There are days when you just need a good shop! Right? For those days it’s like going on a hunt. You want to be comfy, you want to feel relaxed, but you also want to look decent and pulled together in case you run into someone, or just so you feel good about yourself.
What do you wear to be casual but still cool and classy? Below is a suggestion. Let’s see how this came together.
Jeans
You can’t go wrong with a pair of classic dark wash jeans. They’re cool, they go with anything anything, but no fades, rips, or whiskers at the crotch please! A clean, dark wash makes you look classy and confident. It’s grown up chic not teenage trendsetter. These boot cut jeans with slight flare look great on most women.If you are have generous hips and thighs you may want to go for a jean that is looser at the thigh such as a trouser jean. If you are slim and fit, great! Go for a skinny leg.
Whatever style, make sure your jeans fit well. With a million and one jeans brands out there is something for everyone. Some of our favorites are Not Your Daughter’s Jeans, JBrand, Miracle Fit jeans. One other great benefit to wearing dark jeans when you shop. Like black or white pants they are a great base to try on colored or patterned tops. You really get a chance to see what the tops look like when what you are wearing on the bottom half doesn’t compete.
The Top
Comfort is key, so is a top you can pull on and off in an instant, and this blue stretch top fits the bill. It’s a soft jersey wrap top that nips in your waist and creates an hourglass even if you don’t really have one. The length on this is good because it will hide any tummy. Blue, paired with blue jeans will make you look long and lean (Just in case you do run into that old boyfriend).
Really, any comfy top with any comfy skirt or pant is great to shop in because separates are what you need when it comes to trying stuff on. Ever shop in a dress, try on a top and then have to scramble to find a saleswoman to bring you a pair of pants? Separates make sense.
The Bag
When in doubt basic black leather always a good choice and an excellent staple in any wardrobe. This bag is just right size for shopping. It won’t get heavy and with the zipper, you won’t have t worry about your wallet falling out anywhere.
Shoes
This is where the cute factor comes in. You definitely want flats for powering around the mall in. Gold adds a touch of richness and fun to this monochromatic outfit.
Gold accessories
Keep accessories super simple when you go shopping. The gold watch and earrings are simple and chic. Gold is best for warm toned skin such (ie: If you have had your seasonal colors done and are a spring or autumn). If you are a summer or winter you can go with silver instead to match your cool skin and hair and look equally as good.
What do you wear when you go shopping? Do you have a favorite outfit? Send us a photo. I’d love to see your “shopping uniform”.
Style Expert Deborah Boland specializes in helping mature women to Tweak their Chic®!
I wore a casual knit dress and slip-on sandals for trying on jeans the other day and I wrote myself a note to remember this because it was great. I was able to slip the pants on and off without having to remove anything to do it. Just slipping out of my sandals and pulling up the skirt of the dress to take a look at what I tried on.
I always make sure to shop when I’m having a “cute” day, too, and lipstick is a must.
Love the outfit you put together here. But I’ve come to the conclusion that fashion rules are better seen as suggestions. I’ve found some wonderful classic tops and sweaters in the juniors dept. that no one would ever know were juniors. They aren’t always poorly made, either, but usually less expensive and it opens up your shopping options.
Also, although I think dark wash are always safe for us older gals, if you know how to put an outfit together well, you can wear other types as long as you don’t go over board with the worn look. Just my humble opinion, because I so tire of hard and fast rules and admire older women who can carry off more than what’s usually stated in a rule list. :) I like fashion to be fun.
I can,t wear flats because of a medical condition. Any suggestions to complete this outfit for me? Thank you .
Always love your tips on looking good. I second what Penny said: Please, when possible, post where to find the pieces you feature and also their price. I get good ideas from your posts but sometimes I see what you’ve put together and say “Yes!” and I want to be able to shop for those pieces. Thanks.
I love this outfit for Look Fab After 40 When You Go Shopping. The blue top and dark jeans but wish you would post where we can buy these items, the brand or a similiar item so we can shop and try it on. I look and look at these and never seem to find the information on it.
Good post. May I add:
1. wear a top that you can easily try on jackets, cardigan, etc. over with out even going into the fitting room. This will speed up waiting in line to try on one or two tops.
2. If you are looking to accessorize or add to a new outfit, wear it. That makes it much easier to find the missing pieces, match colors, style and fabrics and create the complete look.
Great tips! Thanks Lori!
I love the use of cobalt blue and a dark blue jean, sort of monochromatic, but more interesting!
As always, great style advice. Thanks for the tips.
Nice post, great info. BEST PLACE to get jeans that look authentically jean-ish (vs. cheap) and fit so comfortably is Chico’s. Man, I love their jeans.
Love this style “recipe”. Thanks Gals!
A question about this ensemble: I actually have a top similar to the one pictured that I wear with jeans. I love the idea of wearing metallic shoes to give the outfit some zing; my question is whether I should wear with silver (rather than gold) shoes since I usually wear silver jewelry because I am a ‘winter’? Or is that too matchy?
Hi Susan, Absolutely you can go the silver route! Enjoy!