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July around here has been very slow, my friends. It’s been a slow summer so far. And a slow fashion summer as well. We’ve not been travelling or doing anything particularly exciting.
Hubby and I have been enjoying our morning tea and out pre-dinner wine on the deck. When it’s not been too hot. Ditto with walks on the trail, or through Ferguson Forest. We celebrated our 36th anniversary with a casual dinner in the village.
I’ve lunched with friends a couple of times. And browsed through my favourite vintage shop and consignment shops with another friend. Hubby has golfed a few times and worked in the garden.
And other than running errands or reading our books, neither of us not been up to much else. A typical July here on the river.
We head down east for our usual summer trip soon. But before we go, I wanted to talk about about what I’ve been wearing, what’s been inspiring me, and give you a Rule of Five update.
So I made a video. You can find it below.
I hope you enjoyed that. I’ll be back with a book post next week, and then we are off to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
What have you been up to this month? Do you try to wear everything in your seasonal closet?
P.S. Here is the link to Brett Standiland’s substack newsletter Fashion’s Not For Everyone. Have a look. It’s really well done. Well worth a follow. And here is the link to his Instagram account.
P.P.S. If you’re new to Rule of Five, here is the link to my blog post when I first decided to take the pledge back in January 2024.
P.P.P.S. Here are some links to the pieces I bought in Toronto, if you’re interested. They are affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking my link I will earn a commission.
COS black cotton, cropped wide-leg pants. COS white and black, short-sleeved, cotton sweater. Lafayette 148 silk and cotton sweater. AllSaints linen-blend cargo pants in beige and in midnight blue or brown. ‘S Max Mara linen tunic blouse.
29 thoughts on “Slow Fashion Summer in Manotick”
Our July is about the same, too hot, shorts and cool dresses are on repeat. I cleaned out my everyday T-shirts and went to Mark’s and bought some replacements. Finally found a white tank with arm holes that are small enough not to show my bra. Nothing like a dressing room mirror to help you decide you need new bras. With the Bay gone we have a real shortage of places to buy them. Did get some Wonderbras at Walmart, one needs to try them on, so no on line shopping for a bra.
Local produce is now available on the stands and in the garden. My neighbour and I trade our excess.
We are enjoying the garden now too. Beans and a few tomatoes at the moment. Nothing like ripe tomatoes from the garden that have not been refrigerated. Bacon and tomato sandwiches with garden tomatoes and lettuce yesterday. Yum.
We always tell our friends to come and pick from the garden when we are away in August. But it’s amazing how few people will do that.
Not a particularly slow July, except for some lovely laziness in Sweden while we were there. Love your “what I wore” snippets – it’s an excellent reminder to switch things up and not wear the same combos over and over.
I just counted, and I’m at 9 new items. 6 of them are pants or (nice) shorts – with the weight loss I just couldn’t fake it anymore with the clown pants. Tops are much easier – they can look loose and draped (unless they’re sleeveless, then they’re showing way too much!). I told myself at the beginning of the year that I wasn’t going to beat myself up , and I’m not – I’m definitely being mindful in what I buy. Including the white version of your black crops. I love them – great weight and they traveled really well, I’m happy to report.
Your Sweden trip looked wonderful, Carol. I’m glad those pants travel well, I’ll be taking mine to Spain in September.
Your home is perfectly located for enjoying a slow summer — when we lived waterfront on our little island, it didn’t make much sense to rush off anywhere! Now, in the middle of the city with fireworks celebrations and music festivals and limited parking near crowded beaches? Our little oasis of a plant-filled terrace is the best place to be until it gets too hot in the afternoon, and then I move with my book to an armchair near a fan 😉
Some simple cycling “adventures,” the occasional kayak outing, my regular walks earlier or later in the day so as to miss the heat . . .
Fun to see all the OOTDs you pull together for your errands and lunch and dinner dates!
Our deck is not a salubrious place to lounge every day… too much noise from the house construction next door. 🙂
I know what you mean about July being your quiet month . Ours is August when our schools are on holiday so we shall settle in to enjoy the garden with just the odd trip out . We’ve recently got back from a week near Chester , a lovely historic city , so we can’t grumble . I like all your outfits , especially the new MaxMara top & I have some glasses like yours so of course I like those too . PS happy birthday to Stu
I will convey the birthday greetings to Stu. We had a low key celebration. Decided to splash out for a nice meal when we’re away in the fall instead. We went out for dinner in the village for our anniversary though. Stu thinks that two dinners out in one month, unless we are travelling, is one too many. 🙂
Thanks Sue for a great video. I also am trying to wear what I have which is plenty. I am trying to shop my closet and update a few items that have been worn too much and looking tired 😊
I appreciate you showing items that are several years old. I am always hearing advice on social media that if an item has not been worn for over a year, toss it. What??
Love your book recommendations. I live in Texas and you have given me suggestions of many authors I don’t normally see in local bookstores. I definitely have become a Louise Penny fan😊
Views from your home are lovely.
