Happy Tuesday, friends! Today I’m joining the Ageless Style Linkup as a guest host, and this month it’s all about the accessories.
If you’re new here, I’m a 46-year-old wife, mom of 3 teens, and full-time fashion blogger. I’ve been writing in this little corner of the Internet for 13 years!
When I describe my style on my About page, I say I believe a simple outfit can be made fabulous by adding a few well-placed accessories.
While I’ve updated that page many times through the years, that one line has always remained because I stand by it. I tend to favor classic, minimalistic styles, but I always wear accessories, even when I’m at home all day with nowhere to go.
This outfit is a perfect example. It’s quite simple, really — a classic tee and skinny jeans with a long cardigan and block heel sandals.
But then I added a pair of statement earrings for some drama, a long layered necklace to add interest in front where my tee is rather plain, and a luxe Brahmin satchel that elevates the look.
One of my favorite ways to wear a cardigan is with a white tee and white jeans. White-on-white creates a slenderizing column, and it’s such a clean, classic look. Sometimes I wear a denim jacket on top and jazz up the look with fun shoes as I did last year in this outfit with my C’est La Vie espadrille flats.
This time I went for a cardigan in a gorgeous shade of blue and kept my accessories neutral.
This cardigan is a nice medium weight and has a fun shirttail hem. The longer length works great over dresses as well as with jeans and pants.
My white skinny jeans are from Madewell, and they’re nice and thick and not at all see-through. They have a comfortable 9″ rise with a 29″ inseam, and they fit snug to the body and don’t bag out with wear. Total win!!!
You can find more sizes at Nordstrom and Shopbop, and Madewell carries them in petite and tall sizes as well.
This satchel was a Nordstrom Anniversary Sale purchase last summer, and I love the texture it adds to an outfit. I haven’t carried it as much as I had hoped, and I realized recently that’s because I don’t have a lot of shoes that complement it. Well, I remedied that!
These sandals are a recent addition to my wardrobe, and I have a feeling they’re going to get a lot of airtime this spring and summer! They also make a perfect pairing with this bag, which is going to allow me to carry it a lot more often.
I like to change up my bag to go with my outfits, and I definitely consider my handbag an accessory. My exact bag is no longer available, but this one and this one are similar.
I don’t necessarily match my bag to my shoes, but I like them to coordinate. In the immortal words of Stacy and Clinton, They don’t have to match; they have to go.
These sandals are super versatile because the color is very close to my skin tone, so they go with practically everything.
STYLE TIP: When you wear shoes the color of your skin, it elongates the line of the leg and makes you look taller and slimmer. #yesplease
The sturdy block heel and ankle strap make them very walkable even though the heel is quite high. I wore these out on the town last Friday night and walked all over downtown in them, and I was perfectly comfortable all night long.
Finally, these earrings add a fun touch to an otherwise fairly plain outfit. They’re a little glam, a little modern, and a little edgy… which pretty much describes my ideal outfit! Best of all, they’re 23% off (random, but whatever!)
The layered disc necklace is delicate enough so as not to compete with the earrings, but it adds a little bling to the outfit.
And let’s not forget about sunglasses when discussing accessories. I’ve been wearing these Maui Jim Mele polarized sunnies for about a year, now, and I love the oversized cat-eye shape and retro chic styling.
What’s your favorite way to accessorize a simple outfit?
Outfit Details:
blue shirttail cardigan // white tank // white jeans (also at Nordstrom and Shopbop; similar for less) // sandals // tortoise hoop earrings // layered disc necklace // similar Brahmin satchel here and here // Maui Jim sunnies c/o
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The first Tuesday of every month, ten over-40 bloggers present a different style theme and show a myriad of ways to wear it, all the while proving you can still be fashionable and on trend over 40 and beyond.
Daenel ~ Living Outside the Stacks // instagram, pintere
Debbie ~ Fashion Fairy Dust // bloglovin, instagram
Jennie ~ A Pocketful of Polka Dots // instagram, facebook,
Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style // facebook, instagra
Jonet ~ Fabulously Chic Over 50 // facebook, , instagram, pinterest, twitte
Kellyann ~ This Blonde’s Shopping Bag // instagram, bloglovin,
Lisa ~ Coast to Coast // facebook, instagra
Paula ~ Dimples on my What // facebook, pinterest,
Shelly ~ The Queen in Between // instagram, bloglo
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photos: Alison Cornell
Jo-Lynne, I am so glad you joined us this month! I love that Brahmin satchel, it is perfect for spring and summer. I am chuckling at your reference to Stacy and Clinton – yes, yes, it doesn’t have to match it just has to go! Gosh I watched WNTW religiously!
