Suede Trench Coat

A trench coat is one of those pieces that always feel stylish and elegant. Create one from supple faux suede in taupe, and I am absolutely smitten!

I wore this fabulous trench by IC Collection from My Fair Lady to brunch on Sunday. Everyone, even my fashion-challenged Dad, complimented me on my coat.

I enjoy the mixing of textures in subtle colors. For example, I am wearing a long layered crepe tunic in black over faux leather front leggings and a crystal bead and gold chain necklace, all from Chico's. The coat's faux suede relates to the suede and animal print touches on the shoes, which are old from Nordstrom. The woven front black leather clutch from Saks Off 5th shows well against the faux leather of the leggings and contrasts nicely with the coat's suede.

The roll-tab sleeves are perfect for this time of year when the weather is just barely cool enough to need a coat. The hems are not finished, making the coat a bit edgier, but this also gives it a smooth hemline.

The epaulets and a back overlay are other lovely details that make this coat special.

We had brunch at the Blackthorn Club, which is always beautifully decorated with abundant flowers for each season.

There are so many fabulous pieces at My Fair Lady. I had a tough time choosing what to buy when I was there earlier this month. Thankfully, their website is easy to shop from. Jon and Julie, the owners, and their very professional staff are extremely patient and helpful.

Cleaning Q & A

I enjoy questions and comments from readers so much. Obviously, you do, too, because those are always popular posts. Here is a new suggestion for a topic from Peggy.

Good morning, Susan:

I read your blog daily and greatly admire all that you do.  A suggestion for a future topic would be caring for all the wonderful clothing you wear so well.  For example, laundering washable pieces and undergarments ... how and how often.  Dry cleaning other pieces ... how and how often. 

Keep up the fabulous work; you are a beacon of positive vibrations! 
Thank you!
Peggy 

I can tell you from experience that washing rayon and some other man-made fabrics won't always turn out well. I liked the tunic above a lot until I washed it and accidentally put it in the dryer. Now it is a small shirt in the to-go bag in the attic. Always read the care labels for appropriate cleaning tips.

Use the proper setting on your machine for the load. For example, my machine has a hand wash feature that I use to wash delicate bras and underwear items. I always hang those items to dry in front of a small fan on a rolling rack overnight.

From the Container Store

My rolling rack gets used for many different tasks, such as sorting items and putting together looks when I am packing for a trip. I use it to keep up with the items I need to do a review on. It is my hanging bar as I take items out of the dryer and then transport the items from the laundry room to my walk-in closet and hold items to air dry. I found mine at Home Depot, but you can also get them at The Container Store and lots more big box stores.

Fine knit fabrics such as MicroModal tops from Covered Perfectly and Ponte knits should always be washed inside out on the gentle cycle and then hung to dry. This prevents the items from pilling and or shrinking.

I love to wear white jackets and lightweight pale cardigans. I get them professionally dry cleaned at the end of the season. I leave these items on that famous rolling rack for a couple of days to air out before putting them back into their place in the closet. I always check pieces in natural light for stains or needed repairs before I put them away.

I always use a lint brush on the shoulders of every garment before I wear it. Isn't it amazing how much dust can find its way into a tiny room?

Items with trim such as feathers, velvet, faux or real leather or fur, suede, or reptile trim should be professionally cleaned as needed. 

Tip: Remove ornate buttons such as the one on the tuxedo jacket above before taking the item to the cleaner. Fancy buttons do not like to go to the cleaners! I sew them back on after I pick up the garment.

Jackets in dark colors can be worn a few times without dry cleaning, but at least once every season is a good idea. When an item is stained, I take it directly to the Dry Cleaner to explain the origin of the stain so that they can appropriately clean and have the best chance of removing it.

Garments that rarely touch your skin, such as coats and ruanas, can be cleaned once a year. My personal rule: If worn against my skin, such as pants, first layer tops, and underwear, it gets washed each time it is worn.

I turn jeans and other pants inside out and wash them in cold water. Then turn right side out and tumble dry for just a few minutes, if at all. I then hang them up to finish drying.

I clean shoes, wallets, and bags every season with black or neutral shoe polish, which cleans and protects the items.

Scarf Season

Cooler weather brings the addition of scarves to my look. In the humid summer weather, I switch to necklaces.

My favorite scarves are oblong and made from silk. Handpainted scenes from nature make them even more desirable.

My tying methods are simple and sleek in keeping with my style as a whole. The more fussy and complicated the tying becomes, the less likely I will feel comfortable wearing it.

