How I Really Dressed for My Day – 12/18/20-01/07/21

Welcome to Dressed for My Day, where I aim to inspire and help you to get dressed for your unique days in a way that reflects your personal style and helps you to engage with the world around you authentically and graciously. To that end, today I’m sharing how I have recently dressed for my days. These are the outfits I’m really wearing and enjoying.

Sizing Information

Just for reference, I’m 5’8″ and weigh about 155. I generally wear a size 8 or medium in dresses, tops, jackets and pants (or 29 or 30 in jeans), so that’s what I’m wearing in these looks unless I tell you otherwise. That way you can assume everything I show you is true to size unless I alert you to sizing up or down. I wear a size 9.5 shoe and, again, I’ll just let you know if I sized up or down in a shoe, otherwise it’s true to size.

How This Works

I’m going to try to streamline these weekly posts a little. Plus I want to focus more on styling tips and less on the products. So please assume everything I’m wearing is true to size and fits and feels great unless I tell you otherwise. After all these are the things I’m choosing to wear in real life.

I’ll be building shopping “looks” for each outfit. That way you can easily return to them through the link in the top menu of this website if you ever want to buy something that I’ve shown you. Just click on the SHOP link and then on the Shop My Looks link.

Let’s get started!

A Few Days Before Christmas…

I assure you I’m going to do better about remembering where or why I wore what in 2021. But since I skipped a week on these HIRDFMD posts and I’m reaching back almost two weeks for these photos, I’ll need a little grace today. I know this was before Christmas and obviously I went somewhere. I think maybe I just hit the mall for last minute shopping or maybe I went out to lunch.

For this almost all black look, I wore my black cords and my black Fair Isle sweater. I think the ivory turtleneck underneath not only kept me warm, but added a little light around my face. As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, I’m reaching for my red crossbody bag a lot, and I love the way it adds a splash of color and levity to this outfit. In contrast, I intentionally chose my black puffer vest that day instead of my ivory or red ones because I like the monochromatic look.

Work From Home Outfit

I specifically remember that I was determined to wear all my holiday tops even though I wasn’t going much of anywhere during the holidays. I had styled this embellished snowflake tee in this previous post for a party look. But I thought it worked well for a festive stay-at-home outfit, too. I just paired it with slightly distressed jeans and a cozy cardigan for a very casual, comfy but chic look. Truthfully, I probably planned this outfit around my Paul Green loafers. I do that a lot!

I liked how this toned down holiday look came together for a day of working at home. By the way, my Paul Green python print loafers are also available in black and toffee. They are the most comfortable shoes ever, and they’re 40% off at Nordstrom Rack. Pricey still? Yes. But a great investment if you have finicky feet.

The Day I Got Dressed Up

The closer we got to Christmas, the more I wanted to dress up. Can you relate? In the absence of parties and concerts and performances and other gatherings, my natural bent to dress up for the holidays just wasn’t being satisfied. So I just decided on this day to put on the bling anyhow.

Still the outfit was comfortable enough to work from home and then get out to run a couple of last minute errands. I just wore my J.Jill ponte pants, a cashmere wrap sweater and my comfy Paul Green loafers. Of course, I did add some bling with my jewelry. I love the way all these brown tones played together so nicely.

Sale Alert: J.Jill is offering 30% off your full price purchase with code RENEW21.

Christmas Eve Morning Walk to Breakfast

And then the very next day, Christmas Eve, I didn’t even put on makeup for our early morning walk to a local bagel place. Of course, James and I were combining a little exercise and a fun outing, so I think that’s fine. I just put on my fleece lined pants, my camisole, a turtleneck and some warm socks. I’m not sure why I took this photo with only part of my outfit on. Ha! Of course, I wore boots and a coat, too.

Actually, I probably took that photo when I got home from our walk to breakfast. So this is probably what I wore around the house rest of the day until it was time to get ready for our Christmas Eve service at church.

Christmas Eve Service

Then that night I dressed in grey and red for our Christmas Eve service at church followed by dinner out. My outfit is pretty straight forward and classic, but I added some sparkle with these earrings and this necklace.

I topped my outfit with my pink boiled wool coat and plaid scarf, pulling together the pink, red and grey. I’ve loved this color combo this winter. And I think this colorful little jacquard clutch was a beautiful accessory.

