An update…
As you read this, Nigel is snoring away in his chair. His first surgery went well, and he has had very little pain. I’m hoping that his natural humongously high tolerance for pain and not residual medication from his surgery are the reasons why. He showed me a couple of photos. Luckily for you, I’m not sharing those. I still need to read his doctor’s notes from the surgery. It’s amazing to me that someone only a couple of years older than our son operated on Nigel! But, boy howdy! He has so much bruising around the incision site…but, y’all know how I love color! He’s up and walking. Unfortunately, we have to wait until he meets with the doctor again to schedule his other hip.
What is a neutral…
It’s a little ironic talking about neutrals when you consider the politics of my country these days. I am old enough to remember when it was a good thing to reach across the aisle and work with your fellow congresspeople. I hope I live long enough to get back to that! But, I’m not here to talk politics. So, let’s get back to the fashion! Neutrals in clothing are usually considered items that are white, cream, beige, grey, brown, navy and black. Of course, I also consider stripes, leopard print, and denim to be neutrals, too. But, that’s just me!
More…
There’s more to it than that, though. Each of those particular neutrals has different tones, tints, shades (read more about that here). And, then you have to think about undertones. I can wear pink even though I avoided it for years. I have to be very careful that it has a blue undertone, or my neck completely disappears. Just trust me on that one. Somewhere, there is photographic evidence of such an occasion! Here is a really good blog post about how to combine different neutrals and not be boring.
Neutrals for me…
I love this dress from J Jill. I honestly wasn’t looking to buy anything, but this dress caught my eye! Luckily, I had a coupon and my J Jill discount (from having their credit card). It’s a maxi (almost too long), and it has this pretty block print pattern. I’m not usually a fan of patchwork anything, but I didn’t really notice that. As I look at the photos, though, I wonder if it’s a little too neutral for me. Since going grey and getting more experienced at life (see, I’m not old), my coloring has also changed. While I still tan quite easily, I am extremely careful to apply sunscreen to my face. I have enough wisdom spots there. But, that also means my face, with my grey hair, can be a little colorless. Maybe, I just need a heavier hand with the blush and bronzer. I don’t know!
The dress…
This color of the dress is dry moss. Now, honestly, a dude had to have come up with that name! Dry moss? That’s not exactly a color I would reach for if I hadn’t seen it first. It’s more like a very muted sage green. The background is that nice off white that doesn’t appear to be a dirty white. You know what I mean, right? The dress is lined down to a little below the knees. I didn’t really notice that until I looked in the mirror at the store. The dress is quite sheer, but that’s never stopped me! The only bad thing is…you guess it…no pockets! I’m sure it’s easier and less expensive to leave out the pockets.
The Lewk!
These Papillio by Birkenstock wedges are so comfortable even though I have to fight with them to buckle them. I added a necklace and earrings with shades of green as well as my stretch bracelets that are neutral but have specks of green in them. I can’t remember what my green stretch bracelet is, maybe malachite?
Wrap it up, Marsha!
As a rule, I don’t go for neutrals in the summer. You can catch me in lots of greys and black in the winter, though. I don’t know why I gravitate to grey so much at that time of year. So, can we talk? What do you consider neutral colors? Would you have ever named the color of this dress “dry moss?” Have you found your coloring has changed as you’ve gained more life experience? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as soon as possible.
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That looks lovely and cool for the summer. but ‘dry moss’ colour? An odd description.
Thanks, Rosie! Isn’t it just the weirdest way to describe a color for a woman’s dress?
Oh I love this dress!
Thanks, Joanne! I really love it a lot except for the lack of pockets.
I looked into buying it and the lack of pockets got me too! LOL (well, that and I honestly feel like I have zero room left in my closet for any spring/summer things).
Hahaha! I love it anyway. I should get out of habit of putting my hands in my pockets, but I do know many women look for pockets!
I agree – stripes, leopard and denim are also neturals! That is such a pretty dress! I love the print!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks so much, Jill! The print is what caught my eye!
That’s a lovely dress Marsha but I would never have associated it with moss – it’s pretty and neutral and must be cool to wear.. As for your politics – wow! Fingers crossed……. won’t say any more!
Thanks, Penny! It is very cool, but I did laugh at the name of the color. Yes, our politics are a mess over here.
That is an interesting name for the color.
As for pockets I was just thinking I might have to add some to the skirt I’m wearing today!
Xoxo
Jodie
Ps I’m so glad your husbands surgery went well!
Thanks, Jodie! He’s doing fairly well but in a bit of pain. I had to laugh when I saw the name of color. I’m not brave enough to attempt pockets on this dress with the tiers.
