it’s hard to believe the fourth of July is headed our way. and fast. this year might look a bit different than years gone by. fireworks have been canceled. large outdoor gatherings too. but thankfully here in Georgia we can still have a family barbecue in the backyard. so i’ve scoured the archives for a little fourth of July inspiration whether it’s a delicious dessert or cute tablescape. so sit back and relax ‘cuz we have you covered for the 4th!  join me and see my favorite outfits from the fourth of July.

stars and stripes

my favorite outfits from the fourth of July

patriotic tablescape

read the full post stars and stripes

fourth of july

easy to make fourth of july dessert

read the full post easy to make fourth of July dessert

blue stripes

how to decorate for the fourth

fourth of july

read the full post blue stripes

patriotic summer table

patriotic summer table

read the full post red, white, and blue

read the full post patriotic palette 

and don’t forget Talbots is holding their annual Red Hangar Sale. lot’s of cute items to be had for a song.

i still think fashion matters, and i still think looking our best is important.  so far this summer, i’ve been looking for an excuse to wear a blazer.  so much so, i wrote a post on how to wear a blazer this summer.  amazingly enough, Athens’ weather has been temperate this summer:  we’ve only broken the 90s a few times.  so, i’ve been able to get away with reaching for a blazer, and i’ll take it.  with that in mind, i want to build on Sunday’s post on denim and show you how i elevate a simple denim skirt for a classic, chic look.  we’re going to pair a denim pencil skirt with a classic linen blazer. 

how to elevate a denim skirt

today, i’m pairing a denim pencil skirt from Nordstrom with a classic linen blazer from Talbots.  last week, i showed you how to put together a fresh preppy look with a pinstripe blazer with skinny jeans.  a very similar idea today:  the clean lines from the pencil skirt are accentuated by those of the blazer.  i’ve chosen a white one, but you could imagine giving the outfit a bit of a color pop by choosing a pink or blue one

i’m loving espadrilles this year.  i’ve put together a wide selection here, here, here, and here. they’re such a flexible sandal and can be paired with pants, shorts, or a skirt to give you an instantly chic look.  

blazer | pencil skirt | cami | similar tank | espadrille | espadrille 2 | espadrille 3 | espadrille 4 | crossbody bag | hobo bag

a classic linen blazer

i’ve been all about blazers this summer.  if it’s too hot where you are to pull one into your outfit, i understand.  but they’re a perfect layering piece for milder climates or for the days you’re bouncing inside and out.  i’m loving Talbots’ classic linen blazer this year:  you don’t have to twist my arm to wear linen.  but don’t forget to check out this classic pinstripe blazer if you’re looking for something with more visual interest.  

blazer | pencil skirt | cami | similar tank | espadrille | espadrille 2 | espadrille 3 | espadrille 4 | crossbody bag | hobo bag

a denim pencil skirt

as i said Sunday, a denim skirt is a staple any woman should have in their closet.  just like jeans, they’re so flexible and can be paired with anything to get literally any look.  today, i’ve chosen to elevate a denim skirt into a more classic look, but if you want to go totally casual, just like jeans, you can do so easily.  

blazer | pencil skirt | cami | similar tank | espadrille | espadrille 2 | espadrille 3 | espadrille 4 | crossbody bag | hobo bag

yesterday, we featured a classic pinstripe blazer and skinny jeans for summer.  when you live in warm climate like i do, sometimes jeans, no matter how airy they are, just won’t do. you’ve just gotta reach for something cooler.  for those of you that follow the blog, you know that i love wearing shorts and skirts during the spring and summer months.  they’re both a great way to stay cool but still look chic.  for today’s OOTD, we’re talking skirts:  a floral sarong skirt for summer.  

a floral sarong skirt for summer

i love wearing patterns during spring and summer, especially florals.  nothing really says “spring” or “summer” quite like a beautiful floral pattern.  am i right ladies?  today, i’m celebrating summer with this floral sarong skirt from Ann Taylor.  it goes with so many things, but in the spirit of “keeping cool”, i’ve paired it with a sleeveless mock neck.  mock necks are such a flexible addition to any wardrobe:  you can wear them with a skirt, pants, or jeans.  and doesn’t the mock neck go great with these block heel sandals?  one of my favorite parts of summer fashion is the shoe selection.  so many fun sandals to mix and match, and block heels are some of my favorites. 

floral skirt | pleat neck shell | mock neck shell | mock neck shell 2 | mock neck shell 3 | ruffle sleeve shell | block heel sandals | hobo bag | hobo bag 2

staying cool and chic

with humidity levels high and temperatures floating in the mid 80s, we’re always trying to stay cool here in Athens.  although there’s a temptation to retreat indoors to the air conditioning, i like to spend as much time as i can outdoors.  even with my knee surgery, i’ve been gardening as much as i can this spring and summer.  and i’ve even been able to take oscar out for walks on a semi-regular basis.   it feels good to be back outside again.  

