I like the wide lapels on this polka dot blouse and the way that the length fluttered in the breeze. I've paired it with the same black slacks I wore for the Six Item Challenge in July, my red sneaks, and the plaid thermos bag I've been using as a book bag this semester. Of the looks pictured in this post, this is the only look that garnered nary a compliment.
In this second look, I'm wearing an oxblood rayon top, with an unusual
pattern of embroidery, simply paired with black jeans and my Swedish
clogs. I've added a necklace made of a chandelier crystal and a "found"
silver chain. This look did garner compliments.
Here, I'm dressed for a meeting at the district offices as well as a day of teaching on campus. I'm sporting the shoes that I blamed for setting off last week's funk. They are a nice leather flat, with leather appliques of leaves in various fall shades. I threw a Banana Republic tasseled bag over my shoulder and added a curious DIY ring.
The pants are a PERFECT fit, something that rarely happens in my thrift store shopping. The scarf has a nautical motif. And I'm sporting the Swedish clogs again.
All of these looks are more casual than in recent fall semesters as though I can't be bothered to dress up for the 75 minutes of face time with these students. I'm wondering too if it doesn't reflect a subconscious decision about my retirement...
What I won't share with you are the pink terry-cloth robe or the denim skirt I wear to sit Indian-style at my computer on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
I find myself thinking today of where I was 11 years ago today--just returning to campus from a year-long sabbatical and listening to NPR on my drive to work. The announcer suddenly sounded very confused and switched to a track of classical music. Overhead, I saw a jet make an unusual looping manuver in the clear blue sky. I would not realize what had transpired until I arrived and found everyone glued to televisions. Classes were not canceled though no one could focus on the subject matter at hand.
DH was working in an IRS facility and was actually locked in for two hours, then let go for the day. He called me at work to be sure that I was okay and that for me is the one positive thing that came from that day--the recognition all Americans felt to reach out and touch the ones they loved and the vulnerability we were temporarily willing to share with our fellow Americans. I'm curious, as I have readers world-wide, what you might recall from this date 11 years ago.
Hi Terri,
ReplyDeleteFirst things first. You and only you, are the first blogger that has mentioned 9/11 in their post today, and I've read quite a few. Thanks for the reminder.
Now on to the outfits. My two favorites is the first one with the wide lapels and the last one with the sailor pants. Those pants really are perfect!
Sheila--Hm, wonder if I should try the wide lapels with the wide-legged sailor pants?
DeleteI'm extremely envious of your perfect sailor pants and your thermos bag (ridiculously chic). I also have a necklace featuring an old chandelier crystal and brass chains; it's one of my favorites.
ReplyDelete11 years ago, I was at work and actually worked all day so I didn't see any of the footage until I got home that night.
Gracey--I've wanted a chandelier crystal for a long time (2-3 years) and then one day, it just came together.
DeleteGah, I would have had a terrible time not having access to the footage immediately and yet, some of the images I saw that day have probably scarred me for life.
Oh Terri, I love the sailor pants, striped top and scarf look too! You look wonderful!
ReplyDeleteAs for Sept. 11, I was putting my birds in the window for the day before heading to work. I lived in Manhattan, had a view from my apartment of the North Tower spire. I watched a plane flying the wrong way, going lower and lower, and moments after it slipped past my view, I saw an orange fireball and heard a terrible explosion. It was the American Airlines flight that was the first to be flown into the World Trade Center. That was easily the worst day of my life. I still can't believe it's been 11 years since it happened. XO, Jill
Jill--I avidly followed your Michael Kors tweets this morning!
DeleteI can only imagine how traumatizing it would be to actually witness this event. It has had such an impact on me, even at the distance from the actual events that I live.
Oh, I like the sailor pants, and wonder if that style might work to give my narrow hips the illusion of a bit more curve...
ReplyDeleteI was walking around my London neighbourhood, marveling at the beautiful, beautiful day, stopped in a pub/restaurant to have a glass of soda, and saw the first smoking tower on the TV behind the bar. It wasn't turned up loud enough for me to hear what was going on, so I went home and turned on the BBC, only to find that the second tower had also been hit during my walk home, and then I spent the rest of the day in a chatroom with various friends and acquaintances, all of us just stunned.
