But first, a word from me. Do you watch Jeopardy? It is one of my favorite shows; and naturally my husband and I love to play along.
Anyway, I have always had my favorite contestants. My first, from 1990 was Frank Spagenberg, a NYC transit cop. Then came Amy Schneider from 2021. She knocked Frank out from my first-place favorite then Frank became second and Amy, first. Then, I recently christened a new favorite; 20-year-old University of Chicago student Liam Starnes. Liam took first place in my favorites, bumped Amy to second place and Frank into third.
My three all-time favorite Jeopardy contestants. L to R, Liam Starnes, Amy Schneider and Frank Spangenbert. If you know, you know!
I know. I know. It’s not normal but—that’s the way I roll. This 20-year-old can’t even drink yet and did very well in the drink category. His demeanor was so chill and he just came across as so nice. I was pissed off when he lost—not at him. Just pissed at the contestant who won.
And although I miss Alex Trebek, he, as well as I give Ken Jennings a thumbs up as his replacement!
My anger notwithstanding, I now look forward to Liam playing in the Jeopardy Tournament of Champions in 2026.
Okay, back to the subject matter. It’s about dressing for summer. That time of year when the heat index climbs. And climbs. Humidity lingers. And lingers. And lingers. And as we have aged, it can be daunting to wear less clothing. I think back to the days of running around in bikini top and cut-off shorts. Before I had children.
And when the kids were young, I still dressed in shorts and a tee. Wearing dresses only to go out or as a coverup for the beach.
Honestly, if I were a male, I would be dressed like this all summer!
Alas. That was then and this is now. And it’s how I changed up my summer wardrobe due to changes in my body. I’m not saying the changes are due to age—simply because if I was toned and took better care of my physical being, I would continue to generate to what I wore when I was young and spritely!
The change commenced when I switched my winter wardrobe for my summer. About a month ago.
I tried dresses on. I am serious. Once the weather changes to warm, warmer, and hot—I cannot wear a lot of clothes. Especially pants. The pants are way too confining. Do not even mention jeans—when I see anyone wearing denim during the summer, I get a hot flash! I’ll wear wide-legged linen pants due to comfort but 90 percent of the time it is a frock!
I wore this outfit to work last week. It is in reserve for those cool days but after Memorial day, the pants will be packed away! I just can’t do it.
So, the short dresses will do for a heated day at the hospital when the air conditioning isn’t kicking in and I will wear at home or to the beach. But here is why I am no longer a fan.
Although I love these dresses, my legs have aged out. I do not say that in a negative way whatsoever. It’s just that they no longer do me justice unless I have a deep tan. Will I bring these on vacation? One or two for the beach–otherwise, no.
Below are two more shorter dresses. The Margot dress by Lilly Pulitzer, these two frocks were purchased in 2019 and have been worn since. The dress falls just above the knee. A perfect length. Sadly, the dress has, again, been discontinued by the brand. I don’t understand the need to discontinue a dress that is popular. This is a swing dress that is incredibly flattering to our age demographic. It flows beautifully. The colors shout “Summertime”. It is perfect for whatever brings your day or evening. These will be packed for vacation and for a later trip this summer to California!
These pics were from a 2019 blog post and I’m still writing about them! The Margot dress may have been discontinued but, I’m still wearing it!
The old lady legs. I dunno about you but the legs that were once pale but sans age spots and crepe-paper thighs—not to mention the blue tint from the veins taking precedence over thinning skin- have a lot going on these days. I can’t pinpoint when this phenomenon took place, but it seemingly happened between this past winter and spring—just in time to greet my 70th birthday.
Although my skin is much paler than this image, the knees are the same as are the thighs. For me, it’s a part of aging that I must face. And I’ll deal with it by changing my wardrobe. A bit.
To be honest, I can deal with the aged hands. I find that constantly applying hand lotion, helps a bit to keep them soft. And when the hands are soft, the aging process doesn’t look very aging. I can deal with the turkey neck because at this point, it is what it is. The upper arms as mud flaps? Yeah. I’m okay with that as well. When the temperature rises, I need to be cool or I will be very cranky. Mine arms have seen the glory and now that they have, my memories are good ones. The facial wrinkles. I am also okay with. I do not jump up and down with glee every time I locate a new wrinkle or age spot, but do know how to apply makeup so it is what it is. Besides, I haven’t reached that all-time big lottery jackpot so I cannot afford a face lift. One must deal with it.
I’ve come to terms and acceptance regarding my hands. Proud of my patience with growing my natural nails, I just apply hand lotion daily. Three times or more. It’s become and obsessive thang.
