Wide leg trousers are the trend now and these really wide leg trousers by Piazza Sempione were still hanging in my wardrobe, hardly worn. They were featured on the blog in 2017, together with the matching blazer. That was before I had the blazer tailored as it was a size too big (to fit the bosom).
I bought the suit (and several other items) when husband Ron and I were in Maastricht, in the south of the country. Women in that town are dressed far chicer than in Amsterdam. Walking around there I felt really underdressed with my sequinned trainers and boyfriend jeans. It made me think “Shouldn’t I dress more my age, a bit more elegantly? Like the women here?” And that silly idea led me to a very expensive shop. We did have lunch first and contemplated the items I was about to purchase, but unfortunately I had left my brain somewhere else.
I don’t lead the kind of life that justifies such a suit. Even when I was still working, we wouldn’t dress up like this in the office. It was a total mistake. Mind you, for that kind of money you do get excellent quality. It is beautifully made. Piazza Sempione is a brilliant Italian brand.
Anyway, I decided to bring the trousers out again and style them in a different way. The red silk shirt is my idea and Misja added loads of my pearls.
Below: As one of my shoulders is slightly lower than the other (I am a bit lopsided), my necklaces tend to hang away from the middle.
Below: I had seen a big willow getting all springy green and thought it would make a good background. Loes was my photographer.
Below: Yes, it does make a good background. With the trousers I am wearing a thin fabric belt, finished with leather bits (difficult to see).
Below: The neighbourhood near that tree is cute with a cul-de-sac.
Below: The people were very friendly there and didn’t mind us taking photos at all.
Below: Me trying to demonstrate the width of the trousers.
Below: Another demonstration. There is one pinstripe on the side of each trouser leg.
Below: One last photo on the bridge as we went home. That bridge needs a good clean.
Below: Loes at my place. She thought it was far too cold to take off her coat outside haha.
The outfit part of this blog post is short, contrary to last week. It is not always possible to do a report. I am already glad Loes is willing to take photos.
What happened in my life this week
Some of you will be pleased to see a photo of my mum again (below). She was wearing one of her new tops. Doesn’t she look good?
Below: Ron and I took her to a terrace for a drink. As usual it was bright and sunny when we set off and as soon as we had our drinks it got cloudy with rain soon to follow. Sigh.
Mum was wearing her sunglasses, looking like Roy Orbison haha. The background is a bit weird. It is a square with an old boat for the kids to play with.
It was a quiet Easter with sunshine and rain. Didn’t do much apart from unsuccessfully trying to put a plant in our garden. It was a big plant in a bucket and I couldn’t get it out other than turning it over. All the leaves were crushed of course and many worms crawled out. Yikes. After moving a few aside I lifted the plant (wearing gloves) and put it into the very shallow hole I dug. It looked ridiculous. I left it to Ron to fix it. I am definitely not a gardener.
Below: Visited Marianne and wore this outfit. (Link to original post with green earrings instead of a brooch).
Below: Marianne, looking lovely as ever.
Below: Cycling through Haarlem, I came through this small street where blossom trees were forming an arch. The people who live here must have planted them. Love that.
Below: Blossom in the house, thanks to Ron and his allotment. Pear blossom this time.
Went to the hospital with mum to check her eyesight and get the 8-week injection. That took a whole afternoon. Mum is fed up with it, but it is the only way to preserve the little eyesight she has left.
Marjolein and I had a beautiful sunny photo shoot day. The forecast was hailstones and heavy rain. Funny how weather is still unpredictable.
Below: Having coffee after the shoot.
And last but not least. Parrot Errol (below) is leaving home. He packed his bag and is going to live with my friend Jilske. He is not quite sure yet how to get there as he is not a pigeon. We will help him.
Greetje
I love the outfits and the photos jeans are also my go to unless I’m going out somewhere special. Is that parrot yours? He’s very colourful. I am also learning so much about your country through your wonderful photos and would love to visit the netherlands one day.
Jeans are also my go to trousers.
The parrot is very much a toy, not a real live one.
Be aware that it can rain often in the Netherlands. A lot.
I am only catching up with your weekly post now. On the Seine cruise I was unable to connect to my four favourite stylish women. I can relate to the chaotic spring weather. Drippy in Paris with the gravel paths of the Jardins de Luxembourg rather mucky for my white Ted Baker sneakers ( one of those HRWairport splurges not regretted) . Easily cleaned once back at Hotel Andre Latin , a little gem in the Latin Quarter. This small hotel offers a filling continental breakfast that held me over until I found a local and very authentic bistro for dinner…Les Ursuline’s …only steps away. Being a solo 74 year old, I was cautious going out , but the area is filled with students ( Sorbonne etc) and quite safe. I discovered a prof was holding a study session with a few students in a corner of this bistro . Reminded me of British shows set in Oxford!
