— Style —

SHOPPING YOUR FALL CLOSET

Photographs by Jennifer Denton
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This week I’m doing Fashion Friday a day early, because I’ve joined five other Over 50 women to talk about fall fashion. I love being part of their group, because our styles are all so different.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not out and about like I was before Covid, which means, I’m not buying any new clothes. If you’ve followed me here on 1010ParkPlace then you know I buy quality over quantity, so my clothes last me forever.

This week I’m shopping my closet, mixing and matching things I already have.

Since I’m shopping my fall closet, I’ve chosen the golden brown silk top and skirt, both from Vince. Together they’re too matchy-matchy for my tastes, but when I style them separately, they become much more versatile.

My necklace and the woven leather belt I bought 30 years ago, and my tan suede ankle boots I’ve had forever. The white sweater was a new purchase I made two years ago. Here are some similar fall skirts in a wide variety of sizes and prices with more ideas for styling them.

I’ve taken the same silk skirt and paired it with a leopard print cardigan I bought on sale ten years ago. I’ve draped a leopard print scarf over my shoulder and belted it with a thin suede belt. The Oscar de la Renta necklace I’ve had for 15 years, and because it was a nice piece—but not precious—it’s held up well. I store it in the soft cloth pouch it came in so it doesn’t get scratched.  

No, my shoulders are not uneven. I was just dancing and singing along to my playlist. Whenever Jennifer Denton photographs me, she knows there’s always going to be 🎼music 🎵

Here I’ve taken the Vince, golden brown silk top that matches the skirt and paired it with a pair of silk pants. It’s perfect for what I call elevated casual. Some days it’s just the ticket when I’m tired of wearing workout clothes. You can always wear silk pajama bottoms with a great sweater, some jewelry and a belt.

I’d love it if you’d leave me a comment and tell me whether any of my outfits would work for you, and if not, why? And please pay a visit to my other Over 50 sisters for a look at their fashion choices.

A Well Styled Life

Cindy Hattersley Design

Classic Casual Home

most lovely things

une Femme d’ un certain age

Love, Brenda

31 Comments

  • Barbara September 23, 2021 at 8:09 am

    Brenda you always inspire me to try harder to look my best. It’s so easy to give in to this Covid life style. I have a couple of silk blouses but mostly I wear polyester. Love your idea about dressing up pajama bottoms. Xo, Barb

    • 1010ParkPlace September 23, 2021 at 3:27 pm

      Thank you for the sweet reply. I appreciate you! A polyester blouse would look great with a skirt or even a pair of pajama bottoms, Barb. Buy what you like and what fits your budget to take care of. xoxo, Brenda

  • cindy September 23, 2021 at 8:43 am

    Hi Brenda

    I always love your style. I shopped my closet except for some fabulous knitwear from J Crew. I too wonder if fashion will forever be changed due to covid. I certainly dress much more casually than I used to. Love that Karen Kane Leopard Sweater! So many great ideas. Thanks so much for joining us!

    • 1010ParkPlace September 23, 2021 at 3:28 pm

      Hi Cindy, Don’t you LOVE that Karen Kane sweater? Oh, my stars! It has my name on it, but it would be one more thing I don’t have a place to wear it. Thanks, again, for asking me to be part of the group, today. I loved it. xoxox, Brenda

  • Carolina September 23, 2021 at 8:45 am

    Thank you for the inspiring looks/suggestions on how to style a longer skirt. Now I just need to get one!

    • 1010ParkPlace September 23, 2021 at 3:32 pm

      Carolina, You can even make a skirt out of a long shawl if you have one. Wrap it around your waist and tie in a knot on the side. You can also tuck the ends inside the waistband you’ve created, kind of like wraps you wear to the beach, and even belt it. So many ways to be creative. Thanks for leaving me a comment. Have I seen you here, before? If not, welcome! I hope to see you, again. Brenda

  • Bonnie September 23, 2021 at 9:19 am

    Brenda, I love your look. I look forward to your posts because they always make me think. These outfits are lovely, particularly the one where you are wearing pajama bottoms. Deep browns are certainly one of your colors, rich and dark. Love your style. Thanks for the inspiration.

    • 1010ParkPlace September 23, 2021 at 3:33 pm

      Thank you, Bonnie! Do you know this is my first deep brown purchase? I think you’re right. It goes with my hair and my coloring. Can’t fathom why it took me so long. xoxox, Brenda

  • SUSAN BLAKEY September 23, 2021 at 10:10 am

    Brenda, I love how you’ve styled those lovely Vince pieces! Sometimes just mixing up pieces we already have makes everything feel new again.

    • 1010ParkPlace September 23, 2021 at 3:34 pm

      Thank you, Susan! Now if I just had someplace to wear them other than to watch the evening news. xoxox, Brenda

  • Connie September 23, 2021 at 10:12 am

    Hello Fall! You’ve no idea how much I love when you blog fashion and I can prove it to you. I own the Vince skirt from your recommendation last year! Please keep communicating with us…about everything!

