Yesterday, when I was a kid, females of good taste dressed “to match.”
I was taught my shoes should match my handbag and never to wear stripes and prints at the same time. Sporting a floral top with a plaid skirt was strictly taboo! And even certain colors did not go with other certain colors. And I suppose hats and gloves had to be coordinated too like during Downton Abbey days.
The point is: Refined girls used to MATCH.
As you may know, “anything goes” today, but in my early days I followed the rules.
I still try. But, what are the rules anyway?
It took awhile to get used to the seemingly haphazard styles emerging in haute couture, especially among the young who manage to look young regardless.
I try to maintain a semblance of dignity by attempts at conforming to the nonconformists, but habit is habit forming and I still match things.
That means wearing a lot of black and white! You can’t go too wrong with neutrals, and I still aim to be “put together” even at the gym. Have you seen some of those outfits at the gym?
Luckily there is one area where ladies (and who knows? – men) are still encouraged to coordinate.
They say it’s o.k. to match up fingers and toes!
Yes, the world of manicures (manis) and pedicures (pedis) has expanded to include wild colors, designs and sparkles. But bringing together your feet and your hands is still “in”.
Can you hear my sigh of relief?
How about you? Do you mix and match your mani-pedis?
I always match! Not just my mani/pedi but my outfits, jewelry (have to have the necklace, earrings, bracelet set!) and my shoes!
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Great topic, Dor! I am so much more free in my dress now than in the years when I was professionally employed. I was out in Colorado recently and went mad over the clothes in boutiques there; such fun and unique styles….and perfect for “une femme d’un certain age!” Stylish without being dowdy. Anyway, when I paint my fingernails (which is rare during garden season,) they match my toes. Always.
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You are a girl after my own heart! Kudos Christi. Keep on matching…. 🙂
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Yes, I love the freedom that comes with country living and no longer career driven – haven’t worn heels in so long I think I might topple over. 🙂 Still, it’s fun to find a place like you did where the boutiques are so much fun. 🙂
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My toenails are polished, but my fingernails rarely are. I guess that’s a no-match situation. My hands have too many things to do to be still long enough for polish to dry.
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My mother taught me to always match! You’re right, Dor, today anything goes. 🙂
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I remember years ago my mother used to dress me so properly, like at Easter with the little handbag, bonnet and little white gloves! So much of that has gone by the wayside. Then in the corporate world my clothes were so stuffy – suits, suits and more suits. But today, ah I get to dress anyway I please – my oil pastels never complain!
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As a younger person, I coordinated much more than I do now. I never match my toes (which need to be bright red) with my fingers (where I like an easier to maintain pale pink). I haven’t completely gotten rid of my need to match — when I wear a print I prefer if my pants are one of the colors in the print — but I’m getting better. I also find that jeans go with EVERYTHING!
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Oh, I am matchy-matchy! A product of my upbringing that I’m not deserting any time soon. 🙂
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Ditto Patti. I am the same about toes polished (mostly in the summer) and fingernails left wanting. 🙂
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Amazing how we bloggers “of a certain” age or era are drawn to each other. 🙂
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Happiness is the freedom to dress for comfort and our own ideas of beauty! 🙂
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Early training dies hard doesn’t it Kate? It’s what we were taught and that sticks and shows up in the little things, no matter how unmatched we want to be.
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Ditto Cindy! Even when I try to be “with it”, I am still subconsciously looking for like colors….
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Dor … This summer, I’m channeling Mark Twain. White pants. No, I rarely wear a white jacket, too. Always a Life is Good T-shirt. No manis. No pedis. Kind of boring. But I mostly match. 😉
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Never boring I’m sure! Mostly matching is good. 🙂
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If I am covered, I’m happy. Gone are the days of coordinating anything.
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Of course matching is just easier on the sensibilities… Mine! But it is much easier to “match up” in summer if one is nearly always wearing either Khaki or denim. All the toenails are sparkly and match one another, buy my hands spend way too much time “in the dirt” to waste time on nail polish. Wonderful topic 😉
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An independent woman! Kudos Lilly, but I’m glad you’re covered. 🙂
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Dirt and nail polish don’t mix well for sure… dishwater doesn’t help either. I’m lucky if I have any nails at all.
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Oh dear, since we moved out here no pedi,but school starts soon and I will have to get one to appear in the classroom. Students notice those things. Rarely did I get a mani as my hands just do too much to keep that polish/lacquer on. My daughter sported black and white chevrons on her nails earlier this summer.
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😉 Is that to say you’re a kindred spirit in the kitchen too? Can’t tell you the last time our dishwasher ran…
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Being fairly uncoordinated now myself, I almost wish I was working for the incentive to stay up to date. Your daughter has the right idea! 🙂
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I’ve been getting French manicures for years, so I guess that goes with whatever polish I have on my toes, which varies. I love a soft mint green on my toenails for summer…..non-traditional!
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You are a trend setter Dianna! Mint green toes! I love it. 🙂
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I’m a rebel – I never paint my fingernails or my toenails. I just can’t be bothered LOL! Plus I keep my nails rather short now because of all the touch screens :).
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I’m glad you are a rebel Cindy…. better than an ax murderer…. and you are beautiful without nail paint too. 🙂
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Aww, thank you Dor – my second compliment of the day. Someone at the local coffee shop said I looked very pretty today :). Now I’m going to be smiling all day because as you get older compliments really make you feel good!!
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