Hi everyone
Well, so far this year has been a bit rubbish but I’m nearly back to ‘normal’ although just as you think you’re completely better that exhaustion comes back again as it did yesterday. Never mind, it’s onwards and upwards for me. However, Mr F has some hurdles to get over so he’s still not his usual self. I’ll keep you posted on that one.
Meanwhile, my charity shop shopping went from zero buying in March, then nothing much in April, to stratospheric heights this month. OH. MY. WORD have I been buying a few bargains! And yet I’m only going to show you one of the many items I’ve bought in May. This is because most of the items bought are not quite right for the current temperature in the UK.
Actually the weather has warmed up here, but for all of you who are reaching the heights of 100F (37C) when I talk about warming up I’m talking about the giddy heights of 20-22C, which is 68-70F. And that’s hot to us Brits!!! Mind you what often happens is that, OK, the temperature gets to around 68F but without any warning along comes a really cold breeze that cools you down in an instant. Consequently, we’re not in dress weather yet! Instead I’m going to show you what I’ve been wearing when I walk into town, which I can tell you has been (and still is) the peak experience of my life, what with everything else going on. I’ve not been to any cultural activities for months – never mind that will come.
So, a couple of week ago I bought this pair of cargo trousers in a charity shop for £15. That’s quite pricey for a charity shop but it was new with the label (Pull & Bear) still on.
And you know what I’ve worn and worn them as I really love them! This is how I’ve accessorised them to go shopping.
The most expensive item I’m wearing is my pair of yellow shoes bought early last year, then I have a very old top layered with a thin yellow wool M&S cardi, a scarf bought from the V&A, my £3 hat bought from Peacock’s ages ago, and a charity shop wool jacket bought a couple of years back. Is this a slightly Annie Hall look?
I sometimes wear my jeans into town. Here’s how I look wearing these old things!
That’s my now very old yellow backpack and a charity shop scarf. And as the days grew a little warmer instead of my wool jacket you might find me wearing a mustard linen jacket.
So yes, I aspire to be edgy and slightly goth-like, but in reality this is how I often look. Not to worry, I always say wear what you like when you like, aspire to higher things (me, being edgy!) don’t listen to advice from younger fashion journalists or any journalist for that matter, and be real, which is what I also aspire to be.
Yes I want look good and have a certain style, and my thing is to always wear a hat. But I understand there’s a big debate going on right now about Martha Stewart’s appearance on the front cover of Sports Illustrated looking, at the age of 81, incredibly glam and probably not like your typical 81 yr-old. Hmm, what do you think of this?
Personally I think if you want to make yourself look as young as possible and good enough to grace Sports Illustrated – go for it. I am totally not knocking Martha Stewart. And also, it is a kind of progress to include an 81-yr old on this publication, not that I know this publication at all – what amazing publicity it’s having, don’t you think!
But. I’m not sure that this front cover is about diversity or inclusion, as Stewart’s appearance is not how most 81-yr-olds look. It ain’t real. This is a perfect example of the societal pressure we are all put under to look younger. Which is so ageist. Hey, I think it isn’t about looking younger, because that is impossible, we are what we are, unless of course, you’ve got access to shedloads of money for the beauticians, and more, and then don’t forget Photoshop. Instead, let’s aim to feel good when we go out somewhere, because, you know, we’ve got a bit of style and pzazz , and are comfortable in our own skin. That’s being real and that is the way forward. For an over 80-yr-old that I truly admire do have a look at Charlotte who regularly features in Jodie’s Touch of Style. She’s real and very, very stylish, and good for her!
That’s all for now, but what do you think? Really interested to know.
With love, Penny, the Frugalfashionshopper
Hi Penny
I’m glad to hear you’re feeling better despite the relapses.
I checked out Charlotte – she looks great. I agree with her about having dresses that are longer than knee-length. I’m 75 and I’ve thought that for years. There are so many lovely midi and maxi length dresses and skirts about anyway.
And I always agree with your comments about agism.
Best wishes,
Jen Murray, Brighton UK
Yes, Charlotte is such good example of how an 81-yr-old should look. This Covid lark is a blessed nuisance – we’re off to get our boosters today though. Good!
Thanks so much for your kind words – energy levels are still not great but they are better 🙂
So glad you’re on the mend. You always look great & yes I love the Annie Hall look. When I try to wear a beret & channel my inner Diane Keaton I end up looking like a character from Last of the Summer Wine. I’m 72 & love a summer maxi.
Oh no, I’m sure you look better in a beret than you think! I am on the mend but this Covid business is a blighter in every sense of the word.
