Eclectic Joy

I asked for advice and got many good ideas for wearing a glucose meter on my body. I have been down with an Infection, cough, sinus stuff, etc. plus learning a lot from my glucose meter, like that glucose tablets are much slower acting than I thought they would be. Eating out really puts glucose levels over the top even if you try. Ery hard to eat healthy and only a small amount.
Here is the original plea for help: https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....ion-advice
I have not yet been able to try all the advice but so far soft stretchy panels have been a fail. They push on the meter too much. What has worked is using hair scrunchy elastic bands to hold up mid- rise jeans. They are not perfect but do hold the jeans up so they do not fall down.
Eileen Fisher pieces with a stretchy waist, both pants and skirts, have been great. On top I wear a tank top under a longer top. I usually wear a topper and scarf to also help distract from the meter box that sticks out from my stomach area. A jacket, long cardi or poncho is an important piece that also provides some needed warmth. The best tops widen a bit at the bottom. I have yet to try suspenders and try on spring/ summer things . I have decided that a tankini type swim suit will be my best bet. A full suit would press on the meter and would probably be painful. A bikini would show the box on my tummy plus lots of tape to hold it. The little grandkids would want to see my “osier” every few minutes. My little grandson is convinced that my meter is really a video game. I wish. Thank you again for all the ideas. I will continue to explore them .

I am facing a new fashion challenge and need ideas to still look like myself.
The challenge is a new glucose meter and receiver. The meter attaches to my stomach in front and has thin wire that is embedded into me. Most sticks out and must not be slept on, pushed or jiggled around. The wire can break off. This device is right at my waist so almost any waistlines will interfere. My non-existent hips allow most bottoms to slide down. I have solved this in the past by wearing belts, but there interfere too much with the device now. I have had tights and shapewear completely remove the device. Luckily so far the wire came out too.
In hot weather I can wear loose shift dresses but cold and cool weather has me baffled. I get cold easily.
The most successful pieces have loose elastic waistlines, but I hate elastic waists. They make me feel dumpy and old. Fitted tops show the big lumpy meter on my stomach. Not attractive. What can I wear? This gadget sets off an alarm when my blood sugar is too low or high. I will probably need it the rest of my life. My life style is retired casual but I want to be able to dress up sometimes too. I would greatly appreciate any thoughts or ideas you may have!

I have long wanted a white summer dress and ordered this one on sale at Eileen Fisher, however I wonder if it is too limited.
On the plus side
1. It is long enough (maybe too long?)
2. It is summery without being too bare.
3. It seems to fit well
4. It is not too sheer and comes with it’s own slip.
5. It is feminine without being too sweet and juvenile.
Cons:
1. It is a lot of white.
2. It is handkerchief linen and wrinkles.
3. I wonder if it can be adapted for fall and spring...hence the outfit lab.

1:(1&6)basic dress
The rest of the photos show various toppers. What looks, if any, do you like? I welcome your thoughts and suggestions. Vote Yay if I should keep the dress, Nay if it should be returned.

Tomorrow we plan to take two little preschool grandchildren to the Butterfly Pavilion. Prehaps this tee will fool the butterflies into thinking the flowers are real and some will land. I plan to wear this outfit tomorrow, although I will sub white flats or sneakers for the kitten heels and a larger white bag for the little crossbody as I will need to carry snacks and such. I really need a white backpack.

I am late to the dress challenge. The first outfit was suggested by ROG EF striped knit skirt, AT black silk shell under a Citron of Santa Monica silk kimono jacket, snake print Franco Sarto loafers and old grey with silver studs cross- body/ shoulder bag/clutch. I would never have put these together on my own. I plan to add bracelets.
Photo 2 is an old denim dress worn duster style over white tee and white jeans with silver bag, loafers and jewelry. I was not happy with this outfit.
3/4: what I wore Sunday, orange. 4 is a string of irregular pearls strung by me. Interesting orange jewelry is hard too find. Not crazy about the cardigan but needed warmth.
What do you think of these casual dress and skirt outfits? I welcome your ideas and comments.

