classic black and white wardrobe staples
spring weather has taken us on a wild ride the past week! who wants snow in the middle of April? even in Georgia, our nighttime temps flirted with a brisk 35 degrees Fahrenheit. those are the days’ slippers, hot tea, and cashmere come into play. but what to wear when we step outside our door? take heart. that’s when a wardrobe built on classic wardrobe staples comes to our aid. what’s easier to throw together than classic black and white wardrobe staples? everyone has at least one black sweater or white denim on hand. and the outfit has chic written all over it based on the color combination alone.
casa djalali has received a little TLC the past few months. and let me tell you the results are a-ma-zing! the sod was finally laid last Friday, and what a difference it makes in the yard! this weekend, i put in a little elbow grease behind a few projects both inside and outside the house. let me assure you i am pooped! the downstairs guest room that one of my kiddos recently vacated after his year-long sojourn with yours truly looks fantastic! Ralph Lauren came to my rescue once again with a perfectly preppy plaid quilt and shams that remind me of my teenage bedroom. the walls are painted Hale navy, so shades of green, pink, and blue were the perfect additions. and i couldn’t resist donating my hot pink chair from the master bedroom to enhance the navy and pink color scheme. the room is so inviting i just might camp out there from time to time.
classic black and white wardrobe staples
whenever i’m in doubt as to what to wear, i typically reach for classic wardrobe staples. these are the items in your closet that are the workhorses. no, they’re not sexy, there are no ruffles or bows, no sequins, and they never scream attention. instead, wardrobe staples are steady and true, simplistic, and will have you walking out the door looking pulled together in under five minutes. if you haven’t read my wardrobe basics series, start with this post that goes further in-depth.
this time of year, we love to slip into pastels, bright colors, cotton, and linen as our wardrobes slowly lighten up. but every now and then, mother nature decides to send an arctic blast our way. brrrrr! when the going gets tough, the tough reach for classic black and white wardrobe staples. white denim from Talbots – check. black crewneck sweater from Banana Republic – check. black moto jacket (similar here, here, and here) from Banana Republic – check. seriously, a black and white color combo will always come to your rescue no matter what time of year. it’s timeless. and the ootd would have been perfectly fine without any accessories. but y’all know how i sing the praises of accessories and how it will add pizazz to your outfit. so i pulled out a snakeprint belt (similar here) and decided to add snakeprint slingbacks (similar here) into the mix. add a gold bangle and gold choker (similar here) and this ootd is in the books.
if you haven’t yet jumped on the high waist pant trend i hope you will give it a chance. today’s white denim are high waist straight jeans (size 8) that will give you a lean and flattering silhouette. and, if you hadn’t heard straight jeans, wide-leg jeans, or cropped flared jeans are all on-trend. give ’em a whirl. i think you’ll like them.
denim | sweater | moto jacket (similar here, here, and here) | similar belt | similar shoes | gold bangle | similar choker | lip shade brick
shop spring sweaters
denim | sweater | moto jacket (similar here, here, and here) | similar belt | similar shoes | gold bangle | similar choker | lip shade brick
The contrast of the black sweater really makes your hair pop.
it is a nice contrast of colors. thanks for noticing.
Love this look, and your new haircut is so smart looking. (Loved the last haircut, too.)
i have the best hair stylist! no matter what haircut i have she keeps me at the top of my game.
excellent post. you look 20 years younger with your new hair style just love it thanks for all you do
thanks for stopping by! i think what you’re noticing is that my face and I are on the other side of grief. sadness is reflected on your face and i’m in a good space again after losing mr. style. and i recently went through a series of IPL treatments that removed age spots from my face. i’m so pleased with the outcome.
Your new haircut is simply stunning. So youthful yet classy! Have I missed your story about it?
about two weeks ago my hair stylist decided to give me a summer pixie! love it!
I love black and white together. Unfortunately I don’ t wear white jeans as much as I should. I always wait until it is warmer out and more spring like. Maybe this year I will wear them more.
i love to wear white denim year long! it’s a nice way to keep things bright on a dreary winter day.
Hi Beth,
I just want to complement you on how beautiful you look today. You simply radiate. Also your new hair cut and the shape is so perfect. Your hair stylist really has talent.
Your garden sounds like it is coming along nicely. The basement guest bedroom really sounds lovely. It really helps when you have a feel for design and just how to bring everything together to make the look special,
Give yourself a “BIG PAT ON THE BACK” on being in such a good place. Your road has not been easy. I admire who you are.
By the way your skin really looks so healthy.
Sending you joy and smiles .
thanks so much for your sweet words, katherine! i so appreciate you sending joy and smiles my way.
You look like a supermodel! This outfit really showcases your stunning cut and radiant skin. I’m going to treat myself to IPL treatments. At 67, my fair skin is reflecting the idiocy of my youth. It’s great to have options. P.S. I have multiple pieces to copy this outfit and appreciate the inspiration.
you should definitely look into IPL. all that sun damage we inflicted on ourselves baking for hours by the pool…
but i have noticed a definite improvement with my skin since the treatments.
