I thought when I retired, clothes would be easy — jeans, casual tops depending on the season and sneakers. I didn’t want to dress like some old woman with elastic waistbands and stretchy clothes that doesn’t quite fit. Nor do I want to look like I just got off the turnip truck — something casually stylish and comfortable. 

I didn’t need any shoes, that’s for sure. My casual footwear never received much wear because I spent most of my day in dress shoes. Now I can wear my funky sneakers, loafers and the other fun, casual shoes I have collected over the years. Jeans are easy; just buy enough so you can make it through the week. Now for the tops. This is where the trouble started. 

Before menopause, I was mostly always cold. My sweaters were heavier with turtlenecks underneath. Then came the big M and my system was totally disrupted. (For those of you who are not yet there, my disruption is going on close to ten years so it’s not clear it will ever go away.) There are no more heavy sweaters. I can’t wear the chenille that’s so soft and cozy. Out with the turtlenecks! Heck, I want to rip those suckers off my body.

Big shirts!

The problem is that I am either HOT, HOT, HOT or cold. I haven’t been comfortable in years. For the summer, I bought more t-shirts and that worked out well. For in between seasons, I bought t-shirts with long sleeves. Big mistake. They just aren’t warm enough when I’m cold but sweatshirts (stylish ones of course, without goofy sayings) are just too hot now. That leaves pretty much nothing to wear.

Layers, “they” say.  Dress in layers. That resulted in a shopping trip for big shirts to go over the long-sleeved t-shirts. I can take them off (it is more like ripping them off before I burst into flames) or put one on when I’m cold. Sounds like it would work – denim, flannel or fleece, depending on the weather.

Courtesy of Seubecca at Flickr

Practically speaking, what happens is that I get hot and off it goes. Then I get cold and I can’t find the doggone thing. Beloved husband has suggested those elastic thingies that they use to attach young children’s mittens to coats. Perhaps I can attach them like some sort of bustle. That would be attractive.

All in all, this latest retirement predicament makes the business dressing I did for so many years seem not so bad. Oh, yes, what do you do with all those blazers that you really can’t garden in? Suggestions welcome.