my 6 favorite american classic must have’s

-bd
  1. Bev says:

    I love everything about this weeks blog. But it’s how you put them altogether that makes it great!

    • Michelle Marie Schmitt says:

      Where did you find the raspberry colored sunglasses? Thanks.

  2. Julie Mycock says:

    Hi Beth, you are so right, the American classic look is just that ‘ Classic’. I have jeans in several colours, I love T.shirts, I have a around three biker jackets in different colours too. I have some boots I bought from a store called ‘Way out West’ here in Florida and they are so comfortable. I do wear my jeans a lot back in England but I’m enjoying wearing my denim skirts that I bought with me with my T.shirts. Probably be back in jeans in England after this week. Happy Easter Sunday x

  3. Ann says:

    I live in the SW and would like to see a picture how you style your concho belt!
    Enjoy your blogs.

  4. Pamela says:

    I love the classics. Good post. But I don’t see a photo of you in a conchos belt. I had one and loved it in the 80s and would love to see them again. Are they back?

  5. Julie Mycock says:

    Hi Beth, I agree the American classic look is exactly that ‘Classic ‘ I have several pairs of jeans in different colours, I love a T.Shirt too. I have a couple of Biker jackets which I love to wear. I have a few pairs of boots which I’ve purchased over time at a store called ‘Way out West ‘ here in Florida and they are so comfortable. This is our last week in Florida so I will probably be back wearing jeans again but I’m enjoying wearing my denim skirts here at the moment.. Happy Easter Sunday x

  6. Julie Mycock says:

    Sorry I posted a second comment but my tablet threw wobbly so I didn’t think it had gone through. Apologies x

  7. Gillyflower says:

    I love your history lesson on style! I am a medical-surgical nurse, however, I have loved the fashion world since my first job in a bridal shop that sold ready-to-wear at the age of 18. My boss could leave the store at night and sew a lined, classic boucle’ suit and be wearing it with a pair of heels the next morning at the shop. She went to FIT in the days of Calvin Klein. I love your posts.

  8. Karen says:

    Summer of 1970 I was 14 years old, white jeans navy short sleeve tee. Mother would not allow me a black one, too old! I was so cool! Badgered my parents for the camel hair coat that autumn which I worn through college!

  9. Lisa says:

    Loved that movie too, Beth! Love classic clothing with a few modern trends thrown in the mix. Happy Easter and many blessings to you and yours. Thanks for continuing to inspire. Was just explaining to a friend about the history of Jack Rogers sandals (the history teacher in me 😍).

  10. Brenda in Virginia says:

    You had me right up to the end with the concho belt. I admit I have all of these items, including the belt, but, as far as I know, I’m the only one in my local peer group who has one. I, too, loved the clothes worn in Love Story. My darling husband says dressing like Jackie Kennedy Onassis or Audrey Hepburn is true classicism. He’s right as always! Those clothes never go out of style.

  11. Cheryl says:

    What a wonderful post! This one made my heart sing. Great classics. Great memories.

  12. Alex says:

    You look beautiful <3

  13. Jane Dripin says:

    Hi, I am not American but I love how you’ve put them together!! You make the “torn” jean and humble t-shirt look so good to wear. I am so not a t-shirt woman but what you’ve put together here makes me want to go out and buy all the t-shirts out there that are classy and elegant and put them together like these.

  14. Susan says:

    I love Sandra Bullock’s clothes in The Proposal. I’m on the hunt for the mustard sweater and scarf combo. I just found your site.

  15. Jane says:

    You look wonderful, as always. This is why I have been a long time reader, but just started commenting. I have always loved the classics, with a bit of a trend thrown in for fun, whether it’s a shoe or a color. I always “did me” even when I was younger and and my peers followed trends. I’m 50 now and I’m still “doing me” and I’m puzzled by friends need for head to toe trends. No judgement, it’s just puzzling.

  16. Chris says:

    Beth, love everything but the black fringed cardigan in the Freye boot photo really caught my eye. Would you let us in on the brand and how it’s sized. Thanks.

