07 Nov Fashionable at 50 plus

This is Elly.

She’s my amazing mother-in-law, my children’s super-star grandmother, and a GREAT dresser. You may have seen her around here before.

I had to feature her here in Style 101 because she’s great at adapting the latest fashion trends in a way that is age-appropriate. When I told Elly the theme of this week’s post was leopard and stripes, she jumped all over it.

Printed denim is a huge trend that’s been around for a while. Leopard print is a fashion staple. Elly combines both in a great pair of straight-leg jeans she found at Target. Rolling up the hem to show some ankle is a great way to highlight the tiniest part of your leg and add a little edge to your outfit. If it’s too cold for bare ankles, wear a funky pair of printed socks.

A white blouse, like a white tee, is truly a wardrobe staple. Elly wears a loose-fitting silk version here that complements the slim fit of her jeans. It’s always important to balance silhouettes in your outfit. If you’re wearing a tighter fitting pant, opt for a looser shirt.

I love the shoes Elly chose for this outfit. They’re an iridescent penny loafer by Cole Haan. A  casual loafer is a great alternative to a sneaker or a ballet flat and the slight heel makes them much easier on the back. As it gets colder, a stacked heel ankle boot would look just as fabulous.

You may have seen this striped J. Crew jacket before….on me. We actually both own it. I love how it gives a bit of structure to her outfit. The dark stripe complements the grey leopard print beautifully.

Elly is a master of accessorizing. She’s a huge fan of statement earrings and necklaces. Here she’s wearing a gorgeous piece  from Anthropologie with a bit of sparkle that draws the eye up to her face.

Just for fun, I asked Elly to show us a quick way to switch up her outfit. Keeping the shirt and jeans, she simply swapped out the jacket for a cargo vest, put on a pair of classic Sperry Topsiders, and changed her necklace for a statement crystal piece.

Fashion should be fun – so go ahead and play, no matter your age.