Since so many women tell me they can not wear heels of any height, I’m sharing a few recent looks featuring only flat shoes and sandals. I don’t wear heels daily, but I always need arch support and structure in the footbed.
Aesthetically, a shoe with a bit of elevation is much more flattering on my thick ankles and proportionally small feet. Style is significantly about creating a harmonious balance. Ballet flats and delicate kitten heels are not the right choice for me, but they are lovely on ladies with slender ankles and feet.
I wore the look below to visit my manicurist last week. The temperatures hovered around 95 degrees that day, but now it is thirty degrees cooler.
I’ve worn these straight-leg white jeans a million times, and that’s only a slight exaggeration. The Sperry loafers are relatively new, but I’ve already worn them several times. I know they will get a lot of use this fall.
When the Vogue September issue arrives, it’s always exciting. I’ve devoured fashion content since I was a teenager. Back then, there was no internet, so I always had a stack of fashion magazines nearby. Comment below if you want to see a post on how I distill high fashion runway looks into relatable, real-life, modern, and timeless looks.
Pointed-toe shoes can be dressed up or down, whereas round-toe shoes look more casual. This was my look to meet friends for lunch last Thursday. The shoes are here, but the other items are from years prior.
I wore straight-leg white jeans, a white tank, and a pale gray cardigan to take my mother to the dermatologist on Tuesday. The lips, nails, sandals, and bag give the look color without overdoing it. The silver belt relates to the sweater’s tone and the earrings without calling too much attention to the midsection.
The denim jacket was from Gap last year. The pants are old from Chico’s. The bag is here. The flats are here. This was my look to go to the dentist.
Miss Susan, yes please! I loved fashion magazines as a teen, but they’re so extreme now that I have totally abandoned them. If you can offer wearable style gleaned from recent issues, that would be amazing!
Thank you, Penney
Yes, interested to know how you distill high fashion trends into relatable modern
Am also interested to know if there is a formula for selecting the best shoe heel height to wear with wide-leg pants:
Wear shoes that allow the hem of wide leg pants to almost touch the floor.
You inspire me so much. You always look well put together with elevated basics. I rarely comment, but always read your blog.
I too am older and I too have thicker ankles. It’s only bothered me in recent decades when the styles have been skinny leg and tall skinny straight bodied models. I’ve now once again started finding clothes and styles that work for me. You have helped lead me to some great jeans recently which make me feel normal. I’ve not changed but my style has, and the fashion industry is starting to provide some great options.
Like you, I anxiously awaited the September issue of the fashion magazines ever since I was a teenager. Remember how heavy they were? I pored over them, but I gave up on magazines about 15 yrs ago. I would love to hear your interpretation of fall style based on them.
Thanks for everything.
Great post! More like this! I can relate to these activities and dress like this with so much class! Thank you. If you want to relate how the fashion stuff influenced you that’s fine, but at my age keeping up with the latest trends is very low on my list. Just want to look polished, smart, and be comfortable. And you are offering perfect examples.
This was good to see outfits for just ordinary everyday. My favorite is the all white with the denim shirt with the Vogue magazine. That is something I would wear anytime.
I would like to see your suggestions for how to use high end fashion into something we can wear everyday.
I used to read the fall or September fashion magazines but I can never see how I would ever wear anything shown. I’m looking forward to how you do this. Maybe I’ll go out and buy Vogue just to get ideas.
Yes! I would love to see a post on how you distill high fashion runway looks into relatable, real-life, modern, and timeless looks. The looks in the magazine can be so exaggerated. You dressed enviable all week long. I really like this type of post that shows how you dressed each day of the week! I especially like the last dress. Did you change into a swimsuit when you got to the pool, or is it on under the dress? Does that dress have pockets, and what size are you wearing? Thanks!
I purchased the last dress in a size medium. It has pockets and I wore it over my two piece suit. After I removed the dress, I put on the top of my suit. Here is the bottom of my two-piece suit.
I’d love to see how you translate high fashion looks into modern every day fashion! Thanks- Mary Lou
You look absolutely stunning in the sun dress! I love both colors on you!
