Favorite Items

In 2019 I made significantly fewer purchases of handbags, clothing, and shoes than in the past. Ironically, I have been much happier with my daily looks. My fashion missteps are much fewer now. Simplicity serves me very well.

My focus is now on using and enjoying the items I own in various ways, not on new acquisitions. There are no more impulse buys of things that never see the light of day.

My style is classic, timeless, and practical, so I gravitate to multitasking pieces. I wear these items in combinations that can work for any occasion with a few tweaks. Statement bags, shoes, scarves, and jewelry update my classic style and change my basics’ attitude.

A structured well made handbag can elevate even the most uninteresting clothing combinations.

The bags I carry most are here, here, and here. My best footwear choices for the year are here, here, here, here, and here. (I wear black booties almost every day in the fall and winter.) The Bejeweled Shoe Clips are here.

I often wear cashmere cardigans here and here with tops, camis, or shirts. A navy V-neck cashmere sweater with white jeans is a classic combo. My favorite V-neck is here, and the crewneck style here keeps me super warm.

Denim is core to most of my looks. The best jeans offer a perfect balance between smart and casual. A well-made pair of jeans sculpt and smooth jiggly bits, making me appear to be a lot more toned than I am. The best denim style for my shape is here, here, and here.

I like the denim styles I linked above because they have proper pocket placement, the legs are not too tight, and the button zipper closures are much less bulky than many of the other jeans I’ve worn. I appreciate that these three brands of jeans do not stretch out to a larger size by the end of the day.

I learned which style fits my shape by trying on many different cuts. Denim with less than 2% Spandex (or Elastane) will stretch out least. Avoid putting your jeans in the dryer for more than ten minutes. I leave them in the dryer on low heat just long enough to get out most of the wrinkles, then hang them on a pant hanger on a rail to finish air-drying.

The most versatile blazers have a one-button closure and end at mid-bottom. White, black, and navy are my most often worn colors. Knit is never a good fabric for blazers since they lose their shape so quickly. Look for wool, gabardine, denim, or brushed cotton, which are lightweight and drape well on the body.

While I love a good blazer, the most flattering jacket style is a simple moto jacket. The best one I’ve found in years is pictured. I like this one so much because the hardware is minimal, and there are no wide lapels or epaulets on the shoulders to make my neck look short.

A relaxed fit cotton (or polyester) shirt is a year-round staple. Here is my favorite. I have been wearing these shirts in a variety of colors throughout every season. They are perfect in the summer with the sleeves turned up and work equally well with a vest, blazer, or cardigan layered over them in the colder months. Cotton requires ironing, so if you are allergic to irons, try the polyester style here. They come out of the dryer in perfect shape.

My favorite knit tee here has a feminine scoop neck and long slim fit so that I can layer over it while never adding any bulk. It works perfectly with scarves, belts, vests, and blazers.

My most often worn camisole is here. It has a double layer and a flattering V neckline. It is long enough to tuck in, belt, or leave out. I never remove my outer layer, so the spaghetti straps are not an issue for me. I have several colors of the same cami, but black, white, silver/gray, and red are the colors I wear most often.

Lariat necklaces are great options since they are so appropriate with casual attire. The silver and gray lariat necklace is here. The pearl lariat necklace I wore in the video below is here. Use the code SAS10 at Beauty In Stone for $10 off any item. (Pictured below) The bracelet is here. The silver and pearl earrings are here.

Take 15% off your Nordgreen watch purchase here.

The tops below, necklaces, watches, Shapeez bras, Teddy Blake bag, Everlane navy blue cardigan, and black Boss booties were gifts of my choosing. The shopping links in my posts may result in a small commission for me at no additional cost to you.

Shapeez Ultimate bras here are the foundation on which I build every look. They smooth the torso, lift the bust, and help me look my best no matter what I am wearing.

When an invitation to a dressy occasion arrives, I reach for purchases from my favorite boutique here. Clara Sunwoo jackets or tunics with white pants here or black pants here or here are my choices for a more elegant event. The red top above is here, and the same top in blue (below) is here. A great pair of shoes, statement jewelry, or a colorful scarf, and a small evening clutch are all that are required to complete the look.

Better skincare, highly nutritious food, lots of filtered water, regular exercise, and keep it simple grooming are my essential beauty tools. The best choice I made for my skin this year was to start using the Countertime Regimen here.

Enjoy the New Year festivities. Cheers!