Atlanta Weekend Style Begins with a Little Color
Atlanta weekend style should feel polished, joyful, and easy to wear. Whether you’re heading to a Saturday shopping date, lunch with girlfriends, or Sunday brunch with family, the best outfits are the ones that make you feel pulled together without trying too hard.
And last Friday, I had the loveliest reminder that style is so much more than what we wear. It is connection. It is conversation. It is stepping into a room with confidence and curiosity. And occasionally, it is meeting the founder of one of your favorite brands while wearing head-to-toe Frances Valentine. No pressure, right?
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Elyce Arons, founder of Frances Valentine, here in Atlanta. What a treat. Down to earth, smart, and gracious are the three words that immediately come to mind. She was warm, approachable, and every bit as stylish as you would expect. I purchased her book, We Might Just Make It After All, and she kindly signed it for me. A good book, a good dress, and a good conversation? That’s my kind of afternoon.
Table of contents
- Atlanta Weekend Style Begins with a Little Color
- Meeting Elyce Arons of Frances Valentine
- The Perfect Saturday Shopping and Lunch Outfit
- Skirts Are Having a Moment
- Atlanta, Apartment Decorating, and a Fresh Start
- What to Wear for Brunch, Shopping, and Grandmother Days
- Daily Looks Is Back
- Shop the Post
- Closing Thoughts
Key Takeaways
- Atlanta weekend style is all about color, personality, and ease.
- A cheerful dress, a polished sandal, and a statement accessory can take you from boutique browsing to brunch without missing a beat.
- Frances Valentine pieces work beautifully for women over 50 because they combine playful prints, flattering silhouettes, and grown-up polish.
- I officially found an apartment in Atlanta with a move-in date of June 27. You better believe I will be taking you along on my decorating journey. Hide the credit card? Too late.
Meeting Elyce Arons of Frances Valentine
There are some brands that simply understand women who love color, personality, and a little wink of fun. Frances Valentine is one of them.
Elyce wore the Michelle Gingham Midi Dress in green and oyster, paired with the gold Vivi Pumps. The dress is classic but not boring, feminine but not fussy, and that green gingham is fresh as a summer garden party.
I wore head-to-toe Frances Valentine, including the Twiggy Fringe Dress in pineapple cotton bouclé and the pink Flat Heart Sandals. The dress has that marvelous mix of structure and whimsy. It feels polished, but the pineapple pocket keeps it from taking itself too seriously. Which, frankly, is how I prefer my clothes and most people. The pink necklace is old from Frances Valentine. But the wicker Hannah Lunchbox is available and adorable! Of course, I couldn’t leave the store without a shopping bag and decided on this Slim Pleated Maxi Dress in Canopy Green Multi, perfect for vacation or al fresco dining.
Beth Style Tip
When wearing a bold dress, keep the rest of the outfit intentional. A colorful sandal works beautifully when it repeats or complements a color already in the outfit. The pink heart slides worked because the dress already had that playful pink pineapple detail. Matchy-matchy? No. Coordinated? Absolutely.
The Perfect Saturday Shopping and Lunch Outfit
Now that I will be in Atlanta on weekends, I plan on doing a bit more shopping. Shocking, I know. One of my best friends, who also loves to shop, lives part-time in Atlanta, too, so I have a feeling a few lunch-and-boutique afternoons are in my future.
That is, of course, when I am not spending time with Andrew, Chelsea, and June. Being BeBe is my favorite new role, and I intend to dress accordingly.
This Frances Valentine or J.Crew look is exactly the kind of outfit I love for a Saturday shopping day or Sunday brunch. It is easy, colorful, comfortable enough for walking, and polished enough for a proper lunch. The older I get, the less patience I have for outfits that only work while standing still. Life moves. Clothes should too.
Skirts Are Having a Moment
Skirts are having a moment, and I am here for it. I couldn’t resist this charming pleated map-print skirt and matching button-down shirt from J.Crew.
The skirt and matching shirt are playful, polished, and just quirky enough to feel special. Together, they create a chic matching set. Worn separately, they give you plenty of mileage, which is always the secret to a smart wardrobe.
The matching shirt could be worn with white denim, cropped trousers, or even shorts. The skirt would look beautiful with a crisp white tee, a slim knit, or a chambray shirt tied at the waist. That is the kind of versatility I love.
You may also remember the J.Crew map-print shorts I recently wore on Fridays with Oscar. Now I can mix and match to my heart’s content. That post also featured pineapple rum punch and coconut lime shrimp, which is honestly a hard combination to beat.
