An outfit. As in, put-together, looking good, outfit.

I have certainly had nice clothes and even cute outfits before, but somehow now that I'm losing weight and--gasp--looking good, I find myself so much more focused on it.  Not in a bad way. In a proud way. Taking pride in my appearance. Not just jeans and a sweater or jeans and a t-shirt, but even--gasp again--accessories!

The funny thing is, a lot of this stuff has been around here for years. A braided leather belt (70s-era--no idea where it came from) that I wore with my jeans Sunday. (Cute knit top--TUCKED IN??? YES.) Braided leather belt. Brown boots and brown leather necklace, again one that was in a drawer for a couple of decades. A knit sweater vest, multi-color, I've had since the mid-80s and ran across when I was getting rid of my old fat clothes.

My point? I put it all together and thought, this all looks very retro and cool, damn, I'm going to wear this to the supermarket.

And when I got there--an upscale specialty market with very hip personnel manning the wine bar (yes, wine bar) -- one of the guys (yes, GUYS) looked at me and said, "That is a great outfit."

I don't get compiments on my style. Heck, I don't have a style.

But the girl working with him nodded and asked where I got my belt, where I got my boots....

A couple of Christmases ago I gave my husband a black cashmere turtleneck.  When it was cold a couple of weeks ago, I put it on with jeans. It hangs long and slim like a tunic, and looks fabulous. I put on my black low-top boots with straight-legged jeans and--wait for it--the FEDORA I bought at World Market a month ago, feeling like a fool, wondering when I'd ever wear it and what with. It's black and white wool, sort of houndstooth-y. Hard to describe, but I had nothing to wear it with--until I pulled on that cashmere turtleneck.

Yes. Compliments from strangers.

It's a whole new world out there, and I'm liking it. So. I have two outfits. I think it's time to figure out another one. Not just clothes, but something that looks SMART. This is all new to me, and I'm loving it.

Wow good for you! I havent lost much yet.. but I have already noticed that I have been trying hard on my looks and using accessories!

Your fun is just beginning! And congrats on the weight loss. You're doing great!

I'm in much the same place as you, but with less style! I am close to goal, still working on it, but it feels good trying on and wearing new clothes. But I don't have your flair for stlyle - need to work on developing a style of my own. I'm pretty proud that I can wear skinny jeans at age 63, but I need to expand my horizons. Your outfits sound really fun!

Congrats on the deserved positive attitude, great styling of  a vintage look and accepting well deserved compliments!

Enjoy every minute!

Ellyn

Your whole post made me smile! When I was in college (roughly the same decade outfit #1 would have been stylish the first time around), I always felt like the fat chick. And I would sacrifice a limb to that size again. You have given hope to the hopeless today--thanks for sharing.

Fantastic! Congrats!

That is great. I can't wait to really take pride in my appearance. I'm at the why bother stage. Where I live you could where that houndstooth hat anywhere with anything. ROLL TIDE!!!!

I totally get you!!  My sis is a 120lb health nazi and die hard fashionista.  I could always dress her, cuz at 120lbs, she would look good in a burlap sack.  So I know I can pick out the spiffy duds, just never bothered on my form. 

 

I long for the days when I can see my collarbones, and my chest doesn't look like 2 large watermelons hanging over my bulging gut!!  Oh yeah, and perhaps not having an ass that I could set knick knacks on...yeah, that'd be flippin fantastik!! 

 

So I am all kinds of encouraged by your tales of fashion pride...as always, keep rockin that sleeve!