Anyway, thanks for being our co-host!
xo,
Kellyann
You look fabulous in this outfit, and I absolutely love this look! The style of the cardigan is one of the prettiest I’ve seen. Does it come in a color that I could wear in the fall and winter, since we are in a warmer climate? Have a blessed day!
I think it only comes in this blue. 🙁
Thank you!
Great look and perfect choice of accessories. Those shoes are gorgeous and pair so beautifully with that bag!
I did try those Madewell jeans, but I needed a size down unfortunately. I ended up keeping a Joe’s paired I also ordered instead, but I can see why you like them so much. They were a great weight and cut. The Joe’s just happened to fit me perfectly and have the shorter inseam I need.
I really liked the Joe’s I got from L+T too. The do a good white jean, and I do think I like the 28″ inseam better than 29″. I was thinking I may get these Madewell ones hemmed.
I love the white on white and the neutral accessories. Once you’ve got that your wide open for finishing touches. My go to is my watch and bracelet and always earrings. Even if I’m in leggings or joggers working at home. Love those earrings by the way so cute.
I love this style hem line – rarely seen but now i’m gonna have to be on the look out for it.
I just read another blog that was talking about a black column as a perfect backdrop. White has just as much power. I love the blue against it. Your new sandals are great and they do compliment the purse perfectly. I bought that purse too and ended up returning it because I was afraid of not using it much. I am so thrilled you joined us this month! Hope you don’t mind, I added your link on the link up. Happy Tuesday!
I don’t mind at all. Thank you!
I love this outfit. I don’t wear t-shirts very often (I just don’t think they look very good on me with shorter hair and a larger bust), but I did purchase the J. Crew one you styled, and I need to get that out (we are just beginning to get some warmer weather! Hurray! If it would stop raining, I might be able to wear my white jeans!) Since I started following you, I think more about accessories. Thank you, again, for all your advice.
What a fabulous addition to our group, Jo-Lynne!! And those earrings are just so fun!!
It’s funny you mentioned Stacy and Clinton. I used to watch that ALL the time.
Thanks so much for being a co-host!!!
XOOX
Jodie
Thanks for joining us in AGELESS STYLE this month JoLynne. It’s a real honor! I’m loving the blue cardigan, it’s a great spring/summmer color.
Hugs,
Paula
http://www.dimplesonmywhat.com
Ouuu! What a great outfit/color combo! That blue is perfect for you! Everything about it says classy, yet simple. Now I want a blue cardigan! Loft, here I come! And those earrings, love them! Many years ago, my mother said put on some earrings & lipstick & you’ll always feel dressed up, not matter what. And she was sooo right! Have a great day!
Question. I’m wearing red striped top with white pants to granddaughters graduation. What color shoes? I need to know ASAP. Ha. Its tomorrow. Love that color blue on you. We are past sweater season in Savannah. Did I miss what MRI showed?
I’d wear nude shoes. 🙂
Love, love, love this look. Classy (just like me – haaaaaaaa! 🤣 What size are you wearing in the cardigan? I apologize if I’m missing it but I read it a few times. I see medium weight but no size. Your sizing helps guide me when placing an order. Thanks.
Ooops, I forgot to put that. It’s a small and it’s plenty big.
Love this ….classic..such good style tips!
Now to find lower height beige heel!
I love your Brahim bag. It dresses up any outfit, as shown here. A simple tee with jeans, a sweater, add the bag & shoes and you’re a class act. I don’t wear sweaters but I love the cut of this one. Hmmmm
Love the white on white look with nude heels and a colored cardigan to pop some color. I will pull together the same look but spend much less. Would love it if you gave us less expensive options.
I used to love watching Stacy and Clinton! This is my daily uniform too. The all white with the pastel blue is such a pretty combo!
Jill – Doused in Pink
A great-looking outfit that can be replicated easily. Thanks!
I am interested in the sweater, just not sure what size to get. I usually purchase a large because the sleeves tend to be longer. Does the sweater run TTS?
It runs pretty true. I sometimes need a medium, but usually wear a small at Loft, and this is a small with plenty of room.