We’re considering an outdoorsy day tomorrow, so I am planning what to wear. I have a complicated relationship with outside, preferring to look at it from inside, where there are controlled temperatures, toilets, and windows through which to smile upon nature from a safe distance. No bees, no snakes, no mosquitoes. Just me and my cup of coffee. And my internet connection.
Last summer season, I was shopping at Target and bought a couple of adorable gauzey tops to wear over shorts and jeans. It wasn’t until I got them home that I realized they weren’t tops at all, but were skirts. The mother in me protested, “Those are not skirts! Those wouldn’t cover the tops of a girls’ thighs!”
It was a sign of the times. I was officially out of the ingenue stage and into soccer mom territory. Although, I don’t know many soccer moms who pick up little skirts and think, “Oh! Cute top!”
I wear my $15 skirttops, as I call them, with anything (pictured, the midriff is bare–I don’t wear mine that way.) Other skirts, shorts, jeans, capris, yoga pants. They are comfortable and cool in the hot, Texas summer. In case I get cold in the car/restaurant/theater, I carry a cropped cardigan that matches whichever skirttop I choose. That will keep me warm enough, and worn unbuttoned it doesn’t interfere with the drape of the skirttop. It’s a great idea, really. The look will work for women of varying cup size, too. I’m a D. I wear a thick bandeau style bra underneath and life is good. If you need more support, wear the real thing and hide your bra straps with the sweater. Do not wear exposed bra straps unless you’re planning on picking up a case of Pabst Blue Ribbon later on in the evening.
Pictured are a pair of JAG jeans cropped flares. I just bought these recently from Nordstrom Rack for $29. If you can find a pair of these, they are like butter! So soft! It’s a good weight of twill that is like velvet on your skin. They also seem to be cut to fit a woman with a 10 or more inch difference between waist and hip, like mine.
I also bought a new pair of sandals recently, at Ross. I love a good Roman sandal. I paid $14 for mine, decorated with little gold and bronze discs. I will accessorize the outfit with a shell necklace/earring combo I bought at the Dollar General for $2. Dollar General, Family Dollar and Big Lots have some really cute costume jewelry in unusual colors. Check them out.
The Outside Lane 