Sun came out so I walked towards the Seine through narrow streets lined with antiques, galleries, and antiquarian map and book shops.Bliss! Of course I found a small landscape with poppies painted by one of those ‘artists’ along the Seine . Did a short video including the chiming bells of Notre Dame and somehow felt all would be well…chaos in tragedy made in inspirational rebuilding. We were there ,and had just left Paris for Lyon, when the church became engulfed in flames. I needed to see it once more.
I have a pair of wider legged chino pants from Banana Republic that were good on my shorter frame, however rather uncomfortable during a flight. High waist bands not ideal when sitting for hours. Won’t make that mistake again. You can find ways of wearing your suit differently, Greetje, and besides, your lovely friends seem to give you great styling ideas too. Love the colourful top on your Mum…so nice to see her looking so well.Brave woman with those ongoing shots…gives me the shivers. So sorry Errol 🦜felt the need to contemplate a move. 🧳. When I was small, and had crayoned on the wall ( no doubt my creativity beginning early) my Mum instructed me to clean it. As the story goes, I didn’t , and said I wanted to live at my friend’s , so a little bag was packed, I was given my teddy bear and told “off you go then”. I didn’t of course , being only 4 at the time. Was the artistic endeavour removed…have no clue!
Weather continued to be rather chaotic as we sailed west to Normandy, with the river very high and sodden fields along either side. Sun shone, after a brief downpour at Giverny. What a lovely place, as flowering trees were blossoming, and flower beds along the pathways filled with bulbs, pansies, and wall flowers in different colour schemes. And happily not too crowded so early on in April. Again, showers had us briefly huddling under awnings at the market in Honfleur , another historic harbour town with slippery cobbles after the rain. Caved finally, while there , and bought a little box of chocolates, after the window displays had changed from the glorious Easter collections. As well, a salt shop selling amazing combinations of scents and flavours drew me in. Came away with a wee salt cellar with lemon salt for my next cod dinner. Yum! That’s my latest travelogue…but one last addition… In Rouen, another historical town, I found a £9.99 t -shirt with this …” Pas de fleurs sans pluie”…perfect for the situation 💦 and garnered many compliments.
Well, what do you know! Traveling on your own and apparently fully enjoying it. At least, I enjoyed reading it. It surprises me that you have the same weather in Paris as we are having in the Netherlands. I was sort of hoping it was a bit better there. My friend Susan (of the blog Une femme d’un certain age) will come and visit me for a few days, arriving Sunday afternoon. When she leaves again, she will go to Paris. The weather has been pretty all right this past week, but exactly the two full days she is here, temperatures will drop, wind will be fierce and rain will fall. I feel so sorry for her. Last time she was in Amsterdam it rained as well. I am burning candles and wishing for the forecast to change.
I love following your weekly emails. I love all the shops that you visit and your friends look lovely. I have visited your part of the Netherlands and enjoy seeing it through your eyes.
What a wonderful comment. Thank you. It makes blogging so rewarding.
Love your pictures, friends and beautiful backgrounds. Your such a joy to follow.
Ah.. how sweet, thank you. You made my day.
You have fashioned an elegant outfit for sure. I think you look great! And love your hair too. Your Mom looks so nice too. Good to see her out with you. And Marianne is always so lovely.
I agree with everything you say. Although it doesn’t feel modest. LOL
What beautiful trousers. I can just imagine the situation you describe. I think it happened in Munich a few years ago! I bought a few dresses because I felt I needed to look more refined. Aren’t we foolish! At least you still have the lovely trousers. Mum looking very well.
Yes, we are foolish. We are adults and confident enough not to let such things throw us off. Anyway, lesson learned.
I don’t only have the trousers, I also have the jacket, the little belt, a white shirt and I gave my mum the cashmere turtleneck as they don’t suit me. Mum says it is lovely. It better…
Lovely post as usual, Greetje! You can tell those trousers are high quality as they hang so beautifully on you. I love the addition of the bright shirt and the pearls — again, so chic!
Your mom looks lovely – thanks for sharing her photo with us.
As I look out on my snowy lawn, I am comforted by the flowers in your post. Someday we will have blossoms again!!!
The pearls really make the outfit (thanks to Misja’s styling) I think.
My goodness, you still have a snowy lawn? But you are right, someday you’ll have blossoms again too.
Such a stylish outfit
Thank you Selina. You have the same name as my editor, who happened not to have edited this post as she was away.
