style uniform

well, ladies, it was bound to happen. even with a flu shot yours truly came down with a bug. thanks to mr. style. although, this year the flu has hit hard in most parts of the world. this is the first time i can remember being sick in years. which i will give all the credit to my yearly flu shot. and my symptoms were alleviated and shortened because of that shot. so if you are not in the habit of getting a flu shot i highly recommend you put this on your to-do list. there are also five-year pneumonia shots and i recently read there is now a vaccine against shingles. just a thought, ladies. ‘cuz who has time to be sick? “not i,” said the little red hen.

but sick i am so i hope you don’t mind if today’s post is all about my style uniform with photos from the archive. if you are new to the blog, you might be scratching your head wondering what a style uniform is all about. to put it simply a style uniform consists of wardrobe staples that you can pull together at a moment’s notice and step out the door feeling confident and looking great.

what are the items that make-up my style uniform? let’s take a look.

everyone needs a great pair of jeans. my favorite brands are J.Crew toothpick, Ann Taylor modern skinny, and Talbots flawless five-pocket. if you haven’t found your perfect pair devote an afternoon to try on every brand known to mankind. you’ll find one, i promise. here’s a hint. before heading to the dressing room wrap the waist around your neck. if it fits nicely then you’ve found the right size to try. dark rinse is perfect for evening as it’s dressier than a light rinse. and a light rinse, as well as white denim, will visually add pounds. just thought you’d want to know. but i love wearing white denim year round. and i love to wear a lighter rinse too especially come summer.

next on my style uniform list is a go-to blazer. start with black or navy then add on to your heart’s content. personally, nothing beats a tweed blazer for instant elegance. it’s classic coco chanel. take heart, these days you can find a tweed blazer at a price point that won’t break your bank. take a look here, here, and here. talbots, j.crew, banana republic, ann taylor are reasonably priced brands that typically trot out a tweed blazer every year. you just have to keep your eyes peeled ’til you find the one you love.

a silk blouse or tunic in a neutral color gets a lot of mileage. it’s a hard-working wardrobe staple. start with black, navy or my favorite ivory. as you can see from the photos, it easily transitions from one outfit to the next. this is an investment piece so don’t be afraid to splurge. look for quality as that will give you longevity.

shoes and handbags make or break an outfit so choose wisely. a variety of heel heights find a home in my closet. nude pumps or flats are the most versatile shoes i own. but look for neutrals in gray, black or navy. block heels are comfortable and on-trend.

a great accessory for my style uniform is a scarf. silk scarves instantly elevate any outfit, but any old scarf will do. so take your pick.

there you have it, ladies, the wardrobe components that will make it easy to get ready in the morning. and some days we just need easy, right? now this girl is headed back to bed. happy hump day!

Beth Djalali

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.

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