it isn’t monday, but i’m wearing blue anyway. and, yes, it’s st. paddy’s day, and i should be clad in green. i’m even half Irish, so you’ll have to pinch me since i’m not following tradition. but classic style doesn’t get any easier than putting together a classic breton tee, navy blazer, and navy pants. when you have the wardrobe basics on hand, stepping out the door in five minutes or less is easy peasy. and we all strive for an uncomplicated wardrobe. once spring rolls into town, it’s time to pull out all the blazers. although i always have navy and blue blazers at my beck and call.
the weather has been gloomy this week, which isn’t a bad thing at all. it’s given me a chance to catch up on several projects both work-wise and home-wise. one would think with all the extra home-time this past year, my house would be completely organized and spit-and-polish clean. yet, there’s always one more closet to tackle. how does that happen? now that the weather is milder, the garage is on my to-do list, and i finally exchanged my tartan bed linens for my springtime version. i’ll share my update in a future post.
who doesn’t love a nautical-inspired outfit? especially this time of year when stripes and more stripes are seen everywhere. we have coco channel to thank for our beloved breton tee. tradition has it that she was so inspired with the French sailor uniform that she incorporated the stripes into her 1917 nautical collection. it was a true break from the traditional fashion landscape that still had women tightly corseted. can you imagine the hue and outcry of traditional society when this relaxed tee was introduced? yet here we are one hundred years later, still proudly sporting our stripes. Saint James is a mainstay retailer with a rich history of providing the French Navy with its iconic stripe tee. nowadays every brand from J.Crew to Talbots carries Breton stripe tees with a plethora of color choices. today, i stuck with a traditional navy and white tee from Ralph Lauren. it looks smashing tucked underneath a Veronica Beard Miller Dickey Blazer with brass buttons. less expensive choices are here and here. anything from a pair of chinos to blue jeans would look fantastic with the tee and blazer, but i chose a pair of navy blue pintuck pants (affordable choices here and here) from Ralph Lauren. i grabbed a white Ralph Lauren handbag available at Macy’s for an effortless accessory. and a pair of block heels from Tory Burch (old, similar here and here) for the finishing touch.
pants affordable choices here and here | tee | blazer less expensive choices are here and here | handbag | similar shoes here and here
pants affordable choices here and here | tee | blazer less expensive choices are here and here | handbag | similar shoes here and here
happy Wednesday, gang! time to put a smile on someone’s face, including yours.
is the Founder and CEO of Style at a Certain Age. She writes Sundays-Fridays on all topics ranging from fashion, health, wellness, home design and more.
She’s 65, 5’8, and size 8.
Love this outfit. The blazer is so chic.
could go with a lot of things.
it is definitely an investment piece that will last for years!
Hi Beth,
I just want to trank you for your exzellent Fashion Blog. I am from Germany and cannot geht hold of Most Brands but i always am able to find something similar.
Its such an Inspiration. Usually i travel to the States at least every 2 years but since Corona naturally it is not possible and i miss that very much. So in the meantime i really enjoy following your Fashion advice, its a bit of America delivered to my home.
Best regards Viola
i so appreciate you being here, viola!
Beautiful suit on you. You make the suit come to life. It is so nice to see tailored
clothes. I guess I’ll have to come to your website to see them because I am still seeing lots of leggings and sweatshirts. I wear my velvet jeans when I go hiking. Why not! I have no where else to wear them and they are so comfy. Thanks for listening you are the best. Happy St. P day!
i have a feeling our Covid leisurewear will feel like maternity clothes in a few months. i always wanted to burn mine after wearing them non-stop for
months!
Love it all Beth! Can you tell us about your sunglasses?
the sunglasses are from Garret Leight.
Dear Beth, thank you for your fashion blog! Love your timeless style -always an inspiration (as well as Kelly’s blog!).
Enjoy springtime – liebe Grüße
Angela
happy spring, Angela! thanks so much for stopping by.
Hi Beth,
your Outfit is beautyful. i like the bag too.
greetings from germany
Hi Beth! Smashing look today even if you’re just off to Walmart! I wanted to let you know that you have inspired me to get out of the jeans and sweats doldrums and start dressing with style! From your 5 basics for Spring blog (earlier the week) It occured to me that a knee length skirt and graphic tee with fashion sneakers would be great for Spring. I have mined my closet, and placed a few orders and will be ready when Spring arrives here. I also purchased the cute channel quilted jacket from Banana Republic that your wore a week or os ago. Thanks for inspiring me!!
isn’t that the cutest jacket?! perfect for our milder but chilly spring weather. love your outfit idea. what’s better than a skirt, tee and sneakers?
everything is pretty!!!
I love navy
love navy anytime of year but come spring it’s perfection!
I’m trying to look at the clothes but I keep getting distracted by that great purse and to die for shoes!
see how important accessories are?! i am loving this cute white satchel!
Great looking outfit. Thanks, Beth! I love the nautical look. You look great. What about your aviators?
the aviators are from Garret Leight.
Hi Beth,
As ALWAYS you look terrific! Please help me. I’m having trouble with the link for the navy pants you’re actually wearing as it keeps going over to the jacket. Which pants (neat front seam) are you wearing and in what size? Thanks!
Julie
sorry about that! the pants are from Ralph Lauren – pintuck pants in ink. here is the link: https://shopstyle.it/l/bsNpP
great outfit! nothing beats navy!
great minds think alike!
Wow this outfit is so smart! Navy and white always does the trick. I am in love with the shoes. Been following your blog for a few years now and it has given me lots of inspiration – even if our seasons are the complete opposite of yours down here in NZ!
navy and white is always all right but i especially love this color combo come spring! so happy to hear you are finding inspiration.
LOVE the navy and white – it just screams SPRING! Classy, elegant, traditional – just my style. Thank you, Beth, for all the time you put in to bring us great ideas. Much appreciated!