This post is sponsored by Nordstrom and ShopStyle Collective
What’s on-trend for spring? Denim is always on-trend, but the silhouette changes from year to year. Anyone remember when skinny jeans burst on the scene? The slim-fitting jean was quite the departure from previous years—and there was more than one nay-sayer that thought they wouldn’t last. Ha! But given their long run, their popularity is waning, and other silhouettes are finding favor. One style I’m loving this Spring are the best straight leg jeans from Wit and Wisdom, available at my favorite retailer Nordstrom.
Best straight leg jeans
Wit & Wisdom carries a wide variety of denim from girlfriend jeans to bootcut jeans to crop jeans. It was hard to decide which direction to go but I decided on a straight leg frayed hem that gives your denim an of-the-moment look. Since the first blush of spring is right around the corner I chose a wrap tie white blouse that will serve me well until summer rolls into town. For a simple yet chic look that’s perfect for an evening out, I added a pair of suede pumps in a neutral color. A classic quilted handbag is a perfect accessory all year long and a cuff bracelet adds a signature statement while keeping this ootn on point for 2022.
curbside pick up (no muss, no fuss. Nordstrom brings your merchandise to you while you wait in your car)
the Nordy club earns 1 point per dollar, status based on spend, and enjoys perks to beauty and style workshops, curbside pickup, and the first to shop select brands.
A big thank you to Nordstrom and ShopStyle Collective for this sponsored post. And thank you lovely readers for supporting the brand that allows me to bring you fresh ideas.
Our first entry into our Essential Series this month is 5 timeless fashion essentials you need in your closet, including the essential Spring raincoat (’cause it’s almost that time of year). They are:
trench coat;
classic satchel;
gold hoops;
tweed blazer; and
cap-toe pump.
This post continues the Essential Series we began in January:
One of the goals of this series is to help you build a classic and timeless wardrobe that you can “shop” for years to come. So for each essential item today, I put together a widget of shoppable items. I’ve also gone back into the archives and found different ways you can style each item.
5 timeless fashion essentials
The trench coat has made many appearances on the blog over the years. To my mind, it is the essential Spring & Fall raincoat. Did you know that during WWI British Officers wore trench coats that had been modified with shoulder straps and D-rings? the ring was included so that map cases, swords, or other equipment could easily attach to the belt. (After all, necessity is the mother of invention.)
Burberry reigns supreme when it comes to a khaki trench, but other retailers like J.Crew have them at lower price points. I’ve put together a shopping widget below for a variety of different options.
Essential Spring raincoats: Trench Coat
Style tip: If you already have a khaki trench, but want to add another, consider something more exotic like animal print.
Shop trench coats (widget below)
Shop trench coats (widget below)
Satchel Handbag
We ran a list of essential accessories back in January. Handbags were featured there heavily. If I had to pick one and only one handbag I would carry with me, it would be the satchel handbag. Yup, even above a crossbody or clutch. What I love most about the satchel is its versatility. Style them up, or style them down—satchels can work for you in just about any situation.
Style tip: Pick one time in your outfit to match your bag to create a perfect synergy between your accessories and that outfit.
Shop handbags (widget below)
Shop handbags (widget below)
Gold Hoops
Jewelry is the most personal part of any woman’s closet. From heirloom pieces to costume jewelry, choices reflect highly specific and often memorable points in our life. It truly is difficult to recommend jewelry for other women to buy.
But if you backed me into a corner, I would say that every woman should own a pair of gold hoops. If you were to scroll through my past posts, I’m willing to bet that I’ve featured gold hoops more than any other piece of jewelry. I get that much use out of mine.
Style tip: Pair gold hoops with gold bangles to create a subtle, easily reinforceable theme for your outfit.
Shop gold hoops (widget below)
Shop gold hoops (widget below)
Tweed Blazer
Just like trench coats, blazers are a regular fixture over here at Style at a Certain Age. Tweed blazers are such easy transition pieces from Winter-to-Spring or Fall-To-Winter, they can be reused often. And given that they can be dressed up or down, you’ll have no trouble finding new ways to wear them.
