6 Things That Look Matronly
The words matronly and frumpy came up on the blog this week which got me thinking about wardrobe items we may be holding on to that aren’t doing us any favors. Style has no age limit but there are items a 25-year-old can make look modern, that often go awry on the older woman. Here are 6 ways to look less dowdy and frumpy over 50 you should ditch from your wardrobe this spring/summer.
Capri pants
I know this will be unpopular, but capri pants that end at the widest part of your calf, are unflattering and can look dowdy. Brands that cater to middle-aged women feature a lot of capri pants because women love them, but they’re not your most flattering option. Pants that end where your leg narrows, just above the ankle bone are more flattering and look modern.
Too Much Jewelry
I love jewelry just much as the next gal, but wearing too much at one time looks matronly. If you wear a statement necklace, dial down the earrings, or better yet, skip them altogether. A large bracelet with a statement necklace and bold earrings is too much and detracts from you. Wearing matching sets of jewelry is also dated so break them up and wear them separately.
Clothes that don’t fit well
Oversized, baggy clothes may be comfy, but an entire outfit of loose garments looks frumpy. If your top is oversized, choose a bottom that fits closer to your body. Blouses and shirts that are tight and gap between the buttons look sloppy, which translates to “don’t care” and that’s frumpy. Peasant skirts (like this) have been popular since the ’70s but they add bulk around the tummy and have a dowdy vibe. My outfit would have been saved by a slim tee and wearing the blouse unbuttoned, then removing some of the matching jewelry.
drab colors
Whether or not you’ve had a personal color analysis, or know your most flattering colors, beware of drab colors that bring your appearance down. An entire outfit in washed-out, faded colors looks dated and frumpy. That’s not to say you must wear bright, but have a balance and wear colors near your face that give it life.
Beware of florals
Florals are hugely popular this year, but they can be a fast track to frumpy in the wrong color or size. Tiny florals are the most dangerous, especially in pale colors so if you love them, be sure the shape is modern.
Shiny Nude pantyhose
There’s just no way to look modern when wearing shiny pantyhose for casual wear. Pair them with sandals and you’re on the fast track to frumpy. They can work for formal and dressy events but ensure they’re the sheerest possible and that your toes are covered.
No woman sets out to intentionally look matronly but it’s easy to go overboard and cross into dowdy territory, trust me, I’ve done it.
What do you look back on and realize that it made you look dowdy?
Thanks for reading and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
If you’d tied your linen shirt in front to me it would have looked younger. What do you think? To me, I’d want my bag, hat and shoes to match shades better, even be a nice color like pink or turquoise.
I am 68, 5ā 2 1/2ā tall weighing about 63kgs. We live in a warm climate of Australia. I like to wear linen shorts (I do have nice legs) and a tee shirt with the ātuckā. Am I fooling myself? I have a very young outgoing demeanour.
Go for it!
What hair spray are you using in the hair styling demo?
I am using this one from Aveda
Ha! This was great. I am definitely in the two many florals camp at least for me personally, and the pantyhose not good. Too much jewelry is another good point. Less is more at our age!
Good information!
There seems to be a lot of chatter about older women wearing less makeup, but Iām wondering if there is anyone out there like me. I never wore much when I was younger, hardly had time for a shower let alone makeup, didnāt know much about it and didnāt have the money to experiment or get help. When I had cataract surgery with corrective lenses implanted I could put aside a lifetime of wearing eyeglasses. Suddenly I discovered my best feature was my eyes and began to enjoy wearing eye liner, shadow, mascara and even eyelid base and under eye coverup.I put lipstick and gloss on every morning and throughout the day. I have the time and am enjoying a phase of makeup experimentation I missed out on as a teen and younger person. I say, the best way to stay current is to be open to new possibilities.
I wear makeup everyday and love it. Iām not wearing less, just different techniques.
I just don’t know if I can give up my crop pants. I’m 5’2″ and, in the summer, they’re so comfortable. I have a couple of pair that come somewhere between mid-calf and ankle. Oh, me.
As for dresses, puff sleeve and floral print is everywhere this year. Fine for young gals but ridiculous on us older women. I find J.Jill to be a good resource for this age.
Great post! I am looking for lightweight summer pants and ditching capris. Also agree that we can wear fitted clothes and look fabulous!