Travelling to Port Clinton

Can you believe I forgot to take a photo on Christmas? That’s how low key our day was. I don’t even remember what I wore, but I do remember staying in my pajamas for much for the day. I probably changed just long enough to exercise and then changed back into clean pjs.

Anyhow the next morning we got dressed, packed up and headed to Port Clinton on Lake Erie. I shared more about our trip in this post. But here’s what I wore that first day as we travelled and then went out to eat in Port Clinton.

It was a cold day and snow was on the ground, so my waterproof boots were definitely in order. But I decided to wear my straight leg jeans rather than the fleece lined pants. I was saving those for the next day when we would do more exploring. I had picked up this soft pink hooded sweater from J.Jill earlier in the week and thought it would be warm and cozy.

Exploring Port Clinton in the Snow

The next day I bundled up in warm clothing and my waterproof booties for a day of exploring the Port Clinton area. The forecast was for frigid temperatures, but sun. So we started the day with snow on the ground, but I knew we weren’t expected to get more.

You can read more about the details of my outfit, the outerwear I added and the details of our trip in this post, Adult Women’s Fashion for a Snow Day.

A Second Day Exploring the Area

James and I were having such a nice time being away that we stayed an extra day in Port Clinton. On Monday we drove out a little further and mostly walked through marshes. We didn’t actually get in the marsh, mind you. They had built boardwalks through one and the other had raised trails to walk along. We saw a bald eagle, a possum or two, beautiful cardinals and muskrat lodges.

When I got dressed that morning I thought we were heading home. It wasn’t until well after breakfast that we decided to stay an extra day. So I was a little more dressed up than I would have been if I’d known the plans.

I had carried along this oatmeal cashmere v-neck sweater and jeans to wear on the ride home, but the combo worked well for our day of exploring, too. I do have a camisole on under the cashmere sweater. It’s tucked into my jeans. For our outings, I added my puffer coat, hat, scarf and gloves, of course. By the way, these are the jeans I listed in yesterday’s 20 favorite purchases of 2020 post.

Sale Alert: My oatmeal cashmere v-neck sweater is 50% off and still available. This is fairly thin cashmere, but for the price, these are nice sweaters for casual wear. I will say though, too, that I find these cashmere sweaters by Halogen to be just a little itchy. But the camisole took care of that.

Travelling Home

Since we had stayed an extra day, that just left me my joggers and a sweat shirt to travel home in. Of course, that was perfectly comfortable and fine. James and I are manic about getting in our 250 steps per hour now that we have our Fitbits, so we were stopping a lot just to get out and walk around.

I really had just taken along my joggers and sweatshirt to lounge in while working on goal setting at the hotel. But I was glad I had them for travelling home, too.

How I Dressed for My Day Hanging with Abby

Abigail actually beat us to our home on Tuesday. We enjoyed a wonderful weeklong visit with her. The first day she was here she and I ventured out to the mall for just about an hour and then we spent most of the day at home.

I had just received my Sorrel blackened brown leather boots so I decided to give them a spin on this messy day. I do like them and I think the genuine shearling inset on the front is fun and modern. But I have to say, I really find my Blondo Rachelle waterproof booties to be more comfortable and versatile.

I love the juxtaposition of the metallic puffer vest with faux fur collar and the Sorrel boots with genuine shearling. This outfit is comfortable, but also modern and a little elevated.

Sale Alert: Talbots continues their Red Hanger Sale with 50% off markdowns and Red Hanger exclusives, such as $19.99 and up sweaters and pants.

Work from Home

Abby and I spent a good bit of time just hunkering down at home, reading, watching movies and taking walks. But I still had to work, too. So for these days I generally didn’t worry about makeup. On this day I’m not wearing any. But I did get dressed.

Abby had wanted to go to Athleta to find some pants for travelling. She has a trip to the Holy Land scheduled and of course we’re really hoping she gets to take it. While there I found these fleece lined pants. You know how I can’t get enough of fleece lined pants. Ha! I thought the color was so nice and versatile, and something other than black or navy. So I’ve been styling (or wearing!) them a lot lately. I took two photos here because I wanted you to see the difference between tucking and not tucking. Which do you think I wore? Ha!

Working from Home

The next day I wore my fleece lined pants from Athleta again, but this time I elevated the look a little. I love how you can create a warm and cozy outfit with these fleece lined pants but still look pulled together and feminine.

