Chic at 60ish!

My dear Fashionistas—Welcome back to my blog! Hoping everyone had a good summer & feels ready to jump into fall, chic as ever. I love fall. Always have. Crisp air. Crunchy leaves. Crackling fires. But of course, the best part is the clothes. Even as a young woman, (when I had a waist!) I looked better in a blazer & boots than a bikini! Still one of my favorite looks.

WELCOME BACK DEAR READERS! Thinking about fall fashion in camel & black, while looking back on a wonderful week at the shore with my beautiful family, (l-r) me, my daughter Lauren, 5-yr-old granddaughter Margot, son Jonathan & son-in-law Steve

What’s “in” this season? “Lady chic.” Timeless & modern at once. No matter your politics, this is an extremely serious moment in the world. Nothing reacts more quickly than fashion, steadying us a bit with fall’s easy elegance. Sweaters & skirts. Blazers & boots. Beautiful dresses. Boxy handbags.

THE MEANING OF “ICONIC :” Carolyn Bessette Kennedy with JFK Jr in NYC, wearing head-to-toe camel & black Calvin Klein + her black Birkin–these photos were taken in the late 90’s, over 25 years ago–the ultimate “cool chic” icon, this is exactly how you want to look this fall!

There is a famous photo of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy in a Calvin Klein black sweater, camel skirt & whiskey-colored leather boots. That picture is over 25 years old—yet her outfit could be worn next week. Obviously, her husband is the best accessory of all, but how many of us are married to JFK Jr?

COLOR ME CAMEL: Minimal “lady chic” looks from maxmara.com—totally Carolyn Bessette Kennedy

Colors for fall are camel, cocoon, coffee & rum raisin. Pair it all with black. Pop it with a touch of red, burgundy or bordeaux. Even a red lip. Add something metallic–gold, silver or bronze.

CARAMEL, COFFEE, TOFFEE & RUM RAISIN: Delicious, rich colors that pair perfectly with black–(top) mocha silk shirt, camel skirt & chocolate brown boots at neimanmarcus.com; (bottom) black bodysuits pair with an array of skirts at donnakaran.com

Nostalgic looks become of-the-moment. Do you watch “Emily in Paris?” Remember the scene where “Mindy”/ Ashley Park—usually very fashion-forward—accompanies her date to a fancy corporate party & she feels “Kate Middletoned?” Love that as a verb! Did you see Kate’s video this week? The meaning of “elegance,” on every level. Classy, luxe. That’s exactly how you want to feel this season.

“NOSTALGIA CHIC” = FOREVER CHIC: “Mindy”/ Ashley Park in Chanel in “Emily in Paris” on Netflix; eternally elegant Kate Middleton at Wimbledon last year; navy blazer shown in Ralph Lauren’s collection last week, at ralphlauren.com

Must-haves? A gorgeous jacket—if you can, splurge on leather or suede—then grab a crisp white shirt, great-fitting pants, a structured handbag & a fabulous pair of boots. Pick one for an immediate update.

PICK ONE! Must-haves for fall: black leather Andrea jacket from veronicabeard.com; chocolate beaded vest, silk shirt & leather skirt at brunocucinelli.com; Christian Louboutin boots, Kaite black leather pants & Loewe butterscotch suede bag, all at neimanmarcus.com

ENVISION ETERNAL “LADY CHIC” ICONS EVERY TIME YOU GET DRESSED: Jackie Kennedy Onassis in Central Park; Audrey Hepburn in Paris–as chic today as in their day–the meaning of “timeless!”

Think Carolyn, Jackie, Audrey & Kate. Think modern & nostalgic at once. What a wonderful season with options for everyone, at every price point. Whether you shop in stores or online, you know one new piece makes you feel great—we all need that right now. I’m off to try on my new cognac leather skirt & open a bottle of Bordeaux wine—here’s to a fabulous fall for us all~ Ellyn Golder Saft