— Style —

OVER 50 TURNING SLEEVELESS INTO SLEEVES

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JENNIFER DENTON, ©1010ParkPlace, 2018
pin it

This is the second Rebecca Taylor piece I’ve bought this year. Vogue magazine says “Rebecca Taylor designs sweet, pretty clothes for the girl who loves ruffles, William Morris florals and pouf sleeves.” That is so not me! I’ve always been a tailored minimalist, but as my style continues to evolve—which is way more fun than I could have imagined—I find myself drawn to a number of Rebecca Taylor’s designs. 

Like this cotton sateen, smocked skirt and matching top.

The color is a rich plum and the texture of the cotton sateen is soft, yet crisp in a way that holds up against seatbelts and being packed in a suitcase. While I fell in love with the color and the romantic charm of Ms. Taylor’s design, I knew the matching top exposed more of me than I cared to show. I solved the problem by wearing a white blouse underneath it. What do you think? Even a long or short sleeved, white tee would look great.

This is an easy fix for a lot of sleeveless things you’d like to wear!

I’ve added a pair of Julie Vos earrings and two of the necklaces I bought earlier this spring and wore with my Fashion Friday outfit for “The Duster, Not Just for Cowboys.”

Once again you’ll see I’m wearing the blue and white, Tory Burch espadrilles I’ve had forever! If you’re following my fashion blog to see all of my great shoes, then you’ve got the wrong blog, because few shoes and boots fit my ultra narrow feet.

While my feet don’t like high heels anymore, the platforms in these shoes don’t have much of an elevation in the heel, so they feel like I’m wearing flats but give the illusion of heels.

Platforms are great options for those of us who can’t tolerate heels.

Over time the straps had stretched a bit and were loose, and I felt like I was going to fall off my shoes!! Have any of you ever done that? So embarassing when your husband asks, “What happened?” and you have to say, “I fell off my shoes,” and he looks at you like you’re a ditz and says, “You goose!”  So… I had my neighborhood shoe doctor add a couple of extra holes in each strap. Problem solved.

I’ve always been a big, natural, straw hat girl. The hat I’m wearing I’ve had for over 20 years! It’s by Patricia Underwood. I haven’t seen anything from her atelier in two years, so I’ve sent out a note to check on her! I hope she’s okay!!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this Fashion Friday as much as my friend and photographer, Jennifer Denton, and I had taking them! We always have such fun on our photoshoots!


12 Comments

  • Melanee May 11, 2018 at 2:36 pm

    Dear Brenda, I found you on 50 feeling 40. Love your outfit. It’s exactly what I wore in high school. Modesty was important to me and I wore blouses or T’s under all my undressed. My mom and I sewed all my clothing. I’d seen this style coming back and wondered if I was too old to wear the second time around. Way cute.

    • 1010ParkPlace May 14, 2018 at 4:59 pm

      Hi Melanee, Too old to wear it the second time around… You tell me! Should I not be wearing this look? If so, please stop me from wearing it, again! I’m serious!! Love your comment. Thanks so much, Brenda

  • Sandra Sallin-Apart From My Art May 11, 2018 at 2:44 pm

    Do you remember? I fell off of my clogs and got a “Jones Fracture.” Six weeks on crutches and scooter. Adore the hat. What I need is the perfect t-shirt for a bounteous busom. Always love your posts. You’re certainly looking gorgeous.

    • 1010ParkPlace May 14, 2018 at 5:01 pm

      That’s right, Sandra!!! You fell off your shoes!!! What a disaster! While I didn’t break anything, you certainly had a terrible time. So happy you’re past that. Thank you, sweet lady, for the nice compliment. xoxox, Brenda

  • Donna O'Klock May 13, 2018 at 2:40 pm

    Gorgeous photos, and what a gorgeous outfit Brenda! That blouse is such an elegant fix, and the colour is stunning!
    Thanks again for your inspiration!!

    • 1010ParkPlace May 14, 2018 at 5:02 pm

      Thank you, Donna! Don’t you just love the color??? This is my third plum dress in six years!!! That may seem like a longtime, but since I keep my favorite clothes forever, it’s really just a blink. xoxox, Brenda

  • LA CONTESSA May 13, 2018 at 8:11 pm

    THE OUTFIT is a SMASH!I saw it in person!THE HAT AND THE JEWELS just complete the PACKAGE!
    I hope you had a safe flight HOME and NO HICCUPS!
    The photos I sent to you have been returned to me!!!!!
    I will see if I have your email in THY COMPUTER!AND TRY TRY AGAIN!
    It may be TOMORROW as I need to GO SIT and put the feet up!!!!!!!
    WHAT A DELIGHT it was to meet YOU and I’m sorry I couldNOT escort you to the airport MYSELF………I had a DATE with the BABY BOY to buy a suit for his brothers wedding!
    THANK YOU THANK YOU for coming all THAT WAY for LUNCH!!!!!!!!
    LOVED MEETING YOU and hearing MORE STORIES!
    A BOOK………..it may be HARD to get started but once you dive in it will FLOW and could be a GOOD SOUL CLEANSER!!!!!!!!
    Give those PUPPY DOGS a HUG from me and THE ITALIAN!
    XO

  • 1010ParkPlace May 14, 2018 at 5:10 pm

    Elizabeth, What a sweet note! Some may think going all that way for lunch was an extravagance… and it was, but it was good for the soul, meeting like-minded women I’ve admired from afar. Your joie de vivre is contagious and someday I hope to be half the hostess you are. Thank you for being a role model for all women to step out of the shadows and live a life of color and joy!! My best to the Italian! I like him!! You did good!! xoxox, Brenda

  • Balbina May 17, 2018 at 4:41 am

    You are so beautiful, and i love this dress

    • Brenda Coffee May 17, 2018 at 1:19 pm

      Thank you for the compliment, Balbina! I appreciate your kind words. And this Rebecca Taylor dress!! Scrumptious! xoxox, Brenda

  • Jill Anthony May 22, 2018 at 3:25 pm

    Brenda, I”m a little late in reading this post but i just had to comment on how much I adore this outfit! I think the shirt under a strappy dress is the perfect solution! I will be searching Rebecca Taylor dresses! You look sophisticated and fabulous!

    • 1010ParkPlace May 31, 2018 at 10:52 am

      Jill, Hildie would look great in this dress, wouldn’t she? xoxox, Brenda

    You Might Also Like

    MAKE LIFE COUNT.

    Sign up to our list and we’ll send you our sought-after guide “45 Ways To Change Your Life”
    I'm happy you've joined us! If you like what you read, I'd love for you to stay and subscribe to our updates by email. We have a great community of like-minded women, and your presence can only make it stronger.