Ana--The sailor pants would compliment your narrow hips and long legs!
DeleteA chatroom would have been an interesting way to spend that day--there was so much misinformation and so many people trying to put all the pieces of the situation together.
I had posted today and mentioned how the strong influx of patriotism following 9/11 had effected me. How in several ways all the flag waving was overwhelming and annoying, but all-in-all I remember that it made me feel warm & gooey inside and is something that has stuck with me- that "we're all in this together" feeling, sort of along the lines of what you mention.
ReplyDeleteSo today I wore red, white & blue in memory, but ended up feeling kind of stupid/naive about it when a reader commented with her memories of the ugly side of the post 9/11 patriotism, i.e. paranoia, racism and hate crimes. What does one say to that? I replied a little on the defensive (the afterschool/pre-dinner witching hours make me irritable)... but I suppose it is an example of everyone having their own experiences/feelings on the subject.
At any rate, I guess I'll just stick with my naivety and end with Gee, I really like your back-to-school outfits! The sailor pants one especially.
Sandra--I recall that strong sense of being American, followed by a scary, sinking feeling!
DeleteI recall the paranoia first hand--our Muslim students were basically obliged to go into hiding for a couple of weeks.
And thanks!
Love your nautical look, the trousers are so so cute.
ReplyDeleteI was in gym class in like 6th or 7th grade. they rolled a CRT tv in for us to watch the news. I don't remember our day going on as normal. I think we all sat glued to the tv and may be had a schoolwide meeting towards the end of the day. I can't remember what happened well because it was such a bizarre and jarring situation. Amazing to consider that happened half my lifetime time ago, but it doesn't seem that long ago.
MeganMae--I'm trying to imagine what would go through a middle schooler's mind watching such things on a television. Did they give you any context in that meeting at the end of the day?
DeleteIt's important to remember 9/11, but I'm beginnning to have students in my classes who have foggy memories of it, because they were so young at the time. Sometimes, I think it is a good thing that new generations come along who don't recall certain things; it's like a fresh start.
The sailor type pants are my fave from this post; that whole look says French Vogue.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as the news broke nationally, someone plugged in a television in our firm's kitchen. People kept wandering through and stopping to stare in shock. I know I just kept feeling the initial shock over and over again. I don't think anyone really got any work done that day
Lynne--Yep, the sailor pants are my favorite too.
DeleteI know very little was accomplished on campus that day--in fact for several weeks after, it was hard to buckle down to the business at hand.
Very nice outfits, Terri!
ReplyDeleteI love the blouse in the second pic!
I remember one of my staff's husband called the office to inform us of what was happening. No one believed him. We all kept saying no way, he's kidding!
Sadly, it turned out to be the longest & saddest day at the office.
Jeannie--Thank you. The news was pretty incredible, wasn't it. In some ways, I felt Americans lost some of their innocence that day.
DeleteIt's one of those moments you never forget, isn't it? I was riding my exercise bike and listening to the radio with my headphones. I thought the DJ was joking (!), so I ran to the TV and turned on the news. I stayed in front of the television all day, like millions of others.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you and some of the other comments that the sailor pants are the fave. All the looks are cool and stylish but that scarf around the neck is so chic!
Patti--Several of the commenters have said that they thought the DJ or announcer was joking. I think the immensity of the situation was so hard for many of us to absorb.
DeleteThe scarf was an afterthought--at the end of my workday. I'm too impatient to wear them on campus.
It really feels like it was yesterday. My co-worker and I were taking company vehicles to get serviced and I was listening to Howard Stern. I thought they were joking for a minute then realized it was reality. Such a sad day in our history.
ReplyDeleteI do love your sailor pants. what a great thrifted find. Heather
Heather--I'm trying to imagine Howard Stern delivering this news!
DeleteI agree that the sailor pants were a true find.
My favorite look of these is your meeting-wear of orange and yellow! Maybe it's because I can't wear either color, or because the shape and cut of that outfit is just so flattering.