Beth – couldn’t resist mentioning that the WM Scoop faux leather moto jacket that you featured in an earlier post in Blue is available in Black and Ivory in all sizes, if you wish to add a link for your readers. I LOVE this jacket and purchased it in 5 colors after seeing it on you. At $40, I had to have every color, including Black and Ivory.
thanks so much for the suggestion, kathleen! that jacket is gorgeous! and you can’t beat the price.
You look great! And you always have such a great haircut. I’ve taken pics of you into my hairdresser as an example of a great haircut in the past. 🙂
i am blessed to have a talented hair stylist that always keeps me at the top of my hair game!
Your style is fabulous and I try to incorporate it into mine. However there is one thing that would be nice to see. Not all of us can shop Nordstrom’s or Banana Republic. Not all of us are size 8. Us bigger girls love style, too! Not many stores carry clothing for the plus size ladies.
that’s why i’ve always been a big fan of Talbots who carries Petites, regular and plus sizes. it’s so important for
brands to carry the complete range as we are a variety pack, not a cookie-cutter. Ralph Lauren also does a fantastic
job of including a wide size range.
Oh how I love a black & white outfit – always so chic. A black sweater with white jeans always reminds me of Jackie O and Audrey Hepburn- two fabulous style icons.
I’m new to your blog – found you on Pinterest. No idea what took me so long 🙂
welcome! i’m so happy you’re here.
Beth, I really love this look. Not only in you but it’s a great look to try. I like the black and white. I do sometimes wear a black t shirt with white pants in warmer weather.
So glad your moving along in your grief journey. It has to be extremely hard snd I’m sure there are good days and bad.
But you are looking really good!
grief is definitely a journey and a path i will always be on no matter where i am in the process. thanks so much for your sweet words.
On you everything looks good!
Thanks for all the tips. I’m loving your new hair style. Definitely makes you look younger. I may try the lazer treatments to see if they can help my sun damaged skin. I can hope! You look very refreshed.
i highly recommend laser treatments! they work wonders, especially on sun damage.
Love it, like the shoes very much!!
Your combos are great!!
Have a nice day.
always love to add animal or reptilian print whenever i can!
Stunning as always!
Beth, I echo what others are saying about this fresh new hairstyle. Would you consider a post showing the details and care? Thanks!
thanks for the suggestion, Ginny! i will do my best to share a post devoted to my summer pixie.
i will do my best to put together a post!
A look really doesn’t get much better than this. I love the accessories and the pop of red on the nails. There’s just something about black and white!
i always say black and white are always all right!
i always say black and white is always all right!
Wow – just wow. Those wispy bangs just frame your face perfectly. Kudos to your stylist🌷
I love the way your IPL turned out, Beth. I agree with you, in that I don’t try to look 20, but I want my best. Your positive attitude and your humour will always be your best assets, regardless.
Can hardly wait for those new finished yard pics. 🥂
i truly have the best hair stylist who’s never afraid to change things!
Great looking OOTD and I LOVE your haircut!
i am loving my summer pixie too!
Hi Beth! You pull this off beautifully. I have very fair skin, blue eyes and my hair is mostly white/light gray. When I wear black close to my face now, it feels like it is overpowering. How do you pull it off?
makeup is a factor. try a bold lip or bold eye.
Love your look top to bottom! Can you please tell me about your sunglasses?
the sunglasses are from Garret Leight about a year old.
Hi Beth,
I spent the morning putting my clothes together for a short trip. I had a good chuckle when I opened your post and saw the black and white theme. My suitcase is full of black and white. Even packed a pair of Talbots high waisted denim in white. Love them! Thank you for all the inspiration.
I love, love, love your new pixie. It really shows off your great bone structure in your face.
Your skin glows! Love the look! Beautiful inside and out!
I would love to see your guest room! I recently painted our front door and garage doors Hale Navy and it is simply the most gorgeous color. I was trying to decide what flowers I should put in the pots by the front door. Now I’m thinking pink!
Thank you Beth! I am 52 and realized I’m still dressing like a teenager…I’m so embarrassed. Your blog changed everything for me and I can’t thank you enough. Just in the nick of time…I was about to make a dumb purchase. Instead, I am going to buy quality loafers right now along with a Liberty of London scarf. Maybe that’s a good start in a new direction.
Thanks again, you are a picture of class and style.
Oh Beth, I forgot to mention in my previous post that I love Oscar! There’s nothing like having a dog through good times and bad. My little dog Blanca says woof woof (which either means hello, take me for a walk, or when is dinner). Or it could mean hi Oscar you’re handsome!
I absolutely love your classical looks. Thanks for providing the inspiration and look for this 64 year young. 🙏
Black and white is my favorites color combination. This combination is something that’s pretty year round for me. Come spring even more so. I’m a very minimal classic dresser, so when spring trends hit I’m left out in the cold. The florals, fluff and pastels look lovely on others but not on me. So, in comes black and white to save the day.