I’m heading into the late half of my seventies. No one has so far mentioned lightweight midi or maxi jersey dresses as a possible non-frumpy choice, with the proviso that they’re loose enough to skim torso, waist and bottom, (no bum-hugging!). I have a collection in a variety of summery colors, some with a wide stripe, (but also a pinstripe) or a solid color. These probably wouldn’t work if you’re significantly overweight, but with my average weight, they provide a long line, and lots of ways to accessorize. At 5’4″, I always have to have them hemmed, so I get to choose a good length that glosses over my less than lovely calves and ankles and works with summer sandals. Lightweight kimonos for breezes and aggressive a/c also cover upper arms, that despite regular weight training, wave goodbye when I do. These dresses take me to both casual and dressy summer affairs, and I’m often told I look cool and relaxed š Just not following the blousy trend -it chops inches off my height and adds 10 pounds no one needs!
An excellent post! Iād like to see more doās and donāts.
I do have a question. Do any of you make it a point to wear almost weightless earrings? Surely you’ve seen “sagging or pulled earlobes”?
I refuse to wear heavy earrings and always wear backs that support my ear lobes.
Great advice from everyone today. I would add ruffles, lace and bows to the no-go zone. They make me think of my great-aunt’s bed jacket. I have to confess to buying a dress last summer as I liked its colours and style. However, when I actually wore if I felt I had put on a duvet cover.
That’s not a good feeling. We’ve all been there.
So true on all your comments. Capri pants scream frump.. I am love at wearing drab colours and I now try very hard not to buy them when someone put me 10 years older than I am. Not sure who was more embarrassed thank you for your advice.. Robyn
Ouch…reminds me of the time I was asked when my baby was due…my “baby” child was in grammar school at the time.
Jennifer,
Thank you for the frumpy post. I needed this in the worst way!!!
I immediately thought the soft linen looked great , and also looked good on you, Jennifer. Thereās times for a slimmer look, but linen should be a bit generous.
Surprised that you thought it frumpy. One necklace could go, but Iām okay with what you chose to wear together. Off to the shops!
I might choose that linen in a neutral warm beige , as white wouldnāt work for me, and go with a chunky artisan necklace . Or add colour with either top or bottom in warm autumn shade ( ie see Susan Blakeyās latest post)
All are waiting in a ālinenā bin on my closet shelf, waiting for warmth šhere.
( Go into steam setting on dryer and finish with no heat and right onto hanger )
Sometimes we have to ignore the ālatestā terms and go with what we personally know looks and feels good. Linen in the summer, wrinkles and all, is just so cool.
I agree about linen! I just love it all.
As we age it can be challenging to maintain our preferred style and still look current! Funnily enough, I JUST bought a pair of Talbots skimmers in khaki because my store didnāt have the crops I was looking for. I almost didnāt try them on, but by choosing the regular rather than petite ( Iām 5ā4), they hit just above where a crop would hit, still on the slimmest part of my calf. Buttonsā¦yes, but these buttons actually function, which could come in handy at the beach. I guess Iām still on the ā yes to caprisā side, if you can find the right fit!
Thatās exactly why I prefer to try on capris in the non-petite version. It gives that little bit of extra length I need to bypass the widest part of my calf.
And the regular length gives me a little more room in the rise to accommodate my middle age tummy as opposed to the shorter rise on petite.
Yes, yes, yes!!
Julie Green, excellent suggestion re taking a photo of a proposed new outfit. I ado also find something I think looks just fine most definitely doesnāt when I look at the photographic evidence. Great suggestions Jennifer as the ā dreaded dowdyā look is so easy to slip into
I too would love to see the linen look updated. You looked so breezy cool, but I agree all of the jewelry was too much. What if the linen top were a little shorter?
That might help, but it wouls still be pretty wide, so belted might be better
Great information on your Blog today
Thank you
Have to think about that “frumpy” look – and go through my closet
How about a post about makeup over 50? Eyeliner under the eye is not good for our age however so many people still line the under eye area!
I wear eyeliner under my lower lashes but I use a soft gray that’s pale. I gave up doing the waterline when I discovered I have dry eyes and it can block your lower lashline oils from moisturizing the eye.
Thanks for this great info. It is easy to slip into the over comfort outfits.
All these tips were helpful.
This was such a great post, thank you! I loved the question about the coastal grandma style. Personally, I find the term somewhat pejorative but I still like some of my basic linen and comfortable clothes, especially for the summer.
