[gardenia]

Hi Ladies,
I have visited TV 3 times over the past 3 years, and plan to purchase next year. At times, I love wearing heels, fashionable pocketbooks and jeans to go shopping. I am in my mid 50's and live in the NYC area. Seems to me that folks in TV mainly dress very casual and in flats around town and in the squares in the evenings - I worry about missing stylish clothing, and not being able to keep up with what's in fashion when I move to TV. Be honest, please please share your own experiences with me. Don't you miss it? I know we give up certain things (look how much there is to gain by moving to TV), but I cringe when I think of losing my sense of style.....what has been your experience, did you toss those to die for shoes and bags?

[Freeda]

I have been here for about 1 1/2 years; I moved from Louisville, KY; while it was not a NYC atmosphere, Louisville is an upscale metropolitan area, and people there dress fashionably. So, I totally get what you are saying. While you are right that people dress predominantly casually in the squares and shopping areas, it is still ok to dress up and wear heels, even just to go dancing on the squares; you will always see some people doing that. Plus, since there are always people who are visiting here, all types of attire, from very casual to very upscale are seen; so it is really up to you. As long as you don't mind that the 'majority' may be more casually dressed, just go ahead and dress as you please. Also, at parties, at the shows at Savannah, at the piano bar in the Waterfront Inn, in the country clubs, in Katie Belle's, at Lopez 9particularly on Friday night in the bar area), in Margarita Republic's, at the dances in the rec centers and area clubs, and at other night spots and restaurants, both in The Villages and in the surrounding area, you will fit in just fine in as upscale attire, and in as high of heels, as you want to wear. You will probably, though, be surprised, as I was, that you will gradually adapt and actually like the idea that, while you still can dress up, you do not have to always dress up as much as you are currently used to; you have the freedom to relax a little bit more than you may feel that you can where you live currently; after all, remember, this is Florida (yea!), and it does get quite hot here part of the year! It is nice to have the choice; just one of the many wonderful things about TV. My husband and I, and friends, also go frequently to beach areas on both coasts, and to Orlando, and to Tampa, where there are night clubs and the Hard Rock casino (which also has shows and concerts), etc; again great opportunities to dress up.

And as for shopping, there is some great shopping here in The Villages. I still love great shoes; and there is a wonderful store in St. Armand's Circle that is worth the drive just to go shopping for those to-die-for shoes. And, then, there is the wonderful Millenium Mall in Orlando. . . . but I digress.

[graciegirl]

I don't even have a pair of heels here. I have some platform shoes but everything I bring is quite casual. It is now quite "de riguer" to be casual. It is very rarely that you see men in business suits or women in business suits and heels here.....and even if you go to Orlando to the theatre, symphony or opera, dressing for evening is not what it used to be.

However, I have found that most people in the villages applaud individuality and enjoy people who look lovely and make an effort to stand out.

[Avista]

Only time I dress up is formal night on a cruise.

[gardenia]

Ladies, thank you all for your great comments. Guess I'll keep the heels and pocketbooks, luckily I don't wear formal gowns (too bad I haven't had any event to go to in years to need one) but will try to keep my sense of style going by wearing my heels and bags with jeans or skirts once in a while. Definitely will work on getting used to the more casual wear, and will NOT miss the business suits which are hanging in my closet for over a year. I have no problem at all pushing them way back in the closet to the point where I can't see them, until it's time to donate them to charity.

Thanks again!

[gadaboutgal]

Originally Posted by Avista

Only time I dress up is formal night on a cruise.

I concur.
I love packing and wearing my fancy dress up clothes when we are on a cruise (very, very often.) But when I'm home in TV, my dress up consists of capris and "nice" tops and sandals.

I left my wool suits, silk dresses, and high heels when I left the corporate world--loved beautiful clothes but life here in TV is so much more than that. And never--that is N.E.V.E.R-- will I wear pantyhose again.