floral skirt | pleat neck shell | mock neck shell | mock neck shell 2 | mock neck shell 3 | ruffle sleeve shell | block heel sandals | hobo bag | hobo bag 2

welcoming in the warm weather 

how have you all been spending the spring and summer months?  are you gardeners?  do you go for regular walks?  is it warm enough where you are to sit outside and enjoy the summer evenings?   there’s so much beauty in the world around us, i’d love to hear how you’ve been taking it all in.  

floral skirt | pleat neck shell | mock neck shell | mock neck shell 2 | mock neck shell 3 | ruffle sleeve shellblock heel sandals | hobo bag | hobo bag 2

it’s Thursday, which means another trip to the archives.  we’ve been doing that regularly over here on the blog:  last week, we talked about how to wear shorts, and the week before was how to wear wide leg pants.  it’s May now—the transition month from spring to summer.  depending on the day and the weather, that means that there are a lot of fashion options.  so today, we’re gonna talk how to wear a skirt.  i’ve got three skirts and three outfit ideas that’ll work throughout the month.  enjoy! 

white denim skirt

today, i chose a classic color combo – the mighty black and white that’s always right any time of year. but i think it looks particularly crisp and clean for summer. and there’s nothing quite like a crisp cotton shirt. if you ever wonder how to jazz up a white shirt blazers and cardigans add that little extra something. but today i reached for a knit shell to add pizazz to an otherwise ho-hum outfit. knit shells are a closet staple that looks great tucked underneath blazers. but they can shine on their own when worn as a vest. who doesn’t want versatility when it comes to their wardrobe?

[read the entire post…]

white denim skirt, white poplin shirt and slingback shoes

similar skirt | shirt | similar shell | similar shoes

white denim skirt, white poplin shirt and slingback shoes

white denim skirt, white poplin shirt and slingback shoes

white denim skirt, white poplin shirt and slingback shoes

 

white denim skirt, white poplin shirt and slingback shoes

patterned skirt

if it’s summer then it’s time to bring out the bold patterns like a lemon print skirt. summer style is always about casual ease. those long summer days demand it. it’s time to kick back and relax at a pool party, beach getaway, or al fresco dining. don’t you just love a warm summer breeze?

besides a cute summer skirt, another summer favorite is a crisp white blouse. many of you know i’m always on the hunt for the perfect one. while this cotton eyelet shirt might not be “the one” it had to come home with me nonetheless. don’t you just love the contrast between a feminine fabric with a menswear-inspired button-down? it’s the ying and yang of style. one of my favorite style tricks is to add a masculine item to a feminine look. it keeps the outfit balanced.

[read the entire post…]

beth from Style at a Certain Age wears a lemon print skirt, eyelet blouse, pointy-toed flats and o-bag

similar skirt | similar blouse | similar shoes 

beth from Style at a Certain Age wears a lemon print skirt, eyelet blouse, pointy-toed flats and o-bag

beth from Style at a Certain Age wears a lemon print skirt, eyelet blouse, pointy-toed flats and o-bag

beth from Style at a Certain Age wears a lemon print skirt, eyelet blouse, pointy-toed flats and o-bag

 

beth from Style at a Certain Age wears a lemon print skirt, eyelet blouse, pointy-toed flats and o-bag

a-line skirt

if it’s monday then we should be singing the blues. unless you’re wearing black. like today’s ootd which features a simple black and white striped tee, a-line skirt and the cutest pair of pointy-toed flats i’ve seen in a good long while. every season i develop a style crush with a pair of shoes. be warned! these slingbacks will be on style repeat all summer long.

[read the entire post…]

beth from Style at a Certain Age wears a black and white tee, black a-line skirt, pointy toed flats and black handbag

similar skirt | similar tee | similar shoes

beth from Style at a Certain Age wears a black and white tee, black a-line skirt, pointy toed flats and black handbag

beth from Style at a Certain Age wears a black and white tee, black a-line skirt, pointy toed flats and black handbag

beth from Style at a Certain Age wears a black and white tee, black a-line skirt, pointy toed flats and black handbag

 

beth from Style at a Certain Age wears a black and white tee, black a-line skirt, pointy toed flats and black handbag

yesterday on the blog, we talked about ways to deal with uncertain times.  i wanted to thank you all for the massive outpouring of support and love.  i stand in awe of my readership’s strength and level-headedness during these times.  today, we’re going to return a bit of escapism and talk about heading into spring with grace beauty and strength.  i’ve got a fresh outfit today pulling in elements from timeless classics list

heading into spring with grace beauty and strength

our informal mission statement over here at Style at a Certain age is aging with grace, beauty, and strength.  as i said in the introduction, the network of women who support this blog are strong.  and although it may seem superficial at first glance, one of the ways we can express that strength is through the way in which we present ourselves to the world.  i’ve got an outfit today that, to my mind at least, exudes that strength we work hard to embody. 

