These classics are keepers! The "rock-glam" look is in this fall, see for yourself if real women (who aren’t tall, thin or young) can wear it. Stylist Kate Shifrin showed me how to wear this seasons’ hottest trends: leggings, leopard, studs & more - at both splurge and steal prices. 

The oldest item in my closet is probably a chunky, fold-over cowl-collar sweater by Dana Buchman. I bought it sometime in the mid-nineties, and I still wear it and get compliments on it. It is a neutral oatmeal color with large shell buttons on the cowl-collar. It goes with jeans, and with dressier items, and it is cozy and comforting.

Paul’s list is a good one - these are definitely items women can build on and "change up" from year to year. I would add one other item: a black pencil skirt. This is a great item to have in the closet - it can be dressed up or down, worn to work or a party, accessorized a zillion ways, and best of all women of all shapes and sizes can fine one in a flattering cut and length. I have one from Calvin Klein that I bought in Bloomingdale’s three years ago, and I wear it all year round at least once a week. That was a GOOD buy!

I’m thinking about a pair of black boots for this winter. Not sure if I could pull of the biker-chic look, but I may head toward the classic Frye harness boot - a little cowgirl edge might be just the ticket!

Now I can say "I told you so!"  to the people who argued that my old biker jacket would never, ever be in style again & I had to purge it from the back of the closet it’s been lurking in.

I’ve been going through closets, drawers, etc. to get rid of stuff.  I see I have to rescue some old big-bead necklaces from the tzedakah boxes.

My weight does not change, and when I worked I dressed in gorgeous non trendy clothes.  When I need to go somewhere, I shop in my closet first.  Usually what I need is there.  I also have those big bead necklaces, and I do wear them once in a while.

My boring opinion LOL. My unworn clothing goes to the Goodwill so no oldies are hanging around here. Its a hard habit to get into since a good bargain piece of classic clothing is not an accessory, its a trophy hard won by a long days shopping. :)  I like pearls in different sizes and hues with everything from jeans to dress-up, so i am not too far off the mark.  Kohls has all those pictured necklaces.  I’d like my jackets to hover around the crotch. I think its much more slimming, despite what she says on What Not To Wear, and if the slacks wrinkle where your legs bend its not neat looking, and the jacket will cover or camouflage it.

Whats in in handbags?

I would love to apply for this job, the one about finding the "Five Things You Can Buy Now and Wear for The Rest of Your Life." 

This is not about me and my blog (I won’t even stoop to putting the address here for self-promotion) my proposal is to help women to make real fashion investments for life.

Even better, if Joan-Juliet Buck had a free moment.  (She and I worked at WWD at the same time in different cities and of course her fashion sense and style is legendary.)

 Best regards,

Tish 

Men’s clothing seldom changes so I am not surprised that the author picked men’s wear for women. Well, except for the necklaces. I would go with the Channel Jacket personally because that transcends age too. It looks good on a younger or older woman, very slim or a bit rounded, tall or short. Where as men’s-wear-for-women only looks stunning on younger women and they must be slim, if they are tall that is an added bonus.

The motorcycle boots are a passing fancy. They come and go every 20 years.

The oldest item in my closet is the winter coat I bought in 1950. Grey wool with a fitted top, big silver button at the collar and wide skirt. It refuses to wear out, still fits and is comfortable over heavy clothing. I alternate it with my other love, my Sonja Reickle winter cot, circa 1992.

Elinor 

Correction, the last sentence should read winter coat.

Elinor