Am I Chico's Years Old?
The Ultimate Girl Uniform that has swept a generation!
One of the strangest things about getting older is watching my own sense of style get …confused. I can probably tell you what’s in fashion-ish, but I’ve reached an age where I am not sure if a trend is going to look sad on a woman of my particular maturity, or if I’m absolutely blowing it by not sporting it. Why is it so hard to know?
We all had a friend growing up whose mom was rocking all the trends. Sometimes it was cool, but other times it was just straight up cringe. Almost as memorable was the polar opposite of that mom — the one that had just abandoned all pretense of trying and opted for comfort and sensibility. This too was cringe. I fear falling on either side of this scale, more deeply than feels acceptable to admit.
When I was younger there were stores that were JUST for moms, or catalogues that would come in the mail that we’re geared toward older gals. I would pour over them wincing at every page, and I’d play, “If I had to buy one thing — what would it be?” Yes, hello I was a snob, but one that knew her sense of style.
Nowadays? No clue. There is a catalogue that comes to my house now that checks the “older gal” box called Soft Surroundings. But, the game is a lot easier now because I can find many things I would wear. It’s giving coastal grandma. What in the fresh perimenopause is actually happening to me?
Chico’s is a fantastic example of this aesthetic. It’s a mom factory! If I was going to Chico’s it was because my mother’s birthday was approaching and I needed something with equal parts drape and stretch, ideally with a wild pattern in a quiet color. Bonus points if the saleswoman shared that she owned the very same item in all available colors.
But, I’ve hit an age where something like Chico’s checks my boxes (gasp). I love the general vibe of a one stop comfort shop where I know I’m gonna LIKE the stuff. And Chico’s has a whole trademarked line of clothing called Zenergy with the tagline, “walk, travel and run errands in comfortable put-together pieces.” Welp! That pretty much sums up my general vibe!
Like MULTIPLES. Everything at multiples was the coolest thing ever and worked with everything else you bought at multiples. And it was comfortable. Where is my 2024 multiples? And why can’t everything be multiples? #multiples
Remember a few years ago when people would not stop talking about building their capsule wardrobes? Some nice pieces that were all a beige, black, or vaguely blah and seamlessly worked together. Again, that sounds great. But, If I have to source my own pieces, I would just look like the below no matter what I tried to “capsule” together:
I ran across this Gen Z TikTok where this gal Toni attended a party and observed that all the millennial ladies were wearing the same girl uniform. A uniform! That sounds simple. So what is this fit that has swept a generation? 🥁 A tight bodysuit and high-waisted baggy jeans. Shoes and other accessories can vary but the top and bottom are now being labeled the ultimate girl uniform.
This TikTok hit home. Obviously, Toni was making an important cultural observation about a generation older than herself (and probably contains an eye-roll on her end), but my black bodysuit and high-waisted baggy jeans are MY go-tos for any event I need to leave my house for. I already had my ultimate girl uniform in full rotation and I didn’t even know it!
Where do you stand on the ultimate girl uniform?
I think I’d like to expand on having ONE acceptable outfit, but I might have to worry about that another day.
My very youthful coworker used an important phrase this week. Instead of saying goat (greatest of all time), he said “That’s goated.” It was right there the whole time. So good.
So, here are some of my wins this week that are definitely goated:
I had eclipse glasses. And I got to share them with my neighbors yesterday. We had a pretty rad 25-30 minute driveway fette at 11am on a Monday.
I recently bought two scratchers. On the first one I won $15 dollars. The second one was not a winner — YET! I entered the ticket into the 2nd chance drawing and I’m pretty convinced the eclipse magic is going to help me win.
In the sprit of scratchers, I came across this article about a new bingo trend in New York that is a bingo dance party and seems VERY worthy of throwing on a black bodysuit for. Who is down for bingo? LET’S GO! (Is that a personal win? Not really. BUT IT COULD BE.)
What are your wins? What are your closet go-tos? Have you found YOUR Chico’s? Is it Chico’s? Let me know.
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This hit hard. We are at a crossroads between try-hard and frump master general. The path to success is narrow! One good go-to is key.
Girl uniform reminds me of my niece who at 10 showed up at my house in skinny jeans and ballet flats. She said it was her ‘Aunt Missy’ outfit. I still dress this way but have moved on to straight slim jeans (baby steps!!!). I work for a small retail chain & women of all ages so I hope it keeps me from getting too frumpy