Pantone Autumn/Winter 2023 - New York Palette: Viva Magenta, Red Orange, and Eclipse

November 14, 2023 by Amy Christensen in Pantone - Fall/Winter, Pantone Autumn/Winter, Pantone Color Institute, Pantone Color of the Year, Pantone color series, Pantone Fall 2023, Pantone New York, Pantone New York Palette, Pantone NY Palette, Viva Magenta, Red Orange, Eclipse, Blogging, Blogging on color, Blogging on fashion, Blogging on style, Blogging over 50, Bright colors, Casual style, Color combinations, Color Play, Color series, Colorful outfit, Dressing after 40, Dressing After 50, Dressing for a night out, Dressing for fall, Dressing for the holidays, Dressing for work, Dressing modestly, Dressing up for holidays, Dressy casual, Dressy casual look, Embellished pants, Floral jeans, Floral pants, Aidebam, Fall Colors, Fall Fashion, Fall outfit, Fall style, Fashion Blog, Fashion blogger, Style for fall, Style blog, Style blogger, Style inspiration, Style over 40, Style over 50, Styling a utility jacket, Styling fall colors, Styling fall looks, Styling fall outfits, Styling outfits for fall, Styling over 50, Women's fall fashion, Women's fall style, Women's Fashion, Women's fashion blog, Women's fashion over 40, Women's fashion over 50, Women's fashion style, Women's style

I have been wandering in the wilderness for a few weeks trying to maneuver the hard bits of life and the emotional drain that comes with it. That said, I want to keep bringing you content as often as I can and I appreciate your support and patience during these times when I am struggling.

Getting back to my Pantone color series we are looking at another combination of colors from the Autumn/Winter New York Palette. This trio is perfect for fall and I thought the classy, casual vibe of this outfit would be great for your Thanksgiving Day festivities.

I really like how this outfit turned out. Let’s look at each piece.

This Viva Magenta top was actually a piece I gifted to my daughter, but it ended up on her get rid of pile, so of course I snatched it back. Ha, ha. I have so few really classy, dress tops and I just love the bishop sleeves on this piece.

This Red Orange utility jacket was one of the first few utility pieces that I bought, so I have had it for six years. I purchased this at Nordstrom Rack because I fell in love with the color. You can see another Pantone post I did using this piece here.

Another thrift find, these Eclipse pants are so fun with their embellished velvet flowers. I have a feeling I will be pulling these out multiple times for the holidays. Not only are they unique, but they are comfy.

The accessories really pulled this whole look together. The scarf actually had all of the colors in it. My bag, and patent leather ankle boots added a classy element to the outfit, and the pendant necklace was a nice finishing touch.

What did you think of this outfit? Do you like these colors? Do you have these colors in your closet? Let me know what you think in the comments.

I hope you are having a great week!

Shopping Our Closets: Monochrome Madness

September 12, 2023 by Amy Christensen in Shopping my closet, Shopping Our Closets, Shopping at thrift stores, Shopping, Skinny Ankle Pants, Skinny jeans, SO ankle boots, SO brand, Southwest design scarf, Statement Necklaces, Stitch Star, Style blog, Style blogger, Style for fall, Style inspiration, Style over 40, Style over 50, Style tips, Styling a scarf, Styling a utility jacket, Styling fall colors, Styling over 50, Suede ankle boots., Texture in jewelry, Textures for fall, Texturizing monochrome, Thinking fall, Thrifted bag, Thrifted fashion, Thrifted pieces, Thrifted style, Tahari sweater, Women's casual style, Women's fall style, Women's Fashion, Women's fashion blog, Women's fashion over 40, Women's fashion over 50, Women's fashion style, Women's style, Blogging, Blogging on fashion, Blogging on style, Blogging over 50, Booties, Casual dressing, Casual fall style, Casual Fashion, Casual style, Casual transitional style, Cognac colored jeans, cognac open front sweater, Dressing after 40, Dressing After 50, Dressing for a casual day, Dressing for fall, Dressing modestly, Dressing to be warm, Embellished skinny jeans, Fall Fashion, Fall outfit, Fashion Blog, Fashion blogger, Fashion inspiration, Fashion over 40, Fashion over 50, Fashion style, Fashion tips, Fun with layers, Liz Claiborne, Merona, Mudd, Outfit Inspiration, Over 40 Fashion Blog, Over 40 Fashion Style, Over 50 Fashion Blog, Over 50 style, Utility jacket, Utility dressing, Monochrome outfit, Monochrome style

I know I typically talk about color in my Color Play column at the end of the month, but this week I decided we should shop our closets for similar colored pieces to create a little monochrome magic. After all, I wouldn't go out shopping for same or like colored pieces to create a monochrome look, because generally we have pieces already in our closets that match.

The creation of a monochrome outfit in the fashion realm occurs when clothing pieces of similar or same color are combined to make an outfit that appears to be a column of a single color. Once you get started this is as easy as matching pants or skirts with tops or sweaters. An easy way to create a monochrome look is to use a dress, either short, midi or maxi with matching shoes and even, if you dare, matching hose.