Some of us are actual coastal grandmas and can shop our closets to put this to work. Do you have some more tips on how to make it work without looking like an old frumpy coastal grandma?
Love your posts and your tip about holding the camera upside down. It works!
I would keep my accessories modern and minimal and be sure everything isn’t shapeless. Few of us can wear shapeless outfits and look as stylish as Diane Keaton. Glad you found the phone tip works! I love it
Jennifer, I’m interested in your analysis of the Eileen Fisher look — just for young, tall, model figures or the young? Lots of loose over loose.
The EF look can easily overwhelm. That said, layering a shorter vest over a long loose top ads a dimension that hints at a waist which can mitigate some of the voluminous look. Itās tough to pull off if youāre short because your body just doesnāt have that much real estate to spread things out.
I agree with the comment that itās important to buy new versions of our classic items each year. Like jeans, the style always changes. I keep last years jeans as backup. Nothing says frumpy like a 20 year old Talbots outfit!
Thank you for your post today, you are stop on. Your comment on capris has given cause to re think my summer wardrobe. I have always loved capris, from my first pair of pedal pushers when I was 10ā¦..that alone should have made me realize I might have outgrown the look! I always think of Bridget Bardot in her denim capris and Breton stripe T, a look I still love, but maybe itās not doing me any favours! I find since retiring two years ago, and moving from a large city to a small town with very limited shopping it has been difficult to transition my wardrobe. When working I had a group of lovely young women who would help me keep current. Either in their choices of dress or or comments made. My daughters live on the other side of the country, so I no longer have the ā oh mum just noā comments to give me nudge. I have you Jennifer, thank you. I am now finishing my coffee and doing an overhaul of my closet with a more critical eye.
I would also like to add glittery, embellished and/or holiday themed tops. In my 40ās I thought they were fun and whimsical. Now in my 70ās I feel they are definitely matronly. I do like the white outfit on you, perfect for a resort vacation.
I agree. Sequins and glitter tends to age us too.
Too much makeup makes me look old and like Iām trying too hard! Nowadays itās just moisturizer, a dab of foundation here and there, eyebrows, lipstick , blush. Maybe mascara. When I look at makeup videos for women over 70, I laugh out loud! If I was going fancy, I would add smudged eyeliner and mascara. Thatās it..
And big floral prints! Plus tiny pale prints like the one you showed us, Jennifer. Geometric prints are ok but big florals are taboo for me. And Iām tall and thin, so there ya goā¦
Personally I feel; choosing footwear that is ‘chunky or heavy in appearance’ , risks looking matronly if not paired properly with an outfit.
Super advice, Jennifer! -Brenda-
I too donāt like the look of caprisā or whatever they are calledā that end at the widest part of the calf. I prefer to wear very long Bermuda shortsāor whatever theyāre calledāand if theyāre well fitting and skim the knee are flattering and comfortable in summer. And the old pedal pushers of our youth often ended at the narrow part of our knee, an old style that isnāt embarrassing to look back on. As a tall woman, I should be happy for the crop pant that ends somewhere above the ankle but they just remind me of a lifetime of not being able to find long enough pants. Every time I try them on I wonder if they are just pants that are too short on me or if they are meant to be that way. I remember being shocked the first time I saw a woman in heels and a a pink business suit that had cropped pants and she looked smashing. It opened my eyes to shorter pants but like I say on me it just feel awkward.
I like longer shorts. I try to adjust the length so my top and shorts don’t split me 50-50. I always liked to wear Summer skirts and long shorts have gotten substituted for skirts b/c they’re slimmer.
I so agree about the crops — pedal pushers are the worst! The juvenile-matron comment is so true as well.
Here’s another item to be careful with – socks. Look at younger women when you are out, not a sock in sight. They wear ‘invisible’ socks in their shoes, boots, and heels, but you will never see them. One other fashion-don’t that I’m guilty of is rolled trousers. Would you be able to explain how to roll or make cuffs without looking dowdy? Thanks!
Have to disagree with the socks commentā¦a few years ago, 100% the younger set wasnāt wearing socks, but now socks are trending with the under 30 set, and are, at least in my university city highly visible especially with sneakers
Hi Jennifer,
This post was spot on! Yesterday, I tried on a gorgeous white linen shirt dress I had recently purchased. The dress made me look like a total frump. I think taking a photo of an outfit is helpful because sometimes what we see in the mirror or in our mindās eye is totally different from reality. As one who is nearing the ninth decade, I know it is easy to fall into the frump trap.
