Winning Combination

Animal print has become a classic neutral. However, the golden hues may not flatter those of us with cool skin tones. When you enjoy colors or patterns that aren’t your best option, wear them away from your face.

A subtle animal print bag, shoes, or even a belt can add a creative flair to an otherwise mundane combination. These stylish flats with a unique heel are a recent addition to my collection. (You’ve seen all the other items many times!) Cute, comfortable shoes with a two-inch heel are in my comfort zone. I don’t buy high heels anymore.

The shoes (here) pair well with all of my pants, and I can wear them for much of the year, so they were a wise investment. I am wearing nude pantyhose since black would have given me the Minnie Mouse effect. Dark hose with lighter shoes always looks jarring.

$ Top – Scarf – Blazer – Pants – Bag – Shoes – Belt – Earrings

$$ Top – Scarf – Blazer – Pants – Bag – Shoes – Belt – Earrings

$$$ Top – Scarf – Blazer – Pants – Bag – Shoes – Belt – Earrings

The Bistro at Antler Hill Village & Winery on the Biltmore Estate is one of our favorite places to dine in Asheville.

I enjoyed the pecan encrusted trout with potatoes and green beans. Mr. Mickey ordered the fettuccini with a seafood special.

We shared an apple tarte Tatin dessert.

I’ll be back next week to share with you the best purchases I made in 2019 and will explain why they are favorites.

Mr. Mickey and I hope that the sweet magic of Christmas brings joy to your heart and that the New Year provides many blessings and adventures.

Nancy Stoops, you are the winner of the large square silk scarf of your choice. Congratulations!

67 Comments

  4. Wishing you and Mr Mickey all the blessings of Christmas.

    Thank you so much for all of the ideas about style and colour that you share with us. You have opened my eyes and influenced my wardrobe in a very positive way.

    Reply

  7. Lovely post. Thank you for the great tips.
    Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year filled with fun adventures!

    Reply

  9. Greetings and happy holidays to you and yours. I just found your blog and I am enjoying it very much. Since I live in Asheville I enjoy seeing your photos of the local sights. We were just at Biltmore the other evening enjoying a glass of bubbly to celebrate the season.

    Reply

  10. Thank you for a year of wonderful blogs.I have learned so much regarding how to dress and shop wisely .A very Happy Christmas to you and Mr Micky

    Reply

  13. Love this picture of you and Mr Mickey! Happy Hanukkah to you both and a fabulous 2020. Congratulations to Nancy on her new scarf. A new accessory opens the doors to all kind of new outfits.

    Reply

  15. I hope you and Mr. Mickey have a wonderful holiday and a great New Year! Really have enjoyed your blog for the last three years. Congratulations to Nancy!

    Reply

  18. You and Mr. Mickey are such a beautiful couple. Your blog has been a real pleasure and a great help. I’m still lobbying for a section on dressing men in classic style!! Merry Christmas to you both.

    Reply

  19. Congratulations to Nancy-you are so lucky!
    Really enjoyed this post, Susan. My mom’s family from NYC retired to Hendersonville NC and whenever we visited them, we always spent time over at Biltmore. We loved the Biltmore Dairy ice cream.
    Thanks for always posting such pertinent and interesting ideas and advice. I never miss your blogs (joined your newsletter in Aug) and always learn something new in each one.
    From snowy Canada, wishing you and Mr Mickey a lovely Christmas and a happy and healthy 2020!

    Reply

  22. Susan, here is a little anecdote for your amusement. For years I have dressed in classic styles and basic colors, varied with earrings and scarves and sometimes a necklace, and more recently have enjoyed your blog (you are my kind of blogger, for sure!). For some reason I stopped wearing scarves for a while. Then I wore a scarf to church recently, along with my usual classic garments, and a male friend exclaimed “Oh, you are all spiffed up!” I thanked him politely while thinking silently, well this is my style; what’s the fuss? That little incident made me realize I had been getting a little too plain lately and need to accessorize more.
    The best of holidays to you and Mr. Mickey!

