While the days of Matchy-Matchy are over (yeah) creating an ensemble that looks good together and is functional...let me type that again......
Functional...
is not really a challenge if you give your wardrobe some thought about 3 main points......
Which are~~~~
1. What colors look good on you?
2. What shapes work for your body type?
3. What are the clothes for the day supposed to do?
I'll answer those questions as I move thru this very colorful post!
The answers are quite different if you are um, past 50. I think, in your 40s you can still get away with much of what you wore in your 30s...as long as you give up dressing like a teenager...don't get your styling tips from Seventeen or Teen Vogue....
(Erin Wasson is a classic Bad Example of what you don't want to resemble)
Do not use these folks as an example as you dress yourself unless you want to look like a Lunatic, in a non-creative way.
There's crazy, and having a ball ya'll...and then there is Out On A Day Pass and Dressed From The Dumpster........
avoid the latter.
I think this pic of young bloggers who live in their own mirrored paradise is from The Coveted.
No.No.No.
Because......
Past 50, if you don't want to look like Old Clown or Aging Debutante, it does take some practice...but La Vida Loca after the children move away, when you can turn their old bedroom into a dressing room of your dreams....
Well, don't let anyone tell you, that middle age is boring.....because it is a fresh start to become the classy interesting person that was hiding underneath the weight of kid's sports, kid's dance class, kid's doctor appointments...blah blah blah....
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I love a great little blazer to add the final bit of polish...to an outfit...It provides a pop of color...or creates a narrow silhouette and tricks the eye to sculpt the body in a taller thinner line....
In the next day or 2, I'll list some cute little cropped jackets and pair them with darling dresses...perfect for the early Spring days...
Listed right now, a petite blazer with a wonderful gold bullion crest and goldtone buttons....
This type of jacket makes everyone look really swell, and put together.
It must fit you well and not bind, it shouldn't be too long or too short for your body...and get a quality fabric...damn the label...buy the best you can afford...oh, and mix it up with something pretty along the way, so you don't look like you joined the military..........nothing wrong with the military, but unless you are on active duty, don't dress like them.....Just don't.
1. What colors look good on you?
Navy looks good on almost everyone...and it's snappy.
2. What shapes work for your body type?
Get one that fits you. An oversize blazer looks sloppy on everyone now except gals under the age of 25. Why? Just believe it!
3. What are your clothes for the day supposed to do?
Keep you warm,(or cool), make you look smart and function well. So think about fabric for the time of the season...wear what suits your body, and don't be a slave to fashion magazines (that just makes you look brain-dead), and function? Whatcha got against pockets?? And get a smart bag just big enough, that is not made of plastic and has a grocery store logo on it.
A fab little 70s floral applique clutch can really really add PUNCH to a so-so basic, or a staid ensemble.
One of the things I love about this one, is it is a near-perfect match to the 70s silk dress coming up next....same era, same inspiration...similar prints but not boringly Matchy-Matchy....
This is a 70s vintage Nordstrom dress in silk. An easy tuxedo bib fit, so eat all the dessert you want....or it looks cute cinched with a belt if you wanna........and tie the secretary bow...or not....Me, I'd not tie it, and add a long necklace with one or 2 chunky charms.
See how close this print is to the bag up there?? hmmm?
Cute accessories can bring a smile on a gray rainy day....makes the pain of pulling out bill money and little less ouchy.
A red Coat. nuff said. Never boring. Great style for dressing up and down. Wear with slacks or jeans or a dress and boots or a cocktail dress and open-toe sandals.
Looks cute always....
A very cute dress...in red and black. Lightweight poly woven fabric is flowing and easy to care for. Very flippy! Makes you wanna skip in sandals to the ice cream shop!
Chevron stripes in reds and blues with a splash of yellow....wow!
a classic little plaid skirt.......32" waist. Perfect with a cropped jacket or a soft cardigan and ballet flats....so FLOTUS....
Didn't forget the fellas....A classic Levis jacket. No pockets on this one. So, when you choose pants with pockets to carry your stuff, do us all a favor and DO NOT wear denim jeans (maybe black denim is OK) with your denim jacket...
Because, you will Look Like....
Dennis Weaver in McCloud. Dennis was a super swell guy, but PLEASE don't repeat the urban 70s Cowboy look, unless you are going to a Cowboy Costume Party.
Original Vintage 70s Levis Indigo jacket....everyone copies this one...from Ralph Lauren to Ann Taylor to Wal-Mart, to DisneyCorp's Hannah Montana and Lizzie McQuire, and Health-Tex for the infants (cute!) (I just saw some young bearded rock star type guy wearing one...a knock off...gee fella this one is better and tres cool !)
A blue suit. Wow. What a great look. Not boring. Nice fine tailoring. And...sharkskin! Fab with a crisp white shirt and a black tie, eh?
Or, all pale blue shirt and satin tie, or a small calico print.
Repeat after me...."You never go wrong with Italian Leather Shoes"...
