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

He made a good point Grannyknot.

My mum was a typical 50s housewife, I never saw her in anything in the least bit 'casual'. It was almost 'twinset and pearls' to vacuum the carpet. She would have rather have died than have the neighbours see her in rollers, or a dressing gown. I'm mortified that her habits have rubbed off on me a bit... I sometimes put three or four velcro rollers in my hair 'of a morning' as I've lost a lot of volume on my crown, and if I forget them and someone calls round I nearly die of embarrassment. And last year I actually got halfway to our village shop and realised I was wearing my slippers.... they were leather so what I was worried about I have no idea. Especially as my neighbour across the road is quite unashamed to sweep her step at 11 in the morning in her dressing gown. Oh, these French women are so chic!

jingle I'm on the Patient Participation Group for my GP practice (what was I thinking?!) Anyway at the AGM on Saturday someone from the floor complained about mums pushing their baby buggies all over in the waiting room because it is "unhygienic" and the lovely doctor responded, "And those feet that walk behind the buggies that tread the same sidewalks that we all tread in our neighbourhood every day and indeed walked on to come here today?"

petallus

Mamie what song?!

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.

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?

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. We visited relatives in Liverpool the other year and decided that in some areas it is almost a uniform.

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

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

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?

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.

I missed out an 'in'

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.

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'.

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.

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

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!

Hi GK. Hope you are not singing that awful song at the same time.
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...

Hi mamie

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

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.

I wonder if they wear knickers?

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.

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
One had slippers on too.........

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.