Are you Keeping up Appearances or Slobbing Out?

DRESSING GOWN: ONE HUNDRED STARS

Hi everyone. Last time I wrote a What I Wore Last Week type post, I was – like every single one of you – leading a busier life. I still can’t get used to glancing at my diary and seeing no entries in it – apart from appointments that I have had to cross out because they are cancelled.

Hope you are all OK and settling into the endurance phase of this lockdown we find ourselves in. I’ve been wondering what clothes everyone has decided to wear now that we are all housebound. Are you still keeping up appearances or enjoying slobbing out? Well, one of the upsides of lockdown is that we have plenty of time, so I spent some of mine keeping a record of what I wore last week.

Still in your dressing gown at 2pm? No shame if you are! My son took this photo of me at midday yesterday. I was in one of my “What’s the rush, I’ve got all day moods”.

I haven’t been anywhere except to drop food off at my parents’ house every week. In truth, even that usually dull 45 mins each way journey has been a rare opportunity to get out of the house and enjoy some different views, albeit from behind the windscreen of my little Fiat 500.

TUNIC: JOE BROWNS
LENA LOAFERS: FITFLOP

Yesterday, my son and I re-painted some of our garden furniture. It took most of the day but was very satisfying. The previously battered metal table and chairs have been given a new lease of life and we’re enjoying sitting on them in the sunshine.

FINE WOOL POLO: ME+EM
SIENNA STRAIGHT LEG WHITE JEANS: M&S
NAVY TWEED FLATS: MANDARINA
Careful Grace, your roots are showing!
NAVY SILK SHIRT: WINSER LONDON
BLUE SUEDE DRIVING LOAFERS: HUGS & CO

The rest of the days of the week have, in all honesty, blurred together. I’m not afraid to ask what day it is anymore – usually my son gives me a quizzical look as if he’s concerned I have memory loss – but in the current climate, he has no more idea than me!

We are trying to stick to a routine of sorts. It seems to give us a purpose and a sense of achievement by the end of each day. Although I freely admit we often lapse. Although if we, for example, oversleep, I really couldn’t care. There’s no sense in being hard on ourselves. Usually though we do an early morning walk after a get-up-and-go espresso. It never ceases to amaze me how much better I feel after being outside in the fresh air. It really does set you up for the day ahead.

Then it’s 10 minutes of gentle yoga to stretch my old bod. After deciding what to cook for supper and taking something out of the freezer to defrost, it’s onto my computer in an ever-hopeful (but invariably fruitless) attempt to get a supermarket delivery slot, write posts for A&G, and dabble with online Scrabble. The first activity drives me mad, the second two keep me calm and sane!

JUMPER: HOPE FASHION
SUEDE BABOUCHES: ZARA

I have good days and, occasionally, bad days when all I feel like doing is bursting into tears. Sometimes I feel guilty for putting on a few pounds. (Have a new addiction to plain chocolate digestives). Sometimes I can’t help fretting about every little ache and pain – which I usually take in my stride as anyone in their mid-sixties tends to do. But I always try and remind myself that tomorrow is another day. And that tomorrow I will feel stronger and more positive. And not buy any more biscuits!

On the plus side, we’ve pruned the apple tree, mowed the lawn, weeded the garden and given the shed a spring clean so far this week. It’s made sitting out in the garden an absolute pleasure. And it’s been good exercise too.

BONJOUR SWEATSHIRT: M&S
WHITE TEE: M&S
ANKLE GRAZER JEANS: M&S

So are you still making an effort to coordinate and maintain your usual style? Looking at this record of what I wore last week, I’m obviously happiest in my most comfortable clothes. Especially when I’m wearing a bright colour (and something on the generous side!)

By the way, I’ve given details of what I’m wearing in each of the photographs a) as so many readers ask where our clothes are from and b) quite a few of my choices are from small companies that particularly need support during this pandemic. Annabel and I are funding this website ourselves for as long as we can, so we are only too aware of what financial difficulties many of our favourite fashion brands are facing. Many of the clothes featured above are years old – testament to their quality – but if you’d like to check out the websites, I’m sure you’ll find similar items are still available.

Read Grace’s first What I Wore Last Week post from last August.

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Morfudd
Morfudd
3 years ago

Hi Grace, I enjoyed seeing your different casual outfits. The tunic was lovely and a different look.
Looking afresh at my wardrobe in the lockdown. I have a top that has an elastic hem, thinking of taking out the elastic in the seam to make it looser. Try or not ?
Do you have any tips for dressing an apple body shape ? Thanks for all your upbeat posts.

Louloulapomme
Louloulapomme
3 years ago

Looking fab, Grace! Just in from my power walk done in my pajamas! The sheep have been sold from the farm next door so no judgmental baaing as I steamed my way three times around our land!

Nicola Evans
Nicola Evans
3 years ago

Hi Grace. We live in the country down a quiet lane we haven’t been anywhere since March 15th both early sixties and husband has asthma, he is working from home and I am here .Miss shopping, going out but hey ho better here than risk whats out there ! Our married daughters drop off food and we garden and garden .I think we are in a bubble! I have been doing outfit of the day which my husband has taken a photo of . Some days he asks if I am going boating? or out somewhere when I put on a sequin top ( yrs old Zara), Most important I put my face on every day feel its important you never know who will face time us . Followed you both for a long time stay safe and well and keep the writing and info coming.

Christine Colman
Christine Colman
3 years ago

Since Moving to Berks three years ago I have followed your blog. I find it really fun and informative. Please don’t give up. I like all your articles and recipes. Nice to have something for ‘our’ age range when it comes to fashion, make up etc. Thanks. Christine

Ann
Ann
3 years ago

Hi Grace i love your updates and your choice of outfits, it brightens up my day.

Debbie Longville
Debbie Longville
3 years ago

Hello!

I’m not allowing myself to ‘slob out’ unless it’s Sunday (if I do, I know that I will not be inclined to do anything other than watch tv and eat all day! SO tempting but I know that will make me feel worse in the long run and it would be a downward spiral as I gained weight and cause stress to my back – had op several years ago)

So I get up at 7.30 to do my Pilates, listening to Hania Rani’s beautiful piano music (It sounds like the sea) THEN I do a 15 minute workout (Betty Rocker 30 Day Challenge) before a shower and breakfast. I’m trying to put more thought into what I’m wearing (I’ve given my drawers and wardrobe a good sort through!) and put on my make-up every day.

I’ve set a schedule of things to do every day but even so, I feel that I now have time to breathe! I am calmer. I’m appreciating the birdsong, the sunshine – and the rain, the sound of the wind, sitting in the garden with a cup of tea. We’re eating better than we have done for years. The garden is a blessing and we’re enjoying getting it in good shape. We keep in touch with the family with weekly Zoom sessions.

All in all, (and obviously some days are harder) I feel that the lockdown has been A Good Thing for me. (I realise how lucky I am to feel this way)

I’m enjoying your posts – it’s good to see other experiences of the lockdown. And you’ve given me things to think about, products to try out and lovely recipes!

Many thanks, Debbie