-about-clothes-and-its-a-glorious-liberating-feeling.html

When I was working I was forever buying a new top, or a pair of trousers or a jacket or scarf. No wonder I now seem to have more disposable cash than before, despite having less income. Not to mention way less washing.

Best I pull on my trackies and old T-shirt now and seize the day grin I've a pair of Reiker boots I bought 15 years ago that are without peer - they've outlasted all their "replacements" as I could never bear to part with them. I would draw the line at holey socks though!

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 17-Mar-15 11:55:38

I shall change back when I get home because these are scratchy. Eurgh!

Lilygran Tue 17-Mar-15 11:57:38

I'm with harrigran's DH! I loathed dressing in the corporate image in the 80s and 90s and after I retired told myself I'd never dress up again except for special occasions. Then a combination of arthritis and plantar fasciitis put me in trainers so smart shoes were no longer a sensible or comfortable choice. And you dress for what you're doing. If you lunch in smart places, you dress accordingly. loopylou how can you tell if they're pyjamas? They label things I'd call nightwear as 'relaxation'. hmm

Falconbird Tue 17-Mar-15 12:04:16

I get worn out just doing basic body maintenance. If it's not the dry skin, it's the eczema, the toe nails or the finger nails, not to mention the dry hair.

I've managed to assemble a wardrobe of clothes that I can basically wear anywhere, from shopping, baby sitting, through to the occasional evening out.

For the evening out I add nice earrings puff my hair up and polish my shoes. Oh and I've got a smaller handbag for the evenings. smile

Luckily people don't dress up much nowadays. Went to the ballet and everyone was casual except for one person who was looking glamorous but slightly daft because she was the only one.

janerowena Tue 17-Mar-15 12:06:37

Probably from the pattern and the crinkled appearance?

When I stopped having to loo smart it was wonderful at first, then I found that I missed nice clothes after a year or so. So now I compromise, I buy smartish clothes, usually on eBay, and don't care if I garden in them because they were so cheap. I live in the sort of village where people just turn up, and got fed up with being found in holey jeans with muddy ragged hems, and torn jumpers or huge fleeces. So now I buy things that are a better shape and replace them more frequently. I'm also aware that DBH is still at work with some extremely stylish women, which keeps my potential for slobbishness in check somewhat.

loopylou Tue 17-Mar-15 12:31:25

Definitely pyjamas, from BHS, because I've got some the same Lilygran, and one of the girls was wearing the same ones hanging on the rail in the supermarket grin
One had slippers on too.........

Galen Tue 17-Mar-15 12:34:51

I don't feel comfortable doing 'slob' . I'm not doing/ going anywhere today so I'm wearing a long comfy house of Brauer skirt in autumn colours with a black polo necked top, gold earrings,comfy deck shoes and hair in a ponytail.
My concession to retirement is no makeup.

CariGransnet (GNHQ) Tue 17-Mar-15 12:48:30

I popped into a small supermarket I don't usually use for an emergency something or other (was about lunchtime) and there was a woman in there in pyjamas. And a dressing gown.

While I'm happiest in pjs if slobbing round the house relaxing I don't think anyone (bar close family) needs to see me dressed like this (not my finest look)

Ana Tue 17-Mar-15 12:54:56

I wonder if they wear knickers? hmm

Anya Tue 17-Mar-15 12:55:23

Slob doesn't equate with casual, does it??

I'm wearing a fairly newish pair of Per Una denims in indigo (14), a navy and dark red tartan shirt with a long, grey chunky jumper over the top. I have silver dangly earrings in my ears (where else?) and a long chain necklace around my neck (as it should be). My hair is freshly washed (every day) and is blown dry into a medium length style. I'm about to put on my Skechers, my cream trench coat and my new turquiose scarf with butterflies (Mothers' Day gift) grab my Mantery Bag and head off into town.

Yes, I'm wearing a touch of make up.

