Grit & Glammers, I’m writing this one still a little dreamy from the weekend — I had my granddaughter June with me, and my BeBe uniform did not disappoint. It’s usually Frank & Eileen in some form — I rotate through the long and short sleeve shirts, a couple of sleeveless versions, and their shorts more than almost anything else in my closet. (I’ve got a couple of new denim outfits to share next week, so stay tuned.)
But by Sunday afternoon, I was ready for a different kind of “me” — a red-trouser outfit over 50 that swapped the denim for something a little more done-up: a striped mock-neck top, a straw basket bag, and trousers in the kind of red that does all the talking.
| Key Takeaways: A striped mock-neck top plus a true-red wide-leg trouser is an easy, no-overthinking-it formula for late summer. Red trousers pair best with navy, white, and black — and surprisingly well with olive and camel. This week’s best sale picks include a gingham dress, a linen collarless jacket, and wide-leg cropped jeans. |
The Weekend with June
Chelsea’s mom, Kitty, and I spent the weekend with June on BeBe and KiKi duty, and it was the good kind of tired.
We didn’t do anything extraordinary — an indoor playground, the Barnes & Noble children’s section, a Mexican restaurant where June’s placemat ended up looking like a Jackson Pollock (queso dip is not a neutral color), Target, and a long stretch in her playroom. By Sunday night, all three of us were absolutely tuckered out.
If you’ve ever spent two days keeping up with a small, determined person who has very specific opinions about everything, you know the tired I mean. It’s the kind that comes with a full heart.
That’s sort of the point, actually. There’s a version of grandmothering I didn’t expect going into this — less grand gesture, more ordinary hour. The kind of hour you don’t think you’ll remember, and then you do, for years. Being “BeBe” has quietly become one of my favorite parts of this whole second act.
Trading the Uniform for Something More Like Me
By the time Sunday afternoon rolled around, I was ready for something that felt less like “grandmother on duty” and more like myself. Not that there’s anything wrong with the weekend uniform — but there’s a particular satisfaction in putting on real trousers again, the kind with a crease and an opinion like June.
What I Wore
The trousers are the whole point of this outfit — in a red that’s confident without being loud, the kind of color that does the work so your accessories don’t have to. I sized up to a tall for the longer length (a small detail, but it makes all the difference in how they sit over the shoe). I paired them with a striped mock-neck top — half grounding, half Parisian, and enough to keep the red the loudest thing in the room.
For shoes, a low block heel with red detailing ties back into the trousers, and the bag is an embroidered straw basket that leans a little festive without tipping into costume-y. The sunglasses (similar here) are on, not in hand — I was more interested in the light than in disappearing from it.
This is a formula I keep coming back to over 50: one statement piece (the red), one grounding piece (the stripes), and accessories that lean warm-weather without trying too hard. It’s dressed up enough for lunch out, relaxed enough that I could’ve kept chasing June in it if the weekend had run one more day.
Styling Notes
Size the mock neck true to size, but consider a size up if you want more ease through the shoulders. The red trouser is a true red — not orange-leaning, not brick — so it plays well with ivory and black. If boat shoes feel like a leap, the ballerina flat is the easier entry point into the same silhouette family; either works with this exact outfit.
What’s On Sale This Week
August is an odd little pocket of the retail calendar — summer inventory is thinning out, and fall is technically on the racks, but let’s be honest, none of us are emotionally ready to shop coats when it’s still 95 degrees. So instead, we shop the gap.
This is a running list of what’s still discounted and worth adding to your cart before it disappears for good — because once summer stock is gone this time of year, it’s gone, not restocked. I’ve worn variations of nearly all of these pieces myself, so you’ll recognize a few from recent posts. Consider this the last call before the markdowns turn into “sorry, sold out.”
Dresses
Sweater & Shorts
Popover & Jeans
Save 22% with code BETHD through August 13th
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear with red trousers over 50?
Navy, white, and black are the safest pairings for a red trousers outfit over 50; olive and camel are the more unexpected combinations worth trying. A striped top, like the mock neck above, keeps the pairing from feeling too matchy.
Is a sleeveless mock neck top warm enough for late summer?