Today I will show you step by step how I came up with this perfectly fall outfit.

I guess I should have taken these pictures outside because I am blending in with the cedar planking in our house. Ha, ha. I decided to use this cognac color to create my monochrome look. Here are the steps I took to put this look together.

Step 1 - Choose your color.

This might seem rather obvious, and for some this will be easier than it was for me, because I have so many darn clothes in just about every color. I thought this cognac brown a good color for fall, but I also thought about rust, burgundy and green. You can also use prints in a monochrome outfit as long as it stays mainly within the color scheme.

I started with my StitchStar jeans as I knew I had a pair of ankle boots that matched perfectly. My top is older and is Mudd brand. The idea that your shoes, pants, or skirt and top should all be pretty close to a match makes sense for a monochrome look.

Step 2 - Decide on a topper.

For my topper I chose an open front Tahari cardigan that I had found on clearance at TJMaxx a number of years ago. You could pick anything that matches your monochrome color from a pullover to a blazer.

Step 3 - Choose your jewelry.

I chose a piece that was in the same color scheme as the rest of my outfit, but you certainly don’t have to do that. Your jewelry can be whatever your choose and the outfit will still exude a monochrome vibe. My goal was to stay as close as possible to the cognac colors.

At this point you could be done with your monochrome outfit, but you know me! Why stop there? Ha, ha. While I love monochrome looks, I am too much a fan of color, texture and interest, so I had to add a few colored accessories.

Step 4 - Add a little interest.

I chose a scarf and a thrifted Liz Claiborne bag that matched the green in the scarf.

Step 5 - Finish it off.

Since fall is truly just around the corner layers are going to be essential, so I decided to finish this look with a recently thrifted Merona utility jacket. When I saw this cognac colored jacket I knew I had to have it. While it is a little snug for me, it works great as an open front piece and still allows the under layers to be visible.

Style Tip: When thrifting make sure to look at all different size racks. You never know what you will find if you think outside the box in how you wear various pieces.

I hope you enjoyed this post and that it gave you quick and easy tips on building your own monochrome look. Shop your closets with new eyes. You will find new outfits you never knew existed. No shopping links today, because I know you are all running to your closets right now to see what you can create!

Until next time, think creative and be creative. Your wardrobe is yours to explore and have fun with.

Shopping Our Closets - Light Weight Jackets

August 08, 2023 by Amy Christensen in Shopping my closet, Shopping Our Closets, Light weight jackets, Denim jacket, Utility jacket, Blazer, Blogging, Blogging on fashion, Blogging on style, Blogging over 50, Casual Fashion, Casual fall style, Casual transitional style, Denim clothing, Dressing for fall, Dressing for work, Dressing modestly, Dressing to be warm, Dressing up denim, Fall Fashion, Fall outfit, Fashion Blog, Fashion blogger, Fashion inspiration, Fashion over 40, Fashion over 50, Fashion style, Layering, Layering for warmth, Layering light, Over 40 Fashion Blog, Over 40 Fashion Style, Over 50 Fashion Blog, Over 50 style, Style for fall, Style blog, Style blogger, Style inspiration, Style over 40, Style over 50, Styling a denim jacket, Styling a blazer, Styling a utility jacket, Women's Fashion, Women's fall style, Women's fashion blog, Women's fashion over 40, Women's fashion over 50, Women's fashion style, Women's style

I thought it would be useful to do a post on light weight jackets. As the summer draws to a close and fall meanders its way into our areas we all will be reaching for those light weight jackets to ward off the early morning or late evening chill. There will still be plenty of warm days ahead, but having a few light weight jackets, not only gives you something to throw on when chilled, but adds a touch of class to any outfit.

I have been blogging since 2016, so for 7 years I have been showing different outfits in this space. Instead of showing you a new outfit this week, I thought I would go back and cull my posts to find photos for the different types of jackets I am going to talk about. As I always tell you, make it your own. Shop your closet and figure out which light weight jackets will work best as the season of summer transitions into the season of fall.

Denim Jackets

I wanted to start with this one, because it is one of my faves and a regular go to. Denim jackets are much more versatile than in the day when they were thought of as work wear only for the farm, or a style worn by teens looking to get into trouble. Boy, times have changed…Ha, ha. Today jean jackets come in every cut, color and wash, and they are still relatively inexpensive.

Cropped:

Embellished:

Colored:

Denim and jackets cut in a similar silhouette are great, casual choices for transitional weather outfits.

Utility Jackets

I love my utility jackets and they are the perfect light weight piece to add to your transitional wardrobe. Utility jackets, like denim, now come in assorted colors and prints. They are the perfect casual topper for spring or fall when the temperatures are beginning to fluctuate, and they offer a little more coverage than the standard denim option.

Blazers

I love blazers all year round, and they do double duty in making an outfit look stylish and providing a light layer of warmth for the cooler days of fall or the air conditioning of the office or retail store. The following are a few of my blazers. From solids to prints, a blazer is a fun option for adding interest to your outfit and keeping warm as the weather cools off.