blouse | skirt | shoes | earrings | similar jacket | similar jacket 2 | similar jacket 3 | similar jacket 4 | similar jacket 5 | similar bag | similar bag 2 | similar bag 3  

leather jacket 

a good leather jacket is one of the most flexible and reusable piece of outwear you can invest in.  depending on where you live, they are wearable during spring, fall, and winter.  although we’ve had a wet, wet winter here in Athens, GA, the weather is finally starting to turn around.  we’ve had a few warm days which i’ve taken full advantage of.  today, i’m pairing a leather jacket with an old a-lin skirt (similar flare hem skirt) from Talbots.  all neutrals today made visually interesting with a statement blouse from J.Crew.

blouse | skirt | shoes | earrings | similar jacket | similar jacket 2 | similar jacket 3 | similar jacket 4 | similar jacket 5 | similar bag | similar bag 2 | similar bag 3  

square toe pumps

i’m absolutely loving these square toe pumps from Talbots.  in addition to the blouse, they give this outfit just enough oomph to be visually interesting but subdued enough to compliment the neutral quality of the outfit as a whole.  they’re versatile and i can imagine pairing them with anything from jeans, slacks, and skirts.  

happy Monday, ladies! i hope you are enjoying the long weekend.  there’s lots of talk this year about slow fashion—using the existing items in your closet. and classic style has always adhered to this principle: shop your closet for decades

slow fashion

if you’ve been reading the blog lately, you know i do a closet cleanse every January, and this year was no exception. one of my favorite parts about starting the year off with this ritual is getting reacquainted with items in my closet. once i have purged all the items to donate, i have fresh eyes to shop my closet and create new ensembles.  when your closet has a solid foundation of basic items, creating classic style is made easier. and you won’t scratch your head on a Monday morning wondering what to wear. 

turtleneck sweater | handbag | wrap skirt | similar skirt | similar skirt 2 | similar skirt 3 | similar skirt 4 | similar skirt 5 | blazer | knee high boot | bracelet | necklace  

outfit of the day 

today’s outfit is about taking the week head-on. for a classic, sophisticated look starts with a monochromatic black outfit. perfectly appropriate for the winter temps here in athens, i am opting for a black turtleneck, black midiskirt paired with black boots. to amp up the sharp suiting look, i popped on a houndstooth blazer (last seen here and here). i let my jewelry make a classic statement with a gold necklace, bracelet, and watch. a black leather satchel (old, similar here) pulls it all together for a timeless look, perfect for any day at the office. 

turtleneck sweater | handbag | wrap skirt | similar skirt | similar skirt 2 | similar skirt 3 | similar skirt 4 | similar skirt 5 | blazer | knee-high boot | bracelet | necklace  

creating the classic wardrobe

another benefit of whittling down your wardrobe is that you can then assess what you need to replace, replenish and add to round things out. this long holiday weekend means many of my favorite retailers are having great sales online. take a look at the Ralph Lauren sale (30% off of $125 + with additional 15% off sale items). Ann Taylor is also having an amazing one with 40% off full-priced items and 70% off of sale items (and even more discounts for cardholders).  

turtleneck sweater | handbag | wrap skirt | similar skirt | similar skirt 2 | similar skirt 3 | similar skirt 4 | similar skirt 5 | blazer | knee-high boot | bracelet | necklace  

MLK Day sales 

apparel

Ann TaylorRalph Lauren | (Ralph Lauren) CrewOld NavyGap | Saks 5th Avenue | Land’s End | Banana Republic | Madewell

for the home

West Elm | Pottery Barn | Target | Pier One | Crate and Barrel | Macy’s | Wayfair | All Modern

we have a great week coming up! stay tuned to the blog and my socials this week as we will be doing a deep dive into all things closet and wardrobe related. learn more about the benefits of a closet cleanse and get the how to’s when it comes to creating a classic wardrobe. can’t wait to share it all with you! have a great monday, ladies, go out there and make it a good one!

pleated midi skirts are on-trend this year.  and yes, it’s OK for ladies of a certain age to be on trend from time-to-time.  as we get older, it’s easy to adopt the mindset that we’re above trends; that because they’re fleeting and passing they’re not worth the time or investment.  

that may be true, at least in part, but sometimes it’s good to get out of our fashion comfort zone and break some self-imposed style rules.  today, i’ve (re-)styled for you a pleated midi skirt i first showcased this fall.  i want to highlight its seasonal versatility and give you a variety of alternatives to potentially integrate into your wardrobe.  