  17. Marilyn Bornstein says:

    Saw Love Story. ✔️
    Had white jeans.✔️
    Had tie camel coat.✔️
    Had aviator 😎✔️

    I remember going with my boyfriend down the shore. (NJ).
    We went into a fun house. One of the things was a rolling tunnel you had to try to walk through. I tried fell and rolled Couldn’t get up. It finally stopped. My white jeans were soiled!! I was heartbroken! Wanted to go home! (We didn’t!). Got over it but you can be sure I pestered Mom to do her cleaning magic to restore my jeans to pristine condition!! 😅

  18. Paula says:

    Beth, this was a very interesting post. We take a lot of these things for granted and wear them often but never really thought about their origins. I especially lived what you said about Ali MacGraw in Love Story. I was a freshman at the University of Illinois when I saw that movie and also tried to copy her classic look. This is a look I still turn to today. Thanks!!

  19. Lindsey A says:

    Beth, just in case you’re not aware of it, there is a show on Netflix called ‘Abstract: the art of design”, and in season 2 there is an episode about Ruth Carter, who is the costume designer for a lot of Spike Lee films. It is a fascinating hour-ish, where she talks about her process and inspirations for the movies she has worked on, how she collaborates with the director etc. Given todays blog, I think you might really enjoy it. Other episodes are great too (sneaker design, architecture, typeface design etc) but that one in particular seems right up your alley.

  20. Cyndi says:

    Like you, I loved every outfit Ali wore and tried to replicate it when I wasn’t into my hippie attire. It was my first year of college and t-shirts and Levi’s were a basic uniform. I got my Levi’s & pea coat at Army Navy. Tall suede boots and soft suede fringed moccasins were also favorites. Thanks for the trip down memory lane this morning. Stay safe and well, Beth.

  21. Jan says:

    I really enjoyed today’s history lesson and I love your classic style. Thank you for the little break each day.
    Jan

  22. Nancy Nekervis says:

    I loved what you said. That movie had an impact of style on me too. Also, anything with Candice Bergin back in the day! I’ve always loved Preppy. It is still my style today.

  23. JOANN STOVER says:

    Inspired to pull some knit and boucle jackets from the back of my closet and take a closer look with jeans!
    Recently discovered your site – lovely! Thank You…
    JoAnn

  24. Eve says:

    Thanks for the memories. I was a fan of Audrey hepburns clothes and Grace Kelly just had a way with a headscarf. I loved Kim Novaks clothes too. I learned how to sew so I could have a perfect white, sleeveless blouse. We wore pedal pushers more than jeans because we lived in the hot South but we did wear jeans. Penny loafers were the first shoes I fell in love with and crushed on cashmere sweaters in the winter.

  25. MaryLynne says:

    My love of fashion goes back to the fifties. Each season my mother, who once worked with a professional seamstress, and I would ride the bus to Hudson’s in Detroit. They had a whole floor of fabric, patterns, etc. We would pick out everything needed for our wardrobe and it would arrive at our house the next day in the Hudson’s truck. My mother would then make the clothes for us. Even my doll had matching outfits. My idols were Elizabeth Taylor, who people said I looked like and Audrey Hepburn. I miss being able to design my own clothes.

  26. Suzanne M Smith says:

    Lots of good classic looks. I’m with you on Ali McGraw’s look–she still looks unique and gorgeous today. I smiled, because I first saw Love Story in France when I was 16 years old. So it’s always been a special one for me. It was also the beginning of mixing things up–I remember wearing a pair of suede “hot pants” along with a midi-length coat. I thought I was so stylish! Hahaaaaaa. Now, we can pretty much wear anything anywhere so we helped break some rules back then. Excellent styles with chic modern touches.

  27. Allison Amra says:

    Hi Beth
    I love your style choices which are edgy yet stylish for the older woman. I too love classics and agree that these style items never date. Thanks for your inspirational blog. Regards Allison

  28. Vivienne Payne says:

    Hi Beth
    I really enjoyed reading about American classics. I’m from Australia and our classics are not dissimilar . Except our boots would be by RM Williams a famous Australian designer of boots and outerwear. Could you please consider doing handbags and what is essential to have as far as bags go!

  29. Alecia Scally says:

    I’m new to this blog and am thrilled to have found it. Although “Love Story” is a true style classic, I like “Goodbye Columbus” better. I’m of an age, where Villager, Weejuns, and London Fog were must haves. I still wear Weejuns. One of my favorite designers is Bonnie Cashin. I was watching an old movie (Laura) and watched it several times just to see the clothes.

    Thank you for the blog.

make a comment