It was fun going through my blog looking for light weight jackets. Many of these pieces I still have, and a few I have gotten rid of. As we grow in our fashion journey, we realize what works for us and what doesn’t. Sometimes that has to do with what phase of life we are in. Losing my assistant manager job and coming home to help with the grandkids and dabble in the freelance writing arena has definitely changed what I wear on a regular basis.

I’m including a batch of light weight jackets in my shopping links. These are affiliate links, brought to you at no cost. If you purchase something through my link I get a small commission. Every purchase you makes helps me keep this blog going. I really appreciate it. All opinions are my own.

Have a great day!

Shopping our Closets - Colorful Skirt and Pantone Spring 2023 NY: Beetroot, Crystal Rose, Gray Lilac

March 16, 2023 by Amy Christensen in Pantone, Pantone Color Institute, Pantone Color of the Year, Pantone color series, Pantone New York, Pantone New York Palette, Pantone NY Palette, Pantone Spring, Pantone Spring 2023, Pantone Spring/Summer, Beetroot, Crystal Rose, Gray Lilac, Pleated skirt, Pastel Colors, Pleated maxi skirt, Pleated floral maxi skirt, Chaps, Chaps brand, Chaps pleated skirt, Utility jacket, Maurice's Utility jacket, Gray lilac jacket, Pastel pink sweater, Pink clutch bag, Pink pullover sweater, Colorado Clothing, ID Required, Gray combat boots, Blogging, Blogging on color, Blogging on fashion, Blogging on style, Blush colored clothing, Blush colored bag, Blush cardigan, Blush clutch, Dressing for spring, Dressing for work, Dressing modestly, Dressy casual, Dressy casual look, Fashion Blog, Fashion blogger, Fashion inspiration, Fashion over 40, Fashion over 50, Fashion style, Floral clothing, Floral maxi skirt, Floral Print Maxi, Layering, Maurice's, Kohl's, Style for spring, Style inspiration, Style over 40, Style over 50, Style tips, Styling a floral skirt, Shopping my closet, Shopping Our Closets, Styling a utility jacket, Thrifted fashion, Thrifted pieces, Thrifted style, Thrifted sweater, Women's Fashion, Women's fashion blog, Women's fashion over 40, Women's fashion over 50, Women's fashion style, Women's spring style, Women's style

(The colors used in these Pantone posts are approximations and not exact matches. The reference to the Pantone Color Institute is meant as a guide and only for your consideration. I do not receive any money from Pantone for these posts. I do it because I love color.)

This week we are shopping our closets looking for a colorful printed skirt to build an outfit around. I chose this floral maxi skirt that I have styled on the blog before as the place to start. Once again, I am incorporating three of the colors from the New York color palette just to give you a sampling of what the Color Institute came up with for this spring and summer.

These colors definitely fall into our radar for spring and summer. For some people pastels are a year round affair. For me, I tend to reach for these lighter, pale colors in the summer months as a way to stay and look cool. In my opinion Beetroot is very similar to Viva Magenta, although a bit more pink. Unlike years past, this year, the Color of the Year is not on the New York or London palettes. I guess they decided they could add one more color on each if they left the Color of the Year as its own entity.

My pleated maxi skirt was a clearance find from Kohl’s a few years ago. Chaps brand, it has a full lining and is very fun to style with its swishy, pleated loveliness. You can see this skirt styled with a gray tee and pink cardigan another Pantone season a few years ago.

Style Tip: As with our unique cardigan from last month’s Shopping our Closets post, start with your printed skirt and build your outfit around it, either focusing on one color in the skirt or a few different colors.

My Crystal Rose pullover sweater is a brand called Colorado Clothing and was thrifted. One of the reasons I give you the brand names on my thrifted pieces is so that if you like the brand you can take the name and plug it in on second hand clothing apps like Ebay or Poshmark and maybe find something you like.

My utility jacket from Maurices is the closest thing I have to the color called Gray Lilac. I had a bag, but in my messiness of clutter, I couldn’t find, it and might have gotten rid of it, but don’t remember. Oh dear, my brain! Ha, ha. It is a darker shade, but if you look it up on the Pantone Spring/Summer 2023 New York Palette page on their website you can see that it is similar.

I kept the accessories fairly simple as I wanted the skirt to be the focal point. I also made it my own by adding combat boots with a blingy clutch.

Style Tip: Make outfits about you and your personality. Just because a particular outfit typically is worn with a certain type of shoe or blazer, doesn’t mean you can’t mix it up a bit and choose pieces that are more to your liking and make your personality shine. The necklace and clutch were both clearance finds; the clutch at Kohl’s and the necklace at Meijer. My boots are a brand called ID Required and are thrifted.

What do you think of these Pantone colors? Do you have these in your closet? Do you have a love/hate relationship with pastels? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on Facebook. I’d love to hear from you.

How would you change up a style like this to make it your own? What do you like about this outfit? What do you not like? Let me know what you think!

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Have a great day!

You can now also buy me a cup of coffee by clicking on this link. I appreciate all of your support.