Shoes

Comfortable shoes and fl​attering sleeveless coat

Not sure about the headband, may be a bit Nora Batty! Still, it was a very windy day when we shot these photos and it did help to keep my hair in order.

Today I want to talk about the importance of comfortable shoes. Long gone are the days when I used to stagger around in high heels, not that I was very good at wearing heels, I don’t think I ever mastered the sexy swagger. I was more a kitten heel kind of girl. These days it is definetely sensible flats. Yet I still like to look chic and elegant.

I find lace-ups the most practical style for walking around town or along the Thames towpath on my way to the local shops. Provided it has not been raining then I would need wellies.

My shoes need good arch support to prevent my habit of rolling my feet inwards which has the knock-on effect of damaging my knees.

Combining practicality and style can be tricky. These smart denim blue leather lace-ups by Van Dal (gifted) are ideal. They come with two sets of laces, tan or denim blue. A great idea as you can create two different looks for the price of one. Personally, I like the tan as it gives the shoes an extra edge. However, if I want s more conservative look I can change the laces.

I reviewed a pair of Van Dal shoes last June. I have worn them a lot and they are still going strong. The same style is still available in other colourways.

Long Sleeveless sleeveless coat

A long vest is a versatile piece of outerwear that you can use to add interest to an outfit. They are ideal for skimming over the tum and bum areas. A shorter version can work well to elongate your figure and add the illusion of height if you are petite.

My wide leg jeans are by MeandEm. After many years of wearing skinny or straight jeans, I am finding the wider leg styles refreshing. However, if you are petite this could be a tricky style to adopt. They have a variety of other styles and their jeans are very good quality. If you like the straighter leg style I can hightly recommend my Levis.

Disclaimer: The Van Dal lace up shoes I am wearing were gifted. All words are my own

Chicatanyage

I write a fashion and beauty blog for women over 50 with the aim of inspiring mature women to continue to enjoy and have fun with their fashion choices. I have spent most of my working life in some way connected to fashion. I started my career in Fashion PR and then trained as an Image Consultant when my children were young. I subsequently worked in the corporate world running seminars, doing private coaching and speaking at conferences. I started my blog in 2009 as I wanted to share my years of experience working in the world of fashion. I truly believe we can continue to have confidence in the way we present ourselves. Our style may evolve with time and changing lifestyles, yet with a little knowledge and inspiration, we can all continue to have fun with fashion. As women of a certain age we are a growing demographic let us prove that we can also be a chic one.

View Comments

  • Hi Josephine, I think the headband really suits you in fact I've been looking for a similar one myself since I saw yours.

  • I really like the combination of wide-leg jeans with the long vest. They seem to balance each other. And I think you look adorable in that headband. :)

  • Love the look, but probably not for me, being on the short side. Headband is great - I could probably get away with that!

  • I love the headband! I'm always leary of them these days...of maybe "exposing" too much of the aging skin? But maybe I should try it again (have some tucked away from years ago!)

  • Jo, you look really...as my Mum would say, with it! The headband looks youthful, love the jeans and the coat. This is exactly how I would put this together, minus headband as in Arizona a bit too warm. Cheers!

  • Everything looks great on you. Love the concept of a sleeveless jacket and I have some , much shorter, as I am vertically challenged. I also have Van Dal shoes because at one time they were practically the only manufacturer that created small-sized shoes. ( size and 2.5). The metric system played havoc with my shoe sizes as a szxe 36 is a size 31/2 Uk I have to search a LOT for a size 35! My loafers are tan suede and I'll have to search for them as I have been de-cluttering the Marie Kondo way!! :O)

  • Love the whole look. I picked up a long sleeveless vest in a pale rust colour about 3 years ago. Dragged it out again and will wear it with a black turtle neck and black pants. I recently picked up two pairs of shoes, both lace-up. one pair in black patton and the other in a snakeskin. I really appreciate your blog and your many ideas. Thank you.

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Chicatanyage

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