Count me in also!
Question—does it ever get so cool that you wear socks of any kind? It won’t be long until I need them daily. Suggestions in a coming post including that?
Thanks for continuing to provide ways to use what we have. The column of color has been a game changer for me!
Oh yes, it gets cold here in winter. I wear leggings under my jeans with crew socks and boots on the coldest days.
Your smile makes me happy.
Yes from me too! I used to love looking at the first fashion magazine of fall. Haven’t done that in years. I am mid 60’s but since retiring a few years ago my fashion has fallen flat. I have read your blog for YEARS but fail to comment a lot. Love all of the looks for your week! Thank you for doing this!
I would love to see a post on relatable runway fashion, please. I don’t follow fashion slavishly but like to have a modern look, I’m 66 .
I agree that it is silly to jump on all the fads, but I still strive to look modern in my classic pieces.
Since retirement nearly 20 years ago, I’ve only worn high heels to a wedding and a funeral. Due to foot surgery many many decades ago, I’ve required a wide width which is almost impossible to find in brick and mortar stores (thank goodness for Nordstrom) so I usually end up ordering online. Loafers and athletic shoes are my go-to in the fall and winter and in summer I usually go with canvas slip-ons that I can wear with no socks. Now that I’m in my seventies, comfort is my main concern but I do try to coordinate shoes with the rest of my outfit and handbag.
I love your style! You look stunning in the black dress, hat and sandals..What type of strapless bra are you wearing with the summer dresses in this post?
The strapless bra is this one. (It stays put all day!)
Dear Susan, here is another series of photos in which your outfits are again very different, but always perfectly combined with your personality. A very casual style, in total simplicity. With a preference for the first and last outfit, the uncovered shoulders give you incredible feminity. And of course the shoes, terribly attractive.
I would love to see a post about high fashion into real life looks. I love your hair. It really looks nice all grown out.
Enjoy your blog!
I would love to see high fashion relating to real life
Susan,
Yes, I would love to see how you distill runway looks into real-life fashion.
You are one of my favorite bloggers because I trust your advice. I love your everyday, casual looks that are also chic and flattering. And I love the way you look in glasses.
Thank you for all the work you put into making your blog useful and interesting.
I appreciate you showing shoe options that I can embrace and with your eye for style you elevate the look to a level where we don’t need to feel guilty that we can no longer rock the heels. I’m always reluctant to wear color on my feet so as not draw attention to the flat shoe. You blew that theory out the window giving us options that are beautiful examples of how we can tweak our style to accommodate our needs. Thank you Susan.
That black strappy dress is stunning on you. I would buy that in a minute – looks good casual or dressy.. However they don’t even show it because it’s SOLD OUT!
Ooops. They had a few yesterday, when I checked.
You look so lovely in all of these outfits. My favorites are the two sundresses and the white outfit with light grey cardigan. I envy your ability to wear those strappy, sleeveless dresses. Also, love your hair in this style and the lighter lipstick. It is very becoming. I love my straight leg white jeans, also, but I see a light grey cardigan in my future!
Hi Susan
I would love a post on how you translate runway looks to make them more wearable.
Thank you for all the work you do to post such excellent fashion and style tips. I really appreciate the classy, feminine and personal stamp you put into your outfits.
You look beautiful and feminine and yet retain a powerful presence. The best way to be a woman!
I love all your examples. I too love flats and wear kitten/mid heels rarely any more. However I had plantar fasciitis once and the Dr said I needed a little heel to help protect from another bout so ballet flats or sandals that are completely flat I don’t wear. There are some lovely choices in the marketplace however, as you have demonstrated with the different outfits from casual to dressy. Thank you, love your posts! Also love your hair longer, very attractive.
Susan, yes, please, that information would be helpful. Thank you!
I’d like to know how to make the often extreme runway looks more everyday-ish.
