Style At a Certain Age

At a time when many of us are struggling with how to dress over 40, Beth Djalali seems to have it down pat.  The 64-year-old blogger behind Style at a Certain Age has a loyal following with her inspiring signature style. Who is Beth, and what defines her look?

Beth is a writer with a mystery book in the works for a publisher. Several years ago, she began posting her outfits after a woman stopped her on the street to ask if she was a stylist because she loved her style. Beth’s husband volunteered to take photos, and her three grown boys cheered her on.

Here’s a look at Beth’s chic outfits and why she is a  Fabulous After 40 Styleblazer. 

Deb: You live in San Francisco but grew up in Nebraska, which is different from the world’s fashion capital. Where do you get your excellent style sense? 

Beth: My sense of style has evolved through the years, but I have my mother to thank for being my first style icon. And I vividly remember listening to her and her two sisters recount tales of their childhood and teenage years. Without a doubt, every story they registered included what they wore that day – down to the minutest detail: midnight blue lace scalloped dress with mother-of-pearl buttons.

I also have great memories of my mother taking me shopping at Crossroads Mall, which always included a burger and a chocolate coke stop – two of her favorite things, and mine. She was the one who skillfully steered me towards the pink mohair turtleneck that would be divine with the chocolate suede wrap-around skirt for the first day of school. If you know anything about Nebraska, you know that the day after Labor Day, the official kick-off for school, was most likely a blistering 85 degrees, but then my mother always thought you might have to suffer for beauty. You have to love her!

Deb: Any women whose style speaks to you at the moment?

Beth: As for women whose style speaks to me now, Jenna Lyons. She is an amazing creative force, and she has single-handedly made JCrew into the powerhouse it is today. Although, having Mickey Drexler guiding you step-by-step doesn’t hurt. Jenna is a force to be reckoned with and has reinvented how American women dress – and all for the better. I love her casual yet chic look with bold splashes of color, pattern mixing, and her nod to the classics: trench coat, striped tee, jeans, ballet flats, and kitten heels. When I purchase something from JCrew, my favorite store, I know that item will stand the test of time, something that is very important to me and is a major factor in how I build my wardrobe.

Deb: Some of your outfits are classic, while others are trendy. How would you describe your overall look?

Beth: I would describe my overall look as an American Classic with a modern twist, which is true casualness at its heart. My trendiest outfits are rooted in the classics: ballet flats, pencil skirts, dark rinse jeans, or a two-button blazer. It’s nothing too fancy for me as I love clean lines borrowed from menswear. I’m happiest when I don a pair of blue jeans and top it off with a sweater. And I have to say I’m a sucker for pearls, charm bracelets, and a simple classic watch.

Deb: Do you find dressing more challenging now that you are in your 50s? How so? What’s your biggest style challenge?

Beth: I don’t think it’s more challenging to dress now than at 26. It’s all about finding the best style that suits you, and I’ve always been a prepster at heart, so nowadays, it’s more about fine-tuning that look and keeping it fresh. The styles that work best for me are jeans, a blazer, a skirt, and a blazer, and I don’t think I could live without my black faux leather moto jacket. It regularly appears on my blog. I adore dresses but reserve them for special occasions or hot summer days.

Deb: Take us through how you put an outfit together. What goes through your mind as you pick out clothes? 

Beth: When I’m putting an outfit together, the most important question I ask myself is, where am I going? Lord knows we all have busy lives. We’re mothers, daughters, wives, and friends. We’re career women; we drive carpool, jet off for vacation, and attend graduations, weddings, and showers. And these are the factors I think about when I dress for the day.

If I’m traversing the hills of San Francisco with Oscar, our new puppy, by my side, I’m certainly going to have on a pair of flats, whether it’s a pair of ballet flats or sneakers. If I meet a friend for drinks, I’ll wear heels and reach for a clutch purse. Or if I attended a power lunch, most likely, I’d be seen in a ‘power suit or power dress.’ Pinstripes, anyone? For me, it’s all about dressing for the occasion.

Deb: Do you have a signature color – which one and why?

Beth: My signature color is hands-down pink. It’s a color that flatters my skin tone and can go from pale blush to shocking pink and back again. It looks good in grey, brown, black, and navy – should I go on it? Pink definitely rocks in my book.

Deb: You have a look so many women want – not too old or young. What’s your secret for dressing modern and hip but not desperate?

Beth: What a lovely compliment. Thanks, Deborah. I love to hear that I’ve nailed the look women want. The secret to dressing modern and hip is not veering far from the classics and investing in great haircuts. A fabulous hairstylist is worth every penny!

Deb: Do you think there is a limit to what a woman can wear at a certain age?

Beth:  No, those were rules best reserved for my mother’s generation that didn’t allow white after Labor Day or insisted your shoes matched your purse. And bare legs? Never. Thank goodness those barriers have been struck down for the better. I firmly believe in dressing appropriately for the occasion, regardless of age.

Deb: What is your opinion of how the average American woman in her 50s dresses? What advice would you give her?

Beth: As for the average American woman in her 50s and how she dresses, let me take a moment and impress upon everyone that the younger generation is looking to us as their role model. I can’t tell you how many emails I’ve received from women in their teens and twenties who thank me for being just that – a role model on age gracefully. So my advice is this: don’t fear age; instead, let’s embrace it. Let’s be authentic and genuine and find new adventures to embark upon; if we do – we’ll indeed be beautiful inside and out, and it doesn’t hurt to add lipstick before heading out the door.

Deb: Almost every outfit you wear includes a belt. How many belts do you own, and how do you decide which one to wear with your outfit?

Beth: So you noticed my belts. I do have a penchant for belts. Every time I go shopping, I visit the belt section, and if I find one I like, I always purchase it. You’d be surprised how hard it is to find a great belt when needed. I’m not sure how many I own, but I have one or two that I typically reach for repeatedly. I believe it’s a simple accessory like a belt that can take an outfit from average to spectacular. The devil is in the details, and I try to remember this.

Deb: You have a fantastic collection of shoes, from flats to mid-heels to high heels. What type of shoe is your favorite and why?

Beth: I also love shoes and know that a great pair of heels can dress up a couple of blue jeans like no other accessory. Kitten heels are pretty fabulous, but ballet flats have been a tried-and-true favorite of mine since I was a teenager, and I always have several pairs sitting in my closet. Why do you ask? The answer is simple: they go with everything. Blue jeans – check sheath dress – check, shorts – check. Versatile and beautiful, ballet flats are a workhorse in my closet, and I can clock in more miles with them than my heels.

Deb: You also have a great collection of high-end handbags. How important is your bag to your overall look?

Beth: Now, it’s onto handbags, which hold a special place in my heart. Most likely, it’s because my husband has bought almost every handbag I own. So not only are my handbags fabulous to look at, but they also have sentimental value to me. Handbags, shoes, and belts are those notable additions to your wardrobe that can elevate your look and keep you looking polished and put together.

Deb: What is the one fashion item you would invest in repeatedly?

Beth: A worthy investment piece for me that I will buy again and again is a cashmere wrap. They’re a perfect and stylish way to stay warm on a chilly day. They double as a blanket if you’re traveling on a long plane ride, and I promise they stand the test of time.

Deb: Beth, it has been a pleasure! Ladies, please stop by Beth’s blog and IG @styleatacertainage  to see her latest outfits and chat with her about over 40 styles.