Thank you for the reminder, Julie
Hi Jennifer,
This post was spot on! Yesterday, I tried on a gorgeous white linen shirt dress I had recently purchased. The dress made me look like a total frump. I think taking a photo of an outfit is helpful because sometimes what we see in the mirror or in our mindās eye is totally different from reality. As one who is nearing the ninth decade, I know it is easy to fall into the frump trap.
Thank you for the reminder, Julie
I agree as we get older frumpy can be our nemesis. Being petite I have to worry about proportions. Anything baggy on me looks frumpy. I have a hard time breaking away from capris since I don’t wear shorts. Now I just wear them around the house and try to wear long pants or jeans with lighter material.
I canāt add a thing to todayās commentsā¦ just want to agree it was an outstanding post. Super helpful, spot on tips. Loved it.
Iām so glad you liked it.
To avoid looking matronly I believe one should update their wardrobe every season with a more current piece of clothing. Even the most tailored, classic pieces change every few years with manufacturers adding tucks, length etc. and white shirts yellow; jeans are either loose or fitted; shoes become scuffed & worn. When I purchase yet another striped tee or a white top my husband will often remark that it looks like other pieces I own. While most things I own are solids, tailored without embellishments and classic Iāll go for a fun print now and then but I know itās something that wonāt have longevity. Right now Iām thinking many of the comfort sandals look matronly to my eye; it might just be me but Iām seeing mature women wearing heavy, clunky sandals. In my SoCal community I see women who try to pull off voluminous tops in wild prints & while many of them look good, I know I just canāt wear that without looking like my grandmother. Interesting topic!
Less is best. I like a clean, classic tailored look. Feel women of a certain age that donāt look like they are trying too hard look the best. Embrace your age.
Trying too hard isnāt a great look as I get older.
Some of the sandals I have purchased in the past I feel have made me look dowdy. I’m thinking of a particular brand my daughter likes to wear, flat with buckles. At 4’10”, I need a little lift š
Also wearing sneakers with anything other than work out clothes. Nowadays I wear wedges a lot in the Summer. I feel like I still get the comfort but they elevate an outfit. The capri issue is a tough one. When you are older and you don’t want to wear shorts, they are often a go-to, and the stores have so many of them!!! I totally agree with your post, when they end at the widest part of the calf, they are very unflattering.( My daughter used to work at Talbots and noted that they never miss an opportunity to add buttons to anything).
Thank-you for your advice, Jennifer, since starting to read your blog, I dress with more thought and feel more confident and put-together.
I am 5ā 11 and had to wear high waters growing up since girls pants were not long enough. In the 1980ās ankle length pants were popular and I loved them but so many of those turned into cropped pants on me! I worked with this lady once and we realized we were wearing the same pants! She was much much shorter than me and her pants were too long on her and my pants were cropped and too short for that on me! Talk about opposite body types, but I always remember that and laugh. I really need to rethink the cropped pantsā¦.but I like to wear themā¦.I need to stop! Thanks!
The baggy white outfit makes me recall a trip to Florida many years ago. It was called “The Boca Look” because it was a fad among retirees. Tons of big jewelry.
You are right on with pant length that stops in the widest place. I have a pair or two that I kept for around the house and yard (and expect no visitors) because they are comfy in the summer.
Thanks for the tips!
Being too matchy-matchy can be frumpy. Looking like you are wearing a “set” (matching top and pants for example) can be very aging. I’m thinking of the loose unbuttoned shirt over a matching t-shirt and matching pants… each piece might be great, but break them up.
I have to disagree with the capri vs. cropped pants. Capris can look matronly but I have found that on my 5ā4ā 160# body, they balance out my larger thighs whereas, all the cropped pants I have tried on make me look short, fat and frumpy. So, I have yet to see how cropped pants look better on everyone.
Jennifer, once again, you are spot-on, as are other posters here. I confess to wearing capris for their comfortābut only while walking for exercise. When I was young, anything looked good on me. Now, at 67, not so much. Every day, Iām making conscious choices to avoid the frumpy, but more importantly just to look pulled together at this stage of my life. Iām proud of my children, my retired teaching career, etc. so why wouldnāt I also want to be proud of myself and how I present to the world? In a very real way, we are emissaries for how the world sees aging women. Letās do our best.