Ah yes, summer maxis, can’t wait for slightly warmer weather as I too have some lovely (charity shop) dresses to wear.
Thanks Anne 🙂
Apparently the Annie Hall look is coming back. So what I think. I have been wearing something similar for years 😆. Love the cargo pants. I have a pair from the mountain warehouse bargain shop. Wear them all the time. Comfy and have pockets! What I object to over the Martha Stewart pic is she says she exercises and has a good diet to keep her looking good. Oh please her skin is so smooth it’s like a babies. Photoshop and assistance I think. At least be honest.
Yes indeed we wear what we want, don’t we! But I have to confess I haven’t worn things exactly like this before and am rather liking it!! Cargo pants are so good aren’t they!
Agree re: Martha Stewart’s pic – goodness me if it was only down to exercise and diet!!! But I’m sorry to see such heavy criticism of this woman (never watched any of her shows) as really it is all about the ‘male gaze’, and that is what we have to work to eliminate.
Thanks Maureen 🙂
Great to know that the Annie Hall look is coming back. I love all your outfits especially the hats, so underused, hats, nowerdays! I particularly like the mustardy yellow jacket with the yellow shoes. As older people we need to be seen a bit more and not dwindle into obscurity. This is our only chance to do what we want, after years of dressing appropriately for work etc. I’m all for colour, though admittedly I occasionally take it a bit far, but – live and learn. 😉 And I think we should have fun with our clothes. As for Sports Illustrated, which I think is a magazine that shows lots of bikini clad women, I don’t really care if Martha Stewart is on the cover. Good for her, but it must be a bit depressing to be photoshopped and then not actually look like you do in the photo – in real life. For her it’s all about branding, for the rest of us, we have to get on the best we can, and have fun with our clothes and our looks. Thanks for carrying the torch for this Penny!
I do like this way of dressing for casual ‘goings-out’ and it isn’t how I’ve worked my look before so am quite pleased with the result. Diane Keaton is still such a style icon. And yes, always wear something colourful if you can – there are far too many black coats and jackets! Have fun with colour – oh yes indeed!
And yes, that cover, it’s all about the ‘male gaze’ and how we are meant to look. Charlotte is I think by far the better style example of how an over 80yr-old should look.
Thanks Trish 🙂
Thanks for pointing me to Jtouchofstyle; one to follow. I like Charlotte’s look and it is certainly very springlike, but prefer the bright green and jazzy look of Jodie’s. While I wouldn’t want to be immodest, whatever that is, I do want to be seen. I was in my teens and twenties in the 70s and I suppose the brightness of that era is fixed in. It’s rather too easy to blend into the background when you get older. My only concern in the UK is avoiding breeze related disasters 🙂 I have no desire to do a ‘Marilyn’! As for the male gaze, you’re right, perversely that is what the Sport Illustrated cover is all about, when in reality, the male gaze is much more likely to be on the bikini-clad 20-somethings. It seems an odd magazine to want to be on the cover of to me, but then I’m not a millionaire home-maker icon. I would definitely prefer to be a ‘Diane Keaton’ preferably in Manhattan Murder Mystery! 🙂
Glad to hear you both are improving . I love your outfits and your hats complete your ensemble. My goal is to start wearing hats even though I don’t look as smart as I did in the 60’s.😁👍
I am improving, but slowly does it, as the energy levels can suddenly drop – it’s like seeing a battery suddenly go down.
Oh yes, do wear hats – they are such fun!
Thanks Sharon 🙂
You look great as usual Penny. I’ve gone a bit shopping mad this month too after holding back for months because I felt so unsure about how much use I’d get from things. Have decided to ignore that for now & in fact I’ve bought a few new things recently which I hardly ever do. First a summer cotton jersey dress half price in Mountain Warehouse & now a dress from a small shop when on holiday. It was in the window and the green print was like a siren call. It’s one of those long tiered, elasticated midriff things that are so popular now and of course really much too young for me. I shall wear my big sunhat and sunglasses and as I’m quite slim perhaps I’ll get away with it. Reminds me of things I wore in the early 80’s so probably not good to be going back there. Not wearing big white trainers will probably be the give-away although one look at my hands……………….! I liked what Charlotte was wearing and agree with covering the old wrinkly bits. I don’t show what I don’t like having to look at on other people. As you been on cruises I’m sure you know what I mean! The Martha Stewart thing is just more evidence that it’s OK to be old as long as you contrive to look 20 years younger. Ridiculous and best ignored!