Style tip: Pair a tweed blazer with denim, because it works every time.
Shop tweed jacket (widget below)
Shop tweed jacket (widget below)
Cap-Toe Slingback
The cap-toe slingback might not need any introduction due to its iconic status. Coco Chanel introduced this beauty in 1957 and nicknamed it “the height of elegance.” This shoe ticks all the classic boxes and is a cult favorite due to its neutral color scheme – black toe and nude body. The heel is not too high nor too low and looks fantastic with skirts, dresses, pants or blue jeans.
Today, we’re introducing “Real vs. Steal.”Who doesn’t love a bargain?
Style tip: this shoe is as practical as it is beautiful because the nude color lengthens the leg while the black toe shortens the foot.
Shop cap-toe slingbacks (widget below)
Daily Looks
We just posted a new DAILY LOOK, so make sure to check it out. Daily Looks is a really simple feature: a dedicated photo feed of my daily outfits. And you can shop those outfits easily through the shop the widget below the picture.
Of course, it’s important to stay on top of Spring fashion color trends. Some colors like Soft Lilac and Sky Blue are in; others are out. And that’s the thing about fashion trends, really. In and out, out and in. But colors that never go out of style, no matter the trends: neutrals. Yup, I’m talking blacks, whites, and grays. Ok, I know what you’re thinking: we’re just heading out of Winter and into Spring. Why are you featuring a neutral-based outfit? Simple: I’ve got a neutral tweed jacket today that’s anything but boring. And it’s a perfect transition piece as we leave February behind us and enter into the springtime months. Without further ado, here’s that tweed jacket styled two different ways.
Spring fashion color trends
Today I’ve got one tweed jacket (on sale!) styled two ways—both keeping with our neutral theme. The first jacket is layered with a black merino sweater from Banana Republic, paired with tuxedo pants from Ralph Lauren. A perfect monochromatic combo that you can wear just about anywhere, really. And, of course, accessories can provide the perfect but subtle counterbalance with a metallic pop. I’ve found this similar, layered necklace (similar) that will set off any similar outfit.
The second look is the yin to the first’s yang. I’ve swapped the tuxedo pants for white denim and the sweater for a tee. Again, accessories and shoes take the outfit over the top. I love metallic sandals this year—or any year for that matter because they act as a neutral.
We just posted a new DAILY LOOK, so make sure to check it out. Daily Looks is a really simple feature: a dedicated photo feed of my daily outfits. And you can shop those outfits easily through the shop the widget below the picture.
Happy Monday, ladies! Last week on the blog was everything Yellowstone-inspired. We went jacket and boot heavy and really leaned into the Western-themed look. This week we’re shifting gears and today we’re focusing on inspired business chic.
Every Sunday this year, we’ve gone deep into the essentials every woman should have in their wardrobe. In case you missed it, yesterday we took a look at Five classic winter essentials.
if i could go back and give my younger self some advice, it would be this: be bold, be strong, and don’t be afraid to step outside the mainstream and make your own rules. after all, how much time did we spend in our youths feeling insecure? afraid to speak up and voice our opinions? how many of us were paralyzed by the potentiality of being wrong? struck by the fear of articulating an unpopular position? how many of us have daughters or granddaughters that are currently struggling with these insecurities? so let’s all throw on a fall glen plaid jacket and a pair of suede pumps and remember, “be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.”
as any woman of a certain age will tell you, age begets wisdom, and wisdom begets confidence. it’s one of the perks of getting older, really. and as any woman of a certain age will tell you, none of this can be rushed. a 42 year old can’t transfer to a 22 year old the wisdom and knowledge a successful, mid-life career change brings with it. a 64 year old can’t make a 34 year old understand the tears of pain and joy raising three children brings with it.
