It struck me this morning. As, once again, I really didn’t prepare what I was going to wear to work. And I was running a bit—late so to speak.
I was on all fours, on the floor in my closet, in my underwear. Flabby bits and jelly belly flapping around as I tried to find the shoes I wanted to wear.
And then I came across my old reliable: My Nike Air Ballet Flats. These shoes have been in my possession for many years now. The pair was purchased at the outlet mall close to where I live. I paid about $80 for them, which at the time wasn’t much of an outlet price. But they have become my “Old Reliable” when I’m traveling. They have walked the city streets of Paris and New York umpteen times. They have trekked the dry and rough terrain of Provence and all stops along the Cote d’Azur.
And, as usual, Nike has discontinued this fabulous shoe. It had something to do with their partnership with Nike.
And they don’t wear out. They are comfy as all get-out and I love them.
But today, I wanted to wear a different shoe. I was Hell-bent on wearing my black Repetto’s. This is another “Old Reliable”. I’ve had them for years. Years! They were purchased in Paris and once they were properly broken in, they became one of my old reliables because I know that I can wear these shoes from office to dinner. I can dress ‘em up or down. It doesn’t matter. What does matter is that my Repettos (all three pair) have managed to retain their brand-new shape and not stretch out.
These iconic ballet flats always look good!
Resting in their home town of Paris. They fit my narrow feet so well! Old reliables in an old reliable city!
Then I got to thinking about my other “Old Reliables”. I’m sure you know by now how much I love my comfortable old Bass Weejuns. They have been an old reliable for decades. They are my errand shoe and more. Over the years they have formed to the shape of my feet and my toes have comfortable little leather cubicles to snuggle into as the insole has worn down in spots.
They’ve been repaired and resoled many times but these decades-old loafers are my favorites!
Another “Old Reliable” is the trench coat I purchased at J. Crew Factory in March of 2016. Originally purchased as a “rain” coat, it has surpassed even the harshest precipitation. It is the one article of clothing I’ve worn this winter more than anything else. It never got really cold this past winter and with my penchant for blazers and lady jackets, it made sense to wear a lighter coat. The more I wear it, the more I love it and realize what a great deal this purchase was.
This photo was taken in January. JANUARY!! Notice I’m not wearing socks either. This trench was my most-worn coat this past winter!
I love this coat so much I wrote an entire blog post about it: Drenched and Entrenched
Getting my spy on!
I have a pair of white shorts that are also “Old Reliables”. They are denim. There is a bit of the stretch in them. I’ve worn them through fat times and leaner times. They are a bit lose this year but I love them that way! Now that the weather is warmer, these are the shorts I throw on when I arrive home from work. And they look fine if I must run out to the store in an emergency. I can throw a shirt and my old reliable Weejuns on and my ensemble is complete.
The white shorts–and I LOVE the denim ones because they don’t creep up my thighs! The shorts stay put! VERY reliable!
My navy Schoolboy blazer is another “Old Reliable” because it goes with everything. It is heavy enough and warm enough to wear in the winter and light enough to wear throughout the spring. That navy blazer is so reliable that I have three of them. Just in case!
Case Number One
Case Number Two
I rest my case with the navy blazer being an old reliable!
The Brie wig by Vivica Fox, has, surprisingly turned into an “old reliable” for me. Yes. I was going to trash this wig because it got natty and tangled. And after watching a YouTube video on washing wigs and conditioning them with fabric softener, I have given her new life.
She is reliable because she always looks good. I don’t have to fuss with her and she looks great pulled back as she does down.
Who know that an inexpensive head of hair would end up to be…
..and old reliable? See how good it looks pulled back too? If you are interested it is $24.99 on Divatress’ site!
My big hoop earrings are “old reliables” too. They are inexpensive. $2.88 a pair! And, quite honestly, if someone comes up that close to me to inspect my jewelry they are going to be shoved the way Elaine Bennis shoved the Seinfeld crew!
Best $2.88 of all time. Check out the photo of me above this. I’m wearing these el-cheapos!
That’s right. Get too close to inspect my cheap baubles and this is what I shall do to you!
Same with my fake pearls. Those simple strands of white always finish off the neckline of a sweater that may not look too swift against my bare turkey neck.
I don’t get the chance to thank my old reliables but these are items that I know will never fail me. They always contribute to helping me in my quest to look better and to be comfortable and to feel good!
Hey! Do you think that my old reliables think of me as an old reliable? They should—after all, I’m also old. And very reliable!
I’m a very reliable old reliable!!
How about you. Do you have any old reliables that you couldn’t live without?
I wanna know!
Here’s a very old reliable song: “Ol’55” by the Eagles. I was born in that year!!