Oooh, Marsha, I absolutely love this dress and would wear it in a heartbeat! I think this neutral dry moss color looks fabulous on you. And yes, dry moss is a rather unappealing name for a color. Muted moss might have been better! I just recently wrote about those changes in skin tone that come with age. I find that I can actually wear many more colors now than I was able to when I was younger. So that is definitely a bonus to aging!
Shelbee
Thanks, Shelbee! I really love this dress, too. I just had to laugh at the name. Muted moss is definitely a better name! I’ve found I need to wear deeper colors even though I love pastels. I just have to wear them differently now!
So glad to hear that Nigel is doing well after surgery! Sending prayers of quick healing. I adore this printed maxi dress! The print and neutral shades are so perfect for summer.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks so much, Kathrine! We appreciate the prayers. This dress is so cool and floaty. I will wear it for years.
This is a really pretty dress! I sure don’t need any clothes, but that doesn’t keep me from looking! I did find a great navy dress this week (or last week). Boys are back in school which means some days I will have more time on my hands and when I want to get away from my MIL TV, I go shopping!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks, Mireille! I love the print! My husband used to say, “Let’s go to the mall!” He thought it was a cheap date, but it really wasn’t as I usually bought something.
I’m happy to hear your husband is doing well after surgery. I hope that continues! I think this maxi dress is beautiful! And you an pair so many different accessories with it!
Thank you, Laura! He’s had a bit more pain today, but the nurses warned us of that. And, thank you for the compliments on the dress and accessories. I feel strange without them anymore. That will change, of course, when we go into winter. I don’t wear as many.
It is a lovely dress on you Marsha, neutral but not boring because of the pattern on the fabric.Now that is a strange name for the colour.
So pleased your husband’s surgery has gone well. Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
Thank you so much, Jill! I really do like the pattern even though I’m not a fan of patchwork. I did chuckle when I saw the name of the color. Like I said, it had to have been a man…or maybe AI! I’m glad the first surgery is over, too. Have a wonderful rest of the weekend, Jill!
You look lovely Marsha, and it looks like a very cool comfy dress for summer.
Thank you, Debbie! It is the perfect dress for warm days…flowy and cool!
This dress looks amazing on you, Marsha! Definitely a great choice. Ha! I hear you about politics.
Thank you, Michelle! I really like the colors, and it’s my favorite style. I honestly can’t wait until the election and Inauguration Day are over.
You look amazing. Have a beautiful day.
http://www.rsrue.blogspot.com
Thank you so much, Regine! I hope you have a fabulous day!
I’m glad Nigel is doing better! This color definitely doesn’t say “dry moss” to me; it looks like an extremely greyed sage green that I would probably just treat as grey. The green accessories you added look wonderful with it.
Thanks, Sally! You’ve nailed it, Sally! It’s definitely more a greyed sage green. I think gold as well as silver will work well with it.
I am so glad to hear that Nigel’s first surgery went well, and that he is recovering without much pain! Hallelujah!
That dress is adorable! Although, dry moss? I don’t see it. Lol.
So, can I ask? What sunscreen do you use on your face? I am having a hard time finding one that I like!
Thanks, Erin! Well, I may have spoken too soon. The weekend was a little rough. But, he seems to have turned a corner on the pain. Now, he’s just a little confused from those meds.
I use SkinBetter Science which is pricey, but it really works. Another that I use is Neutrogena mineral sunscreen. My aesthetician told me mineral sunscreens are better than others. You should look for zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. The Neutrogena PureScreen also has those ingredients and is much less. But, I don’t like the way it feels on my skin. I do use it, though.
I see that the SkinBetter Science has a Techno Neck cream! Lol! That is such a thing now isn’t it? Thanks for the recommendations! I hate the way it all feels on my face, but I have to use it. Skin cancer really is prevalent in my family.
I remember, when I first lost tons of weight and we would ride on the Harley, I’d see the skin of my neck flapping around as I looked in the mirror! Aw, well, that’s why we have turtlenecks, right? I really like the SkinBetter Science, but the Neutrogena seemed to do just as good a job. It felt more sticky which is something that drives me nuts. I just dust on some setting powder to keep it from being sticky. If you buy the SkinBetter, I’ve been told to put it in my hands and warm it up to get it to move better on the skin. I feel like I end up wasting so much of it that way and just put small dots all over and then smooth it in. It’s expensive so I don’t want to waste any of it. I also use setting powder over it since it’s a bit sticky,too!
That’s a lovely dress, I’m a big fan of flowing maxi dresses in summer. Dry Moss is an odd name – not as weird as the Farrow and Ball paint names though…elephant’s breath, sulking room pink, dead salmon, mouse’s back….whoever came up with those! There’s even an advert on TV parodying them!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Thank you so much, Emma! Oh, I had forgotten about the Farrow and Ball paint names. I’m always surprised when I hear the name of a particularly lovely color! You do have to wonder why they do that!