(ABOVE) Pink, navy and black, a classic color combination.
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May 16, 2018 / Video Post Notes
CUTE AND FUN OR MORE REFINED–WHICH LOOK DO I WANT…AND WHY?
Black Classic Accessories For Elevating an Outfit
For this date night OOTD, I could have paired my navy shirt with navy accessories, and I would have loved the outfit. Navy and pink are very preppy, and I naturally gravitate to preppy looks. However, I wanted a slightly more dressy feeling, so I decided to pair my outfit with refined black accessories and earrings: a classic-shape ladylike Chanel bag, kitten-heel sling-back sandals, and petite-dangle onyx and gold earrings.
Knee-Length or a Little Shorter?
Along with my accessories, something else that affects the look of this outfit is the length of my magenta eyelet skirt (which is 40% off right now) and had I taken the time to think about this in the store dressing room, I would have saved myself a lot of fashion angst.
When I first tried on the skirt a few weeks ago, I couldn’t decide whether I wanted it knee length (23 inches) or a smidge shorter (21 inches)–which would mean moving into the petite section in my corresponding size. I also kept vacillating about how tight/slim fitting I wanted it. After traipsing back and forth from the petite to the misses departments several times, then hemming and hawing more at home, I finally–or so I thought–decided on the shorter skirt and in one size smaller than my typical size. Translation: slightly shorter and slimmer. (I’m not sure I’ve ever taken so long to make a simple clothing purchase!)
Why My Changing Taste in Clothes?
I’m regaling (boring) you with all of this, because that shorter skirt is the one I’m wearing in this post and video but, oh my goodness, please bear with me…it is not the one I own today–and the reason is not just because my thighs are no longer as tight or smooth as they were in my 40s. Although, I did initially assume that was my reasoning.
What I discovered is, my style is evolving more now than it ever has before, and I attribute that to feeling more and more comfortable with what I like and determined to dress as I choose–even if it isn’t what current fashion magazines might be showing. For me, that translates to adding into my wardrobe more knee-length skirts. Yes, that means I don’t have to worry about my less -than-perfect thighs, but that’s not the only reason I love knee-length skirts. After all, I like and do still wear shorter skirts for casual wear and for fun dressing up. But, for a classic, understated, elegant look, I like having a knee-length (or slightly longer) pencil skirt as an option–whether worn with a kitten heel or a high heel.
Take this outfit. I think it looks cute and fun. I do like it. However, I think it would look just a bit more refined and sophisticated if the skirt was knee length. For that reason, I returned the shorter skirt and now have it in the knee length.
I’m so glad to have learned this about myself, because it will make outfit decisions much easier going forward. (I’m sure store personnel will be much happier with me, too!)
Questions to Ask Myself Before Choosing Which Skirt (& Shoes)
From now on, when contemplating putting together a skirt outfit, I’ll ask myself: Do I want a casual look? If so, I’ll choose a shorter skirt with flats. Fun and flirty? I’ll pick a shorter skirt with kitten heels (like I show here). Sophisticated and refined? Then I’ll choose a knee-length pencil skirt with either kitten heels or stilettos. At least, that’s my feeling on the subject for now. I’m still learning. 🙂
Which brings me to another question: How do you feel about skirt lengths?
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit me here at the blog–and for listing to me vent!
All the best,
~Janis Lyn Johnson
(ABOVE) On the left, I try on the misses size 2 at Talbots (23-inch length); on the right, I’m wearing the petite size 2 (21-inch length). My apologies for the lighting differences! I’m so happy I ultimately decided to return the petite (after this shoot) and bought the longer misses skirt. Although the petite skirt on the right is adorable, I just think the longer one on the left is more versatile. It can be elegant and sophisticated when worn with heels, or simple and casual if worn with, say, wedge sandals or espadrilles. (This skirt is 40% off for a limited time.)
(ABOVE & BELOW) 100% Pure Coco Butter Matte Lipstick Marrakesh.
MY CLOTHING
TOP: Brooks Brothers (similar Brooks Brothers, Talbots; also Comme Des Garcons Navy or Black Cardigan; Caslon Navy Elbow-Sleeve Tee, Navy Three-Quarter-Sleeve-Tee) / SKIRT: Talbots c/o, 40% off for a limited time.