My favorite tie is to fold the scarf in the middle lengthwise. Wrap the length of the folded scarf around your neck and pull the ends through the loop formed by the fold. These first three photos prove the versatility of this easy tying method.

Other simple ways to wear a scarf include wrapping the ends around your neck twice and letting the ends hang in front at uneven lengths. (Straight across lengths draws attention to the width of the area where they both end.)

Drape the scarf around your shoulders and let one end hang down in front and one in the back.

 

This fabulous silk shawl is from Tina Gleave at the Silk Squirrel. She is an incredibly talented artist who paints on silk. But, I have fallen in love with her affordable line of gorgeous silk scarves, shawls, and ponchos, all printed with her colorful paintings. She now offers an affordable line of quality silk reproductions done by a respected textile printing company. The resulting pieces have a great depth of color and the silk used has a wonderfully fine, floating quality.

My Exercise Routine

Many of you have asked about my exercise routine and how I keep my weight down, so I will tell you all about it today.

I have been a fan of taking walks since I was five years old. I used to roam the hills of our farm in North Carolina every day. No matter where I have lived, I have always found a safe walking route away from traffic in a nice neighborhood.

 

I may go for a short walk around the lakes two or three times a day. (My neighborhood is built around four small lakes that flow into each other.) Some days I walk briskly about three miles around my neighborhood or on the greenway trails near my home. If the weather is cold and wet, I might go for a walk in the mall or at the shopping center near my home, which has a long sidewalk protected from the rain.

This isn't a routine that requires planning, unique clothes, or equipment other than comfortable shoes, so this form of exercise fits my needs perfectly. I am wearing a fabulous Covered Perfectly top and Perfect Fit Leggings with flat Rockport shoes here.

When I was younger, I spent hours in the gym, in exercise classes, and in dance classes but at this busy time in my life, going for a walk fits into my routine much better.

When my mind gets cloudy from tons of administrative work, endless figures, and countless emails, I get up from my desk and go for a short walk. I visit neighbors and their dogs for a few minutes and get my blood flowing with a quick walk around the lakes. When I return to my desk, my head is clear again, and my hair smells like fresh air.

When I go to the grocery, I never look for the parking spot closest to the building. I park far away and walk briskly to the building and also while I am inside.

I use a small blue and white teacup so that I have to keep getting up and walking to the kitchen to get more tea or water. I go to the bathroom upstairs rather than the one right outside my office door.

The point is that I do not sit still for hours working, watching TV, or reading. I get up and move around often. I stretch many times during the day. Again this is no particular routine; I just bend from the waist, slowly touching my toes and reaching for the ceiling and then side to side. The movement is always slow and comfortable.

I drink lots of water with lemon and or Braggs apple cider vinegar. I wait until I am actually hungry, and I never eat until I am stuffed. My meals include mostly fresh plant-based foods. I think of food as fuel, not entertainment. When I eat something that I enjoy very much but know is not suitable for my body (cheese comes to mind), I will occasionally have a small piece. The second half tastes the same as the first, so a small bite savored is better for your mind and body than consuming a large portion without enjoying it thoroughly.

On this beautiful day, I wore a very soft and comfortable piping top from Covered Perfectly. This is a growing but small, woman-owned business. Pauline, the owner, and designer, listens to our requests for styles that flatter our bodies and serve our needs. The fabric and the whole line is made here in the USA. All the models for this company are over forty (in my case, way over forty!)

Fifty, not Frumpy followers can get a 20% discount on up to two items! Use the discount code FNF20 when you check out at Covered Perfectly. Only one discount can be applied per order. There are several styles to choose from, and the discount will apply on up to two items; after that, you can take advantage of the buy 2 get 1 FREE special!

Splendid September

September is such a beautiful month here in east Tennessee and our surrounding mountains.

Last evening we celebrated all of the September birthdays in my family by having dinner together at the fabulous Artisanal restaurant in Banner Elk, North Carolina.

The black tank, jacket, and pants are part of Chico's Travelers Collection. I wore suede D'Orsay pumps from Sam Edelman with silver and crystal earrings and bracelets. The small clutch is the same silver-gray as the jeweled button on my velvet trimmed tuxedo jacket.

This is the Knob Creek Brethren Church, the first Brethren church in Tennessee, being established in 1799. It is very close to my home, and I have photographed it on several occasions over the years because it is surrounded by such beautiful trees that are now starting to take on their splendid fall colors.

Statement Pieces

The shoes are the star of this show, so I kept all the other simple and solid elements.

Limiting myself to one statement piece per look tones down visual overload.