but what we—the older generation—can do is this: we can tell our daughters—our granddaughters— it’s OK to be bold. it’s OK to be confident. it’s OK to take risks. it’s OK to make your own rules in this crazy, mixed up world. because—and here’s the secret—everyone is makes up their own rules. and if we, as woman with wisdom, are not afraid to instill confidence in our children, then conversations like this will become the norm.
you want to leave your job as a lawyer and open up an apothecary? do it!
you want to forego college for an apprenticeship as a chef? i’m behind you 100%!
you think your team at work could improve if they just tried this? tell them!
when i was younger & now that i’m stronger
last week, we talked about self-expression through style. a lot of you reached out to me over my various social channels and told me how over the years you’ve gained the confidence to take fashion risks. so inspiring! and as you all know, we’re no strangers to those sorts of risk over here on the blog. yesterday, we showcased flared jeans, last week a skirt and knee-highs, and a few weeks ago, wide-legged jeans.
but today, i’m showcasing my go-to style: modern preppy. it’s a fashion sense i’ve developed over 50 years. and to me, nothing says “bold” and “confident” more than a blazer and a clean pair of denim. whether i’m headed to a meeting or just grabbing drinks with my daughter-in-law after work, i trust in the style i’ve worked my entire life to develop.
breaking all the rules & suede pumps
oftentimes, when we think of “breaking the rules”, we think of societal rules imposed on us either implicitly or explicitly. but sometimes those rules are self-imposed. whether they be fashion rules, or professional rules, or general how-i-live-my-life rules, it’s always good to step back and reevaluate how and why we do what we do.
what fashion rules do you live by? and are they worth breaking?
fashion confidence with age
depending on the year; depending on where i’m living; and depending on who i’m with, modern preppy may be “in” or it may be totally “out”. doesn’t matter to me, though. it’s my go-to, and i’m sticking to it. i might spice up my style with frayed denim, a pair of suede pumps (but see also) and a statement bag (but also here and here). but i’ve been shopping at Ann Taylor and J.Crew for years.
alright, gang! the week is in full swing. i hope you played hooky yesterday and are fully rejuvenated. we’re gonna need it, as we’re heading into the holiday season. now, before you go, let me know in the comment section one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self. i’m not a big believer in regrets. but i am a believer in learning, growing, and evolving through the ages. what words of wisdom do you have for the next generation of women?
travel summary: new york city
i’m an empty-nester. all three kiddos have been out of the house for a long time now. and while two out of the three are here in Athens with me, i’ve got one that lives in New York City. i try to get out to see him once or twice a year. as some of you may have seen on Instagram, i went to visit him this past weekend. and what a fantastic trip. so many places to go, and so many places to be. (we went to see Chicago on Broadway!) but while i was there, it struck me that so many of you are taking similar trips this fall. i know traveling can be stressful: packing, getting to and from the airport, and taxiing in an unfamiliar city can be time consuming and overwhelming. whether you’re going with spouses for a weekend getaway, visiting (grand)kiddos across the country, or traveling for business, i wanted to give you some travel tips & fashion ideas for your fall journeys. so today’s post is all about NYC travel tips and fashion.
travel outfit of the day
deciding what to wear on a flight can be tricky. overdressing can be uncomfortable, especially on long flights. but i like to be stylish—even at the airport—so underdressing isn’t an option. i take the Goldilocks approach and aim for the sweet spot right in the middle. for my flight to NYC, i sported a denim boilersuit you can grab from Nordstroms and a pair of Tretorn ny lite sneakers. super easy, super comfy, and super stylish. not a lot of moving parts in this outfit, which is exactly what we’re going for, especially when we consider going through airport security.
when going for a weekend trip, i pack light. (you can read about how i pack my carry-ons here.) two bags this weekend: an under-seat suitcase created for Macy’s and a suede satchel you can pick up from Talbots. bags, including suitcases, are accessories that can take your outfit to the next level and really make it shine. the red color pop from the satchel contrasts perfectly with the cool denim and really makes the entire outfit pop. stay tuned to how i styled this ootd for nighttime. it’s another NYC travel tips and fashion
night outfit of the day
if you want to keep your weekend suitcase small and are committed to packing light, think about reusing your travel outfit. swap out your sneakers for heels and spruce up the original outfit with accessories and/or layers.