ReplyDeleteI was on my way to my History of Jazz class in my second year of college when 9/11 happened. I was listening to a snarky morning radio show out of Canada and, like Patti, I thought the DJ was joking. Like how could someone possibly crash a plane into a building? I didn't hear much more about the attacks until after class, by which time I think both towers had fallen. Classes were cancelled for the rest of the day, but I had to work at Kohl's that night. Isn't that crazy? We were open and had to work because people might be shopping. Of course no one was, so I remember standing by the doors with a couple friends who worked with me, staring into the clear blue sky and observing how absolutely quiet everything was. I'll never forget what an eerie feeling that was.
Anne--It was the shoes that inspired that outfit, but the shoes are just a tad too small.
DeleteI'll bet the news of 9/11 took some of the snark out of that DJ. Classes should have been cancelled on my campus too--but most everyone felt very disoriented for hours, days, even weeks afterwards.
Interesting how you and I are practically the only fashion-bloggers to raise this subject today. I think that testifies to our similarity. I couldn't not mention it.
ReplyDeleteAlly--It is interesting to compare notes with my students who would have been 6 & 7 years old when 9/11 occurred. The day will come that children will be born who do not recall that day...just as those in our generation only know of Pearl Harbor as a bit of history.
DeleteThose wide legged pants are just stellar on you.
ReplyDeleteNow onto more serious things. On 9/11 I was driving to the gym at my workplace for some cardio before I went to class and work. The sports radio network that I had playing was saying things that made no sense. Then I got into the gym and all the tvs were tuned to the news stations, which were beginning to report what had and was transpiring. It was surreal. At the time I worked at a hotel that was owned by the USPS where they sent mechanics to train on the machines that sort our mail. They would be sent from all over the US and it was just chaos. The phone lines were jammed as people were trying to reach their loved ones.
Raquelita--thank you.
DeleteThat impression of surreality seems to remain in many of our minds about that day. And I am certain that many more phone calls than usual were likely placed on that day.
Terri, I really love your last two outfits. The orange/yellow combination and the outfit are very flattering on you. The last one is just adorable.
ReplyDeleteThank you for remembering the importance of this date. I was an EMT at the time, but finishing my paramedic clinicals in the emergency room. I walked into the patient lobby and the image of the 2nd tower falling was playing. It was surreal; I didn't immediately realize that this had just happened. It cast a huge pall on the mood of patients and staff alike, but we had to carry on and care for our patients as if all was well.
Lisa--thank you.
DeleteI would think that being an EMT in training at that time would have added a greater sense of purpose to your work! The television images were indeed surreal--as though we had watched too many American action films.
1. Your sailor pants are a fabulous fit.
ReplyDelete2. I also like your plaid thermos bag.
3. I remember eleven years ago absolutely clearly. I was student teaching and we had a meeting before school to discuss how we were going to discuss it with the kids. I was in absolute shock and couldn't believe we were at school at all.
Thrifted Shift--I like the thermos bag too, although I kind of wonder if it's "too cool for school." Seems the kind of thing my students would be carrying.
DeleteI can't imagine how I would present information about 9/11 to grade school children. We try so hard to protect their innocence--I know we were doing that with my grandson after the theater shooting in Aurora, CO this summer.
Like you my wardobe is shaped by the academic year and I love it.
ReplyDeleteYour style is wonderful and something for me to aspire to. Your outfits are all subtly different while remaining essentially you.
Jane--thank you.
DeleteI love love love the wide legged pants, striped top and scarf - it's a perfect outfit! Sarah xxx
ReplyDeleteSarah--Your opinion means a lot. And what is so cool about that sailor outfit is how comfortable it is to boot.
DeleteI remember 9/11 as if it were yesterday. It was a lovely afternoon here. I collected my now 17-year-old son from school who was so excited his friend Anthony was coming to tea. When I got to school Anthony came running out and clung onto his mum's hand. His mum apologised and said !He just feels so sad he wants to be with me."
ReplyDeleteAt that time none of us were aware of what had happened in the US. There must have been something in the air.
The next few days was passed in a blur. I was working as a journalist at our regional newspaper and it was terrifying - the speculation. This is from several two thousand miles away. How terrifying it must have been to everyone in the US who was much closer.