The wide leg pants are so elegant, and you look great in them. Maybe you can save them for special occasions.
Sorry the parrot is moving. I enjoyed Ron’s parrot jokes.
Have a good week.
I don’t believe in special occasions. It reminds me of Sunday clothes. Such a shame to save the best for just a few days. I might have them shortened so I can wear them with trainers. But I will leave that decision to autumn.
I enjoyed Ron’s parrot jokes too, but he stopped with them.
I love the wide-leg pants. Was that the matching jacket in photo 2? I know that you said suits are not you, but according to Nikki (Midlife Chic), they are having a moment. You could also wear the suit with a tee shirt and sneakers to take a casual approach. The jacket could be worn with jeans and a tee.
I have so many wide leg jeans. I was happy when they made a comeback a couple years ago. While I cannot manage the barrel jeans, the wide leg ones work for me. I’m on the heavy side, but they still look okay.
That willow tree is stunning. You really captured the spring green! The cul-de-sac neighborhood is charming. I like the little bit of moss on the paving stones. What a great spot for photos.
I’m sure that your Mom is tired of the shots. My neighbor has to have them every month and it sets her back for a day. But, she can still see. Thank goodness.
No, in photo number two you see my coat. I put my coat on as soon as I could. The matching jacket you can see when you follow the link I have provided.
I know suits are having their moment, but if they don’t suit (pun intended) my lifestyle, I am not going to follow that trend.
Glad you can join the wide leg jeans trend, and from your own wardrobe. Even better.
Spring green is my favourite.
Greetje, You looked very tall in your trousers! I’m sure you will make a lot of outfits with your massive jumper colection! I loved the massive weaping willow! Beautiful! It was lovely to see Ron and your mother! I am glad she is doing well.
I went to the “pain management” doctor yesterday. He’s going to try novocaine cream before he does shots in my back. I want off of this 800 mg ibuphrophin; it not healthy for your kdneys. My appointment was in mid morning and by evening they had not called my prescription in to the drug store which really surprised me! Doctors usually call in meds at late afternoon. He did approve some physical therapy appointments so I can build up the strength in my legs from sitting here on the heat then ice.
I thought that my treatment doctor would give me the therapy appointments like he did last time. I called daily for 2 weeks; they didn’t approve the visits and didn’t let me know yhey wouldn’t!
I have lunch with a friend late in the week and another doctor appointment.
I hope you have a beautiful week!
Your treatment doctor sounds like a person who is not client friendly. I think I would search for another one.
I look so tall in these trousers because I am wearing high heeled boots underneath them.
Stylish and beautiful as always. Looove those pants. You always find a beautiful background where you just pop. Love it.
Is that parrot real?
It isn’t easy to find a beautiful background, I can tell you that. So thank you for the compliment.
No the parrot is not real. I got it as a present and it was a running gag. Ron used to put the parrot in odd places and made jokes with it.
You can find two jokes with the parrot in the two following posts, if you scroll down to the bottom.
https://www.nofearoffashion.com/2023/08/13/white-monochrome-outfit-with-a-colourful-scarf/
https://www.nofearoffashion.com/2023/08/20/pebble-coloured-trousers-with-a-neon-pink-top/
Magnificent wide trousers, really love them! You are lucky to have long legs and still have a waist… In London we would probably style these wide-leg pants with trainers BTW.
The jeans you wore with the green brooch are also great. The purple tops , yours and Marianne’s , also fill me with envy as this is probably my favourite colour and not so easy to find in the UK just at present.
I also LOVE your mother’s new top. Reminds me of my own mother who was always stylish within the limits of comfort into her 90s. The pear blossom is so nostalgic for me, because we had two pear trees in our garden. The biggest was at least 100 feet high and I loved climbing it. My mother’s friends used to wonder how she could bear to let us do this, and she always said “I just don’t watch”! Her own childhood in Ireland must have involved some free roaming on foot or horseback, so she probably wanted her children to have a few chances even in London.
I am still contemplating whether to shorten my wide leg trousers so I can wear them with trainers. But as you say, I do have long legs and with the high heels they look even longer. My waist isn’t much to write home about but it isn’t bad either. (After I had 7 cm sucked away by a plastic surgeon haha. Cheating here.)
Marianne’s top is pink and mine was black?
Your mother sounds like a wise and humorous woman. Children were more at risk in the old days, but they did have so much more freedom. No parents tracking them with their mobile phone.
I love the outfit you wore to visit Marianne. Those jeans are way more you than your fashionable trousers. You look good in them but even better in the jeans.
That is so good to hear as jeans are my go-to trousers. I wear them more than anything else. But I do love other outfits too. I even love pencil skirts.