Friends Chat Thread: Wardrobe, Fun, and Whatever

[Dextersmom]

Happy Friday everyone!!
@Cordeliere and anyone looking for a great fitting pair of jeans, I wanted to share with you my favorite pair right now. I ordered them online at Athleta a couple of months ago and they are called Sculptek Skinny Jeans. I got them in the dark wash and just ordered a 2nd pair in the overdye wash. They are supposed to be comfy and stretchy enough to exercise in, though I don't know about that. I have a lot of jeans and have been pretty faithful to J Brand for several years because I found their clean lines suit me the best. However, I have been reaching for these Sculptek ones nonstop, which is why I ordered another pair. They get amazing reviews, which is what convinced me to order them online in the first place. Here is why I love them; the stretch is just right, they are flattering and not too high/not too low. I can wear them to work, out to dinner and for long walks on the beach and they remain comfortable. I went with a size 6, and I am often between a 6 and an 8. They are generously sized, imo. I took a shot without my vest to show you where they sit, which is right below the navel.

 

[Cookiefiend]

Happy Friday everyone!!
@Cordeliere and anyone looking for a great fitting pair of jeans, I wanted to share with you my favorite pair right now. I ordered them online at Athleta a couple of months ago and they are called Sculptek Skinny Jeans. I got them in the dark wash and just ordered a 2nd pair in the overdye wash. They are supposed to be comfy and stretchy enough to exercise in, though I don't know about that. I have a lot of jeans and have been pretty faithful to J Brand for several years because I found their clean lines suit me the best. However, I have been reaching for these Sculptek ones nonstop, which is why I ordered another pair. They get amazing reviews, which is what convinced me to order them online in the first place. Here is why I love them; the stretch is just right, they are flattering and not too high/not too low. I can wear them to work, out to dinner and for long walks on the beach and they remain comfortable. I went with a size 6, and I am often between a 6 and an 8. They are generously sized, imo. I took a shot without my vest to show you where they sit, which is right below the navel.

Thank you for sharing these! I checked them out online and might see if they are available locally - we actually have an Athleta!

I took a ‘Date Night’ selfie - a bit blurry - but my jeans are Paige and I really like this length.

 

[Dextersmom]

Thank you for sharing these! I checked them out online and might see if they are available locally - we actually have an Athleta!

I took a ‘Date Night’ selfie - a bit blurry - but my jeans are Paige and I really like this length.
View attachment 4050488

Thank you Cookiefiend, for your reply. I thought my post had killed the thread. I really like the look of your Paige jeans and I love the color of your shoes.

 

[Dextersmom]

We went out for an early dinner tonight and I used my Gucci wallet as a clutch. It holds more than you would think. It easily fit all of my credit cards, cash, car key, lip balm and phone.

 

[Moirai]

Happy Friday everyone!!
@Cordeliere and anyone looking for a great fitting pair of jeans, I wanted to share with you my favorite pair right now. I ordered them online at Athleta a couple of months ago and they are called Sculptek Skinny Jeans. I got them in the dark wash and just ordered a 2nd pair in the overdye wash. They are supposed to be comfy and stretchy enough to exercise in, though I don't know about that. I have a lot of jeans and have been pretty faithful to J Brand for several years because I found their clean lines suit me the best. However, I have been reaching for these Sculptek ones nonstop, which is why I ordered another pair. They get amazing reviews, which is what convinced me to order them online in the first place. Here is why I love them; the stretch is just right, they are flattering and not too high/not too low. I can wear them to work, out to dinner and for long walks on the beach and they remain comfortable. I went with a size 6, and I am often between a 6 and an 8. They are generously sized, imo. I took a shot without my vest to show you where they sit, which is right below the navel.

Thank you for sharing these! I checked them out online and might see if they are available locally - we actually have an Athleta!

I took a ‘Date Night’ selfie - a bit blurry - but my jeans are Paige and I really like this length.
View attachment 4050488

Dextersmom and Cookie - you both look fabulous

 

[Dextersmom]

Dextersmom and Cookie - you both look fabulous

Thank you, Moirai. You are kind.

 

[papertiger]

And for DUT I got an elevator selfie of my silver shoes. Still cold in the mornings

Happy DUT, you look wonderful.

 

[papertiger]

Today I am wearing my Current/Elliott denim jacket with my flower power brooch.

