It might get worse before it gets better, mea culpa. The eleventh hour was upon me (and I being nearly literal on this) and I was still drawing a blank for what outfit to wear for this post.
Whether it’s a dusted-off treasure from years past, or an item that was bought from a thrift store, or perhaps a well-worn favorite that’s been given new life, that fashion find is covered under the Reclaim-Recycle-Reuse theme. When I was drawing a blank on an outfit for last week’s link-up post, it was a bit of retail therapy that saved my a$$ and inspired Would You, Could You? Babydoll Top And Joggers. Retail is not one of the three R’s for this post and I don’t have any recent thrifted finds to share. So what’s a gal to do except through up her arms and hope for divine inspiration?
A small spark of an idea that occurred to me was to repeat an item or outfit (maybe it should be four R’s?). But, I was stymied on picking an item or outfit that I wanted to repeat. At one point, I was nearly settled on using a picture of the sunset and adding the link-up information. Basically, I was just going to say “mea culpa” and call it a post. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, mea culpa is an exclamation acknowledging one’s guilt or responsibility for an error. The direct translation is “through my fault”. The fault, in this case, was that I hadn’t put in the time to properly plan and execute this post.
There’s nothing serious going on … a few other things have been getting more of my attention lately. One of those things is the planning of a road trip The Husband and I will be taking later this summer. I’ve got some content planned on that endeavor so that’s all I’m going to mention on that topic for now. Another “thing” getting my attention has been that I’ve finally started going to the gym again and I’ll be sharing a progress report of sorts on that in a few days.
So obviously I finally did muster up an outfit for this post and my inspiration for it came from one of the many IG challenges I’ve come across recently. Not that I participate in many of them, they intrigue me nonetheless. I had been tempted by a 3-day one where your outfits would be inspired by a cocktail (or mocktail). My “vodka soda with lime” outfit was all set to go but I never took the photo because I couldn’t come up with two more drinks/outfits. Such a sad tale, huh? Anyway, the specific challenge I heard about was something like “your oldest clothes”, as in the ones you had the longest.
The garment I’ve had the longest is a pair of acid wash high-waisted jeans that I bought (and wore) 35+ years ago. I’ve hung onto my “skinny jeans” all these years with the notion that I’d be skinny enough again one day to be able to wear them once more. For a while, my daughter took possession of them (and wore them proudly) but under the strict instructions that they be returned to me once she no longer wanted them. They are back in my care and packed away for someday in the future. Now, let’s talk about the garment that comes in second in longevity.
That would be this LBD that has long since been delegated as my swimsuit cover-up. It, too, dates back over 30 years to a time before I’d even heard about LBDs but still knew I needed one. I wore it for all sorts of occasions until I didn’t for some reason. Once I realized that it was a great option as a cover-up, this dress had a new purpose in my wardrobe. I don’t think I’ve had another garment that has held up so well considering the chlorine of pool water and all of the times it’s been washed. It’s hard to believe that I’ve had it for so long considering how good the fabric has held up.
To complete the look for a late afternoon stroll along the shore, I added my “we were born to be real, not to be perfect” shirt that was first shared in A Woman I Know: Me, a straw hat and purse, along with my beach sandals. One of the challenges with taking photos in the late afternoon/early evening is that’s when the wind typically kicks up for a few hours. A lot of the photos are of me pulling hair away from my face and/or of me making sure that the wind hadn’t lifted up my dress. And I do realize that I’m not fully showing my LBD cover-up in action as I don’t have my swimsuit on underneath. I’m not ready for that level of reality so you’ll just have to take me at my word.
Let’s Wrap This Up
Now, onto the Fine-Whatever link-up. My featured blogger from last week is Kellyann, who can be found sharing her wisdom and belief in the power of looking your best each and every day on This Blonde’s Shopping Bag.
In a time when people tend to avoid responsibility for their mistakes, I hope you’ve been understanding and accepting of my mea culpa with this post. And besides that, what items in your closet have you had the longest? Are you saving anything from a bygone era purely for posterity? How have you reclaimed, recycled, and/or reused items in your wardrobe?
Stay well and let’s keep in touch! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, pin … all options are available. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Note: This is an unsponsored post; however, some or all of the links to clothing items are associated with an affiliate program where I earned a few cents for each click.
Photos: MMPerez
27 Comments
Hi Rena!
I just love that photo of you looking out to sea. Beautiful. A road trip sounds exciting! xx
Thank you, Laurie. We’re looking forward to traveling again.