whether you’re heading out for cocktails, dinner, or a movie pair this outfit with this a simply sleek leather clutch, and you’re good for a night on the town.
with mr. style gone, i have to travel alone. without someone to help share the load, i’ve got to be prepared. below, i’ve compiled a list below of the things i think about before, during, and after a trip. all are obvious, but all are worth reminding ourselves every time.
packing. packing is planning, and planning is packing. have the right suitcases and bags for the right trips. are you going for a weekend getaway or a two week stay in Europe? different locale and durations have different requirements. and remember always that suitcases are investments—they’re worth the upfront cost. if you’re in need of inspiration on how or what to pack, check out some of my older posts here, here and here.
your wallet. seems obvious, but how many times have you walked out of the house without your ID, keys, credit card(s), and/or cash? it happens to all of us. you don’t want it to happen to you, especially if you’re leaving the country. always double and triple check whether you have at least your ID—drivers license and/or passport—and a credit card. that way if you get stranded, God forbid, you can head to a branch of your bank, hotel, and/or embassy and resolve the situation as painlessly as possible.
phone & apps. you’ve got your phone, but did you forget your charger? you’ve got you charger, but do you have a backup battery supply? our phones have become such integral parts of our lives, it’s not only frustrating when they’re out of juice, it can be scary, especially when we’re in an unfamiliar city. also, it’s worth checking whether you not only have all of the necessary apps for your trip, but that they’re properly configured too. uber, airb&b, delta, google and/or apple maps, expedia, etc. apps are there to make our lives easier. however, don’t get caught in a situation where you’re trying to grab an uber in L.A. only to discover that you’re credit card information is wrong and you don’t have service.
know where you’re going and what’s available to you when you’re there. are you going to Brazil or some other country that requires a travel visa? does your cell carrier offer international travel plans, or will you have to buy a burner phone when you land? does your airb&b have wifi, or will you have to find a local coffee shop to check email? these are all questions that you should ask your self well before you land in your destination city. do some research about where you’re going and what they have to offer. knowing is in fact half of the battle.
have a plan. from the initial stages of packing to a list of bars and restaurants you want to try when you arrive—plan your trip. some of you are over-planners. some of you fly by the seat of your pants. i’m somewhere in the middle but am always on the lookout for new travel tips, tricks and hacks. do you have any that i forgot? add them in the comments below.
more NYC travel tips and fashionoutfit ideas
i would be remiss if i didn’t give you a breakdown of the outfits i wore in NYC. below, you’ll find i’ve laid them all out—literally on my table—in the hopes that it will provide you with inspiration for your fall travels. remember, one of the keys to traveling is layering. temperatures fluctuate wildly, especially in transition seasons like fall and spring. airplanes are cold, and stepping out of the airport in Atlanta can be extremely hot. one way to be prepared is to design outfits with multiple layers: t-shirts, sweaters, jackets, and the like.
all right, gang, it’s wednesday! time to put a smile on someone’s face including your own.
many of you know, mr. style lost his battle to cancer in july. the outpouring of love and support from you, my readers, was moving. it forever changed me. and in reading through your emails and comments, i was particularly struck by the fact of just how many of you have dealt with or are dealing with cancer. i don’t think there’s a single one of us who does not have direct experience with this heinous disease.
it would be impossible to put into words what we all have gone through in our own individual battles; at least in any meaningful sense. but i do know that even when we feel powerless and like we cannot go on, we must—and do—wake up each and every day and continue our fight.
when Talbots reached out to me to partner against the fight against breast cancer, i immediately agreed. breast cancer is something that affects 12% of women a year. i know statistics can be abstract and impersonal, but i want you to think about that for just a second.
