Dressed to the 9s

I’m with RosiesMaw in believing yiu can spot a British person abroad by the way they dress - usually very badly

Iam64
A few years ago MrA & I were walking down the street in a small town in Mississippi.
A woman came running out of her front garden, sorry, yard, after us to ask if we were British. She had assumed we were, because we were so stylishly dressed.😳
It was a bit sad really. She was British herself but had lived in Mississippi for more than 40 years. She usually went back to Britain every year but for the last 4 years hadn’t been able to go because of her husband’s illness. She just wanted to hear some English voices 😢

I've stopped going to occasions that require getting dressed up .
Don't look forward to weddings, but thankfully haven't been to one in 10 years , don't like parties , and have just said no to celebrate 10 years of my wi being open.

My wee granny would be horrified if she could see how little effort I put into my outfit most days. She used to wear a blouse and pinafore in the morning to do her housework and meal prep, but one this was completed, she would change into a dress, apply a little pressed powder and cologne ready for her daily visitors.

I have clothes which have had several "lives" Best.- Work. -Casual - gardening/decorating - throw out.
Does anyone know if any charity shops collect "shoddy" which used to generate income. I presume space is an issue here.

I am always well turned out at my great age of 83, it's pride in my appearance whatever I wear.

Milest0ne

I have clothes which have had several "lives" Best.- Work. -Casual - gardening/decorating - throw out.
Does anyone know if any charity shops collect "shoddy" which used to generate income. I presume space is an issue here.

We have several clothing bins near us which take all sorts of clothing - even 'shoddy' stuff. Our local Scout Group has one outside the Scout Hut, and they do benefit from it.

Milest0ne

I have clothes which have had several "lives" Best.- Work. -Casual - gardening/decorating - throw out.
Does anyone know if any charity shops collect "shoddy" which used to generate income. I presume space is an issue here.

Churches collect clothing, or ours does.

Witzend

I can imagine that it was something of ‘an occasion’ for those women, to meet up for coffee or whatever, so they felt like dressing up a bit.

Like me they were on their way to London and we were all held up because all trains in both directions had been cancelled due to a fatality on the line
They were wearing what I would expect someone to wear to an exhibition or a gallery or as in my case, a Prom - and I’m not talking the teenage stretch-limo type! 🤣🤣

I mourn the general loss of plant nurseries, most garden centres have a restaurant/cafe, sell a lot of unnecessary items and any plants are incidental, often badly cared for, pricey too.
Fortunately there are two places near us that just sell plants and the staff are very knowledgable.

If you make an effort to dress nice and put make-up on, it makes you feel good about yourself, boost your confidence and makes you appreciate life.

I’m enjoying reading the comments. What has made me smile is the assumption that if a ‘lady of a certain age’ is wearing jeans then she is not smartly dressed or has not made an effort. The (high) price tag on some ladies (designer) jeans must illustrate they have certainly made an effort
I never leave the house without a
co-ordinating outfit (sometimes wearing jeans!) light makeup and minimal jewellery.
My working life was in offices and back in the 60’s even the office junior dressed smartly.
It helps my self esteem knowing I’ve made an effort, which is important for me
(73yrs old)

Spencer2009

If you make an effort to dress nice and put make-up on, it makes you feel good about yourself, boost your confidence and makes you appreciate life.

Totally agree.
The 'fleece' and ugly shoes brigade make me flinch.

Good for them, I like to look smart when I’m out and about, each to their own wear what you want and be proud

halfpint1

Spencer2009

If you make an effort to dress nice and put make-up on, it makes you feel good about yourself, boost your confidence and makes you appreciate life.

Totally agree.
The 'fleece' and ugly shoes brigade make me flinch.

One woman's 'ugly shoes' may well be another's 'comfy' shoes! How does what someone else wears make you flinch? Bizarre comment.

What are 'ugly shoes'?

Like Jax I mourn the loss of proper nurseries too - no cafe, no sundries; just plants and good advice. I’ve only known of two round here (and we are up to our ears in garden centres), but sadly one of them has just closed its doors - speaks volumes.

halfpint1

Spencer2009

If you make an effort to dress nice and put make-up on, it makes you feel good about yourself, boost your confidence and makes you appreciate life.

Totally agree.
The 'fleece' and ugly shoes brigade make me flinch.

I've just been to a friend who is in that brigade. The poor lady has terrible health problems and associated weight gain. Her self esteem is low and if she can manage to get dressed, that is an achievment.

Do you think you get a hint of their personalities by the way they dress?Recently I've spotted a couple of older ladies in beige raincoat and headscarf,longish pleated skirt and cardigan and really ugly flat shoes with thick tights.Imagine them going home to read the Bible and tidy the house.

Norah

What are 'ugly shoes'?

The kind I wear probably.

kircubbin2000

Do you think you get a hint of their personalities by the way they dress?Recently I've spotted a couple of older ladies in beige raincoat and headscarf,longish pleated skirt and cardigan and really ugly flat shoes with thick tights.Imagine them going home to read the Bible and tidy the house.

Hallelujah!

Imagine them going home to read the Bible and tidy the house

And are these not worthy occupations?

The 'fleece' and ugly shoes brigade make me flinch.

I'm wearing a lightweight blue fleece outdoors at the moment as a step warmer than a cardigan. It's well-shaped and a good length.
It has pockets for my car keys and phone, all I need on the school run so no need for a bag.

I'm wearing navy leather trainers with it, are they ok or are they "ugly"?
They're certainly not pretty, but they keep me warm and dry and I can wear them all day 😁

My son's MIL is always going on about how frumpy she is, compared to her neighbours of the same age.
However, she doesn't have the confidence to change her look, despite being extremely comfortably off.

M0nica

RosiesMaw2 You should go to France, I do not know where the French get their reputation for being 'chic' from. I think it is limited to one or two very expensive arrondissements in Paris, and one or two haute bourgeouise in every town.

Whenever I go round any of our local supermarkets in Normandy, I always think how better turned out the women in your average British supermarket are in comparison.

I’ve been saying that for many years. 🤷‍♀️

kircubbin2000

Do you think you get a hint of their personalities by the way they dress?Recently I've spotted a couple of older ladies in beige raincoat and headscarf,longish pleated skirt and cardigan and really ugly flat shoes with thick tights.Imagine them going home to read the Bible and tidy the house.

My close friend is a wedding Officiant, a leading member of her church, a safeguarding officer in that church.
This outfit is not a mile away from what she wore to an official function recently.