Weekend Travels – Part 2

When you pack for eighty degrees and cloudy, but the weather surprises everyone with a full day of rain and sixty-two degrees, you must get creative with your wardrobe.

Mr. Mickey looks forward to this day very much. He loves seeing the old cars and sharing his memories with me and some of the owners. We have been attending the show for about ten years; this is the first time it has rained.

Our dinner at the Harvest Grill certainly didn’t disappoint us.

Warm crusty rolls served with a berry jam, butter, and sundried tomato goat cheese was the first offering.

Mr. Mickey enjoyed the grouper above, and I had the salmon below.

Glasses of Port and chocolate cake with cinnamon ice cream topped off the lovely meal.

I always take a scarf when we travel or go out for the evening, so I used it as my color guide as I was packing for the weekend. Everything I brought with me was color-coordinated. It’s a good thing because I layered almost everything to stay warm on that cold, windy, rainy day.

The first layer was a black Shapeez Ultimate long line bra, followed by a silver-gray tank, topped with a French blue Portofino shirt, followed by a navy crepe top and my plum-colored cardigan. The crepe pants and top and the scarf were items from my now closed shopping site. The other things are more than a year old, so I’ll link to similar current offerings below. Referral and affiliate links in my posts may result in a small commission for me at no additional cost to you.

Crepe pantsCrepe topTankShirtCardiganShoesBag

53 Comments
  1. I am very interested in seeing pictures of the scarves you still have available. Thank you, Susie Jasper

  2. Susan, you truly could make a feed sack look classy!!!!! Always gorgeous and creative!
    For anyone not knowing what a feed sack is, its a large pillow case shaped sack or bag that feed for farm animals came in many, many years ago. Some of our grandmothers made clothes out of them, I had several little dresses that my grandmother made me.

    1. Thank you for sharing your delightful comment. I grew up on a farm surrounded by great-grandparents and grandparents who told me about making those dresses for my mom and aunt.

  3. I love your shoes! I have stupid, finicky feet and shoes are my biggest travelling challenge. How did these do for you? Were you on your feet a lot? How was the suede with the rain and puddles? They look so versatile and young!

    1. My sandals are actually leather. They are about three years old. I would not buy a heel as high as those again. A wider strap in the front or two straps that cross to form a V are much more comfortable for lots of walking.

      1. I second the Taos sandals recommendation. I have several pairs, plus sneakers, and they are all very comfortable. I always chose a pair to wear when I know I’ll be walking a lot.

        1. Taos Carousel 2 are the only shoes I wear all summer long (and when we spent the winters in Florida). I have several different colours and just returned from a two-week vacation. I planned my wardrobe around two pair of these sandals – one I wore and one I packed. I have the silver ones for white pants and black for black pants. Lots of mixing and matching! And always comfortable.

  4. Susan, you look so pretty and polished in these photos. The colors look beautiful on you! We had a similar cold spell here also, and it had me thinking about my fall/winter wardrobe. I wanted to ask you about that lovely silver scarf ring you have worn and shown in photos last year. It was from the Mai Tai Collection. What size did you get? They have small (1.37″), medium, (1.77″), and large (2.16″). I’ve had my eye on it, but always get stuck on what size to order. I don’t have a large bust and am 5’3″ and 105 lbs. Not sure if any of that makes a difference or not. Thanks to you I have cleared my closet of things that don’t flatter me or fit well and making mindful purchases. It makes such a difference and easier to shop and dress for the day! Thank you.

    1. I bought the large scarf ring because I wear mostly large silk twill scarves. It will depend on how you wear your scarves (shoulder, to the side, in the front) and what size scarf you like.

  5. I love this look Susan.
    We are planning a trip to the Asheville area in a few weeks. I will try to “channel” your style while packing.
    I am trying to do away with fru-fru style & lean into a sophisticated look for a 75 year old. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

  6. Susan, I really like the scarf in this photo. Is it one that you still have on hand? Please send me photos of the remaining scarves. Thanks!

  7. I would like to see pictures of scarves you have left. We are in a western area, as in cowboy territory, so I would be using scarf for a dress up occasion. Most likely would like a saddle color brown and blues. Any suggestions are welcome. Thank you for all your work for the gals over 60!!!

  8. Love the Taos shoes and Clarks and Vionic also make similar that are great for walking yet stylish. Great post emphasizing the importance of color coordination when traveling.
    Susan, you mentioned a book in a comment from a past post. Can we expect to hear more on this anytime soon?
    Thanks!

    1. I’ve been thinking about writing a book for a few years. I may put more effort into that project during the winter. I’ll certainly let you know if and when my book will be published.