On this day, I was attending a business meeting, so professional and sophisticated was the image I was going for. Dressing for the occasion first and for the weather, second is always my order of importance. I hate being cold, so I normally dress for the coolest part of the day.

The clothing and necklace are old from Chico's. The bag is from Saks Off 5th. The shoes were by Guess via T.J.Maxx last year.

I love all the brown animal prints, but they are usually too golden to be worn near my face. Instead of a scarf or blouse, I choose shoes, bags, and belts. I limit myself to one animal print item per look.

Welcoming Fall!

Fall is such a gorgeous season here! I love the changes in leaves and the weather and the chance to wear a different wardrobe.

Today I am adding another layer to the look I showed you yesterday. This beautiful ruana is by Foxcroft.

Soon, our weather will be cool enough to need this extra layer during the day.

As the weather continues to get colder, I will wear this ruana over a jacket for warmth and an added pop of color and texture.

Foxcroft offers timeless pieces of high quality that have served me well over the years.

The top is the long sleeve Simple Comfort from Covered Perfectly. 

The bag is old from Finely House Couture in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. The boots are from Antelope Shoes. The necklaces are old from Chico's.

Great Beginnings!

The weather is getting cool enough to wear jackets and tunics and leggings and boots and... well, you get the idea. I love fall!

Today I am sharing the best layering pieces I have found. I plan to wear these pieces often throughout fall and winter.

This top is the new long sleeve Simple Comfort from Covered Perfectly, which comes in black and also in white. If you are like me, you will need both colors. This really is the perfect top to wear alone or with jackets, vests, sweaters, scarves, necklaces, or ruanas. I'll show you how I topped off this look tomorrow.

The leggings are appropriately called Perfect Fit. They have supportive panels that help with shaping at the sides. I am showing you the panels in the photo above. These are great leggings to wear with tunics and boots. The top was supplied by Covered Perfectly.

The bag is old from Finely House Couture in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. The boots were supplied by Antelope Shoes. The necklaces are old from Chico's.

Fifty, not Frumpy followers can get a 20% discount on up to two items! Use the discount code FNF20 when you check out at Covered Perfectly. Only one discount can be applied per order. There are several styles to choose from, and the discount will apply on up to two items; after that, you can take advantage of the buy 2 get 1 FREE special.

Occasional Q & A

Here's my question for the Q & A segment...

What to wear my red shoes with? Do I keep it neutral? Go black and white? Add a red accessory?

I am 65 years and fighting frumpy tooth and nail! My style is casual, think jeans, classic with a bit of funk.

I love these shoes, but, am not sure how to style them.

Thank you so much!!

Cher

Thank you for the question, Cher!

You can treat your shoes as neutral, which means you could wear them with jeans or other dark colors. Of course, you could wear them in white, but the focus is likely going to go to the shoes. Wearing the same tone from hip to toe elongates visually.

A couple of suggestions are shown below.

Saying Goodbye to a Friend

We attended the funeral of a dear friend today. He lived a great life, and he was adored by many people. Rest in peace, Pete.

I wore a black dress from Chico's last year. The dress has sheer mesh sleeves. I paired it with black suede heels from Saks off 5th and carried a small black reptile print box clutch from T.J.Maxx. 

I wore the necklaces I made using an Ethiopian Coptic Cross combined with an old necklace from Chico's. I love to layer long necklaces for a unique look.

Animal Print Simple Comfort

You already know that I love to wear the Covered Perfectly tops. 

They pack and travel very well, and they are the perfect layering piece.

I am wearing a lightweight vest over the snow leopard simple comfort top. The three-quarter length sleeves are perfect to wear with a vest.

I modeled this top during the recent photoshoot in L.A. and immediately said, "Must have this one!" I ordered it as soon as I returned home. This top has now sold out. Hopefully, there will be more of them in the future.

The colors are gorgeous, and the fabric is so soft I often forget I am wearing street clothes instead of pajamas when I have one of these tops.

Fifty, not Frumpy followers can get a 20% discount on up to two items! Use the discount code FNF20 when you check out at Covered Perfectly. There are several styles to choose from, and the discount will apply to up to two items. After that, you can take advantage of the buy 2 get 1 FREE special!

Chico's Saturday Fun

I was a guest at Chico's in Johnson City for a few hours on Saturday.

The purpose of my visit was to share style tips with women who stopped by to ask me questions. I met some lovely ladies who already had such a great style.

Isn't this a great hairstyle?

I wore a faux leather-trimmed vest from the new fall collection. The silver-gray tee and the pants are also from Chico's but from years past. The necklace is one of my own designs layered with an old Chico's necklace.