midi skirts are on-trend 

for those of you that follow this blog regularly, you might remember today’s skirt .  i first debuted it in my fall haul with JCPenny.  there, i paired it with a silk blouse.  today, i’ve kept the skirt but swapped out the blouse for a cashmere sweater.  as you all know, i’m a big believer in outfit reusability, flexibility and ease:  we shouldn’t have to invest in entire new wardrobes season-to-season.  it’s so easy to throw on a midi skirt and sweater and walk out the door looking pulled together at a moment’s notice. 

midi skirt | similar skirt | similar skirt 2 | similar skirt 3 | similar skirt 4 | similar skirt 5 | similar skirt 6 | boots | similar boots 2 | similar boots 3 | bracelet | cashmere sweater | similar cashmere sweater | similar cashmere sweater 2

she says, “hey baby, take a walk on the wild side”

i’ve got Lou Reed stuck in my head today.  you’d think it’d be a Christmas carol, but no.  it’s Walk on the Wild Side.  could be a lot, lot worse.

have a song stuck in your head this week? let me know in the comments below.

midi skirt | similar skirt | similar skirt 2 | similar skirt 3 | similar skirt 4 | similar skirt 5 | similar skirt 6 | boots | similar boots 2 | similar boots 3 | bracelet | cashmere sweater | similar cashmere sweater | similar cashmere sweater 2

that’s a (cashmere sweater) wrap!  

i’ve been all about the cashmere this winter.  i’ve given you several options over the past few weeks, and today’s no exception.  i’ve got a beautiful one from Nordstrom (and here) and a similar from Ann Taylor. for cooler weather (or if you don’t want any skin showing), couple today’s midi skirt with a pair of knee-highs and you’ll be taking a walk on the wild side too.  

midi skirt | similar skirt | similar skirt 2 | similar skirt 3 | similar skirt 4 | similar skirt 5 | similar skirt 6 | boots | similar boots 2 | similar boots 3 | bracelet | cashmere sweater | similar cashmere sweater | similar cashmere sweater 2

in case you missed it

if you’re new to the blog, or in case you missed it, we had a great time over here on the blog in November.  check out our monthly wrap up on YouTube below, where i feature my reader’s favorite outfits.  

it’s finally cold here in Athens. i know,  i know “cold” is a relative notion, but we’ve hit the freezing mark the past few days, and i’m trying to stay warm.  my oldest has it particularly bad:  he’s been in California the past 10 years, and well, he can’t handle anything below 50 degrees. sad, huh? not to worry:  we’ll toughen him up.  is it chilly where you are?  colder than here? then this post is for you. as we head into winter, stay warm in this outfit featuring a cashmere turtleneck and wool sweater coat from Anthropologie.  

wool sweater coat & cashmere turtleneck 

this wool sweater coat was featured in last week’s fridays with oscar. there were lot’s of positive feedback, so i decided to give you an alternative styling this week. today, i’ve paired the coat with a cashmere turtleneck and A-Line skirt (old, similar here, here and here). for extra warmth, i’ve pulled in a pair of tights from Talbots. (but any pair will do.)  

wool sweater coat | similar boots | leather satchel | similar leather satchel | cashmere turtleneck | tights | similar skirt | similar skirt 2 | similar skirt 3

patrick boots & leather satchel  

i’m totally in love with these boots from Stuart Weitzman purchased last year – they’re pricey but sometimes a girl’s gotta splurge. but there’s a similar pair at Nordstrom. i particularly like the patrick boots as they have a side zip and a reasonable price point. but no matter what the price tag a pair of black boots are a must-have come winter. they’re on winter repeat and have shown up on the blog before:  you can see them styled alternatively with a denim skirt.  (and make sure to head over to Nordstrom for a preview of their Black Friday and Cyber Monday inventory.)

practically speaking, these boots make the entire outfit perfectly suited for colder temperatures. and they’re further accentuated by pairing them with a leather satchel.  it appears Nordstrom is having a difficult time keeping it in stock, but you can find similar ones as well.

wool sweater coat | patrick boot | leather satchel | similar leather satchel | cashmere turtleneck | tights | similar skirt | similar skirt 2 | similar skirt 3

too early for… Christmas? 

Thanksgiving isn’t even here, and of course, we’re talking about Christmas.  for those of you that celebrate Christmas, i’m always curious as to where you purchase and when you put up your tree. do you go to a tree farm? do you cut down your own? is it small?  tall? somewhere in-between?  do you put it up the day after Thanksgiving? the first week of December?  let me know in the comments below.  

wool sweater coat | patrick boot | leather satchel | similar leather satchel | cashmere turtleneck | tights | similar skirt | similar skirt 2 | similar skirt 3

that’s a wrap, gang! happy, happy tuesday! two more days until turkey day. can’t wait for those mashed potatoes.

cool & kitschy gifts

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