MY ACCESSORIES
BAG: Chanel, Spring/Summer 2018 (similar Vintage Mini Chanel Bag or Tory Burch, Kate Spade, Rebecca Minkoff / SHOES: Vaneli.
MY JEWELRY
EARRINGS (similar Ross-Simons, Kendra Scott) / ENAMEL BANGLE: Talbots / WATCH: Michele
MY MOISTURIZERS/MAKEUP (All Natural/Organic Ingredients)
FACE SCRUB: Coconut Oil Mixed with Himalayan Salt (alternative 100% Pure Organic Acai Pulp Facial Scrub) / FACE MOISTURIZER: Nourish Organic Face Lotion / LIPS-EYE AREA MOISTURIZER: Nourish Organic Shea Butter / FACE MAKEUP: BareMinerals Matte Foundation SPF 15, Golden Medium 14 and Golden Fair 04, applied with BareMinerals Flawless Application Face Brush (also available here) and Sigma Flat Angled Kabuki F88 Brush / CHEEKS: Gabriel Apricot Powder Blush and Gabriel Vibrant Pink Powder Blush, applied with EcoTools Cruelty-Free Stippling Brush / LIPS: 100% Pure Coco Butter Matte Lipstick Marrakesh / EYELIDS: 100% Pure Blackest Long Last Liner / LASHES: 100% Pure Ultra-Lengthening Mascara, Black Tea, combed out with a Folding Eyelash Comb With Metal Teeth.
100% Pure Also Here: 100% Pure Europe, 100% Pure UK, 100% Pure Canada.
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I think just covering the knees is a good length for older women. The reason – knees are not the most attractive part of legs especially as one gets older.
Caroline, I do think as we age, our knees don’t look nearly as smooth, so true! ~ Janis
Coco Chanel hated women’s knees! I’m 53 and the older I get, the more I agree! I’ve started preferring skirt and dress lengths to hit right at or just below the middle of the kneecap so it can cover up the worst part of the knee. I love this color on you!
Hi, Elisabeth! I didn’t know that about Chanel. How interesting! Thank you for sharing that! ~ Janis
First of all, I like both lengths on you.
But I would do as you have done and bought the longer length. I don’t like wearing shorter skirts because when I sit they ride up on my legs exposing too much skin. Especially the pencil type skirts. I wish you would have shown full length pics on the longer length skirt. I would pair the longer length with heels, not flat sandals. The longer length needs to be dressed up a bit more. But I think the shorter length could handle the flat sandals for a more casual look in the summer months. I go for a longer length in the pencil skirts but a tad bit shorter in a more casual summer dress that I would wear with flats.
Lynne, I’m so glad you agree about the longer skirt. I wish I had taken some more shots in the store of the longer skirt with tops and heels, but I didn’t think to blog about it at the time. Oh, and YES, about pencil skirts becoming even shorter once we sit down. So true. Definitely something we have to think about! Thank you for adding in your opinion here. I so appreciate it!! ~ Janis
Hello Janis, I too agree with the other ladies comments covering the knees are far more age appropriate as we get older.
The woman I aspire to is the very lovely always elegant Carolina Herrera and nobody does chic understand elegance better than her and her knees are always just covered.
By the way she is way into her seventies and her make up always looks less is more and never garish as I think that’s the worst look on older women.
Now Janis this is the truth, your makeup is always just right never caked on and your style is truly elegant. For me personally I think navy accessories would have looked softer than the black and as you say a magenta cardigan over your shoulders especially in air con restaurants in Florida as I experienced
myself on holiday there. Brrr I used to shiver if I forgot a little cardy.
I think the icing on the cake with your outfit was the lovely magenta pink bracelet so classy with the pop of colour just making a statement again without being over the top.
Love Pamela from Wales X
PS this Saturday is th Royal Wedding. So looking forward to seen Megan’s dress and all the other lovely fashions .
.
Hi, Pamela! Although I won’t be able to watch the wedding live on Saturday, I can’t wait to see it during reruns. I bet it will be so lovely! Also, I am with you about Carolina Herrera. Her style is magnificent. Always. Thank you for your kind comments about how I wear my makeup. One of the most important things to me about foundation is doing my best to make it look very natural and not like I have any on. I much prefer a natural look. Yes, you’re right that the navy accessories definitely would have looked softer than the black, and I typically would have done that. I just wanted to do something a little bit different. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. Hope you have beautiful weather for the wedding! ~ Janis
Thank you Janis for sweet reply.