[De Lis]

Hear, Hear: Nothing lifts your spirits more than dressing up for the occasion!
Always did and always will be. Cheers!

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by gardenia

Ladies, thank you all for your great comments. Guess I'll keep the heels and pocketbooks, luckily I don't wear formal gowns (too bad I haven't had any event to go to in years to need one) but will try to keep my sense of style going by wearing my heels and bags with jeans or skirts once in a while. Definitely will work on getting used to the more casual wear, and will NOT miss the business suits which are hanging in my closet for over a year. I have no problem at all pushing them way back in the closet to the point where I can't see them, until it's time to donate them to charity.

Thanks again!

I remember when you started this thread and now here you are happily living in TV and I have seen for myself that you don't have to dress up to be beautiful. I am so glad you are a villager, Gardenia!

[swimdawg]

I am wearing 2" very comfortable wedgies during my trip from Buffalo to TV today. I need the height. I am 6' tall.

[ladydoc]

Originally Posted by Avista

Only time I dress up is formal night on a cruise.

Exactly!

When I retired I tossed anything that even slightly looked like professional attire and I stopped wearing heels when I was in my 30's. They were torture to me.. But, to each her own..do what you want, wear what you want and don't worry about what anyone else thinks. So far there are no deed restrictions on wearing nice clothes.

Get your subscriptions to Vogue, WWD etc and keep up with styles.

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by gadaboutgal

I concur.
I love packing and wearing my fancy dress up clothes when we are on a cruise (very, very often.) But when I'm home in TV, my dress up consists of capris and "nice" tops and sandals.

I left my wool suits, silk dresses, and high heels when I left the corporate world--loved beautiful clothes but life here in TV is so much more than that. And never--that is N.E.V.E.R-- will I wear pantyhose again.

Pantyhose were invented by men to torture women.

[momesu]

Originally Posted by Avista

Only time I dress up is formal night on a cruise.

Oh yeah!!!! Love formal nights on cruises. I would dress up in formals more if 'I had a place to go in them on land, but as for just dressy clothes other than formals....only when I attend a wedding or a funeral, and then only in low high heels no higher than 2 inch. I saw some one the other day while in NYC walking the city streets mid day in stilettos that were on platforms. I think they were close to 6 inches high! EEK!

[gardenia]

Graciegirl, thanks for resucitating this thread - and would you believe, I get to dress up MORE now that I am here in TV than when I was back in NJ/NY. I love to wear my heels and party type clothes when I go out dancing in the Villages at the various venues (except for the squares). So much fun to "dress up", and don my fun accessories to go dancing......I am thrilled that I get to wear fun clothing, shoes and accessories as often as I wish, right here in The Villages. Can you all tell that I absolutely love it here? I am having the time of my life with great friends, great neighbors, great people everywhere I go and taking every opportunity I can to get involved in various physical and volunteer activities.

[momesu]

Originally Posted by gardenia

Graciegirl, thanks for resucitating this thread - and would you believe, I get to dress up MORE now that I am here in TV than when I was back in NJ/NY. I love to wear my heels and party type clothes when I go out dancing in the Villages at the various venues (except for the squares). So much fun to "dress up", and don my fun accessories to go dancing......I am thrilled that I get to wear fun clothing, shoes and accessories as often as I wish, right here in The Villages. Can you all tell that I absolutely love it here? I am having the time of my life with great friends, great neighbors, great people everywhere I go and taking every opportunity I can to get involved in various physical and volunteer activities.

Well since I'm not yet a resident of TV I can't really say, but I have heard living in TV is like being on a cruise every day except that you are responsible for your own meals...

[Freeda]

Originally Posted by momesu

Well since I'm not yet a resident of TV I can't really say, but I have heard living in TV is like being on a cruise every day except that you are responsible for your own meals...

Excellent point; someone needs to work on an all-inclusive deal for here (wine and cocktails included could be a separate price option), and with 'my-time' dining.