I used to change into my comfy clothes within moments of coming home from work.  I might have stopped on the way upstairs to plant a kiss on Peter’s cheek, but nothing else could stand in the way of my journey to comfort.

My standard at-home apparel was a pair of jean-like Bermuda shorts and a T-shirt in the summer and LLBean’s elastic-waisted black-cotton-and-lycra slacks and a turtleneck the rest of the year.  My feet preferred my Birkenstocks at home no matter what the season.

On weekend days I would upgrade to a good pair of jeans and a top that was appropriate for wherever our errands might take us.  I loved the switch to my non-work-day wardrobe just because it was so easy.  No standing in front of the closet trying to choose which outfit I hadn’t worn for a while. 

Things are different now that I am retired.  I can (and do) wear jeans almost every day.  My work outfits (with the exception of my navy blazer and maybe one or two other things) remain in their cleaning bags in the guest room closet.  I plan to take most of them to Dress for Success, an organization that helps disadvantaged women enter or re-enter the job market.

But not quite yet…