Grannyknot Tue 17-Mar-15 13:15:13

Hi mamie smile

I expect I will "grow out" of the early retirement slob phase and get properly dressed in the mornings. I also think the fact that I've hardly left the house since Christmas has a lot to do with it. I'm currently doing the 50s housewife thing where I smarten up and add a smear of lipstick just before husband gets home blush grin

Mamie Tue 17-Mar-15 13:36:09

Hi GK. Hope you are not singing that awful song at the same time. grin
I am wearing my normal uniform of leggings and t-shirt with gardening gloves and wellies. I have a lot of nice clothes in the wardrobe though...

amarmai Tue 17-Mar-15 13:36:57

annodomini, i also believe i am invisible at over 70-and take the opportunity to wear my homemade creations - and keep out of my daughter's line of vision!

J52 Tue 17-Mar-15 13:57:29

Anya, that sound very stylish. I'm in something similar! I intend to dress (up)
well as long as Im able to dress myself!
x

loopylou Tue 17-Mar-15 14:01:40

Puts me to shame Anya.......
Unless I chuck out all my jeans, baggy fleeces etc I can't see beyond them- and if I did that someone would have to stop me from replacing them!
I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever look 'smart' again.

janerowena Tue 17-Mar-15 14:30:32

I look very smart when I go out. I think I overdo it sometimes. But I was brought up with the sound of my mother's advice ringing in my ears. 'If in doubt, dress up, not down. The worst that can happen is that others will wish that they had made more effort'.

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 17-Mar-15 14:49:03

Where I live there are flats immediately next door to a large Tesco. The supermarket must be like the flat dwellers' version of the corner shop. Why shouldn't they nip in a pair of decent pjs? With or without a dressing gown.

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 17-Mar-15 14:49:31

I missed out an 'in'

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 17-Mar-15 14:51:31

Maybe that woman was a nurse on night duty, and woke up wanting a quick snack.

And you may not "need" to see it, but it certainly won't hurt you if you do. hmm

GillT57 Tue 17-Mar-15 15:23:25

It is possibly irrational, but I think that people shopping for food in the pyjamas they have been sleeping in all night is a bit unhygienic. Do they brush their hair and teeth before they enter Tesco?

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 17-Mar-15 15:32:18

Anyone entering from a crowded bus has probably got just as many germs on them.

Riverwalk Tue 17-Mar-15 15:51:55

It's slobbish behaviour to go to the shops/school gates in your pyjamas - let's have a bit of decorum!

janerowena Tue 17-Mar-15 16:51:05

I don't suppose the pyjama wearing was something to do with this?

www.thejournal.ie/national-pyjama-day-2-1977798-Mar2015/

No, probably not. grin We visited relatives in Liverpool the other year and decided that in some areas it is almost a uniform.

Eloethan Tue 17-Mar-15 16:56:43

I don't like formal clothes or dresses very much but I don't like the idea of "slobbing around". I always feel much better if I'm reasonably neatly dressed (mostly in trousers/jeans and shirt/jumper), my hair looks OK and I'm made up.

I agree it is a fairly superficial issue and I don't think women (or men) should spend too much time worrying about how they look but if people feel better for taking an interest in their appearance what harm can it do?

petallus Tue 17-Mar-15 17:00:01

The other Sunday, due to circumstances I won't bore you with but it was something to do with a last minute request from 9 year old GS, I found myself walking around our rather large town dressed in lounging trousers, a clashing top, bright red sandals with socks, one of which had a hole in the toe and an old coat. I hadn't even moisturised my face.

I realised as I walked along that I didn't really care what I looked like.

Having said that, when I wear my new coat (Inwear, which I love), a bit of makeup, earrings and nice trousers and top, I feel more confident.

On thinking about it, it depends where I'm heading. A posh boutique or the optician, I like to look presentable.

Grannyknot Tue 17-Mar-15 18:56:52

petallus smile

Mamie what song?!