Thanks Lynda and it’s so good you’ve been on a shopping spree – go for it!! The summer dresses sound great and I bet you’ll look good.
Oh, hands – mine are so old now!!! But I don’t care, as that’s the way it is now. Always be honest, which is why I didn’t like that front cover not that I want Martha Stewart to be overly criticised – it’s the way we are expected to look which has to be criticised. Charlotte is the way to look, real but stylish and her own woman.
Thanks again Lynda – enjoy the coming good weather and perhaps we can both get out and wear our new summer dresses – yay!
Afternoon Penny
I’m so pleased to hear your health is improving – and wish Bill well. Great that you’re able to get out to the charity shop trail again. I’ll look forward to seeing some of your bargains in due course. Meanwhile, good to see you looking so colourfully stylish. Yellow really suits you – no wonder it’s your favourite colour.
I don’t have any feeling about Martha Stuart. (Actually, that not strictly true: my first response was ‘who cares?’) Like you, I’d never heard of the publication. My main response is disliking people being unkind about women’s appearance – like we’re up for judgment 24:7. When it comes to clothes my approach is along the lines, ‘If I/we can’t wear what we want now – when?’
We went to a friend’s 88 birthday party on Saturday. Most of the guests were aged 60+ which didn’t stop him having not one but two live rock bands – ! It was great. The dance floor was pretty full all evening – of older people dressed up, jiving, twisting, bopping… having fun. Needless to I felt a little stiff and fragile yesterday 😉
Keep on trucking, Penny!
Love, Mary
Hi Mary
The energy levels have to be watched as they can drop suddenly but I am better than I was. Bill is going down a long road before he is anything like himself. I could say so much more about the way the NHS provides care these days, but really my experience dates back to 50 years ago!!! Which is a very long time now, so what I am comparing is so very very different. And yet….. But I’ll shut up and first about that elsewhere.
Yes, I do love yellow and have a had a great little spending spree. Mind you I have been very strict with myself and it’s been one in, so one out, and I’ve kept to that.
That Martha Stewart cover – what amazing publicity they’ve had. Apparently Martha Stewart has been heavily criticised and I’m not sure I like that as really this is all about how we are meant to look like as we age – so youthful and unlined it is utterly ridiculous. And yet those with money attempt to look like this – and all the while we should be looking at that ‘male gaze’ which encourages this falsity. All I want is my health and energy back – that is the absolute key to a happier and contented older age.
That party must have been amazing – so glad you were able to go to it.
Thanks Mary 🙂
Great outfits, love the mustard yellow. And Annie Hall or Diane Keaton in real life, is always to be admired…
Thanks for your inspiration.
And thank you Jean for those kind words 🙂
Thanks so much for the shout-out. I love that my mom still cares about her appearance, and is such an inspiration.
I am loving cargo pants lately. Let me tell you how great they are for walking the dog, haha.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Oh yes, there’s the walking the dog gear, I remember wearing a jacket for years just for the doggie walks.
I think Charlotte deserves the recognition – she really is very stylish and looks great too!!!!
Thanks Jodie 🙂
Oh Martha Stewart doesn’t look like that irl, check her cooking shows. I am all for older women on covers, but please keep it a bit real right. I love those combat trousers. I wear mine all the time, with biker boots! But I do appreciate the yellow details!
I’ve never looked at Martha Stewart’s cooking shows – will have to look those out! And yes, it was a very unreal front cover.
Aren’t combat trousers great!
I love all of these looks on you, Penny! I wish I could do cargo pants. But, the Mister doesn’t like them (or camo for that matter), and there’s just something about the bulkiness of the pockets that doesn’t work for my overly large thighs! Now, before you think I worry too much about what the Mister says, I don’t. But, when he says something doesn’t look good, or he doesn’t like it, I listen because he’s generally right. I just love you in yellow and mustard! It’s such a sunshiny color, and you rock it!! And, I totally think you’re edgy with a little bit of Annie Hall thrown in.
As for Martha Stewart, my feeling is Sports Illustrated goofed. Their prime audience is men. I’m not sure how many men want to see Martha Stewart on the cover no matter how much filler, Botox, or photoshop! They aren’t looking for saggy boobs…which is the only positive comment I’ve heard from women who are disgusted by Martha doing this photoshoot. And, if the editors thought they would draw women in with this, again, I think they goofed. Almost all of the comments I’ve seen have been negative. My personal feeling is we have got to stop tearing down other women…even rich women who’ve gone to prison! Martha may not be a nice person…I have no idea. But, she has written almost 100 books, has an Emmy, and loves Chow Chows! This woman has accomplished much, and we should remember that. Maybe she stepped on lots of toes on her way up the ladder. Again, I don’t know. But, in this age when women are seeing basic human rights being stripped away, the one thing we could have going for us is to band together and support each other…even 81 year old women with photoshopped faces and saggy boobs!
