I saw a very stylish lady walk into our flagship Seattle Nordstrom store last week. She was probably in her late 50’s or early 60’s, petite and perfectly polished. She wore dark wash skinny jeans, a cropped, tailored grey and black micro-check, double-breasted jacket and black, round-toe ballet flats. She carried a simple, flat black patent tote and wore a chunky gold watch. Her hair was short, dark red, bobbed and with fringe. She wore dark red sunglasses with hooped gold earrings, and just a spot of make-up.

Wearing skinny jeans over the age of 50 does not give you instant style. But this lady happened to look really good in them and pulled off a smart casual look with taste and refinement. She embraced a few trends and made them work appropriately for her age and body type. The timeless and current aspects of her look blended perfectly. She did not come across as “trying too hard” or “dressing too young”. Her style was effortless, chic, put together and comfortable. I walked straight up to her and told her that I thought she looked fabulous.

I’m inspired whenever I see older women with a superb sense of style. It makes me look forward to evolving my own style over time. The most stylish women in Paris are in their 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. This is also true of my own clientèle. If you are over 50, please share your style wisdom with us.

This Polyvore creation captures a similar feeling to the ensemble I describe above. Remember that the person’s dark red, bobbed hair was an accessory all on its own. It complemented the seemingly subtle, almost bland grey jacket really well. I dedicate this post to Judy and San, our stylish YLF forum members who are over the age of 50 and rock a pair of skinny jeans with the best of them.

Red, white and blue is a winning outfit combination. Throw in some yellow or green and you’ve kicked it up a notch. How many of you will make the effort of wearing these colours today? I’ll bite. I’m in skinny jeans, ink blue tunic with huge white buttons, red chunky necklace and cami, yellow ballet flats and yellow tote. My white skinnies are in the wash but my white watch completes the palette. I feel a little more American today.

Be sure to check out the online sales this weekend:

• Boden: Summer Collection Sale: Save up to 50%
• Macy’s: July 4th Sale: Free Shipping with $100 purchase
• Lucky Brand Jeans: Twice Yearly Sale: 50% Off Select Items

Blouses aren’t everyone’s cup of tea because they are fussy, dramatic, dressy and high laundry maintenance. For these reasons many people stick to comfy knitted tops.

Blouses with neckties have a small target audience because they’re even fussier and hard to wear if you’re well endowed. This happens to be my favourite type of blouse and I know I’m in the minority. I adore their vintage, yet modern appeal and playful charm. They make me feel feminine, lady-like, elegant and alluring. (I’m very drawn to the “naughty librarian look” which works well with my specs and short hair).

Necktie-blouse don’t need to be sleeveless. They’re just as fab with a longer sleeve in Autumn layered under a cardigan or jacket. Opt for a V-necktie blouse to elongate the neckline. Stick to wovens for a crisper look. You don’t need to tie a bow at the neck with this silhouette. A neat square knot or loose tie often looks better.

A necktie blouse is a superb way to maintain a professional look in warm weather. Pop it over a pencil skirt, slacks, jeans or clamdiggers and you’ve got a great little look (belted or voluminous). Blouses in general are my “go-to” top in warm weather and I wear one almost every day. Any other blousy girls out there?

Most necktie blouses are woven, but occasionally you’ll find one in a knit like the black style above (which theoretically makes it a necktie knitted top). Necktie blouses that tie at the neck look particularly good on women with a smaller bust line and longer neck. But it’s easy to elongate this look if you don’t have a long neck by knotting the ties instead of tying them into a bow.

Fab casual pants are a missed retail opportunity. Apart from jeans and cropped pants (clamdiggers and walk shorts), the options are limited.

Here’s why:

• Khakis: It’s hard to look hip and stylish in an ultra-casual pair. Khakis either look too young, too conservative or dated when matched with casual shoes and knitted tops. Substitute a pair of casual khakis with white/cream cotton pants (pique or twill), or jeans (blue or white) and it’s an instantly better look. A smarter pair of khakis matched with a tailored black or white top and dressy shoe is a nice outfit. But that’s business casual, and not the relaxed vibe you’re after.
• Cargos: Few women look great in rigid cotton cargos. They’re best on inverted triangles if you find a pair with a sophisticated edge. Most styles tend to look wide, masculine and teenybopper-ish. Silk or silk blend cargos in drapey fabric are sweet, but delicate and shiny. They tend to look best with a dressier shoe which once again takes you out of the casual dress code.
• Poplin, seersucker, stripes and prints: Casual pants in these fabrics can work, but they’re not versatile. It’s hard to match them with tops and you’ll have wardrobe orphans if you aren’t careful.
• Linen: You either like the creased linen look or you don’t. If you don’t, it rules out another casual Summer pants option.
• Micro-check: I like this casual pants look, but it’s hard to find in America. I’m referring to a very fine, subtle plaid in neutral colours. It’s usually in a cotton or poly-blend and looks great in full length pants or cropped styles. A super look with sandals, thong sandals, Converse or ballet flats. Wish there were more to choose from.
• Knits: casual pants in knits are gear. We either exercise or lounge in these.

So we’re down to denim, or cotton twill/ pique pants (full length or cropped in any colour). Micro-checks and linen bottoms are next on the list of versatile casual pant options. Bottom line: your options are limited if you lead a casual lifestyle and your preference is for pants, but you don’t like denim. Day dresses and skirts solve the problem, but they aren’t everyone’s cup of tea.

Left: White cotton “weekend pants” from Banana Republic are available in other colours, but I think they look best in white. Middle: Yellow cotton sateen pants from J Crew are an interesting casual bottom alternative. I fancy the idea of matching them with black, white, cream and cobalt blue. Right: If anyone wears pants like this elasticized brown linen style, I’ll have an apoplexy.