Love this post, Jennifer. Question for you and other readers – what are your thoughts about sandals with velcro closures? They provide a great secure and adjustable fit, which I love, but lately I wonder if they look frumpy?
I have them but have a love/hate relationship with them.
Theyāre a blessing for those with arthritis in our hands but do tend to look clunky on me. Itās another item that straddles juvenile and matronly for me.
I know that my wardrobe of Tevas veers into frump, but I love them.
Sandals with velcro that have wide straps, which sometimes looks like a mini podiatrist-boot, aren’t all that fashionable. However, if our feet hurt or don’t fit right we can’t wear our greatest accessory – a happy smile.
Maybe own a pair of sandals with thinner velcro straps for times when you think the frump police will be about š
If our shoes are painful, life is miserable.
Great post today. You are right on with your suggestions. As another reader has said, at age 25 you can head out the door with little effort and look put together. When we are older not so much. Striking the balance of some effort but not overdoneā¦. That is the key.
I concur with your assessment of baggy over baggy looking frumpy; however as another reader asked, is that what is āseemingly on trendā in the āCoastal Grandmotherā look ?
Costal grandmother is more about loose and neutral in my eyes and less about oversized/baggy or sloppy.
Jennifer, you are spot on with this post. I am also very tall and I find that too many ruffles and embellishments can look juvenile on me. Maybe not frumpy, but I always say it makes me look āTwee.ā (Like a little girl playing dress up.)
Oh yes! Iām not sure whatās worse at my age, looking matronly or juvenile! Todays trends are dangerous!
My most recent moment was Motherās Day. After looking at pictures of me with my daughter the dress went into a bag I keep to sent to my sister ( for her daughter who is taller). Canāt believe I went out to brunch looking like that. I pride my self in looking nice, usually get compliments on my outfits.
Should of sent dress back as I tried it on when it arrived without my wig on. It was a dress that should be (tea length) wasnāt happening on this 72 5ā 125# person. It nearly touched the floor but was so pretty, navy with white design, button down the front with flutter sleeves, looked so pretty on line, but I think model was tall with high heelsā¦..that should of told me enough, only good thing it wasnāt expensive. But it was so pretty š©š»āš¦³š
Wish I could sent you a picture.
What about hemming it? Could you have 6ā taken off the bottom? Iāve been known to cut that much off.
I agree with you Jennifer. The all white baggy top and pants is too much fabric. I do think a less baggy top with color would look better. I am not one for layers of heavy big jewelry, seems to be overwhelming . I think a smaller purse ,shoulder or crossbody, would look fresh.
I have been wanting to buy a pair of ecru linen wide leg pants, but looking carefully. I am 5’2″ so I don’t want to look like I am lost in my clothes. There are so many different widths in pants.
At 25, you can pull your hair in a loose pony tail, wear a touch of moisturizer, pull on some slightly worn jeans and look fabulous! Decades later, we seem to over think and blur our natural beauty with a whole lotta bling. I just saw a lady on the news who had a hair style that wouldnāt move in a hurricane! She had a matching set of earrings and necklace in bold, chunky, bright colors. Her makeup was distracting rather than flattering.
Soft lines, a subtle use of accessories goes a long way. For me, my focus is on a fresh hair style, fresh, soft makeup and more classic, easy to wear clothing.
Maybe you could repeat the points system for accessories. It really opened my eyes! Itās really all in the details! Great blog this morning!
Fresh is a beautiful way to describe this look, Jan. Trying too hard often shows and works against, rather than for us.
I really liked the point system for accessories, also! It would be great to have it repeated.
I laughed at the hurricane hair, because that is exactly what my thick, wavy hair does. No amount of texturizing or frequent haircuts can change it. A new hairstylist asked me how much hair spray I use. The answer is none. This hair is going nowhere. I should have been a TV reporter.
LOL, thatās hilarious MJ
Agree with most of your points, particularly the capri one. Where the pants hit at the leg makes all the difference. I also never see buttons at the bottom of pants on younger stylish women. I do slightly disagree on your oversized look however, because I actually like your look there. To me, on hot days, oversized linen garments (like what you are wearing) look chic and weather appropriate! But your idea to open the top and ditch some of the heavy jewelry makes sense. Thanks for this post.
I agree! Loose and airy is a must in the Deep South.
When it hits 100 here, loose and airy is all I want too.
