Neutrals With A Scarf

Some days, I enjoy wearing bold colors, and on other days, I feel very subdued.

Sunday was a lazy, low-key, do-nothing kind of day, so I chose to wear neutrals.

Napping, reading, and going out for sushi were the most exciting things we did all day.

In Johnson City, our favorite place to get sushi is Ming's. It is near my house, family-owned, always fresh, and the service is excellent.

This Chico's white boatneck tee with buttons at the shoulders is probably five years old. I bought it in several solid colors and also stripes. When I find something timeless and good quality that I know I will wear often, I buy every color suitable for me.

Olive is a color I could never wear close to my face, but I wanted a casual pair of neutral pants, not denim, black or white. These are the NYDJ Marilyn Straight style, and they run very large and long. I am wearing a size two here. My seamstress is now hemming them to a thirty-one-inch inseam. 

Knowing which styles, colors, and lengths work best for your body shape makes shopping and getting dressed much more manageable.

I have always enjoyed using a scarf to pull a look together. This scarf is several years old. It is a thirty-four-inch square in a silky (probably polyester) fabric.

I folded the scarf in a triangle, folded the point over about two inches, and then repeated it until one long band.

I tied the very ends together in a small knot and then wrapped it around twice to create an infinity scarf.

Put the scarf around your neck at the step above, and then wrap it over your head again and arrange it loosely at your neckline, keeping the little tie inside and at the back.

This is a favorite way to wear a scarf in warm weather because it adds detail and color without making you feel hot.

Aging Gracefully

Many have asked how my style will change in my seventh decade.

Owning lots of items isn't appealing to me anymore. For example, I much prefer three or four excellent quality bags that are the correct size and shape for my body.

Style experts tell us that matching your handbag to your shoes ages you ten years. 

Another change in my choices has occurred this year. I find that I am buying more flat shoes and attempting to wear them more often during the day. (I do not find them comfortable yet since I have almost always worn heels.)

Scarves soften my neckline and take the emphasis away from a less defined jawline. They add a punch of color and pattern to my classic neutrals and keep me warm.

Three-quarter sleeve jackets are perfect for the transition seasons. I have blue, black, and white ones for this reason.

The jacket, tank, and straight leg faded jeans I am wearing are all old from White House|Black Market. The shoes are old by Dolce Vita.

Straight slim leg pants with a jacket will still be my uniform because that silhouette flatters my inverted triangle shape. 

The scarf I am wearing here is about five years old. I have worn it countless times. 

If the weather is too hot for a scarf, you will see me switch to a necklace. If I am wearing the scarf just draped around my neck or under the lapel of my jacket to give my look pattern and color, I may also wear a necklace. I never tie my scarves in a complicated way, and I try to achieve straight lines or a V-neckline with them.

I will continue to be willing to try new things. This year I discovered that I like the slimming effect of a short jacket over a longer top. The learning never stops!

An open mind tempered with wisdom can be an essential attribute. There is indeed an art to aging well.

A wardrobe of great looking sunglasses is necessary for me. I wear them every day.

The last item I agreed to review for the blog arrived this week. I loved it so much I immediately bought the black one and a silk scarf from Uno Alla Volta. 

Their name means one at a time® and describes how their artisans lovingly create each treasure. Taking things uno alla volta is at the core of their philosophy for living a meaningful life.

The bag I fell in love with is by Alessandra. She handcrafts each ''borsa verde'' or green handbag, uno alla volta, at her workshop in Florence, Italy. Born into the leathercraft business, Alessandra has the highest standards for materials, workmanship, and style. A certificate of authenticity is included.

My philosophy in my sixties will continue to invest in quality and enjoy it every day. You have earned it!

The bag was sent to me by Uno Alla Volta.

Why I Won't Be Trendy This Fall

This past weekend, I discussed an article with Mr. Mickey which detailed some of the 2016 Fall trends. He asked me which of those I was going to wear. My answer was, "None of them."

From Winter 2015

The body of the jacket I wore above is bulky, but since the sleeves are sleek faux leather and I wore it open with a slim fitting black low neckline top and slim-fitting pants, this textured jacket worked for me in this case. If the sleeves were also bulky and I belted the jacket, I would look twenty pounds heavier.

While I enjoy wearing classic pieces on most days, I also appreciate the spice of an occasional edgy or trendy piece thrown in for good measure. The most important question to ask when adding something new to your wardrobe is always; "Will this look good on me?" Regardless of styles or trends, the first consideration should always be if the item flatters your coloring, shape, personality, and height.

I never follow a trend just to look current. If, however, the trend flatters me, I might consider it. Great style means knowing what looks good on your body. That means understanding how to use texture and proportion, style the pieces, and what tones complement your complexion.

Below are a few of the Fall trends that I will not be worn with an explanation as to why not.

Statement Chokers

I have a roundish face and a short neck. I should never wear anything that makes my neck appear shorter, and my face appears more round.

The Cape

I carry most of my weight front and center, so a cape would make me look like I was wearing a tent. If I wear a double-breasted jacket, I will rarely, if ever, close it.

Tan Colors
Tans and beiges make me look ill because I have cool coloring. I enjoy wearing trench coats, but I have a white one and a couple of black ones. Never a tan one.

Ruffles
Just no! Ruffles, lace, and gathers do not go with my personality. They add volume, usually around the face or bust, where I certainly do not need it.

Golden Brocades
Gold tones will never allow me to look my best. I do have a ruby and black brocade jacket that I may wear again if the occasion arises.

Puffy Jackets and Coats

Why on earth would I ever wear something that makes me look like a bumblebee?

Faux Fur Coats

Faux fur will always look better on the hanger than on my body. Fur adds volume. If you weigh 90 pounds, with a small bust, and you are six feet tall, you might look good in a faux fur jacket with skinny jeans. Any type of fur will always make me look like a huge marshmallow.

Shearling Coats

Shearling is by nature a dull warm color and bulky. Like corduroy, suede, and tweed, shearling is stiff and adds volume. I need to wear sleek, silky, smooth surfaces that add no bulk to my frame.

I use myself as an example in these "thinking out loud" posts. I hope these projects will help you to determine what looks best on you and what serves your needs for your lifestyle.