Yes — it wears cooler than it looks. The mock neck adds polish without adding heat, which is exactly why it’s been in heavy rotation this season.
What’s a good alternative if the boat shoes sell out in my size?
The ballerina flat linked above is the easiest substitute — same low-profile, easy-with-everything quality, just a touch dressier. The Amazon alternative above is a solid backup too.
How do I style wide-leg cropped jeans over 50?
Treat them the way I treat the red trousers here: let one structured piece anchor the outfit and keep the top simple. A popover or fitted knit balances the volume through the leg.
Closing Thoughts
I don’t have a big lesson to wrap this up with — just a red pair of trousers, a striped top with a little French-girl attitude, and a granddaughter who wore me out in the best way. Somewhere between the indoor playground and Sunday afternoon, I remembered that getting dressed for yourself again, even for something small, is its own kind of coming home.
Shop the Post
Everything from today’s look and this week’s sale picks is linked below — no hunting required.
- Striped Mock Neck Top
- Linen Blend Straight Ankle Pants
- McCoy Boat Shoes (limited sizes)
- Ballerina Flat
- Botanica Embroidered Basket
- Similar Chunky Gold Hoops
- Similar Sunglasses
- Gingham Dress
- White Linen Shorts
- Open Stitch V-Neck
- Striped Popover
- Wide Leg Cropped Jeans
- Striped Popover
- Linen Collarless Embroidered Jacket
What’s your go-to outfit with red trousers over 50? Tell me in the comments.
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Style has no expiration date — and neither do you.
Do you introduce yourself to people with the weird grandma names?
Ha! I love this question. I actually chose “BeBe” specifically because I did NOT want a “grandma name” — no Nana, no Mimi, no Grandma Beth. BeBe felt like me, just… a slightly smaller, more devoted version of me.
I say it’s proof that you get to define what this stage of life looks like — right down to what your grandchildren call you. Style has no expiration date, and apparently neither does reinventing your own titles. 😊
I have been taking care of our new granddaughter (which I did for our second grandson as well) full time since March. I am exhausted when I get home, but I wouldn’t trade that time with her for anything. In two weeks she goes to daycare, and I will miss our days together.
Then it will be my time, time to get back to seriously working out and taking care of me.
Love your posts and ideas!
Oh, this got me right in the heart. Full-time grandbaby duty since March — that is real work, the kind that leaves you happily wrecked at the end of the day. And you did it twice! There’s nothing quite like that time, and it makes total sense you’re already feeling the ache of missing it before it’s even gone.
I love that you’re already looking ahead to reclaiming time for you, though. That’s not selfish — that’s the next beautiful chapter. Ease into it, be a little gentle with yourself those first few weeks (the quiet might feel strange after all that noise and joy), and then go get after those workouts. You’ve earned every minute of “your time.”
Thank you for being here and for sharing this with me — it means so much. 💛
I have 2 pairs of red pants, one being linen. I love them but don’t think to reach them as much as white in the Summer. I need to wear them more often. Thanks the reminder that they are in my closet.
Red pants are such a fun problem to have! I think white just feels like the “obvious” summer neutral, so red ends up waiting patiently in the closet even though it’s every bit as versatile. Try pairing them with a simple white tee or striped top — instant, easy, no overthinking required. Or reach for them the next time you’d default to white and just see how it feels.
So glad this was the nudge you needed — now go give those linen ones some sunshine! 🍒
I love your haircut ! Looks great
Thank you so much — that made my day! 💇♀️ I’ve been loving this length and cut lately, it just feels easy and like me. Appreciate you noticing! 😊
My oldest granddaughter named me “Mondu” when she began to talk, and Mondu is a title I proudly wear! She is 27 now and has no idea where she got that name. Enjoy the littles while you can because that time is so fleeting! However, I discovered this summer that my young adult grands are so much fun and that they enjoyed taking me around their college town world. It is a whole new and wonderful aspect of grandmother love!
You know I’m biased and love all of your posts. I missed posting my love for your new haircut the first time I saw it. Lately, before studying the clothing, it’s that fabulous cut I gaze at first! It’s fresh and vibrant and gives you that “I Love Life!” look! Will be showing my stylist your picture on my next visit in my attempt to mimic it 💞