back to basics with black and white

it’s back to basics with black and white. or is that navy and white? sometimes, it’s hard to distinguish between black and navy. but this week, we’re looking at the power of neutrals and, in particular black, white, and/or navy. it’s safe to say red, white, and all things blue are popular during the patriotic holidays. and i always embrace my preppy side on the 4th as it’s fun to add a little whimsy to my outfit. like the adorable stars shorts, i wore for my backyard bbq. but if you want a timeless. classic and sophisticated look reach for black and white. 

all good things must come to an end. and another holiday weekend is in the books. technically, if you’re still in the workforce, you have monday off. but if you’re retired, i guess you could say any old day is a holiday. but the work week begins anew here at SaaCA. boy, oh boy, is July gonna be fun! first, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is back, and i have high hopes if the store flyer is any indication. the preview begins tomorrow, July 6th, and i will share my first-round picks tomorrow. my daughter-in-law will be joining me on an in-store shopping spree, and i have a special surprise later that week. stay tuned!

back to basics with black and white

the beauty of a black (or navy) and white color combo is that it’s very traditional and classic yet modern and contemporary. and while i love to add color into my wardrobe, whenever i want a classic look, i always head back to the basics with black and white. today’s outfit could have been worn over the 4th of July with the addition of red accessories. but this outfit is grounded in a classic color palette along with wardrobe staples. the side zip white pants (size 8 fits tts) are from Theory. it’s an updated version of their popular Treeca silhouette with a tailored fit made from Good Linen (organic linen, eco-conscious viscose  and elastane for stretch). there are three colors of these pants in my wardrobe – olive green, beige and white – due to their classic style and fit. if you are looking for a lightweight white pant that doesn’t show all of your lumps and bumps, look no further. and while the pants are on the pricey side, they will last for years and years due to the quality and fit. and, they’re on sale! Theory has an extra 25% off the sale price. 

the striped high neck shell (size medium) is from Talbots, with 50% off their entire site today! love the button details on the shoulder. recently, i added the woven orangey-red mules to my shoe collection. style tip: shoes are an easy way to ease yourself into wearing bold colors. Frances Valentine is hands-down a favorite brand of mine. this is the brand Kate Spade started with her best friend Elyce. after her death, Elyce continues to knock it out of the ballpark with iconic preppy pieces from apparel to accessories. recently i scored this adorable red patent leather handbag on sale. but there are a variety of handbags to choose from.

pants | striped shell | mules | handbag | similar sunglasses

shop Frances Valentine

pants | striped shell | mules | handbag | similar sunglasses

Beth Djalali

is the Founder and CEO of Style at a Certain Age. She writes Sundays-Fridays on all topics ranging from fashion, health, wellness, home design and more.

She’s 63, 5’8, and size 8.

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