These selfies are awkward. I’m no good at them and wasn’t going to do it anymore, but there seemed to be a strong interest in how to re-purpose pieces of your work wardrobe for retirement style.
As always, I am at your service. Plus, I like showing you don’t need reconstruction after a mastectomy to wear stylish clothes. I apologize in advance if it turns out the fashion chronicles aren’t your jam.
This is my purplish Brooks Brothers blazer I bought post-mastectomy. I want to keep it because it’s hard to find jackets for a flat chest, and this one is perfect.
The little pockets in the front add dimension without without wearing what are commonly called foobs … nickname for fake boobs. I have never bothered with them. Didn’t even get fitted.
I rolled up the cuffs and pushed the sleeves up a little. Underneath is a simple cotton tank, and these are denim shorts I bought shortly after I retired. The sneaks are new. Birkenstocks or other comfort sandals would look great. I went for sneaks because they hide my golf tan.
Call me crazy, but I think it’s kind of cute. I’m usually cold in air conditioning, so the jacket would be handy if/when we should ever go out again.
If you’ve got any blazers from your work wardrobe hanging around, it’s worth a shot to see how you can pair them with shorts or jeans for a more casual look.
Fraud
In other news, I’ve been dealing with credit card fraud, and I’m just going to say it in my outside voice … sorting this out has been one giant cluster fuck. I hate my bank. I hate criminals.
On the bright side, I learned how to buy gas with cash. You go in! You tell them what pump you’re at, and you hand over the money! I was down to about a quarter of a tank, so I just took in $40 to make it easy.
I felt strangely successful and thought, well, maybe this is how I’ll do it from now on. Kind of retro. And you know what they say. Cash is king.
I like it! I think you look super cute.
Sorry to read about the credit card fraud. It’s happened to me a couple of times now, over the years. It’s a nuisance, having to report it, and get a new card/number. Cash IS king, but it doesn’t earn me WestJet dollars so I’ll keep on using my credit card every chance I can get in the hopes of travel in the vaccinated world of the future.
Deb
Thanks! As for the credit card fraud, I was so disgusted with my bank that I got another card with a different bank and am now getting all kinds of cash back points — so I understand your quest for WestJet dollars!
The blazer is perfect with your shorts! I love the shoes — they perfectly complement your outfit.
Thank you so much. It’s always good to get some validation!
Hello, I’m loving your blog. Glad I found you. Yes, to blazers with shorts. I’m a big fan of repurposing things, especially clothes. Because of that, I sold nearly all my business attire through consignment and am now wishing I had a couple of those blazers. Your’s looks great! I start a chemo and radiation “sandwich” next week and am on the search for other cancer positive bloggers and news (if you have any suggestions.)
I’m so happy you like my blog, Tracey. However, I’m sorry you are in the cancer club. But there are positive outcomes, and it’s great that you’re looking for inspiration. Some people think it’s a miracle I’m still here. I gladly accept my good fortune. I’ve been mostly focusing on retirement blogs, but I’ll keep my eye out for other cancer-positive messaging. Tahoe Girl is a long-term multiple myeloma survivor and has lots of good karma.
Thank you Donna! I’ll check her out.
Always thought cash was “legal tender” and had to be accepted. Most (90+%) of the time I use my Discover card for convenience and cash back benefit, but last week I had the experience of being told at a large chain grocery store (in the Midwest) in larger town near us that I could not pay cash for the single item that I had stopped in to purchase! At first I thought it was because this particular store was in an inner city location, and that they didn’t want cash to prevent robbery. [This store is located blocks from both pricey 1/2 million and up homes and much lower income neighborhoods.]
When I shared this experience with our financial advisor during a meeting this week she commented that a number of vendors had gone to credit only/no cash due to COVID, and that she was surprised that many more businesses hadn’t seized this opportunity to go cashless! And I was under the impression that cash had to be accepted for payment. Go figure!
Interesting. My golf club stopped accepting cash during the pandemic and hasn’t returned. I couldn’t even buy a beer this week. Luckily, I had a sweet partner who helped me out.
I like the look-especially the jewelry. Just beautiful!
Thanks — I do love my turquoise. They’re like diamonds to me.
Super cute shorts and blazer.
Sorry to hear about the credit card fraud. This is a true anixiety area for me.
I hope that it is all sorted out soon.
Glad you like it! I’ve almost got the whole fraud thing sorted out. Like you, it is a true anxiety area for me. Ugh.
This is a good looking jacket and so are you, Donna.
I like how you styled it, shorts and all, and I give extra Bonus points for the turquoise Jewellery 😉
Please do not stop selfies, I would miss them.
I was browsing for a pair of AG jeans shorts, but they are ridiciously pricey in the EU, about €300!
I’m a fan of AG Jeans, the denim is great, but will look for another pair of shorts.
On the shoe front: those sneakers are currently not available in my size. And, have a look at the Birkenstock homepage, it’s fun. Not at all sleepy anymore.
Thank you so very much, Barbara. Turquoise rules! These shorts are Paige. I remember spending a lot for them, but I have worn them over and over and over. At your suggestion, I hopped over to the Birkenstock page. Oh my goodness! The Kyoto!
Love the blazer and shorts! You can wear this look anywhere.
Boo about the cc fraud. It happened to me very long ago – such a drag. I always think it is enlightening though to do without something we’ve become so accustomed to – ah! We can buy things with cash! (I do this with tv periodically, too – just a reminder that we can live without it.)
I’m so glad you like it! Now I just have to go somewhere.
The credit card fraud has been a huge drag. But just because the whole thing made me more aware of security issues, I updated my logins and added stronger passwords at sites I visit. I’m calling it a blessing in disguise.
I think your outfit looks great. I did save a few blazers from my work days but always forget about them. Or lately, don’t have anywhere to wear them!! But I will definitely think about it from now on. Thanks for the inspiration!!
Thank you! Glad to be of inspiration. I wish I were better at inspiring us to go somewhere!!
Hi Donna,
I’m a recent subscriber and find you so inspirational. I retired at 59 in September 2017 after spending a lifetime in the Semiconductor industry in the Bay Area. Sadly my entire working wardrobe is still waiting to be purged. I’m still feeling melancholic looking at them and still can’t let go. Your post gives me hope. Thank you.
Hi Helen, and welcome! It’s funny how hard it is to give up on these clothes. I guess what we wear becomes part of who we are. I’m glad the re-purposing ideas help.
I worked in Sunnyvale before retiring and moving to the foothills, just outside Sacramento. Still love the Bay Area, though.
Hi Donna… you are slim and trim so I think everything looks good on you:) I’m sorry to hear of your credit card fraud.
Thank you! I’ve been on both sides of the fence weight-wise, and figuring out what to wear never gets easy. For me, it’s not really a body thing. It’s more about confidence or lack thereof.
I appreciate your condolences on the credit card issue. What a pain. But they seem to be resolved now. I’m back in business!