Many years ago when I was about 45 and a size 10, I had a navy dress with tiny white dots. I wore it to special work events. It was nice quality and a little expensive for my usual purchase. I thought I looked quite smart and professional. I put it on and my mother, then about 77 took one look and said āI think it looks ā Hennyā which was her word or maybe Boston, for dowdyā¦matronly. Well, I wore it after that but the word rang in my ear. When I saw your post, my mother was right on my shoulderā¦saying Jenniferās right! HENNY!
Jennifer, as always great info and thought provoking. After being in high powered business dress clothes for too many years then a pandemic wardrobe I am really having to fight the frump. I love color but find if I hop on a trend I have to be extra careful that itās actually flattering. Like some of the cute peasant tops at Loft this year. Thereās enough material in the width for 2 people? And some of the sleeves while so cute are just overwhelming to my frame. Your blog is such a help and you are realistic. I like your choices and ideas. My body type is quite different but you have been great to address us modified pears etc. I like some of the cropped pants Talbots offers but agree with another commenter stop with the buttons. I think I am going to remove the buttons. Have a great weekend!
I too wish Talbots would ditch the buttons on the bottom of pants.
Yes, me too. Talbots has more non-functional buttons on their clothes. Also, sometimes the button color is all wrong — bright metal buttons with ‘Talbots’ imprint — when navy buttons on a navy sweater would look much better.
My motherās voice often rings in my ears. Her preferred phrase was, āoh, the sights you see when you donāt have a gunā. She was a gentle woman so that always made me laugh.
So very true! Especially capri pants!!
Jennifer, this article really resonates with me. I was trying on some dresses the other day and it was seriously sad. I am short and was shown a series of ankle draping, floral or tiered dresses, all with sleeves which were so voluminous they could double as a parachute. I am short (160cm) and when trying them on, looked like I belonged to cult where the leader has multiple wives. But, doesn’t your ‘baggy’ white outfit somewhat resemble the Coastal Grandmother look so desired these days?
It certainly does resemble the coastal grandmother look. I just know I could do better by slimming the top or pants.
Love your sense of humor! You made me laugh over your comments.
@Ren Thank you. But my sense of humour is not half as amusing as the shop assistant who kept telling me how wonderful I looked.
Love your sense of humor Susanš
I roared with laughter at your cult comment ! You have such a great way with words !!
One of the reasons I shy away from dresses (many of them anyway), is that Iāve seen myself in pictures. Oooh bad.
There are only a couple of styles that flatter me and none are long or midi or mini. They are a straight narrow cut to the knee – just there. Simple lines. No flowers. I did try on a to the knee trapeze (?) style I think itās called and it was nice but too expensive. Never purchased. No florals. Yes I know I said that before.
A sheath dress always seems modern to me too.
Jennifer, your blog today brought back a memory of me asking a dear friend (when I was much younger!) if a certain new outfit made me look matronly. Her answer was, “Not on you.” I still smile when I think of her answer. If I were to wear that same outfit today, I bet it would make me look dowdy, so what you say here today rings true. The young can wear anything! But at my age, it is important to look critically at potential outfits if I want to look stylish & youthful. Thanks for the memory and the advice.
I love that, Bea.
Good advice!
What looks matronly to me is what I call a Queen Elizabeth purse, one with short handles meant to be carried on the elbow or in the hand. A shoulder purse of cross-body looks more youthful.
I love cross body bags for their practicality, but I think it is the style of the Queen’s handbags which make them seem even more matronly. But, the Queen rocks.
Agree! The Queen at 96 is on her own keenly developed fashion sphere! What a woman!
I meant to say āa cross-body OR shoulder purseā. I am not criticizing the Queen at all, just trying to describe the style of purse.
I totally understand Elizabeth. You described her bag well.
She does indeed!!
There is a very special look to the Queenās purse :). I have a love/hate relationship with crossbody bags because the scrunch my tops and I hate the look of the strap across my chest. They are modern and handy though.
I have to agree with Melissa about your outfit with the all white loose fitting top & long linen wide pants. You look cool & casual especially with the natural straw hat & bag which keeps the look modern & very chic. Iād wear that look in a minute omitting some of the jewelry & wearing one long natural looking statement piece around my neck. Natural sanders (not black) would also help the look. Great advice on the capris which Iāve ditched!š¤
@Elizabeth I didn’t think for a moment you were criticizing the Queen (which you can of course) but merely describing her style of handbag which I don’t think has changed since she was crowned.