Sunday Morning Classic Casual Jeans Style

Karen Melk of Naples, Florida, co-developer of Fisher Island, left.  Right, Shirlee Russell (swimsuit designer, from Miami).

It was a Sunday morning at the end of March, and I was in the middle of taking photographs of the outfit I would feature for my very first What I Wore post (see it here). Then Karen Melk and Shirlee Russell walked by.  I did not know them, but I was immediately struck by the elegant ease of their otherwise simple jeans outfits–especially set against the backdrop of our location on tourist-filled, shorts-and-t-shirts, Third Street South in Naples, Florida.

JLJBackToClassic.com was months away from being live, I had no business cards (I still don’t come to think of it), and it was the first time using my new camera.  Yet they were perfectly gracious when I accosted them and asked to take their pictures.  (Thank you, Karen and Shirlee, for actually believing me!)

Karen Melk, I learned, is a new resident of Naples.  She and husband John developed Fisher Island in Miami and are now developing several properties in Port Royal in southern Naples.  Her friend Shirlee Russell, who was visiting from Miami, recently graduated from design school and is now a swimsuit designer.

Their outfits are good examples of the impact of well chosen accessories on basic, classic jeans ensembles.  A great bag, cute flats, diamond ring, nice watch, flowing hair.  Just beautiful.  Case closed. ~Janis Lyn Johnson

Karen Melk:  Jeans, Rag and Bone, Nordstrom / Sweater, J. McLaughlin, Similar Here / Bag, Hermes Customer Service / Bracelet, Hermes / Shoes, Stubbs and Wootton.

Shirlee Russell:  Jeans,  Zara / Tee, Zara, Similar at J. Crew / Belt, Gucci, Similar at Neiman Marcus / Shoes, Zara, Similar at Nordstrom / Bag, Michael Kors, Similar at Nordstrom / Ring, Tiffany, Similar Here / Watch, Chopard.