Chic at 60ish!

Years ago, I was fortunate enough to interview makeup magnate & guru Bobbi Brown. She could not have been nicer or warmer, it was like chatting with a girlfriend. I remember asking, what was in her makeup bag? Not hesitating, Bobbi reached into her handbag, unzipped a pouch & spilled her makeup all over the table in the manager’s office at Neiman’s, where I was interviewing her. Lipstick, gloss, mascara—honestly, very similar to your makeup bag or mine—but it was fun to see!

MAKEUP GURU BOBBI BROWN & ME: When I asked, “What’s in your makeup bag,” she spilled hers out for me!

I am surely no Bobbi Brown—but similarly, readers often ask what’s in my closet? Besides go-to basics—a variety of jeans & black pants, an array of white cotton shirts—my favorites include jackets & sweaters that I easily dress up or down. I love leather pants too, real or vegan, often an easy way to elevate a look. And suede boots—love the look, love the comfort—honestly, the only time my feet don’t hurt.

WHAT’S IN MY CLOSET? With my son Jonathan (who is surely “one of my favorite things!!”) at Rosh Hashanah dinner last week, wearing a favorite Carolina Herrera jacket & pants—I often separate the pieces, mixing & matching with black leather pants & chunky sweaters, from neimanmarcus.com

In a season of “personality fashion, personal fashion & nostalgia fashion,” here are some of my favorite things:

LEATHER JACKETS: Always a “go-to” for me, burgundy leather coat from tomford.com; from my closet, Joie black moto jacket from neimanmarcus.com & Courreges burgundy jacket from Boyds in Philadelphia & Wayne

MILITARY-STYLE JACKETS: Also a look I love, taupe velvet double-breasted jacket at armani.com; from my closet, cropped vegan leather jacket at l’agence.com

DRESSY & LEATHER PANTS: Camel silk harem pants & chocolate leather jacket from altuzarra.com; from my closet, Altuzarra b/w wide-leg pants & Ralph Lauren leather leggings from saks.com, L’Agence cognac leather jeans from Boyds

CHUNKY SWEATERS TO DRESS UP OR DOWN: Icon Carolyn Bessette Kennedy in Calvin Klein; beautiful sweaters I live in—ivory studded sweater, with my dear friend Susie in Paris & from my closet, black & white and rose cropped cashmere sweaters, all from autumncashmere.com (one of my favorite brands)

HIGH BOOTS: My #1 favorite—and the only shoes I’m really comfortable in—Stuart Weitzman 50/50 boots, I have them in every heel height & every color; whiskey suede over-the-knee boots, all at stuartweitzman.com

Go through your closet. What are your favorite things? What do you reach for again & again? Fashion should bring joy, fashion should make you feel good. I cannot imagine anything chicer than that! Enjoy every gorgeous moment~ Ellyn Golder Saft

ps.My Rosh Hashanah table last week—at 60ish, we know “style” isn’t just about what you’re wearing, but also comes from the glow of sharing holidays & good times with cherished family & friends. For me, that includes hosting & setting a beautiful table, filled with candelabra (Home Grown in Haverford) & centerpieces (Longstems in Merion) I’ve collected, in addition to items passed down from my mom, grandmother & aunt, who are no longer at the table, but there “in spirit” forever! What could be more chic?