    Reply

  23. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you Susan and to Mr Mickey.

    I look forward to every susanafter60 and have learned what my most comfortable and flattering “look” is from reading your inspired posts.

    All the best,
    Anne

    Reply

  30. I love this picture of you two ! You’re even color-coordinated ! Many blessings to you and your friends and family during this Christmas season………Connie Briggs, Anderson, SC

    Reply

  31. Enjoy the holiday season. Happy 2020 to you and Mr. Mickey. Always pretty especially in red. Thank you for another fun year on your blog.

    Reply

  32. Merry Christmas to you and the dapper Mr. Mickey. Thank you for writing your blog and for all the help you give to us.

    Reply

  34. I love anything animal print and have a lot of pieces from scarves to shoes. Your outfit is beautiful.

    Thanks for all your advice in 2019. Can’t wait to see your postings for 2020.

    Merry Christmas!

    Reply

  37. Thanks for all the effort you put into your blog. I always learn something new. Hope you and Mr. Mickey have wonderful holidays!

    Reply

  40. You and Mr. Mickey make a very handsome couple. The lunch you posted today looks so good, it has made me hungry. Merry Christmas to you both.

    Reply

  41. You are a lovely lady and such a lovely couple! Thank you for an inspiring year and look forward to more in 2020. Merry Christmas to you and Mr. Mickey! Happy New Year!

    Reply

  42. Susan, Merry Christmas to you and Mr. Mickey. Thank you for all you and Mr. Mickey do all year. You two are special people

    Reply

  43. Merry Christmas! My best wishes to you for a happy and healthy 2020. I have throughly enjoyed your blog since discovering it earlier this year and look forward to enjoying your future editions.

    Reply

  44. I love that picture of you and Mr. Mickey. Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year with many adventures to you both!

    Reply

  47. Merry Christmas to you both, and thank you for your wonderful blogs. Whenever I go shopping my first thought is, “Would Susan wear this?” You have saved me from accumulating many random items of clothing.

    Reply

  48. Merry Christmas, Susan and Mr. Mickey! May your holiday season be lovely. Thank you for you. This website has changed my life in how I now present myself so much for the better. It is one of my biggest blessings for this year. And I’m excited about the upcoming “favorite purchases for the year and why”.

    Reply

  49. Lovely picture of you and Mr. Micky. Oh look! Your outfits are coordinated!

    I enjoy seeing your ensembles on susanafter60 and try to copy your style with what I already have in my closet. A work in progress.

    Have a Merry Christmas!

    Madeleine

    Reply

  54. Dear Susan,
    My sister told me about your wonderful website and we both love it. The animal print shoes are especially smashing!
    Merry Christmas and all good wishes to you and of course to Mr. Mickey. Does he have a brother that looks as handsome as he does?
    Barbara

    Reply

  56. Have a safe, blessed Christmas. You have been a blessing to others and I hope you are rewarded with your best Christmas ever. It’s the season of miracles!

    Reply

  57. You guys are an awesome looking couple.
    I wish you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR.
    Patricia Kane

    Reply

  61. Merry Christmas to you and Mr Mickey,Susan.I’m a fairly new follower from Manchester UK.Im enjoying your blogs so much . I love your style in fashion,and I so enjoy your trips away with Mr Mickey.Im eighty years old and enjoying trying out some of your ideas.Keep up the good work Susan.xx

    Reply

  62. I recently came across your blog. It’s exactly what I need. Your simplicity and beautiful detail have helped immensely. Thank you for your inspiration.
    Debbie

    Reply

    1. I wear pantyhose if my ankles show in the dead of winter with dressy combinations and heels. In the warm months, when I have a little fake color on my skin (here), I go without the hose or wear no show socks here.

      Reply

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I share tips and inspiration for using what you already have in contemporary ways. Defining words include effortless, classic, refined, discreet, and elegant. My style is chic, minimal, and timeless with a bit of edge.