Jane--I know that the speculation preoccupied many of us in the days after, and the UK has not been immune from the impact of 9/11 and 7/7.
DeleteI'm with all your other readers, and love the nautical trousers the most. Thought I like the polka dot and oxblood blouses too.
ReplyDeleteI was pregnant with my eldest daughter and came home from work as usual, not having heard anything of what was happening until my partner came rushing in and turned in the TV news. We sat and watched the events for the rest of the evening, in stunned disbelief. xx
Curtise--I can only imagine what might have been going through your head, being pregnant and contemplating this change in the world. Did you wonder if it was still a world in which you wanted to raise a child?
DeleteI really love the sailor pants and the striped tee! I have a similiar pair with the wonderful button up front flap - I love them and have worn them to death.
ReplyDeleteVeshoevius--Alas, my sailor pants are not a true button front, but close enough to give that appearance. I suspect this pair will get a lot of wear. I like the huge legs.
DeleteThe tradition of starting a new school year sticks with many of us in our 50s, even when we aren't in school and aren't a teacher! I miss that excitement, the excuse to buy new clothes, notebooks and pens. I may have to go do that anyhow... Autumnal changes aren't as dramatic here in Britain (which pretty much sums the place up, really, which has its good points and bad...). Well, I like the blue dotted top with the wide lapels for just the reasons you said; I could practically feel myself wearing it. Retirement is wonderful, but you may find yourself missing the dress up aspect of work.
ReplyDeleteBack on 9/11 my office mate was on holiday and so I was solitary all day until a colleague who worked part time in another part of the building had seen the telly at home. She thought to call me and tell me what was happening - it was about 3pm in England then. I went downstairs to find TVs on around the building and we all stood around and stared. On the drive home I listened to the news on the radio - something I've never done before nor since those few weeks. I felt I was waiting for WWIII to begin, wondering what I should be doing to prepare. People kept asking me if Iknew anyone who was killed, I didn't. There was a lot of sympathy and compassion over here, but also fear about what the US would do next.
Am currently reading about the Nehrus and the Ghandis (by Tariqu Ali) in India and how various politicians played upon the fears of Muslims to gain power. It's the first book I've read about India and I feel it gives a more objective perspective about Ghandi. I've only got about a third of the way through but it's already obvious how the seeds sown by one generation are often reaped by another. I'm lucky enough not to have been immediately touched by the major events in my lifetime - though there are always knock-on effects. Who knew that Lloyds of London would be so impacted by 9/11 that I would a few years later find it nearly impossible to get insurance for my rental house in Oklahoma City?
Shelley--I'm sort of a sucker for new office supplies! I am slightly afraid that I'll turn into a "slob" once I'm retired.
DeleteI too expected WWIII and have been a very avid radio listener since that day. People in the UK must imagine that the US is a small place for you to have known someone in the WTC.
Fascinating to think about the generational impacts of our decisions. My reading about the creation of India and Pakistan has pretty much been limited to Salman Rushdie's materials, which is not a complete picture.
All are great looks, Terri. I love the top and bag in the first picture and the black pants in the bottom one!! You look fun, yet professional!
ReplyDeletePam--Yes, the fun & professional look is one that works in the classroom.
DeleteWell--I love all your looks so far--ESPECIALLY the polka dot one!!
ReplyDeleteWow-9/11--I lived and worked right outside DC in Maryland near a HUGE military base. I walked into work and the secretary said a plane hit the WTC. I got on the internet and watched the 2nd plane hit in disbelief. We then decided to close and evacuate the area.
My daughter was being picked up at school by neighbor. I was asked to come to our church and help prepare for the school kids in the neighborhod. They were being sent home and many parents in the neighborhood worked in DC. It was a long scary day comforting frightened children and traumitized parents when they came (some walked out of DC and took 8+ hours to get home)
I still get chills. My husband was supposed to be in mid-town Manhattan that day servicing the mammo equipment at a clinic but got diverted to Delaware instead.
Tamera--I think there must have been an all points bulletin to shut down EVERY government facility every where until we could fully assess what was happening.
DeleteThat afternoon at the church sounds like it must have been very, very challenging. And your husband had a guardian angel that day.