It is the appearance of the imperfections of the legs that have me missing the days of my youthful body. Sadly, the genetic pool has gifted me with my dad’s pasty-Irish-fish-belly white skin. My mother had beautiful olive skin and her legs always looked beautiful. But other than the fake tan, I have learned to appreciate the maxi-dress! (HEY! Do you remember my post from 2016 that I wrote about Maxi dressing? When I had hair? Well–here it is! My 2016 post
I still have this dress from 2016. Actually, I have two. And I’m still wearing them. And I still have those sandals. The only thing I don’t have is my hair! LOL!
Yes. Both the Maxi and, in an odd way, the just longer-than-midi dress.Midi’s have never been my thing because they tend to fall at a very unflattering length—but if you find the right style, you are in good shape!
Let’s look. Shall we?
CAVEAT: Be that as it may, I do try to be as sustainable as possible. However, there are times when my budget does not allow my sustainability to be put into place. And there should be no judgement from others. Many older folks are on a limited income and yet they receive toxic remarks regarding what kinds of clothing they wear. Off the bat, I will tell you some of these items below are from fast-fashion. And I am not going there to argue.
The Maxi Dress: Below are dresses I currently have in my closet. Actually, some of them are on my bed to be packed for our return to France next month. Let’s go!
This is a new maxi from Lilly Pulitzer. Very Grecian. And comfortable. I have a couple of weddings to attend this summer and this is perfect for a special rehearsal dinner I will be attending. I don’t even have to shave my legs!
The dress below has been with me since 2019. This month it is 6 years old. It was purchased for my daughter, Oona’s bridal shower. Another Lilly Pulitzer. This is the now, discontinued Wynne Dress (my maiden name). And remains one of my all-time summer favorite maxi dresses. It has stretch and the pattern helps to disguise my belly bits! This is such a great “mature” woman maxi. If you ever see this on a resale sight. Grab it! I also take great care of these dresses because they are discontinued. I wore the green one many times last summer in France and they are coming back with me!
My first Wynne Dress. How I love this one and cannot understand..
..how the hell Lilly Pulitzer discontinue this gem of a frock..
The trifecta of the Wynne dress. It’s extremely flattering..
Flattering AND practical because, the patterns help draw attention away from the belly bits. The slit makes movement easier for those who wear the dress and the neckline is perfect. Not too high and not too low. A beautiful scoop neck!
Now for the dresses that I shall be judged upon. All four below are “fast” fashion. And guess what? I love them! The gray one is from Old Navy and it is the one I have had since 2016. That is nine years. For nine summers I have worn this dress and it has treated me well. I have two of the same and the shape has remained intact. It has not stretched out. It washes beautifully–and trust me, this has been washed many times since 2016!
The far left is from Shein. The second from Temu, and the last dress from Shein. All are flattering for the mature woman due to the fabric. The Shein dresses have stretch, but at the same time tuck the bits in. Both have adjustable straps so depending on the top portion of your body, you can lift the girls up if need be. Both are great dresses for a night out, vacation, or running errands, if you will. The Temu dress is ridiculously comfortable and can be worn two ways. The regular way has a V neck. Worn backward, the neckline is higher. The fabric is soft and flowy. Very Boho. This and the Shein dresses were all under 12 USD and purchased prior to the tariffs.
Don’t judge these fast fashion cuties. The gray dress has been with me since 2016. To have an inexpensive dress for that many years and worn many, many, many times–well, I have pricey dresses that have not lasted that long!
How about those other lengths? The midi and ankle? Although midi dresses can be awkward in length, it is a variable. For me, I tend to go with the longer, midi/ankle dress because when my calves are cut into half, it doesn’t work.
Not quite maxi and not quite midi. Another Temu purchase which I also have in black. The bottom fabric is twill while the top is a jersey-type stretch. I LOVE this dress. When I wore it to work, I received a ton of compliments. It has pockets! The length is flattering AND for those of us with hips–it’s gorgeous due to the flare. In addition, if you have a long torso, it won’t appear to be an empire waisted frock . It is simple and just wonderful for the mature body. Remember–this was also purchased pre-tariff so I don’t know what the price would be currently.
Below is a true midi. While I like the dress due to the 1970’s vibe, I wish it were longer, heading into maxi territory. Still, it is a good summer work dress. I wore this to work earlier this week. The temp was hot and I was extremely comfortable!
The 1970’s vibe on this dress brings back memories. The stretch component is also very mature body friendly!
When you find a dress you love–you buy a couple more–just in case. This dress was purchased last spring at Old Navy. I remember spending 12 USD on the dress, on sale and ran back to purchase two more. In the same color. With a high neck, it hides the turkey if need be. The adjustable straps allow for a personalized fit and the dress has a very, very, light flare. It is a true midi but extremely flattering to the legs. A simple strapless bra works wonders under this delight!
