Happy Tuesday ladies. Today I have a mixed bag for you. A mannequin and a bit more info about me. I’d like to start doing some question-and-answer posts. Are you curious about something you’d like to see covered? Curious about me? If you have questions just hit reply to this email and ask away.
Today I’m answering questions about me.
Did I work as a stylist in a store or individually?
Yes and yes. I managed several intimate, high-end boutiques for many years. I did the merchandise buying along with the owner and helped ladies find the right garments for their bodies. It was extremely rewarding and I loved helping them. They began to ask me to come into their homes and help them organize their wardrobes and help them decide what should stay or go.
I realized this would be a fulfilling career change so began my studies. I trained with several image masters, tested, and received my certification from the Association of Image Consultants, better known as AICI.
“AICI is the leading and largest professional association of personal and corporate image consultants worldwide. Our members counsel both, individual and corporate clients on appearance, behavior, communication, and soft skills.”
I ran my own Image Consulting business for several years, helping women clean out their wardrobes and discover the gaps they need to fill with garments and accessories that will help them look and feel their best. We would shop together to find what they needed.
When the economy hit a nosedive I decided to retire and start a blog so I could share online, what I had been sharing with paying clients.
Now enough about me, let’s have a look at a mannequin I came across and see how you would style what she is modeling.
The blouse is semi-sheer chiffon with a ruffled neck and cuffs. You can click through the links above to learn more about the items.
Would these pieces work for you? Would you wear either one and how would you style them to work for your shape, coloring, and lifestyle.
Let’s have an exchange of styling ideas and inspire each other.
Thanks for being here and making this community such a warm, sharing place for women to discuss fashion.
Have a great one ladies and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
Would wear it with nice pair of slacks and different color blouse, maybe dark purple
I think this outfit is “ok.” I would wear the top tucked in. I wear a lot of black, both tops and bottoms. I’d probably not choose to buy this particular top, but if I had it, I’d wear it. The jeans are fine… any style jeans are fine these days it seems. It is more about how they fit your own body.
No on the blouse for me. I don’t wear black and the high neck and sheer sleeves would annoy me.. I like design interest but sheer sleeves seem pointless to me.
They don’t flatter my arms or serve any practical purpose.
I love love bootcut pants. Am cheering the return of flattering pants for those of us with less than boyishly trim legs. Sighing with relief! And the clean classic navy of the jeans looks good to me. It gives a smooth appearance.
Mixing a dressy top with jeans worked when I was younger but somehow it feels contrived to me now. I am more inclined to keep a look consistent. Maybe I’ve gotten lazy or just boring! It’s just too much effort to get that creative with my clothing these days.
Thank you for sharing your talent with us! Dressing my 65 year old body can be challenging!
Regarding the question of wearing the outfit on display: yes to the bootcut jeans and no to the top. I am short waisted with an apple shape, so bootcuts and wide pants balance me out. I am trying to reduce the amount of black I wear around my face, as it’s too harsh for my fair complexion and silver hair. I would prefer a top with a V neck as it’s more flattering for me.
I inherited something similar from my very stylish mother and wore it until it fell apart. Love the look. Retro and classic.
Wow. This display is a flashback for me. You could have found it in my closet during my university days and I’ll let you guess when that was. I’d love to try it on but I’m not sure I’d be able to pull it off these days.
Hi Jennifer, love knowing your background. What a fun profession! Anytime you help someone look good and see their confidence grow, you are blessed.
I like this look but cannot wear neckline like this. Turtlenecks, high necks, etc give me an instant headache. My mom told me when I was born that the umbilical cord was wrapped around my neck, so I always joke that is probably why I can’t wear high neck tops.
Thanks for this blog – I turned my cousin on to it as well. Good to see fashion sense for women over 50.
One of my favorite go-to looks is jeans with a black top and this particular ensemble is gorgeous! It’s a classic.
I don’t have any tops that are similar to this style, but I’d definitely try this one.
I do wear boot-cut jeans and like the look of this pair.
It was so interesting to hear about your earlier career, Jennifer. I’m so glad you created your blog to share your knowledge with us!
This is a great canvas. For a more casual look, I might pair with a animal print cardigan or print kimono jacket. For a dressier look, a tweed jacket or blazer would be great. I could also see a statement necklace from French Kande for simple, understated look with just the blouse and jeans paired with some snakeskin pumps. For footwear, I think either ankle boots with heels or sandals with block heels would also look good with this outfit.
I like the color combo but not a fan of this style blouse. Too frilly and puffy for me and I’m short so the neckline doesn’t work. I’m very fair so I might try a different color. I like the jeans and find that cut to be very flattering. Thank you for time investment and hard work. I always learn something.
I love this elegant look but probably would not be brave enough to wear it!
I love black and denim together! The blouse might be a bit fussy for me, but i would wear it. Since the blouse has a lot of detail, it doesn’t need a necklace. Really nice earrings in white gold, and animal print or black strappy heels, would look nice. I enjoyed learning about your background!
I enjoyed learning about your background. I would wear this outfit although I don’t wear black often by my face. I’d add an interesting necklace/bracelet and earrings. Bootcut jeans are my favorite style. I may wear my animal print slides with this, boots, or a nice sandal if it ever warms up.
I would go restrained boho on this. Maybe a duster vest in something lightweight from Johnny Was. If it’s a print, I would go more neutral on the jewelry, maybe a wood bead necklace and bracelet. If the vest is a solid neutral, I would go all out with layered colored necklaces and bracelets. In either case, the earrings would stay simple, small gold hoops, maybe. British tan or brown flat sandals (maybe from Born) and a fabric or crocheted shoulder bag in something natural or off white (think TheSac.) Then if I’m going out in the sun, a nice wide-brimmed straw hat with no embellishment. (You know, since I have had the second shot, maybe I will go out somewhere again!)
I like black tops with denim and usually accent with jewelry, a belt, scarf…something that adds shine, pattern and/or color. For this top and jeans, that would be the shoes (maybe an animal print?), earrings, and/or half tuck the blouse and add the belt.