Terri, I love all of these looks! You are beautifully put-together. Your plaid satchel, DIY ring, and perfectly fitting holy cow SAILOR PANTS are my total favourites.
ReplyDeleteI got to Ally's post before yours:
"I was unemployed, at home working on renovations, had no TV and didn't turn on the radio, and so was stunned when my best friend called me at around 11 a.m. My parents were away and I went over to their place to see the news. I have often felt isolated, but that devastating day was so shocking, and it was altogether eerie to go back out into the quiet sunshine. The unbelievable quiet.
xo"
Amber--I'm very fond of the sailor pants! Yes, the weather that day was so at odds with what was happening.
DeleteFrankly, I don't even what to go there. I don't remember how I found out about it, perhaps my husband called me from work to tell me about it and I turned on the TV to see it happening. I just sat and watched the same images over and over. I started watching the news regularly after that. Somehow I wanted to be prepared. I hated how the world changed afterward, from we're all in this together to paranoia of the other. yuck, yuck, yuck. I guess I'm still stuck with the aftershock or the after effects...Or maybe it's just the new normal.
ReplyDeletePao--I know that I watched the same horrifying loop of people jumping from the WTC in an auditorium on campus. I too hated the way the world changed. I had spent the year prior writing a textbook and this event gave me writers block that lasted for years. I know that I became a news junkie as a result of 9/11.
DeleteSince I'm subbing this year, I had a "back to school" outfit, but I imagine even when I'm no longer working at a school, I'll still think of this time of year as back to school time!
ReplyDeleteI love all of these outfits, and I'm surprised look one didn't get complimented--I really like it! My favorite though, is also yours: the tres French sailor pants, stripes, and scarf. SO chic!
Shea--thank you! Perhaps it was too early in the semester for compliments. My colleagues were still pretty absorbed in getting syllabi printed, etc.
Deleteterri, i remember i was paralyzed by the horror, me and my children could not stop watching tv, with tears in our eyes. and i also remember that my muslim neighbours were not less appalled than we were. it made us talk to one another more than we did before.
ReplyDeletei leave a compliment for your 1. look. i like the polka dots in combination with the tartan patterned bag and your red shoes, it's amazing! lieben gruß von sabine
Sabine--We did not really have television at the time, but I became fairly addicted through radio news through this experience and that habit persists today (I listen to the radio in my sleep!)
DeleteI know that the Muslim students on our campus seemed to disappear for a few weeks after the event, avoiding the harassment they too easily might have received from some of their classmates.
And thank you.
I was at work that day - being so close to NY -we were so terrified - could not believe what was happening -
ReplyDeleteI love your last 2 outfits - because #1 i love the colors and they look superb on you and #2 because of the nautical theme, very good as well on you -
Ariane xxxx
Arianne--I suspect that many people were terrified; it didn't really matter our locations. And thank you.
DeleteI love the orangey outfit!
ReplyDeleteI was working in Edinburgh Castle cafe at the time. We had no radio in the cafe, and all the customers were tourists who didn't have access to news either This guy with learning disabilities who also worked there told me (I'm not sure how he knew really) but wasn't making any sense so I didn't find out what really happened til I got home from my shift about 6pm.
Franca--thank you. I would think that it might be even more shocking to learn about such significant events hours after the fact.
DeleteOh, I love the last two outfits! :)
ReplyDeleteFreeda--Welcome to Rags and thank you!
DeleteI like the orange jacket very, very much.
ReplyDeleteAs for 911, my kids still remember that I turned around from driving to work, and made them stay home with me all day.
these are fantastic looks! i'm especially loving the nautical one that actually looks kinda french to me. that orange jacket is fab too. and the oxblood top is perfect for this upcoming fall. oh, i like the polkadots too. obviously i love it all!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://spinning-threads.blogspot.com
I love all your back to school outfits! You might feel they are casual, but you look far more stylish than any of the professors I had at university!
ReplyDeleteI was still a little girl on this day eleven years ago. I remember being confused about why my cartoons weren't on in the morning, and why the news was running so late. Then they started showing the footage of people jumping out of the buildings, and I sat & cried because I didn't understand what was going on.