It’s so smart to continue to use that dress in that way Rena!! Lesley gave me one of her old t-shirt dresses that is a tad big but that’s exactly how I wear it…to the pool!!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Jodie, the dress is perfect as a coverup for me because I get the coverage I want and yet it’s easy to get on and off.
Now you have me thinking of what piece I own that is the oldest. Hmmmmm….
I can certainly feel your pain with the wind picking up at picture time, it happens here all the time and drives me nuts.
Thank you so much for featuring me – I am honored!
Here’s hoping your weekend is terrific! I am now craving a vodka and soda!
xo,
Kellyann
Kellyann, you are most welcome and I’m glad that you found the topic of this post intriguing. Salud!
Great photos. You look stunning in this look on the empty beach. I love the vibe of the photos and look.
Thank you so much for the lovely compliments, Nicole. I’m lucky that I live close to this beach.
Ahh, I haven’t heard mea culpa since high school Spanish! Well, I guess it was mi culpa and mea is Latin 🤔 It was a common saying for us back then, along with chow, and cera la boca 😄 I love that quote, real over perfect for sure. That white top/ cover up is a classic.
Thank you for reading and commenting. I’m glad that you liked the post.
I like the shirt over your LBD and it’s great you’ve had an item of clothing for so long! I do have a 30 year old handbag I bought vintage, but I don’t have any clothes that are that old, I was just a baby 30 years ago so nothing would fit, haha! Not sure what my oldest item of clothing would be – possibly a denim jacket I’ve had since my uni days?
Thanks for the link up!
Hope you are having a nice weekend 🙂 I had a fun girly day out shopping yesterday, it was so much fun!
When I was younger, I rarely gave any thought to whether an item might come back in fashion or that I would want to wear it again. Thrifting and buying secondhand was not something I any awareness of. I can think of a few pieces that I wish I still had.
Ah, beach. It’s only 3? 2? miles away. Why don’t I go? The parking. I think it’s the parking.
I prefer the Playa del Rey beach. Still, I don’t go often enough.
I will have to ponder your question… maybe make a post as well…
The oldest GARMENT in my possession is the wedding dress that my I-don’t-know-how-many-greats grandmother wore in 1860! I wore it in 1978, which is when I got it from my great aunt (who wore it in 1931). Dress has lasted WAY longer than my marriage! Haha.
I will link one of the art pieces I’ve been working on. The project involves rug knotting textile scraps times 50 6×6″ panels, for an exhibition in Pacifica. Two pairs of COVID lounge pants have gone into seven pieces and a third pair is half-way used up in two. I wanted to limit myself to only textiles in my stash/ closet but went to a textile swap last week and couldn’t resist bringing more home. No self control. Especially when it’s free fabric.
Have a great weekend!
Anne, I’ve got parking at the beach covered … literally because it’s my garage (LOL). And how marvelous that you have a family heirloom that is over 150 years old.
Now this post was a real struggle for you! Sometimes time just catch up behind us doesn’t it. But a black dress always works for me, love it.
Yes, Nancy, sometimes time does get the better of us.
That is definitely a dress with some serious staying power, Rena! I love this cute relaxed beachy look, too. That shirt is one of my favorites! You can certainly have tons of styling fun with that piece!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Love these outfit pics on the beach! The white cover up is doing a great job with the black dress. Your last minute idea is fabulous.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
What a fabulous dress! It looks great on you and I love how you styled it!
Love that cover-up. Great re-purposing of the LBD
Thank you, Hilda.
Wow, that’s impressive that you’ve had and worn this dress for so long, Rena! I have some vintage that I’ve owned since I was in my 20s, and a couple of old sweaters that I nicked from my dad in high school, but when I lost 50 lbs 12+ years ago, I had long grown out of most of my older clothes, and had to replace my entire wardrobe.
Thanks so much for the link-party – have a great week!
I think my oldest item might be the pink printed jacket I shared earlier this summer on the blog. I do have different items that are 5+ years old and some are 10 years old but that jacket it about 15 years old. I am impressed your dress has held up that many years and it still looks great!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
I love these beachy photos and that cool top. I think the oldest piece of clothing I have is probably from 2010? It’s a fun idea for a post! I also think that challenge about cocktails sounds like a blast… now I want to try it myself.
-Grace
gracefulrags.com
Grace, I’m glad that you like the photos and my “we are real” top. It was a wonderful secondhand find from last Fall.
You look so amazing in this cool look- I featured you for my Fabulous Friday’s Fashion Diva! xx
Thank you!