Beth Style Tip
A pleated skirt is easiest to wear when you balance the volume. If the skirt has movement and fullness, pair it with a more tailored top, a tucked-in blouse, or a cropped shirt. The goal is shape, not a fabric avalanche.
Atlanta, Apartment Decorating, and a Fresh Start
Big news: I found an apartment in Atlanta, and my move-in date is June 27.
This feels like the beginning of a new chapter. I will still be rooted in my life and work in Athens, but Atlanta weekends will give me more time with family and a fresh space to decorate. And you know I will take you along for the entire journey.
We will talk furniture, color palettes, art, accessories, storage, kitchen essentials, and how to make an apartment feel polished but personal. A home should tell your story. Mine just happens to include a Maine Coon, a growing family, and a weakness for pretty lamps. We all have our crosses to bear.
What to Wear for Brunch, Shopping, and Grandmother Days
Since becoming BeBe, I have thought even more about clothes that work for real life. I want outfits that feel stylish, but I also want to move, hug, sit, shop, stroll, and enjoy the day.
For more outfit inspiration, I recently shared grandmother outfit ideas that are polished, practical, and modern. And since warm weather is officially knocking on the door, don’t miss my guide to summer sandals for women over 50. A good sandal can make or break the outfit. And sometimes the ankle. Choose wisely.
Daily Looks Is Back
One more happy note: Daily Looks is back. Kelly is always consistent with her weekly casual look, but yours truly? I’ve been behind this year. No excuses, but between getting the Hidden in the Frame manuscript polished, hunting for an apartment, and running SaaCA? Well, sometimes something’s gotta give.
This is where you can find the outfits I wear day in and day out, plus easy shopping inspiration, all in one place. Think of it as a quick daily style stop when you want ideas without falling into the online shopping rabbit hole for three hours. Not that I know anything about that.
For even more shopping ideas, you can also browse my ShopMy and Amazon Storefront.
And don’t forget our Poshmark closet. I am a size 8, and Kelly is a petite size 0, so there is a little something for different sizes and styles.
Common Questions About Atlanta Weekend Style
What should I wear for a Saturday shopping and lunch outfit?
Choose a dress, matching set, or skirt outfit that feels polished but comfortable. Atlanta weekend style works best when you combine breathable fabrics, cheerful colors, and shoes you can actually walk in.
Are pleated skirts in style for women over 50?
Yes, pleated skirts are very much in style for women over 50. The key is choosing a length and print that feels modern, then balancing the skirt with a more structured or streamlined top.
How do I wear colorful sandals without looking overdone?
Colorful sandals look chic when they connect to another color in your outfit. Pick up a shade from your dress, bag, scarf, or print so the look feels intentional rather than chaotic.
What makes Frances Valentine a good brand for women over 50?
Frances Valentine offers playful prints, color, and feminine silhouettes with enough polish to feel grown-up. The pieces are fun without being silly, which is exactly the sweet spot.
Where can I find more outfit ideas?
Visit Daily Looks for fresh outfit inspiration, or subscribe to the email newsletter for style ideas delivered straight to your inbox.
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More Atlanta adventures, apartment decorating, and weekend style are coming soon. June 27 will be here before we know it.
And yes, I am already mentally arranging furniture.
Shop the Post
Elyce’s Look
Beth’s Look
More Favorites
J.Crew Pleated Map Print Skirt
J.Crew Matching Button-Down Shirt
More Shopping Ideas
Closing Thoughts
Life Beyond Style has always been about more than the clothes. Yes, I love a beautiful dress, a great pair of sandals, and a Saturday afternoon spent shopping with a girlfriend. Guilty as charged — and happily so. But what I love even more is how style becomes part of the story we are living.
Meeting Elyce Arons reminded me that creativity, reinvention, and graciousness never go out of style. Finding an apartment in Atlanta feels like another little nudge from life saying, “There’s more ahead, Beth. Keep going.” And that is exactly what I plan to do.
This new Atlanta chapter will bring family time, decorating decisions, weekend adventures, and, I suspect, more than a few shopping bags. I’m excited to bring you along for all of it — the pretty, the practical, and the occasional “what was I thinking?” moment. Because at this age, we know life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. It just has to keep unfolding.
And I, for one, can’t wait to see what comes next.
What is your favorite weekend outfit formula: a dress, a skirt, or a matching set? Let me know in the comments — I always love hearing what you’re wearing.
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