Yes Megan &Harry will be blessed with 20 degrees sunshine in Windsor Greater London, which wait for it is fabulous temps for this time of year in U.K. No rain thank goodness as the British weather is so finicky, to say the least.Hope you enjoy the re-runs I love to see the array of wild and wonderful hat creations some are down right crazy even looking like Pretzels perched on top of pretty ladies heads. lol. Good fun though..
I sent you a lengthy reply to your last post about ‘ Fiercely Authentic ‘ I hope you read it as I mentioned how I adore your outside Vlogs in and around Naples one of my favourites was Hats in the Garden.
I hope you continue to do more as they are so professional.
Well bye from sunny Wales today, must go as I have chores to do as I want to put my feet up on Saturday and enjoy the Wedding.
Love Pamela x
Janis, what a great post! I loved hearing your thoughts and how you came to your decision. I love both on you, but I REALLY love the longer one even with those sandals. I loved that you just kept trying on and listened to your own instincts. I am finding that I am doing that more too. It takes me a bit longer, but I want to love it.
Hi Janis,
I do love both skirt lengths on you but the longer skirt is much more elegant. I am 55 years old, a retired ballerina but now I teach professional dancers. I am a very slight 1.70 tall (5’7″) and 42 kg – around 90 pounds. Although my legs and especially my thighs are very firm, thanks to years of dancing, I am now gravitating towards skirts that lie on my knees rather than just above the knees.
Friends tell me I have great legs with no sagging around the knees but I feel that as I age, it’s more elegant to bring the hemline down a little whilst still showing our legs – it’s a very feminine look and you look marvellous. Coco Chanel said that the knees were the ugliest part of the body in her opinion and preferred skirts over the knees. Coco was the first to design and start wearing trousers, although at that times women wore long skirts and girdles.
I simply love the colour choices you make and your make up is impeccable. I too gravitate towards a natural look which is so much more flattering on mature skin. The navy and magenta are a gorgeous combination. You would also look wonderful wearing navy and pink as well as navy and mint green. Navy is such a versatile basic and softer than black for some mature skins.
I do envy you being able to wear different sandals and open toed shoes – peep toes I believe they are called in English yes? I’m not a native English speaker so please pardon any errors – in spite of living between France and Beyrut, I still make errors, hopefully none too serious to cause embarrassment! I don’t consider feet a very attractive part of the body but you look just as elegant in a heel, ballet flat or sandal/peep toe. Mine are kept hidden away in shoes and espadrilles because of broken toes and injuries – all worth it I must say.
You look simply stunning in a beautifully understated way, your husband is so very fortunate to have such an sweet wife.
You also have me thinking twice about dyeing my hair Janis. I have very long and thick dark brown hair and the greys are coming through thick and fast – actually they are more of a platinum or silver as my hairdresser put it. I am so afraid to dye my hair incase anything should go wrong and since we systemically absorb the harsh chemicals in many hair dyes on the market, I remain dubious. I would be interested to know what made you decide to allow yourself from refraining from colouring your hair. There can be a lot of pressure on women our age and I believe one should always do what they feel is good for themselves, rather than for other people. I’ve spoken so much, pardon me for taking your time. I look forward to more of your videos and style photographs which I enjoy so much.
Hello Janice!
I thought I would bop over and say hello! This is Jess or as you may know me elgantlydressedandstylish on IG. 🙂 i love a classic style as well, and love this look on you! The navy and pink really are lovely together and I have a similar skirt from Ann Taylor I bought years ago, minus the scalloped detailing ( I love that!) . i wear different lengths skirts ( I am 5 foot 9) and we are the same size. I think it really depends on my mood. You look beautiful, and i think I am going to check out the lipsticks you mention as well.
Have a happy Memorial day weekend!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Hey, Jess! I agree about mood dictating length of skirt. I think I tend to go by that as well. By the way, everything always looks so lovely on you. You have a gorgeous figure for clothing! Thank you for bopping over (what a cute term–bop!) ~ Janis
This is beautiful. This combination is beautiful. While I don’t own a bright pink skirt, I do own a bright yellow one and will give it a try.