— Style —

BLACK AND WHITE IS SO VERSATILE

Photographs by Jennifer Denton, ©1010ParkPlace 2018
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Hello Girlfriends! I hope you and your families are safe from mudslides and this brutal winter weather. Another cold front is blowing through my courtyard. Annie and Lulu are hilarious, running around in circles, one after the other, chasing piles of swirling leaves.

Today I want to share my favorite outfit: black pants and a white shirt. You can never go wrong wearing black and white! It’s classic and sharp.

You can dress it up or dress it down, and it lends itself to a wide range of accessories in different colors.

I get excited when I see my favorite fashion bloggers over 50, wearing prints but as the saying goes, “Old habits die hard.” Like a compass that always points north, I gravitate toward solid colors. You can count the number of prints I’ve owned on one hand.

 

Before I found this Rocio Silk Ruffle Sleeve blouse I wasn’t familiar with the Alexis line, but now I find myself looking online to see what else they have.

Every time I’m in NYC, you’ll find me at Henri Bendel. Their bags are chic, in style, well-priced and well-made from the same materials as more expensive bags. I bought this thin, black clutch there almost four years ago.

My belt is from Worth New York and is almost 15-years-old. The “belt buckle” is silver mesh, rimmed with rhinestones and a large topaz looking stone in the center. I also wear it with a long, Rick Owens black sweater, black leather pants and no jewelry. It’s a great elevated casual, yet elegant look.

These silver bow flats I’ve had forever. They’re Stuart Weiztman, one of the only brands narrow enough to stay on my 6A width skinny feet. Since I have a hard time finding shoes that fit, I take good care of them, storing them in their box with firmly packed tissue in the toes and several folded rows of tissue between each shoe. It also keeps curious puppies from picking up a shoe and disappearing under the bed with it.

I bought this short, suede jacket with Mongolian lambs wool and trapunto stitching down the front a year ago at Neiman’s for a fraction of it’s original price! It had already been to every Neiman’s store in the country on an end-of-year fur/faux fur sale. The San Antonio store was the last stop, so I was shocked someone hadn’t snapped it up! I nicknamed it my “Lauren Ezersky jacket” because it’s a little boho and a little rock ‘n’ roll chic and looks like something she’d wear. Of course Lauren would have lots of unique silver jewelry and her little, sterling silver flask on a chain hooked to her belt… or maybe it holds business cards. Regardless, I WANT ONE!! Yes, I know… I mention Lauren’s style A LOT, but she’s one of-a-kind, and she’s so cool.

If you’re ever in a quandary about what to wear, a great pair of black pants and a great white shirt will take you most anywhere!


17 Comments

  • Hilda Smith January 12, 2018 at 2:55 am

    Always so chic Brenda..that jacket is gorgeous x

    • 1010ParkPlace January 12, 2018 at 3:10 pm

      Thank you, Hilda! You’re nice to say that! Stay warm!! xoxox, Brenda

  • Rena January 12, 2018 at 8:37 am

    I love black and white together. So many options. Plus it’s also slimming and classic. Love the whole look, especially the jacket and bag.

    • 1010ParkPlace January 12, 2018 at 3:12 pm

      Hi Rena, I used to live in BLUE jeans or business suits, so it’s only been in the last few years I’ve started wearing black jeans or black pants. For this stage of my life, it’s more appropriate and more of an “elevated casual” look than blue jeans or workout wear.

  • Darlene January 12, 2018 at 9:20 am

    Chic and sharp! I used to think that black and white was boring, but recently I am including it more and more in my wardrobe. So far I am lovin’ it and this post inspires me even more. THANKS!

    • 1010ParkPlace January 12, 2018 at 3:14 pm

      Wonderful! Thank you, Darlene! It is chic and sharp… just a pair of nice black pants/jeans and a great white shirt–you can never have enough of those–will take you anywhere. Plus it’s easy to accessorize with a blazer, a scarf and some jewelry. Thank you!! Brenda

  • Donna O’Klock January 12, 2018 at 12:19 pm

    Brenda, you look spectacular – and have inspired me to shed these blue jeans and pull my white ones out to go with my Johnny Cash tee-shirt. Which, of course, is black!
    XO

    • 1010ParkPlace January 12, 2018 at 3:16 pm

      OR… if you really want the “Man in Black” look, you can always add black pants! This won’t surprise anyone, but I have a black Rolling Stones t-shirt with red foil lips I haven’t worn yet. I’ll probably pair it with my black jeans. Happy Trails, my friend! xoxox, Brenda

  • Liz January 13, 2018 at 7:29 am

    That blouse!

    • Brenda Coffee January 15, 2018 at 3:55 pm

      I know!! Isn’t it fabulous? Thanks Liz, Brenda

  • Rosemary Davis January 13, 2018 at 7:56 am

    Black and white…classic and chic…I love this look!

    • Brenda Coffee January 15, 2018 at 3:56 pm

      Hi Rosemary! Thanks for stopping by to read my post. I appreciate it, Brenda

  • jill Anthony January 13, 2018 at 10:31 am

    Brenda, this is so ultra chic! I’m a big fan of the white button down shirt and gravitate to it when I’m at a loss for what to wear. The blouse pictured is spectacular! Oh and that belt! I adore Lauren Ezersky’s style too and she comes to mind when I put a certain look together. Can’t wait to see how you style your Rolling Stones tee!!!

    • Brenda Coffee January 15, 2018 at 4:01 pm

      LOL! I hadn’t thought about styling the Rolling Stones t-shirt for Fashion Friday, but I’ll think about it. Probably black leather pants and Keith Richards! (Dear Patti, I mean that in the most platonic of ways. I love you both, Brenda)

  • cindy hattersley January 14, 2018 at 9:05 pm

    I so agree…black, white, grey…the only pattern I wear is in a scarf…the older I get the less I like pattern and color for that matter!! Great post

    • Brenda Coffee January 15, 2018 at 4:05 pm

      Since I wrote this, over the weekend I noticed women who’re wearing patterns. Granted they were wearing pink and grey plaid shirts or in one case, camo pants and a red and black shirt, but they would have upped their fashion game if they’d kept the pants and changed to a solid color shirt. Thanks, Cindy!

  • LA CONTESSA January 18, 2018 at 5:07 pm

    I seldom wear black and white………BUT IT DOES LOOK GOOD!
    XX

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