Chic at 60ish!

Since the passing of beloved actress Diane Keaton a few weeks ago, much has been written about her style. Iconic. Trendsetting. Quirky. All true. All adjectives describing fall’s buzzwords, “personality chic.” Interpreted: “Wear what you love, what makes you feel great.” From oversized menswear in “Annie Hall” to white tops & turtlenecks in “Something’s Gotta Give,” what could be more Diane Keaton-y than that?

THE POSTER GIRL FOR “PERSONAL STYLE:” Beloved actress Diane Keaton, super-chic at 60+ish; with Woody Allen in “Annie Hall;” with Jack Nicholson in “Something’s Gotta Give”

So let’s talk about style. Not beauty—style. We all know women who are not classically beautiful yet always look fantastic. Effortlessly put-together. Confident. Cool. Stunning. They may wear the same outfit as someone else, but on them it looks better. They’ve got the right shoes, right belt, right jewelry. The walk. The stance. The look. Every head turns when they enter a room. They’ve got style!

NATURE OR NUTURE? My beautiful mother, Cis Golder, who taught me everything I know about personal style; my daughter Lauren & granddaughter Margot, who both have great style of their own

Are we born with style? Is it handed out at birth? Maybe. Maybe not. I am lucky enough to have been born to a mother with magnificent style. Everything I know, I learned from her. My daughter does not love clothes like I do, but has fabulous style of her own. Younger, edgier, more boho, but she’s got “a look” nonetheless. What’s more, my six-year-old granddaughter is a fashionista with fantastic innate style. Her eye is impeccable, mixing & matching to create her own precious look every time she gets dressed!

IS STYLE IN YOUR DNA??? My six-year-old granddaughter on her first day of first grade—it was 88 degrees out, but she wanted to wear her pink boots to match the pink heart on her dress—so something I would do! DNA??? And as a flower girl last Saturday night—Margot knew exactly how she wanted to look, we spent a whole day shopping for the perfect dress—and she enjoyed every second of wearing it. Looking great & feeling great, that’s personal style!!! B/w checked dress & t-shirt from Cbop in Haverford; flower girl dress from davidsbridal.com

So perhaps the DNA theory stands. Yet I think style can be acquired. It’s a matter of interest. Remember style has nothing to do with being pretty. Style is about polish. Then add some chic & a love of fashion. Be yourself, then step it up a notch. Still confused? Follow the lead of someone you respect—a friend or a professional. Or copy a celebrity. “This is so Audrey Hepburn, so Jackie Kennedy, so Kate Middleton, so Diane Keaton.”

COPY THE ICONS: Audrey Hepburn & Jackie Kennedy Onassis, so many years later, still timeless, still the most stunning!

Many only shop online these days, but I still love sales professionals in stores. Work with people you love and who love you. A good salesperson—particularly one who knows you well—should be able to reach for the right item every time. And never listen to those who tell you that you look wonderful in everything. That’s crazy—even Princess Kate (always perfection) looks better in some things than others. A good salesperson must be able to say, “Take that off—we can do better!”

SO “ELLYN-ISH:” Leather jackets, military jackets, blazers & sweaters, all items I love—Joie moto jacket at neimanmarcus.com; Saint Laurent military jacket at saks.com; navy blazer & cashmere sweaters at ralphlauren.com

What about stepping out of your comfort zone? Years ago, I was talked into a low-cut cocktail dress. Just not my look. It was expensive and I wore it, but I never felt myself in it. I admit, the older I get, I rarely I deviate. Good clothes are just too costly to make big mistakes. As you find your style, you’ll find yourself saying, “That’s so me.” Or “I love that, but it’s not for me.” Always know what’s in—don’t always wear what’s in.

EVEN ALWAYS-PERFECT PRINCESS KATE LOOKS BETTER IN SOME THINGS THAN OTHERS: Beautiful in Preen in Canada; a little dowdy in Alexander McQueen in Paris

Recently, a devoted reader—Carol, this is for you!—asked about “breaking rules.” White after Labor Day? Black shoes, brown handbag? The answer is, “Sure.” Wear what you love. Wear what looks good. White jeans tucked into high boots with a blazer? So Ralph Lauren. Red heels & black bag? So Saint Laurent.

BREAK THE RULES? White jeans in fall look great tucked into high boots, from AGJeans.com; a black bag with red heels is a winning combo year-round, Saint Laurent handbag at neimanmarcus.com

Of course, part of the fun of being 60ish is knowing yourself and staying true to yourself. Real style has nothing to do with money, and everything to do with grace & charm, caring & concern for the world around you—and surely, a sense of humor! Style stems from confidence, from nonchalance. When you know you look great, that inner glow radiates from the top of your head to the tip of your toes.

THE GLOW THAT COMES FROM TRYING TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE: Being honored by Living Beyond Breast Cancer, lbbc.org, in a Christian Dior cashmere shell & Bill Blass ballskirt from saks.com; speaking at a Jewish Federation dinner in an Adam Lippes sheath dress from Boyds in Philadelphia & Wayne

And that’s the moral of the story. Be yourself. Get good advice from those who know you well. Envision those you admire, interpreting their look as you shop. Create your own style. Then stick to it. Have fun. I cannot imagine giving yourself a better gift! Enjoy the compliments & confidence it brings—as you enjoy every chic moment~ Ellyn Golder Saft