This also washes beautifully. And it is all-age appropriate.
Below is another Old Navy dress. The brand’s website advertises it as a maxi but to me, it isn’t. It’s just above the ankle. This was purchased last summer but is akin to the ribbed dress that is on sale for USD 19.99. Personally, I think it is a great deal because it is very summer-friendly.
Another Old Navy dress from last year.
Lets face it. Summer clothing goes through more abuse than winter ones. We sweat. We get caught in unexpected sun showers or thunderstorms. We go on vacation by the beach and the salted-water air can wreak havoc on fabric. That’s why I really don’t like to spend a lot of money on my summer wardrobe. I cannot speak for everyone but as I have aged, I’ve become aware that I need to dress within my budget. And you know what? Fast fashion can be ethically wrong, but tell me, are you aware that brands such as J. Crew, Banana Republic and others have items made in third-world countries? Even high-end clothing is made in China. So lets be real here. Take care of your clothes and the clothes will take care of you. No matter how old you are!
Clothing shouldn’t be limited to who should and should not wear it. But there comes a time when we need to take a good look at what works for our aged bodies!
Thoughts are always welcomed!
Good info! True about older legs unfortunately !
Hi Eleanor! Right??? Those older legs!! Bam. Can we get a leg lift????????????????
I LOVE all your dresses! They are all very flattering on you! You obviously understand fashion and know exactly how to style from head to toe! You have a Beautiful body shape at 70! I would like to know how do you keep your upper arms, legs and tummy so toned?! Certain exercises?
Keep Going Strong!
Francoise XOXO
Thanks so much Fran. I do understand what looks good and what doesn’t for my body. It took years but I stick to a formula these days. Thank you so much for your compliment but I am the laziest woman on earth. I should be working out but ………….after working, I’m too tired. LOL!
You have some fabulous dresses. If you keep an item for a long time and wear it regularly it is not fast fashion imo. My legs were always my best asset but I too have stopped buying shorter dresses and shorts. I am 59, my hubby assures that my legs still look good but I can see the difference. So longer dresses it is and I am okay with this. I was off patterns for a while but am starting to feel them again. I can see from your pics how certain patterns really help to camoflage the bits and bumps.
Hi Lise. Thank you! I chose the frocks wisely. And I like your opinion on the fast fashion attire. The years of wear certainly do not equate with fast fashion. Like you, I don’t consider myself a “pattern” person–in winter it’s mostly solid black. But with summer, let the fun begin AND I love how a pattern can disguise the bits!
It’s a challenge, isn’t it? I too have the pasty Irish legs and now a highway of blue veins running every which way. I have been looking for summer dresses but no luck yet. Maybe I will try Lily. Even if it costs more, if it is a workhorse and I can wear it a lot, it will be worth it.
Regarding 70 – that’s coming up for me later this year and, honestly, it scares me. I don’t think I will deal with aging well. I think it will scare me. What can one do though? Onward.
Hi Maryellen. I’m headed to a spray tan in an hour. It’s my treat to myself until I can slather myself in sunscreen and head to the beach. The Lilly dresses are definitely worth the money. I’m eagerly awaiting two more maxi dresses to wear to weddings this summer. I know the money will be well-spend because I will wear the dresses on repeat.
Regarding 70. The challenge for me is not thinking about my mortality. I’m fine with physically ageing but I think about my grandsons thirty years from now and I won’t be here. That’s sad and scary!
I like your dresses, truly. I just don’t feel comfortable in any strapless bra on earth. To me, they are the equivalent of pants for you in the summer. The short sleeve scoop neck Lilys would work. But I ain’t putting any tight band of elastic under my boobs in the summer! In fact, most of the time I wear a tank top underneath and forget the bra. Ahh the freedom that comes with age (73). I do like to dress well and look nice and I will undergo a small amount of discomfort. But not a lot. And fast fashion snobs? Don’t get me started. I’m so tired of being told I must buy EF crepe stretch pants that cost $178 bucks. My INC pants from Macys are on sale all the time for 40 dollars. I have some I have worn five years and they still look new and exactly like the EF pants. If you don’t treat it as disposable fashion and take care of your clothes, it’s not disposable. I just bought a new pair of Sam Edelman loafers. $150. And made in China. I wear them all the time, they’re the most comfortable loafers ever. But I figured I’d better buy them now to avoid the tariffs.
LOL. Susan, if my tits were perkier I would never wear a bra. However, some of my dresses have built-in bra padding so I’m lucky. Some of my tops do as well. I did manage to find an inexpensive but working well strapless bra at TJ Maxx. I refuse to spend a ton of money !!