Looking great as per usual, you have the most wonderful casual style

 

[papertiger]

Not really DUT but tried a new look today - a lightweight cotton top with blouson sleeves. This is my first time trying the volume-sleeve trend, and I like it! Also wearing my new Respoke espadrilles because we are finally having some nice weather.
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Can't believe you never tried before, it works really well on you, you could even do big, billowy, silk blouses

 

[papertiger]

Thank you. I have 20-25 to lose and it is hard to see my thick middle and my arms, but this is a supportive group. (Far less critical of me than I am of myself). I have never been on to spend time looking in the mirror, and when I do, I just don't see myself objectively like i do in photographs. It is not fun for me to participate in DUT, but it is very helpful in terms of motivation to work on myself.

As much as I hate taking selfies, and hate making DH take pictures of me, and hate seeing my real self instead of my imaginary self which is welded into my self image file from years past, I do think the whole exercise is helpful. I can see myself just like I could see and evaluate a sofa, and I can see what I need to work on to improve my appearance. For example, I really have to start wearing lipstick. So let the torture continue.

That's brave of you. Which sounds like snark, but I really mean it. My self image file is wayyyy out of date and "lose 100 lbs" is sadly a slower fix than "wear lipstick". That wouldn't be a bad start for me, though.

In this seemingly selfie-obsessed generation it can seem like we're the minority but lots of my students won't even let me take a pic of them. It is helpful taking pics as a tool, this is what stylists do before their clients go out to see which outfit works best but the camera can make us look far more terrible if the lights poor or we're at the end of a wide-angle setting. And yes, it can exagerate our flaws.

I keep forgetting not to let people take pics on social occasions, I think it will be just a reminder of our evening together, suddenly there is some HIDEOUS pic of me all over social media after I've been dancing for hours, 4am...

 

[papertiger]

Thank you Corde. You are an astute and insightful observer.

Thank you PT. Had to be quick otherwise would be so embarrassed to be discovered by students taking a selfie, haha.

It's the Musette salsa, my workhorse hands-free and worry-free bag that I've had for years. Very comfortable and light-weight. I also have a papillon, I think size 30 because it comes with a small similar shaped pouch. I've only used it a few times because of lack of shoulder strap.

I'm a big fan of lipsticks and colored lip balms. I think it's more effective in adding color to the face than blush or eye shadow.

Me too. I bought one for my mother to use in the hospital and it made her look and feel so much better.

The tattoo-type lip-stains are my favourite (did I say this before?). I don't feel as though I have anything on and they stay put.

 

[papertiger]

Thank you for sharing these! I checked them out online and might see if they are available locally - we actually have an Athleta!

I took a ‘Date Night’ selfie - a bit blurry - but my jeans are Paige and I really like this length.
View attachment 4050488

Looking great, the jeans are perfect on you

I can't enter into the jeans debate, my faves are all so old they prob don't make them anymore.

@Cordeliere I do know Levis now make 501s with skinnier leg

 

[Cordeliere]

Thanks to all for the input on jeans. And no Dextersmom, you did not kill the conversation. The discussion goes in fits and starts here.

Cookiefiend, don't you look hot for date night.

 

[Moirai]

Me too. I bought one for my mother to use in the hospital and it made her look and feel so much better.

The tattoo-type lip-stains are my favourite (did I say this before?). I don't feel as though I have anything on and they stay put.

Which lip stains do you like? At times I will apply lip pencil of similar shade before lipstick. It has helped with staying power and when the lipstick wears off there's still some color left on my lips.

 

[EmileH]

Hello ladies, You all look wonderful in your jeans and your new accessories. I had a few moments so I thought I would pop in and say hello. I haven’t had much to add fashion wise. I have been very successful on my no spending spree. My only purchase this year was my samourais cashmere.... well and a recent scarf switch out on eBay. My quicken files actually list clothing as income rather than expense since I have rehomed far more than I purchased this year.

I’m ready to loosen up the reins just a bit. I have a few special items on my wishlist for this year so I’m trying to minimize small impulse purchases. I’m hoping to pick up one special piece of jewelry as a prize for my good behavior this weekend.

Any advice on the following issue would be very welcome: one of my fashion goals for this year was to improve my warm weather wardrobe especially for casual wear. How do you guys stay stylish and put together in the heat? Do you have any favorite brands for summer casual wear? Any favorite outfit formulas or key pieces?

I’m also still trying to find nice layering pieces for the cold air conditioning at work that are not as heavy as my blazers and jackets but more interesting than a standard cardigan.

Any thoughts?