Hi, Susan, I would love to see a post on how you distill high fashion looks into everyday styles for the average woman. You always look lovely, and my sisters and I have followed you since you were in your early sixties. Love, Mary B
You mention “when the September issue arrives” issue of what? I miss looking at fashion in magazines but rarely buy any anymore. Also I love your look in the sleeveless sun dresses. You give me the courage to wear them too!
Vogue is my favorite, but every fashion magazine pulls out all the stops for their September issue.
I would like to know where to get a long sweater and how you take runway looks for our use! Thanks!
I found my long cardigan at Banana Republic last year, but if you search for “dusters” at your favorite site, you will likely find several.
I would love to hear how you distill runway styles into every day fashion. Thank you!
Love all your looks and especially the dresses. I too, like others here, have long given up on buying the fashion magazines. Now so much is online and they are just so expensive. Thanks again Susan for another great post.
Susan, you look gorgeous in every one of these outfits. How inspiring!
YES, please distill the high fashion into real life clothes!
You even look elegant when relaxing at home with a magazine! Susan, thank you for your thoughtful and inspiring posts. You are a great teacher!
Yes please, I would love to learn how you distill high fashion runway looks.
I very much appreciate and enjoy your fashion and nutrition information.
Best wishes to you + yours.
You look so fresh and adorable in sundresses and flats! LOVE the look!
Dear Susan,
Love how you style your outfits. I am in need of a new pair of prescription glasses and really like the frames you are wearing in this post. Can you tell me what brand they are? Maybe I will be able to find them – I live in the Seattle area so not sure if the same frames will be available here.
The frames are about ten years old and they are by Life is Good. I recently got my new prescription put in them.
Yes, I would LOVE to know your thought process on taking high fashion down to everyday inspirations that suit you or others! Thank you so much!
I’ve distilled quite a bit of my closet to keeping more basics and building from there, thanks to you Susan. Wish I would have known these things years ago!
In the second picture, you look like a professor……which you are……a professor of fashion! In every picture, you just look stunningly beautiful!! Thank you for all of your useable, practical advice!!
Yes please to translating the look.
Jeepers! The only shoes I was really interested in (trip to the dentist with the denim jacket) were the shoes that you failed to note. They are black with what looks like a bit of a heel. I too need arch support and cannot wear flat shoes. Can you help, please?
Those flats are here.
Who would ever say no to a post by you? Please count me in!
Yes distill high fashion please! Great comfy looks. Always the column of color with accent of color for sweater looks perfect! I copy from you all the time. Tyvm for sharing and helping us find our way to look our best!
Hi Susan! It looks like you’ve had a full and lovely summer. With what remains of the summer, I’m going to take your cue and let my hair air dry and go casual with it. I would love to hear how you are getting fashion sense from fashion magazines. A lot of things in those mags are things I would not wear in a million years. Can’t wait to see what you’ve pulled from them. My closet is so easy to get dressed for the day these days.. The things I’ve learned from you have made all the difference in the world, from closet organizing to dressing for my coloring and body type. At 65 I’m just now feeling put together everyday. Thank you for sharing and teaching what you’ve learned. I love your posts!
I would love to see how you curate. Your posts are so informative and you always look so well put together.
Yes! I would love to read a post showing runway clothes adapted to normal people!
Yes, I would love to see how you distill high fashion runway looks into relatable, real-life modern and timeless looks. Thank you!
You look fabulous… your style is beautiful …I admire women my age who make the most out of what they have, and you have done that and more…thank u for the inspiration…
Yes I am interested in how you distill high fashion.
Could you tell me how to measure myself for a bra. I have tried the stores that do that , but they don’t get it right. Also I am interested in the blog on fashion.
Not all breasts are shaped the same. Some are rounder and take up more room on the chest, some are more oval, and others are pendulous. Look for a bra with a band that fits firmly under your breast and the correct cup size, but maybe the most crucial consideration is the shape of the cup. No breast tissue should spill out from the sides, front, or beneath the band. By contrast, there should be no empty cup space above the breast. Try a few styles to get the right bra. The best fitting I’ve had was at Soma.
I would love to see your interpretation of high fashion into relatable budget friendly items. You have such grace and style. I have enjoyed your blog for years.