I intentionally created this outfit to be monochromatic head to toe. So when I stepped out for lunch I was glad I had my cashew colored Cole Haan puffer coat, which I purchased last year.

Sale Alert: Nordstrom continues to have great markdowns this weekend. This Cole Haan puffer coat is fully stocked, available in several versatile colors and 50% off.

How I Really Dressed for My Doctor’s Visit

Wednesday I had to make an unplanned visit to the doctor. No, it wasn’t COVID related. I have to have some tests run, but my doctor doesn’t think it’s serious. Anyhoo! I wanted to wear something cheerful to help me feel a little better about it all. So I pulled out this beautiful green funnel neck pullover sweater I’d ordered recently from Nordstrom. I LOVE it! But when I realized I had a sweater the exact same color hanging in my closet, I decided I wouldn’t keep it…even though I really wanted to. Ha! The sweater also comes in an equally dazzling blue and fits true to size.

I really like the cut of the sweater. The cropped length works perfectly with high waist jeans so you don’t have to tuck it but you still get those pretty proportions. And really I think the funnel neck is even more flattering than the turtleneck sweater (no longer available) I ended up wearing. So I’ve ordered the blue one! If nothing else, I’ll style it here on the blog.

Oh, and notice how I also added some pretty dazzling and colorful earrings to my outfit, too. You absolutely do not have to save the bling for parties. I love the unexpected element these gem stone earrings bring to the mix.

Anniversary Dinner

James and I had our 33rd wedding anniversary on January 2, but we waited until Wednesday night to go out to dinner. We ate a one of the nicest steak houses in town, and had a nice relaxing meal. I chose to wear these grey jeans I purchased from Ann Taylor (they don’t seem to be available anymore, but these from Loft look very similar) with a pretty ruffle-front blouse from Chico’s. I love the color combination of red and light grey.

So my outfit really was just red and grey. I finished it off with my grey snakeskin pumps, which are about 10 years old. But then to add a little unexpected twist, I wore my pink coat that I styled 6 ways in this video. I love the way the scarf ties together the grey, red and pink. I kept my jewelry minimal, adding a Brighton layered station necklace inside my collar and small silver earrings. I actually did change the band on my Fitbit to this silver one before we left the house.

Work from Home on Thursday

Not only do we keep our thermostat fairly low at home, but our tiny rental house just isn’t very well insulated. So when the temperatures stay in the 30s all day, I generally layer on the warmth. And it’s not unusual for me to wear fleece lined pants on these days, too. But I try to elevate them a little. I figure you can wear fleece lined pants or joggers, but still add a pretty sweater and nice shoes.

On this day I really wanted to wear my new Paul Green Dazzle loafers with my Athleta fleece lined joggers, so I chose to wear my black turtleneck to create a bookend effect. What I like about this outfit is that you can’t get any more comfortable. The pants, the shoes, the turtleneck, the soft camisole I’m wearing underneath… It’s all soft and cozy. But it looks pulled together and chic. And no one saw me that day except James. But dressing this way helps me stay on task and off the sofa. Ha!

Whew! That was a lot. If you’ve made it to the end… Hmm. I don’t know whether to congratulate you or extend my condolences. Haha! Anyhow, thank you for visiting my blog today and for reading. If you have any questions about things I’ve shown here, please let me know in the comments. I can’t respond to every single comment, but I do try to answer any direct questions. I really do appreciate you! Have a blessed and lovely day.

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Blessed for My Day

Anxiety is one of the biggest battles that many women face on a daily basis. As I’ve spoken to groups of women around the country and even around the world, I’ve discovered that women of all ages and economic groups are ridden with anxiety. While I do know that some anxiety levels require medical treatment (and I take a little medication myself for long car trips), I believe that the best prescription for our everyday anxiety can be found in God’s Word.

Jesus didn’t just tell His followers not to worry; He explained to them (and us) why we don’t need to and how to stop. We must understand that God knows. God knows what we need, what weighs on our hearts. We must also comprehend that God cares. Jesus affirmed that we are more important to Him than the flowers of the field or the birds of the air. And we must believe that God can and will. Jesus assured His followers that God would meet their every need. Let’s tell God today that we trust Him. In fact, I believe that as we verbally tell Him that through our days much of our anxiety will vaporize.

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷ And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?²⁸ And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, ²⁹ yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰ But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹ Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. ~ Matthew 6:25-32