I bought these yellow wide crops at Nordstrom Rack as I have been wanting yellow jeans. I think they need shortening but am not sure after reading KM’s thoughts about the wide pants in Japan.
Photo#1 is full length on me. Photos 2&3 show a couple of lengths turned up. Should they be shortened? If so how much? Raw edge or hemmed?
Or should I return them and look for something else? They are BP brand
and between mid rise and high waisted on me. Please give me your thoughts on this.
Photos 4-6 are the yellow pants shortened. It is hard to see the actual length but it is st least 4” above my ankle bone. Does the length look ok? Wmorn with my old white flats and no belt. Bag is thrifted.

Here are my trenches, too many but all serve a purpose, Most are thrifted except for the longest black trench with hood.
1: a light weight Gap trench. Quite handy for cool nights in summer. Black.
2: EF graphite grey sort of metallic. We fabric. Probably my most worn trench.
3-5: longerblack trench with warm lining. Perfect for funerals and a bit dressier when hood is removed. Can be worn in winter.
6/7: bright pink. Perfect for October breast cancer awareness soiidarity and for spring. Lined with pink satin but not too warm.
8-10: longest of my trenches and a thrifted Burberry in perfect condition. Handy for cold days and over long frocks. 11 and 12 are my thrifted leather trenches. Both soft leather and often worn to 8am church services.
13: bonus of a cold spring outfit worn today. Jeans are made of recycled plastic bottles, thrifted citron top and floral jacket, St Johns pink leather loafers. Bag is Steve Madden from the Rack. Too visually big for me but I like the size for all my stuff. ETA: short blue trench. Down to pennies per wear.
I welcome your comments. Should I purge some of the trenches? The black Gap one is on probation because fit could be better and I have plenty of black options.

Today I wanted some real pattern mixing. Weather is chilly with a big snowstorm on the way so I hope to get out while I can and find presents for DS who has a birthday next week. We also plan to go to a new-to-us Italian restaurant.
This outfit is me because
1: hectic pattern mixing and leopard. I used to have blue leopard jeans too but they were purged because too low a rise.
2: white jeans
3: booties
4: big navy bag for shopping
5: warm enough but not too warm indoors for shopping.
6: thrifted earrings, clearance cardigan
7: sparkly socks
The jeans are Paige Hoxtons but are a lower rise on me than the black pair I wore yesterday. Top is not sparking joy because it is polyester. It has been kept until a better version can be found. I have very little pattern for this time of year. I wish the jeans fit better. Do they look ok or should I get rid of them. I am very happy with the white booties but added sparkly cobalt socks for warmth when going out. I liked how the socks peeked through the openings in the booties. So not a complete win of an outfit for me, but a work in progress.
Sorry about the darkness of the photos.
Is the pattern mix ok? What about the half tuck version as seen in #1?

This outfit is me because the dog on the thrifted tee looks like our dog and my favorite way to wear a tee is with a jacket. This jacket is a nice warm thrifted EF felted wool. It has self fabric covered front buttons!
The jeans are Paige Hoxton ankle and almost reach my naval. They feel great on.
Forgive my slippers and wet stringy hair. Later I added a lucite necklace of big rings, gold hoop earrings and gold watch, black booties because it was cold out and they can accommodate thick wool socks. I used a light grey bag with ostrich skin texture.
My day was doing chores at home and teaching a class of children. They liked the necklace and wondered if it was glass.
How did I do? Are the jeans fitting ok? Is the jacket too big? I would have worn a scarf but did not want to cover up the dog.

Days 1/2 were filling a thread, so I started this new one for the rest of the challenge.
Our weather is cold with an icy fog. Today’s activities include shopping and a chocolate social tonight.
1. This outfit is me because it is s bit dressy with the heavy silk DVF skirt. I was the dressiest there.
2. High low with EF silk top, Aquatilia booties, and long jacket ( inspired by Griffin), also Kate Spade bag. Low because the skirt and scarf are thrifted.
3. Lots of silk
4. Feet felt warm and stable on refrozen ice.
5. Surprise statement bling earrings.
6. Pattern mix of scarf and skirt.
Is the jacket too long for me at 5’3”? Does the pattern mix work? I welcome your thoughts and suggestions. Please ignore the hair which was washed but not yet tamed.