  9. Looks like a great weekend, despite inclement weather. Mr. Mickey is a great looking “English Gentleman” but tell him a walking stick would be the coup de grâce; I’m guessing to suggest a fedora would be too much. You, as always, look amazing and cannot wait to see what you had left over for the trip home on Sunday!

  10. Timely advice. I am on vacation and packed for Rhode Island summer. It is raining every day for the next four days and it’s chilly. I’m layering up like a polar bear. (It looks better on you.). .

  11. Sharp look on both of you. Would enjoy seeing the remaing scarves for sale that you mentioned. Wishing you a wonderful rest of the week.

  12. Always look forward to your blogs! I would like to see photos of your scarves. I’ve ordered before and have really enjoyed them.
    Thanks!

  13. Susan, I am interested in seeing any scarves that you might still have available. I have been a “scarf person” for decades and am always on the hunt to add to my collection.

  14. You are always so nicely coordinated, Susan! This Mercedes Benz show reminded me of what was probably a once in a lifetime experience. A few years ago, my husband & I were outside of Salzburg Austria just leaving our hotel in a small village when the most amazing thing happened. First one Mercedes, then another, from all eras were driving along this rural road on this quiet Monday morning. We saw Mercedes pre-dating WW1 and this parade must have lasted 15-20 minutes. We were the only spectators, so maybe this was a club returning after a weekend event in Austria.

  15. I love the idea of you writing a book on all your knowledge regarding style deportment and many other topics I would purchase it in a heartbeat!

  16. I also would like to pre- order your book! I know it would be a great read.
    P.S. You look wonderful.
    Debbie

  17. Susan, I would love to see the available scarves from your online shop. I very much enjoy your posts and love your style. I am tall but your classic style works for me. Thank you.

  18. Hello Susan! I have just discovered your blog and have enjoyed it very much. I’m 5’3″ and 72 years old. I’ve enjoyed your clothing style and how it uplifts us mature women. I’ve noticed some of the clothes you wear are not for petites and was wondering how tall you are. It would help me get idea how the clothes would be on me if I knew your height. I appreciate your blog for it gives me great ideas for my Natural Classic look. Thank you and may you have a blessed day.

    1. I am 5′ 6″, but have relatively short arms and legs. I often have to get shirts and pants hemmed. I’m sure that you have made friends with a tailor if you are petite. Off the rack rarely works for all of us.

  19. You are so blessed to have so many wonderful restaurants in your travel area! You and Mr. Mickey are
    a very handsome couple indeed. As for scarves, living in AZ with AC, I always roll one up in a plastic
    bag in bottom of my purse or tote to pull out if the AC is too cold. Works great.

  20. Hi Susan,

    I enjoy your posts so much and have learned a great deal from you. At age 77, I am trying to put together my own wardrobe per your suggestions, and on a very limited budget, that means being very creative (so far so good…) I would be interested in seeing the scarves you have left, if possible. Thank you, and thanks for the daily uplift your posts give to me! I just love reading them and seeing your wonderful photos and hearing about your travels.

  21. When I was younger I was always taught to never wear shoes lighter than your bottom piece may it be skirt or pants. This is much like the old rule of never wear white after labor day.
    I’m thinking maybe all these rules were made to be broken.

  22. I love your bag and clicked the link. There is no “stone” color but there is a “bone” color. Maybe that’s it? The other color is potentially the “elephant “, which is gray, I believe. I can’t get your photos to enlarge so I’m not sure. Thank you for this blog and this fun post.

  23. Hi
    Your scarves are lovely. I am interested in seeing what you still have available.
    Thank you!
    Sharon

  24. Love your look and guidelines! Your outstanding blog has been very helpful in editing my wardrobe. Many thanks! For the first time in many years, I’m planning a winter trip to visit friends in a cold climate. There will be some standing in line outside museums and lots of sightseeing and walking outside. How would you achieve a sophisticated city look thats warm while outside and not too burdensome for travel? HELP, please!

    1. Comfortable shoes, gloves, and a warm coat all in the same dark neutral color are excellent choices. Add contrast with an interesting scarf and bag. Pull one of the colors from the scarf for your bag and or gloves. For example, plum is a flattering color to use near your face as a contrast with navy, black, or dark gray.

  25. Hi Susan,
    I have several of your scarves and would like to know what other scarves are available to purchase. Thank you,
    Sheila

  26. Susan, I’m working on pieces for a trip in the near future. We will be flying. Part of the trip will be in Canada so it will be fairly cool. Part of the trip will be in Hawaii where I understand it’s still hot and humid in September. What are your suggestions for packing especially with limited luggage and very different climates?

    1. Your trip sounds wonderful! I would pack tanks, long cotton sleeve tees, pants, and sundresses, that you can layer as needed. A denim jacket or some other type of lightweight jacket and a cardigan could also be put to good use in several ways during both legs of your trip. Enjoy!

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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.