Off my soapbox now!!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Such an interesting response Marsha, and I agree that we really should not tear down women for whatever reason. If Martha Stewart wants to look like that – go for it. I wonder though if there is a little bit of jealousy going on with this heavy criticism and anyway, why are we not critiquing the ‘male gaze’ and the patriarchy that demands we look like that at 80+???? That’s rather more difficult, so pick on the woman – yikes, nooooo!
Actually on the spectrum of ageing Martha Stewart is an outlier sitting alongside the likes of Jane Fonda and Helen Mirren and all the other very rich women who can access all sorts of help. Meanwhile the majority of us age and I think my role model is Charlotte (Jodie’s mother) and I hope I look like her when I get to 81! Which isn’t all that far away!!!
And thanks for the kind words about the cargo trousers. 🙂
Hi Penny, I think you nailed the Annie Hall look, I really like it. As I write this I am wearing a pair of cargo pants. they have become my go to for wearing around the house and when I do my local walks. unfortunately they have developed holes from such frequent wear and need to be replaced. I don’t wear them outside any more. I find them more comfortable than jeans when just being home and I really have never liked leggings. Here they are ubicquitous, worn everywhere all the time instead of pants, is this an American thing? Not that I don’t own and wear them sometimes but to me they are not comfortable and not especially flattering. I have only seen photos of the magazine cover with Martha Stewart. I think Its great that a woman my age is featured but it looks doctored to me. I saw a series of photos recently where obviously old women a man or two were featured against elaborate beautiful backgrounds, they themselves dressed in fanciful attire. there was no attempt to make these people look younger but the effect was that their true beauty shone through. I know I am not describing these portraits well but the effect was mesmerizing. So much of our experience as older women is that we are invisible. I also read Jodie’s blog and yes Charlotte is wonderful role model, and too rare. as are you.
Tomorrow my adventures will take me and my retirement group to an aquarium followed by a private two hour tour on a catamaran boat on a local river with a naturalist as our guide. A good way to spend my 82nd birthday.
And wishing you and Mr. F continued better health! Darby
Thank you and yes, cargo pants are really great, not that I’ve ever worn them much before. But now, I do love this buy and wear it a lot. But the weather is really warming up now so maybe dresses from now on???
I wear leggings under skirts or dresses for warmth mainly but never with short tops which is a look I really dislike.
The Martha Stewart cover has generated such a lot of publicity for this publication – they must be so pleased! And I do recognise that this is some kind of breakthrough and yet it was so photoshopped. It wasn’t realistic at all. Charlotte is by far the better role model.
It’s so good to hear of your adventures – thanks Darby 🙂
First I am glad to hear you are almost back to normal. I sympathize as exhaustion is far more debilitating than those without ever imagine. And I love all of the outfits you shared. Your inclusion of yellow / gold in each one is lovely. Of the warm colors, it’s my favorite.
As for Martha Stewart’s appearance on Sport’s Illustrated, I have mixed emotions. First, I love that Sports Illustrated even considered putting an older woman on the cover instead of a twenty-something that has years before needing to worry about wrinkles. I think that’s progress. But you’re right, we older women aren’t quite where we want to be yet, given that Martha Stewart has many advantages that the average women doesn’t. She is definitely not the norm. You’re right about Charlotte, she is quite pretty and stylish. And Penny, so are you.
Michelle
https://followingmymuse.space
Your outfits are all so cute! They have a dark academia feel and I love it! I also love thrift shopping.
I think you rock the Annie Hall look and mustard/yellow suits you too!
I think you look rather snazzy in your Annie Hall attire – pinned to my Fab Blogger Outfits board!
I did a double take when I saw your Pull and Bear cargo pants because a few weeks ago I donated a pair of their brown trousers, with tag attached, to a charity shop! But they’re not the same style.
Martha Stewart….well….the photography chooses the most flattering angles, but it has to be said that she must work very hard to keep trim and fit, and this should be admired. I’m personally not keen on older women still being “objectified” and served up as an example of “you can still look great in your 80s!” While it sucks to be invisible, I rather like the fact that the spotlight has dimmed and we can be ourselves without the need for male attention.
Enjoy the good weather while it lasts (a little cooler here today)
xx