1 out of every 10 women you know will be directly affected by this disease in their lifetime. women like you and i; our mothers; our sisters; our daughters; our aunts; our cousins; women from our jobs; from our book clubs; from every aspect of our lives will face their own personal battle. and that battle will forever change us and everyone we come into contact with.
today, i’m proud to announce that i’m working with Talbots to raise money to support women in their personal battle against breast cancer. Talbots partnered with six internationally renowned female artists to create a limited-edition collection of one-of-a-kind scarves. In the spirit of helping women, Talbots will donate 20% of the net proceeds from each scarf sold from September 23, 2019 to October 31, 2019 in support of the Susan G. Komen Breast Care Helpline.
i’m wearing Caroline Melis’s scarf. designed in Cagliari, Italy this scarf displays lotus petals opening, one by one, to represent strength and determination. and it’s exactly our individual, but more importantly, collective strength and determination that we must trust in to see us through our darkest moments. it’s important to continue to fight against breast cancer.
today—maybe more than any time i can recall in recent memory—i want to hear from you. no doubt our battles with cancer are highly personal. but if you’re willing to share, even in part, i know it will serve not just as inspiration to me, but for others as well. and don’t forget we aren’t in this fight alone. i love the fact that Talbots is helping with the fight against breast cancer.
september has come and gone. can you believe that? i want you all to know that we have big things coming this fall and winter. with junior style and my daughter-in-law Kelly, we’re planning big expansions to both the blog and the YouTube channel. so stay tuned!
but before heading into october, i wanted to give you all a recap of where we’ve been this past month. below, i’ve compiled by top 5 posts of september as chosen by you my readers. as an extra bonus, i’ve also put together a top 10 list of my favorite items from this month.
for the past fifty years, we’ve been told to cut calories and exercise more. right?! wrong. while exercise is key to staying active our diet is the most important factor to aging well.
if you want to lose belly fat over 50 there are a few things to consider. first, balance your macros. many of you might be wondering what macros are. they’re better known as carbohydrates, protein, and fat.
another key ingredient to lose belly fat over 50 is intermittent fasting. FASTer Way to Fat Loss first introduced me to this concept. what is intermittent fasting?
i have been shopping at Banana Republic for all things fall. it’s been a minute since i’ve purchased anything from this iconic retailer that was a favorite of mine all through the nineties and into the twenty-first century. but in recent years Banana has been hit or miss for me. but recently i went on a spree.
this shopping spree proved to be a success with several items landing in my shopping cart. i’m sharing wide-leg jeans that are on-trend for fall. if you are looking to update your wardrobe in a jiff, look no further than an updated pair of blue jeans.
it’s an easy and inexpensive way to look modern and chic because we all know a great pair of denim will take you anywhere in style. personally, i’m loving wide-leg jeans and the high-waist. it’s a refreshing change from the skinny or straight jean.
on my YouTube channel, i introduced a new series where i select five items from a specific brand. this is an easy way to incorporate trends into your existing wardrobe that helps our outfits stay current and fresh. this week i went shopping at Ann Taylor. you can watch the YouTube video or read the entire post here to see what i recommend.
it’s first call for fall with one of my favorite brands – Talbots. and let me be the first to say i wanted “one of everything, please,” from their new catalog.
while checks are on-trend this season and i chose a gorgeous check blazer with a muted color palette. there’s something to be said about a tried and true staple. like a pair of indigo navy pants that will serve me well season after season.
Talbots spoke to thousands of women and discovered that despite a closetful of options, women only wear the same six pairs of pants. again. and again. and i know why!
‘cuz when you find pants that fit you well you will buy them in every color under the sun. nine-in-10 (90%) women said that when buying a pair of pants, they care the most about comfort. and i quite agree! read the entire post here to see why.
it’s full steam ahead into fall which means we’re trading in our flip-flops and sandals for loafers, boots, and booties. today, i’ve put together a list of my top 10 shoes for fall and winter. but if you only owned one pair of shoes, it would have to be black pumps. they go with everything.
don’t forget there are a variety of heel heights to choose from. so pick a height that your tootsies will thank you for.
see my entire top 10 list by reading the post here.