Very nice back to school looks. Although it has been decades since I went back to school of any sort I still feel like I should be buying something new come fall. Old habits and all that.
ReplyDeleteDarla
it´s excellent style and new ideas every time.
ReplyDeleteYep, I like the last look best too. Scarf tied just right - a la french women who are born knowing how to wear scarves just right.
ReplyDeleteAs to pants that fit right, seems that I have to try on at least two hundred pair to find one pair that fits decently.
On 9/11 I was standing on upper Fifth Ave wondering where all the smoke was coming from in the downtown sky. On the tenth anniversary last year, I wrote about it:
http://savvysavingbytes.com/2011/09/preparing-for-armageddon-with-cookies/
I have no idea what has happened to you, but you look young and fresh and good in each and everyone of the outfits : )!!
ReplyDeleteYou manage to pull off chic, even at the most casual. I'm lusting after the orange jacket.
ReplyDeleteCamille was in college in NYC on 9/11 and we couldn't reach her by phone for the longest time. It was terrifying. She had first hand experience of how New Yorkers responded with support of one another and with many acts of kindness and valor.
love your plaid thermos bag! a very playful mix with the dots and red shoes.
ReplyDeletei can't remember exactly what i was doing on 9/11...but it's crazy to think that it has been over 10 years already.
I like them all but the gypsy top and crystal is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteOh, 911. I remember exactly where I was and exactly what I was doing. I don't think I will ever forget.
thanks for stopping by with happy thoughts!
While I love your colorblocking in #3, #4 just steals the show for me. Of course I have a weakness for anything nautical and this is the epitome of such.
ReplyDeleteChic on the Cheap
I am awed and jealous of your perfect sailor pants.
ReplyDeleteI really like both the first and the fourth looks. The fourth is certainly the most striking and elegant, but I like the eccentricity of the mixed elements of the first too.
ReplyDeleteI was attending my first day of university, and hadn't a clue where the World Trade Center was, and felt vaguely resentful that this was considered a big deal when the Americans were always blowing other people up.... I definitely didn't realize the significance at the time.
This year on September 11th in Catalonia, 1.5 million people marched demanding independence from Spain on this, their national day, that celebrates the defeat they took 300 years ago. And the Chileans of course, remember it as the day their president was assassinated and democracy overthrown, so it's a funny sort of day all over the place...
It's so strange that the top outfit is the only one that got a compliment... it's my least favorite of the bunch!
ReplyDeleteThe oxblood color on the blouse is to die for, I adore the mix of "spice" colors in the third pic... and that nautical outfit is stunning!
DO you work with a bunch of "haters"? That's the only reason I can think of for not being barraged with complaiments all day long!
You look very chic - the last outfit is my favourite. I'm still reeling from the shock of being back at school, been in a right tizzy all week. Left my cycle helmet on the handle bars of my bike at the train station & somebody stole it!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving outfits #3 and #4. #3 is a perfect transition to fall look. #3 has that Parisian vibe I long for, but that so far has eluded me.
ReplyDeleteTerri, I know I already commented on this post, but I just want to let you know you're on my mind, I hope you're recovering quickly, and I miss your thoughtful voice and elegant presence in the blogosphere.
ReplyDeleteVery nice, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou rock those Converse big time. Say no more.
ReplyDeleteI remember exactly where I was. I was in my home office, everyone was asleep and I had the news on the tv on. They showed a curious bit of news coverage and were confused on what it was. They were not sure but were showing this one clip over and over. It was the plane hitting the tower. It didn't look real and I thought it was a farce at first. It just didn't look real and everyone was confused on what it was.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I like all of your soft and very wearable outfits. :-)
ReplyDeleteI am going to have to agree with you, the look with the sailor tailored pants looks very classy, very French and well... you know it!
ReplyDeleteEleven years ago? I was with you that day, my friend. We were watching TV together when the second tower got hit.....I miss you.
ReplyDeleteI think your oxblood top and polka dot top are adorable, and I LOVE your jewelry! It's awesome!! Just all of it!
ReplyDeleteI just clicked over because I joined tumblr and I thought I remembered you had one, and I saw this post. I don't think it ever showed up in my google feed- weird, right?