Organic by John Patrick tee | no longer available
Rag & Bone/JEAN Wicked jeans
Golden Goose sneakers | purchased secondhand via TheRealReal
Here we go…another day, another pair of sneakers and jeans. All of my shoes are mostly packed, except my RC sneakers I wore yesterday and these, which were downstairs in my office bathroom. Since it’s raining today, I choose these. Honestly, I love Golden Goose sneakers – mostly the look and the styles – but they’re not the most comfortable I’ve ever worn. I said that recently to a couple of people while out shopping and they were shocked. Like, how dare I diss the iconic golden goose sneaker LOL.
They’re not totally uncomfortable, but I wouldn’t rave about them either. I think I need a half size in these, which they don’t offer. I love the way they look, and that the slight hidden wedge lengthens my leg ever so slightly, but there’s a little too much room near my toes.
That was the same with my Veja sneakers, and I tried a few pairs in different sizes and seriously, they were THE MOST UNCOMFORTABLE sneakers I ever put on my feet, and believe me I tried so hard to make them work. Which makes me sad, because I love their sustainability standards, and the styles are very cool, but what good is buying a sustainable pair of sneakers that you’ll never wear? Or that you will, and suffer through just to make a statement? I’m not into that, thank you. Other bloggers seem to love them though…so…
Shoes (& clothes) are so personal, and everyone is so different in terms of how things fit. What’s comfortable for me, may not be for someone else. And vice versa. I accept that.
And although it’s taken a while, I also accept that things will never ever in a million years look on me like they do on “models” or even other people. Case in point: jeans. Straight jeans look slim on me because I have larger legs, AND since my inseam is super-short, the way the knee breaks, and the leg tapers and/or flares will always look different. I should probably do more tailoring of my pants/jeans to really make them fit better, but I still have a hard time with that. For now, I buy the size that fits my legs like I want them to, which usually means the waist is two sizes too big…
Random thoughts for today haha.
I wonder where I’ll take my outfit shots once we move to the new place?
Oh, and I think I’ll take the week off next week *gasp* – but still post, if that makes sense. I have some “5 questions” ideas for the entire week. Or we could do another ask me anything? Or requests? Any ideas?
Question for future post? Imagine if you can and fast-forward ten, even twenty years from now. How would you look, how would your style transition and change or evolve? I ask that as a 60+ year old who follows you religiously and sometimes asks myself – am I too old for Grechen’s Closet? How should I translate it, adapt it?
I also gave up on Golden Goose, after ordering and returning 3 pairs. My experience was similar; somehow they always like there was too much room in the toe, even when I experimented with different sizes. I have thought about waiting for a secondhand pair to show up in (the closest to) my size on TRR, but in truth I wear sneakers so rarely even the discounted cost is probably an unwise purchase for me. I have one pair of the CDGP Converse sneakers, with the heart on the ankle, and they fit perfectly. They’re white, so even after cleaning, every speck of dirt and wear shows – but I like the “lived in” look. I suppose I could just douse them in glitter to achieve more of that Golden Goose appeal…
my CDGP converse sneakers are soooooo dirty (also white), and they’re 8 years old?? – but i sort of love them that way! i don’t find converse very comfortable either, at least not for a lot of walking (i’ve heard an insole helps), but they’re better than golden goose IMO. i’ve often thought I’d like to get a black pair of the chuck taylor version.
and yes, when they get too old, do the glitter thing LOL – or i really love the GG velvet sneakers, maybe cover them in velvet??
oh, food for thought 🙂 but let me ask you, what do you feel like you need to “translate or adapt”? budget? lifestyle? why would you feel “too old” for grechen’s closet?
just wondering, feel free not to answer though (and i will probably write a post on this – it’s a very interesting topic!) i often wonder how i dress – if it skews “older” or “younger” than my age (almost 45). i’ve been called out on message boards for looking like i’m 65, which doesn’t bother me at all, but i really do wonder what that means…
Gretchen, while I’m older than you (59), I don’t think your blog skews older or younger. I think at a certain point age matters less and less. While I would be less inclined to read a blog written by someone in their 20s, the ones I do read are all over the map. I don’t feel particularly aware of your age one way or another–the clothing and other topics that you discuss honestly seem quite ageless to me. Bye the way, I love your new Robert Clergerie sneakers! I’ve never been much of a sneaker wearer outside of the ones I wear for running, but I came close to buying some velvet ones the other day. So many great variations to choose from.
Oops– just realized I spelled your name Gretchen–that annoying “t” again.
I’ve gotten much better at visualizing what will work on me and what won’t. I look at the shoulder line, the drape, the fabric and the overall shape. I have an oversized architectural aesthetic so that makes things easier. I can often fit in a small/one size even though I am not thin since there is room to spare in those types of style. I have been loving Anthropologie for jeans (although maybe not sustainable as you would prefer). I can get some current styles in petite sizing. Like you said, merely buying a cropped jean or hemming is not the same due to the knee break, etc. Anthropologie doesn’t suit me in general clotheswise but it’s my go to for jeans lately.
On the age matter, I do feel like there is more crossover on dressing now between generations and decades. However, as I get closer to 50 (I’m 49) now I see some changes in myself. I prefer to be a bit more covered up now (knees covered in dresses), comfortable/arch supportive shoes and looser fitting clothing in general. I’m a bit out of shape now but it doesn’t bother me when dressing the way it would’ve at a younger age. I love my wardrobe and also get many compliments from my younger co-workers, some in their 20s and 30s. I feel completely in synch now in my style, I feel like myself. I do feel that the items you wear as well are ageless but I do observe that many younger women are wearing cheaper clothing with splurges on luxury items like handbags, shoes & small leather goods. I suspect that the main demographic buying pricier casual clothing in natural fabrics like a $300 linen dresses or a $100 neutral colored plain T is likely at least 35 if not even older. Although there are exceptions both ways, I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a trend.
I would like to hear more about what your readers think of if they are wondering whether they are too old for certain clothes/styles/combinations. I bought a dress a few years ago that I kept trying on at home and even asking my son (then 20) if it seemed appropriate. It was a Byron Lars dress from Anthropologie and seemed a bit Gunne Sax in the fabric combinations and it had bits hanging here and there and I was concerned it was screaming “jeune fille”. My son’s observation was that if I kept asking, maybe I wasn’t comfortable. (I was looking in my closet last night and tried it on and am glad I kept it.) I have teenage girls and there is no overlap in our tastes nor are we raiding each others’ closets. Anyway, I would be curious about how others think about this, if they do. As for your blog, I find it ageless in every way just representative of your aesthetic which might be more prevalent in a particular demographic perhaps due to expense of items and perhaps due to a certain body consciousness which might be more common in the over 20 crowd.