Look forward to your posts, until next time friend 😊
I’ve always thought that one year rule was silly. I tuck things away that I’m growing tired of, or that have fallen out of style, and if they still fit I bring them back again triumphantly when they are back in style. Ha. 🙂
I tend to reach for outfits that I know work for my walks, for volunteer work, and for hanging out around the house – gardening, housework, or just sitting in the shade reading. When going out shopping, or to lunch with friends, or dinner with hubby, I reach for nicer pieces, usually new to me this season. I really haven’t bought much. I tend to buy more when life gets busier in the fall/winter.
I tried the Rule of 5 but found it unrealistic (for me). I get bored with my wardrobe and like to add a few new pieces with the seasons. I don’t go crazy shopping but am selective. For late spring/summer I bought 2 cropped pants, 5 or 6 tops, 1 raincoat (needed), 1 crossbody bag in navy (needed). I expect in the fall I’ll add about the same. I don’t shop often and usually when I do I have pieces in my that I require to fill holes in my wardrobe, or to replace ones that are worn, or no longer fit. Sadly, I have put on a few pounds and seem unable to lose. Excuses…maybe…
I used to shop more, even though I was usually careful. But now I find that I’m appreciating what I own that I haven’t worn in a while. Especially since I follow lots of women on IG whose style is very eclectic. They inspire me to do the same. Not to imitate their outfits, but to be a bit more brave with my choices of what to wear, or how to wear things.
Summer is meant to be slow and even slower when retired. Loved seeing all your outfit choices. Makes me try and be creative with my wardrobe. I also have a pair of favorite pants made with cotton and lyocel with a draw string waist. They are a bit comfortably fitted. I wore them many days while spending time in Portugal and the Azores. I am sure you will get so much wear out of your pants when you go to Spain.
Thanks for the new link with Brett Standiland.
Brett contacted me through Instagram and thanked me for linking to his site. I though that was lovely. He said that several new people have followed him as a result of my post. I’m so pleased.
Slow hot July here too. Hubby’s major surgery in June and long recovery has required that we stay close to home and do very little. And now it turns out that I need a hip! Quite unexpected and still have no idea how long the wait will be, but I do know the wait will be impatient!
I’m so glad I sew! I’ve been working my way through my closet and every day put on something that has not been worn yet this summer. It either goes back into “I love this” rotation, goes in the thrift bag or pass to daughter pile, or if it’s not quite right, it gets fixed! Most recently a pair of wide leg, linen blend pants I was not wearing because the leg length had shrunk to “flood pants”. It took me 10 minutes to re-hem them to proper crop length and they are now in regular rotation.
And we’ve been doing lots of reading. I had decided to reread Jane Austen after reading Karen Joy Fowler’s “Jane Austen Book Club” and I just finished Austen’s “Emma”, delightful!
Hope you have a wonderful rest of the summer.
I envy you your ability to sew, Linda. Hope you enjoy the rest of your summer too. And that you don’t have long to wait for that hip!
After three busy weeks of people staying, house clearing and then a trip to London to buy…a flat…I am now home and August is empty. It is staying that way too. It will be busy days of emptying, recycling and cleaning, followed by early nights and cosy books. And not talking to anybody except the cat. Staring at a wall is highly recommended.
Susan looks like a good conversationalist to me. 🙂 When do you take possession of your new flat?
Will be autumn. The wheels turn slowly.
Hi Sue,
I loved the video and ALL the outfits! The views of the river are so calming, and even a little cooling…
Thank you for introducing Brett Standiland. He has some interesting thoughts.
Best wishes for your trip downeast. If you’re ever headed to Almonte I’d love to have you over for a tea or a cool drink 😊
Thanks very much, Georgina. I will definitely take you up on that in September after we get back from Fredericton. I do love a day trip to Almonte.
I think you did very well with your latest purchases. They DO update your existing pieces. And it makes it very interesting for the viewer/reader to see what and how you’re combining with what you have.
I went to Anchorage, AK for the first week in July, have been gardening, healing from nasty poison ivy, and reading. Everything I already own has worked for me this month for the few appointments and errands I’ve had. Two new bras were my only new purchases.
That sounds great, Suzanne. Except for the poison ivy. 🙁
Lovely video Sue! If all the people would be as mindful as you…six or seven…. or nine pieces would not be a problem
It seems that I prefer ‘S MM within the other MM brands
Your home and garden are beautiful and so well maintained – it must be wonderful to spend summer at home,near the river
We are at home,but there was a lot of commings and goings during July,so it was not a very peaceful month,and although happy,I’m exhausted as well
Dottoressa
Stu does all the garden stuff, I must admit. Although we now have someone come to mow the grass. He hates doing that.
Are you not going to the seaside this year?
Yes, later,only for a couple of days- someone has to stay at home with my mother.She is very well considering her age,but can’t stay alone and doesn’t like new people,so it is more stressful for me to go than to stay
D.
I do get that. 🙂 Enjoy the few days.
you look great in your new purchases and they are all classics which im sure you will wear for many years. your river is magical and it must be a joy to see the changes there every day
Thanks, Noreen. We enjoy watching the river, I must say. There is a diverse array of birds and wildlife for such an urban environment.
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