A Mom and More

My kids want a fashionista mom. They want me to look cool and youngish (even at 50), wear clothes which blend with what they wear (not those tailored from a distant past) and censor my appearance when we go out (probably so they won’t be embarrassed that they have an old hag with them).

Without a stable job, no discretionary funds and a long list of want-to-haves and payables – thanks to UK shops, I can be in fashion without robbing a bank or closing my savings account. Truly, second-hand shops support current fashion and lifestyle trends of: going retro, recycling and customizing.

Look at the new wardrobe I’ve built out of my trips to UK shops with Aei.

Mom in red

Through all these years, red remains my favorite, so here’s a collection of reds and lighter shades of red: pink, old rose, fuchsia blouses, skirts and sweaters – to usher in good luck, sustain my passion and create productive energy as I turn 50.

A little dose of green and blue

I don’t know why green has never been my color while younger sister Annie, an architect, loved greens all the way and youngest sister Arlene, an artist-entrepreneur, was all for the blues. To spice up my wardrobe, I’ve chosen some bit of greens and blues (which I have always labeled as masculine colors ) and whites to give some calming effect to my dominantly red personality.

Denims for all seasons

When I retired from the corporate world, I only had a single pair of denim pants (a stretch, button-up skinny jeans in fashion in the 1980s-90s). I have always worn dresses and skirts which fit my stature and physique. As a passage marker, I thought of donning on denim pants and skirts which I initially found stiff and uncomfortable compared to the cotton and silk I used to wear at work. Now, with UK shops, I can be as cool, smart, comfy and chic with the variety of blends, textures, shades, styles and accessories that designers have created out of the durable and timeless denim. Here are some great denim finds which can fade away beautifully with me over time.

I have worn a lot of UK finds to special occasions and often, I am asked who sews my clothes for me. I reply: they’re ready-made but personally embellished by me. I smile inside, feeling proud of having made good fashion choices, as Aei winks an eye or brushes my elbow.

My relatives and friends will never really think and know that my wardrobe comes from the second-hand stores, and not the USA or UK, unless I tell them. Shhh …