Susan, you always look elegant, even when you dress casual. You have inspired me so much, and while many of your clothes are out of my price range, I am able to adapt the look to fit my budget. Thank you so much! I always look forward to your posts.
Great post Susan! Really loved seeing a variety of flats to wear with various outfits! I can wear a low heel but due to cancer related treatments high heels are not safe for me anymore! Thanks for showing this post! Much appreciated!
I loved this post as I usually wear only flats as well.
I too love fashion and find it fun and interesting to read your articles and see how you pull clothes together! I love the sleeveless long dresses but how in the world can you do that? I’m 64 and my arms are wrinkled. I would be so embarrassed for them to show.
I work hard to keep my arms toned, but I also have crepey skin. I don’t notice other people’s arms, so I am guessing no one looks at mine.
Susan, you are so inspiring. I do not look good with any top tucked in any style pant.
Any suggestions.
Wear your shirts untucked, but be sure they aren’t stopping at the widest part of your hips or tummy.
Please count me in on distilling high fashion looks into wearable style. I have read your blog for years and never miss. Thank you!
Great post. Would love to see high fashion every day looks.
L♥️VE your hair! Would also love to see your high end relatable fashion!
I enjoy reading your blogs and looking forward to them each week. You really have given me a better outlook on aging ❤️ Blessings to you and yours
Would love to see how you translate high fashion to every day looks! Thank you!
Susan,
I would like to see your ideas for taking high fashion and adjusting the ideas for everyday fashion for women in their 60s and beyond. This age group benefits so much from your wonderful blog. It has inspired me to wear the fashions you suggest and not only has it simplified my life, I look better in your choices and feel fabulous!
Thank you so much!
Thanks for the lovely comment!
Would love to “ see a post on how I distill high fashion runway looks into relatable, real-life, modern, and timeless looks.”.
Hello, I would like to read your comments about runway looks relating to everyday fashion. Thank you.
Have to wear flats after multiple surgeries so thank you for your content! Great outfits always!
I would love to see how you do runway looks ! And change them to suit an everyday look!
Susan, yes on the runway to real life fashion! I used to look forward to the September Vogue—good memories of floating on a raft in our pool and reading it. Don’t know why I stopped buying it, but probably because I didn’t know how to translate what they featured into everyday looks.
I have always loved the September issue of Vogue, as well! I would enjoy seeing your comments on how to use the fashions in Vogue in our lives. Many thanks!
Helen
Yes! I would love to see a post on how you distill high fashion runway looks into relatable, real-life, modern, and timeless looks. The looks in the magazine can be so exaggerated and they also started being more political in their content that I put them down several years ago. I’m enjoying your posts so much so thank you for sharing your insights.
I would love to see how you translate high fashion into everyday wear outfits.
Susan, all of these looks are lovely and my favourite is the white & silver outfit you wore taking your mother to the doctor. How are your parents doing?
Thank you for addressing wearing flats instead of high heels. I’m looking forward to purchasing 2 pairs of loafers in the next few weeks. They, along with smart runners/walking shoes, have become my go to shoes these days.
Yes, please do a distillation on how to wear the current trends shown in fashion magazines. As much as I like the September issue of Vogue, my favourite fashion magazine is the British edition of Bazaar.
You did a short video a few years ago on how to do the half tuck. Could you include that in a future post?
For those of us with straight figures & a bit of a protruding tummy, could you do a lesson on how to wear belts so as not to emphasize the tummy? Thanks, Susan.
Thank you for asking, Elizabeth. My parents are well. My dad will celebrate his 90th birthday next week.
Sure, would enjoy a post about translating runway looks into real life
Yes. I would love to see your interpretations of high fashion clothes/outfits!! You look lovely in all your outfits!!
Always a challenge to find wide and double-wide shoes to wear with dresses and skirts. Just bought WW sandals from Nordstrom this year. I used to try to find Glamour magazines in drugstores the minute it came out – 50 years ago! I haven’t bought fashion magazines for decades, but try not to look too frumpy so I very much appreciate your blog.