    • 1010ParkPlace September 23, 2021 at 3:37 pm

      Hi Connie! Thanks for letting me know! Since I’ve been busy writing my memoir and now rewriting/editing it, it’s easy to let my fashion blogs slide off the radar, particularly when I have no place to wear clothes now. Vince is perhaps my favorite brand in the last five years or so. I love everything they do, even their slip on shoes. So comfortable. xoxox, Brenda

  • Jennifer September 23, 2021 at 10:46 am

    You look fabulous, Brenda. I’m a big fan of how you’ve mixed up the pieces. Leopard print is a personal favorite too.

    • 1010ParkPlace September 23, 2021 at 3:39 pm

      Thanks Jennifer! For a long time I wasn’t interested in leopard print, then I found a comfortable pair of leopard flats, then the cardigan and the long scarf. Funny how all of a sudden we can see things in a different light. xoxox, Brenda

  • Mary Ann Pickett September 23, 2021 at 10:48 am

    You look awesome in golden brown…I love that combo with black or cream! Also, love the slip skirt with a different texture on top. Thanks for joining us!!

    • 1010ParkPlace September 23, 2021 at 3:41 pm

      Hi Mary Ann, I enjoyed being part of your group, today! Thanks for inviting me. This color is relatively new for me, and I’m wondering why it took me so long to realize it looks good on me? xoxox, Brenda

  • LA CONTESSA September 23, 2021 at 11:07 am

    I GIVE YOU A TEN!!!
    XOXO

    • 1010ParkPlace September 24, 2021 at 10:53 am

      Oh, Yes! I appreciate that, Elizabeth. My glamorous friend. xoxox, Brenda

  • Colleen September 23, 2021 at 11:49 am

    Brenda – I adore your style. Accessories are so essential.

    • 1010ParkPlace September 24, 2021 at 10:57 am

      Thank you, Colleen. When I was younger I didn’t accessorize. I had a Movado watch and what looked like a matching ring and a pair of hammered gold earrings. I was a minimalist to the extreme and thought that was enough. Then at some point, a little light bulb went off and I saw accessories as enhancing what I wore. They represented charm and were part of the total package. That said, I still think I’m a minimalist. xoxox, Brenda

  • Donna Nance September 23, 2021 at 12:19 pm

    Love how you have restyled what started out to be a matching skirt and top! The fabric is luscious and drapes beautifully. Years ago I would have looked at the fabric and deemed it “dressy”. You’ve proven it transcends what the eye first sees. Gotta look outside the proverbial style box. Will check out the other ladies’ blogs. xoxo

    • 1010ParkPlace September 24, 2021 at 11:08 am

      Donna, I was just “telling” Colleen that I didn’t appreciate accessories when I was younger, but I think we all evolve our style and borrow ideas from other women. I’m glad I’ve given you something to think about. xoxox, Brenda

  • Susan September 23, 2021 at 3:38 pm

    Those pajama bottoms are stunning and with your beautiful silk top and eye-catching necklace…wow! You look comfortable and elegant. Love that outfit!

    • 1010ParkPlace September 24, 2021 at 11:14 am

      Thank you, Susan! Style is all about imagination and individuality. We all have style, but I think we sometimes don’t want to take the extra few minutes to create an outfit that makes us look and feel good.

  • Heidi September 23, 2021 at 6:22 pm

    Wow Brenda, so elegant and feminine! The brown is definitely your color. I like all of this but would never wear anything that dressy here at our beach coastal town. On vacation though, if that ever happens again… it would be fun to “dress down” these pieces!
    XO
    Heidi

    • 1010ParkPlace September 24, 2021 at 11:27 am

      Thank you for the sweet compliment, Heidi. What if you don’t think about where you live? I live in the 7th largest city in the United States, but I only go to the grocery store, UPS, the drug store. Covid has done away with events and dinners with friends, but I’ve decided I want to dress for me. Not for my environment. xoxox, Brenda

  • Carol Cassara September 23, 2021 at 7:59 pm

    You have rocked the brown well for years, Brenda!

    • 1010ParkPlace September 24, 2021 at 11:29 am

      Thanks, Carol, but it’s only been a couple of years because I didn’t think brown was my color. Now I can’t imagine not having this color and these pieces in my closet. xoxox, Brenda

  • Julie White September 25, 2021 at 2:13 pm

    Brenda
    I have a pull on silky skirt, but somehow I had catalogued it as “summer” in my mind. Never thought to wear it with a sweater. Thanks for the fresh perspective.
    Julie

  • Sally Sharp Davenport September 26, 2021 at 4:09 pm

    Brenda: I love all your outfits. I would have to sub other colors like Navy, Wine, Magenta, Black and White simce I look better in Winter cool colors.

  • Ginger October 3, 2021 at 9:18 pm

    Love how you created completely different looks from one beautiful brown silk set!

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