All great looks!
Today is my 70th birthday and I fully celebrate this milestone. It also gives me pause since so many of my friends didn’t live long enough to reach 70. So today, like most days, I remember them.
I make most of my clothes these days and even the sewing industry is going to be feeling the pain of these damned tariffs. Cloth is woven in China and SE Asia. Even European imports will be impacted. I plan to work with my “stash” and avoid buying anything new. I also need to edit my closet too, so that is a task for next week. I rarely wear things out, so it ultimately boils down to fit, style, and whether or not I still like it. Same goes for shoes/boots/sandals. I think this coming year my goal will be to pare things down a bit.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY VAVA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Welcome to Club 70! You’ll enjoy it!
You’re incredibly fortunate to make your clothing. As paring down goes–I just bagged a ton of clothing to donate. The hospital I work in takes donations for patients getting ready for Step down or to enter the real world. The clothing won’t go to waste!
You’ve got a whole lot of great dresses there! My favorite is the 70s inspired one. It looks fabulous on you!
Thank you Lori. I love that dress so much. That 70’s vibe is the bomb!
I don’t know if there really is that much difference between “fast” fashion and more high end – seriously not these days. Some of my older clothing I can absolutely see the quality and craft, same brand 10 or so years later – nope, not buying the expensive and badly made junk they are now flogging. That’s why simple and classic no matter the budget works, anyway probably now all made by same people in the same factories just different mark ups… My personal take is, if it’s a garment that washes well and can last you then it’s not a problem- the issue is disposable fashion that CAN’T be reworn and heads almost straight to landfill. You know what works and how to look after it, so no problem – it’s the dress you are wearing not the price tag
Hi Juliet! BINGO! So much of the “higher” clothing is crap. J. Crew has been a disappointment for quite some time and I’m glad that I have my old J. Crew clothing. I see a ton of women pontificating the greatness of Sezanne. I’ve been to the Paris store. There is no difference between the fast fashion and their clothing. And after my clothing has expired or has been worn out, I cut the item and use it for rags for house cleaning. Or if it is in good shape, I donate.
Instead of worrying about clothing, we need to worry about who is running our country!
I think it’s strange we wear maxi dresses in the spring and summer and shorter dresses in the fall and winter. At least, that’s what I do. It seems like it should be the other way around. Anyway (because we knows anyways is not a word…learned that from someone really smart), I love a good maxi dress! I usually buy a midi and since I’m only 5’1″, they’re maxis on me. I bought my first Margo dress because of you! In fact, I have three of them purchased when they were on sale. I think I have the two you pictured. I agree completely…why change something when it ain’t broke! Old Navy did that with those wonderful jersey dresses you could pick up for $10! I am going to scout around and see if I can find that maxi you just bought! I love the shape it gives you.
My problem with my legs is I was very voluptuous for too many years. Now that I’ve lost weight, the skin didn’t go anywhere but down! My legs are gross, but when I’m hot, I’m going to wear what I want. If my legs bother someone, they need to look some place else! I just don’t have time nor energy to care about them. Right now, I’m OK with wearing shorter dresses even with my white legs. I can tan everywhere but my lower legs! It’s just weird!
Thanks for another great post, Catherine!
Same problem with my legs. Lots of droopy wrinkled flesh and why can’t I tan the backs of my lower legs? So upsetting, and furthermore I can no longer use artificial tan as it just clogs in the little dry,patches all over my legs. I’ve always moisturised so WHY???….
Hi Susan. I was sprayed–not spayed-yesterday. I couldn’t take the pale anymore. What was good about it was the after-care instructions I received. I waited until this morning to get into a warm shower to rinse the bronzing layer off, then I air-dryed myself then applied moisturizer that doesn’t contain oil and am drinking plenty of water. The back of my legs takes all summer to tan. It’s ridiculous. And now I’m just spray-tanning for special ocassions. The tan looks really good and is healthier than sun damage!!
Hi Marsha!! First of all, I love the usage of “anyway”–the plural is grammar in the worst way. Secondly, yeah. I never wear maxi dresses in the winter. It’s so weird! But I find maxi dresses so comfortable. I’m presently pissed off at Old Navy for discontinuing that maxi tank dress. Other than the gray, I had it in black and I cannot find it. I’ve checked every tub of stored clothing. I’m hoping I didn’t trash it in error, which I most likely did. That dress is simple. And not fussy and great and it is discontinued. Same with Lilly and the Margot dress and Wynne dress. Why do they do that!!!
Hi, Catherine! Cleaning out my emails and found this one unread so hence the late reply. I’ve had great luck searching the used clothing websites for old, discontinued favorites. You might find someone selling that dress!