There was a time when it was considered rude to wear a hat indoors. These days, things have definitely relaxed on this front.

I’m generally fine with people wearing hats indoors, but there are settings where I find it a little off putting. Context is all important. A bloke having a drink at a casual bar in his baseball cap is okay in my book. A lass who wears a cute wool beret in a casual office environment is also good. Wearing hats while you’ll doing errands, shopping, or out for casual lunch is also not a problem. I also don’t mind theatrical hats worn by those with dramatic style at large indoor functions.

But when you visit our home – hats off please. When you’re having fancy dinner at a restaurant – hats off please. In a formal professional environment – hats off please.

I guess I equate hat wearing with out and about hustle and bustle. Sometimes you’re inside, sometimes you’re outside and keeping hats on during the course of the day is completely acceptable. But I like to see hats removed when you settle into a quiet or formal environment where you will spend a few hours.

What’s your view on hat etiquette? Is there really a right and wrong here? Should hat wearers remove their hats when indoors?

My late Mum loved emeralds and bold yellow gold jewelry, unlike her daughter who prefers white gold and pearls. I inherited all of Mum’s jewelry, but because it’s never quite been to my taste the flashy stash stayed bundled up in a safe place for just over a decade. Until last weekend, that is, when I wore some of the pieces for the very first time.

Having recently incorporated gold jewelry and hardware into my style, revisiting Mum’s fine jewelry collection seemed like a good idea. And I’m so glad I did because 10 years down the line I look at the vintage pieces with brand new eyes. Surprisingly, as soon as I put on the earrings, things felt right. It’s AMAZING how you can grow from one style into another.

I decided to debut the earrings to a casual holiday party last weekend. They required dressing down so on went faded skinnies and a black mod frock. I finished off the look with a pair of party pumps and a textured grey clutch. I left off the specs and the red lipstick so that the earrings could shine. I tend to look a little sleepy without my specs. Oh well! I assure you I was awake and sparkly all evening.

I usually wear a necklace with this dress, but that would have been a bit much with the earrings. So I added Mum’s favorite chunky bangle. I have memories of Mum wearing this bangle when I was as young as 5 years old, which made glancing down at it during the evening extra special. To complete the ensemble and match the metals, I removed my own white gold wedding ring and wore Mum’s instead.

The evening was fabulous and our hosts were as gracious as ever. Outfits ranged from dressed up jeans and casual dresses, to little black pants with sequin tops and holiday sweaters. My outfit felt appropriately festive and very “new”.

I bet we’d all wear dresses in Winter if they were long sleeved and made in a substantial weight fabric! I don’t know why dresses with three quarter or long sleeves are hard to find. I guess the fashion industry would prefer us to layer both under and over sleeveless dresses instead of wearing them on their own.

Even though dresses with long sleeves are scarce, below are styles that might tickle your fancy. I’ve fitted some of them on clients and they pass fit and quality control:

1. Origami Detail Dress:  If you like brown, Ponte knit fabrications and arty detailing, this one is worth a look.
2. High Twist Jersey Dress: Front knot detailing is flattering for many reasons. If you prefer solids to patterns, check it out in black and marine.
3. Red Dot Jackie Jersey 1/2 Sleeve V-Neck Dress: Another easy to throw on dress which does not cling. Fantastic on a fuller bust line and comes in grape too.
4. Michael Kors Assymetrical Ring Dress: Bold and beautiful. Great drape and good coverage.
5. Laundry by Shelli Segal Peacock Print Matte Jersey Dress: Love the ruched sleeves and vibrant jewel tones.
6. Calvin Klein Zip Neck 3/4 Sleeve Sweater Dress: This one is in my shopping cart since I’m having a great run with Calvin Klein dresses. Sweater dresses are cozy and easy to wear with boots and hosiery.
7. Calvin Klein Ponte 3/4 Sleeve Dress: Dress this style up or down, add the spunk or keep it classic. It has a fun exposed back zipper and front pockets. I have a similar style it teal blue which I adore.
8. Chetta B Belted Ponte Knit Sheath Dress: A great colour.
9. Karen Kane Cowl Neck Dress: Prada-esque simplicity at its best. Fab price.
10. Ralph Lauren Print Faux Wrap Jersey Dress: Nice ruching and more flattering than you might expect. One of my clients bought three different versions of this frock because the fit was so impressive.
11. Calvin Klein Drape Neck Jersey Dress (Plus): Stunning.
12. Chequer Long-Sleeved Sweater Dress: Love the outfit from top to toe. Look at those booties!

Remember that it’s HOW you wear a dress that gives it personality. Add expressive accessories, fun hosiery and killer boots. Top it off with scarf, hat, coat and gloves and you are good to go.

Happy Shopping!

I sometimes wonder what my style will be like 20 years from now (I will be 60). Our dazzlingly stylish 50 plus forum members, a particular 70 year old client who rocks my style world, the more mature ladies on the streets of Hong Kong and Paris, and 62 year old Vera Wang’s ensembles are all an inspiration when I look into the crystal ball to see my future personal style. These ladies make me look forward to having as much fun with fashion later on in life as I do now. Thank you!

How much will my look change, and what will stay constant? It all became a little clearer when I saw what looked like my older double walking out of Barney’s a few weeks ago. She was a similar height and size and if I had to guess her age, I would say early 60’s. She had short grey/blonde hair, black retro specs and a peaches and cream complexion. She wore a dark grey silky blouse with an impeccably cut and interesting gangster-striped charcoal blazer. It had tails, a slightly voluminous sleeve, lots of pockets, a high stance and was quite avant-garde. On the bottom she wore skinny mid blue jeans tucked into flat black shiny knee-high riding boots. She’d added a beautiful wool-silk blend black, blue and cream geometric patterned scarf, a pearl bracelet and a chunky gold watch. Her make-up was barely visible but the polish was there. A slightly pink cheek and lip with strongly defined eyebrows. She carried a simple cream Chanel handbag sans the chain detail straps, and walked out the store clutching an umbrella with her two King Charles spaniels in tow.

I was mesmerized by the inspiring mystery lady and her dogs, and I stared at her from across the road until she faded into the distance. If I’d been closer by, I’d have walked straight up to her and gushed about her killer look. Alas the opportunity was not there, but the image of her style is implanted into my brain. This is how I’d like to sport smart casual wear 20 years from now. A little more monochromatic, tailored and classic than my current style, but with just the right amount of fashionable spunk. I would also like to own the perfect cream Chanel handbag.

Have you thought about the flavour of your style 20 years from now? How do you envisage your future look? Care to share what you see in your style crystal ball?