MUST I DRESS UP?

 Many long trips in a motorhome taught me the pleasure of dressing and behaving to suit myself, but those days are over. Now I live in an independent living apartment surrounded with rather conservative senior citizens.

Shortly after moving in, I decided to go down to the dining room for an early Sunday breakfast. Surely no one but a few dedicated birders would be there, wearing Eddie Bauer jackets or similar outfits. I pulled on some ragged jeans and a tee shirt and ventured downstairs.

To my horror, the room was filled with elderly men and women dressed for a high church service, or perhaps for an expensive cruise. Some ladies wore their diamonds and pearls and had their hair carefully arranged and sprayed. I slunk to an inconspicuous table and escaped as soon as I could. I have never found out why that morning was such a dressy occasion, and fortunately those at subsequent breakfasts have been more casual (though never as sloppy as I was that time).

Since then, I’ve dressed up only a few times, and have never been completely out of sync with other residents. Fortunately, the residence where I live seems to accept whatever people feel comfortable wearing. Many people here dress casually, and some are overdressed. I try for the middle ground. My blouses, shirts, and pants can be gussied up a little with my anniversary pearls or other jewelry, and a decent jacket makes even a tee shirt look businesslike if that seems wise. (I’ve nearly given up on skirts; compression socks fit better under pants.) Most of the time I simply wear a good tee shirt or sweater and black pants, perhaps adding a scarf or necklace. ( LandsEnd and L.L. Bean are good sources.) That seems good enough. Some nearby independent living places are much dressier, and I’m glad I don’t live in one of them

I also try to tell myself that I don’t care how I look, or what others may think of me. That isn’t entirely true, though. At my age I am certainly less concerned about anyone’s opinion of me than I was years ago when working in publishers’ offices, but I’ve studied enough psychology to know that making a good impression helps me get along with others and affects their reactions to me. I even feel happier if I look in the mirror and see a neat, well-groomed woman in acceptable clothing. So, yes, I must dress up a little more than I’m naturally inclined to do.