Thank you for this topic! I can only wear flats, and I love the choices you presented today. thanks again
You always look so lovely!
Lovely outfits! I would love to see an attainable fashion perspective from items seen on the Runway!
Hi Susan,
Thanks for all your wonderful advice!
I would appreciate your comments about high fashion runway clothing and how you adapt it to your lifestyle.
Thank you!
Judy
I’m wondering where a hat like you’re wearing with the black sundress can be found?
My hat is a few years old, but it is from Scala.
Yes blog on how you use mags for fashion
I’d like to be included also!
As always, I enjoy all your posts. Was wondering what size denim shirt you’re wearing. Since following you my closet is so organized & picking out what to wear is so much easier. Thanks for all you do.
I ordered a size medium in the shirt. Thank you for the kind words. I’m glad what I share has helped you.
You are a star! My favourite is the grey and white combo.
very grateful, Carolyn
Yes, I would like to see how you distill high fashion runway looks into relatable, real-life, modern, and timeless looks.
Love all of these outfits! Perfect for my everyday needs!
Yes, I would love to see you post about how you decipher the high fashion into an understandable fashion
Susan, you look fantastic in every outfit! The hair is so very flattering.
Loved this, thank you.
Would love to hear your take on the fall fashions in Vogue
Susan, I’d love to see how you translate high fashion looks into modern every day fashion! It has always baffled me! Thank you!
Hi Susan,
Thanks for your helpful posts. I am eighty and try very hard not to dress like an old lady which I definitely do not feel like. Your posts are very helpful. You dress the way I’d like to. I look to you for ideas and inspiration.
Would love to know how you turn Vogue style into street wear!
Thanks Susan! Just bought the black flats with the buckle! I wear flats most of the time now and there really are some cute styles out there. The sandals with the skimpy straps like the orange and black ones you show don’t work for me.
I had a pair of black ones very similar to what you show and they became dangerous because I couldn’t keep them from sliding around and thus really couldn’t walk in them. These days, I need more support on the feet, although all of these look very attractive on.
Yes please I would like to see more about how to make high fashion runway looks into relatable, real-life, modern, and timeless looks.
Yes, I would love to see fall fashion runway show ideas on how to style real like situation.
Also how do you keep your arms so toned ?
I do yoga and pilates and work out with five-pound weights.
Yes, I would like to see Vogue September integrated with daily life in the Midwest. Thank you.
Camper brand flats are incredibly comfortable. I love their Right Nina style. They do not need to be broken in. They are supportive and flexible.
Any open-toe sandal is a tripping hazard for women who are not quite as spry as they used to be, those older than perhaps your typical reader.
Rounded toes are far less likely to cause bunions. Women with bunions often cannot find comfort in pointed-toe shoes.
I am 76, retired, and favor the simple styles of Eileen Fisher, Pure Jill, Orvis, and similar. I have a casual life these days and still care about looking nice at home. I refuse to wear anything restrictive or uncomfortable – anymore – been there in the days of pantyhose, underwires, heels and structured suits.
Thank you for reading my comments. God bless! I always read your column.
I’d love to hear how you turn the Vogue high fashion looks into interesting everyday style.
I love this post. I really don’t wear heels. But I do like fashionable flats. Especially flats with pointed toes, they look so classy.
For the first time in my 79 years I’m wearing my hair similar to yours because of a bad shoulder that hinders my arm movement. People seem to like my new look but I can’t keep my hair our of my face and it drives me crazy to have it fall in my face. It has absolutely NO natural curl and is thick enough but the gray is wiry and the part that hasn’t turned yet is fine. Any suggestions. Only spray will hold it back and then it looks stiff.
I use a variety of plastic headbands while I am working. The cloth bands are great for doing makeup or washing your face. I’ve also used my sunglasses to hold back my hair and always wear a hat when I walk or work in the yard.
You are beautiful
Very nice. I’m glad you use older items with new. I do that myself. Thank you for styling with that. I don’t like that some influencers use only new items. I’m not into seasonal fads.