Styling like Ralph Lauren and a BIG milestone

Ralph Lauren's Fall 2012 RTW collection looks a lot like what I bought, made and wore in the late 70's, early 80's.  I had coats, jackets, skirts and slacks in the same weaves and color palette.   Like this collection I mixed plaids, herringbones and coordinating tweeds with knits, patterns like paisleys, and fur.   It's classic elegance that is fresh every year and feels good to wear.  I always wore textured hose and tights in the fall and winter and carried Coach satchels similar to these since I travelled a lot.  Over the years I consigned many pieces from those years,  only keeping select ensembles that I update and restyle with accessories.

When I saw his brown pinstripe ensemble with the narrow pant and short jacket with lapel and curved front hem I said that's the Michael Kors Italian pantsuit that I've been wearing for 15 years. The dark brown fabric is 80% wool/15% rayon/5% stretch and has a woven gray/taupe pinstripe.  The pants fit and look just like Ralph's, and I love wearing it with cashmere tops and my collection of previously owned mink and fox collars.  This one is lined in velvet and has clips at the ends so you can style it many ways.   I take exceptional care of my clothing and accessories and have the discipline to stay the same size.  I'm  60 and even though I went through an extended period where I could not walk unassisted or exercise, I am still the same size I was in my 30's.

I bought some new shoes with good ankle support and a nice chunky heel at Out of Hand in Mount Pleasant SC when we were spending some time there the first of the month.  Now that I can easily stand and walk in this kind of heel - Big milestone  -  I celebrated by buying these.   I usually wear a dark brown calfskin ankle boot that I bought at Roberto Spinelli in Rome with the dark brown pinstripe pants and jacket,  but thought I'd show off me standing and walking in these.   Here's a photo of me walking and standing in them while trying them on -  celebration!

I wore a lightweight wool Glen Plaid coat and skirt ensemble similar to this one to the settlement on my first house in the DC area in 1977.   I never wore caps or bowler hats.  I didn't keep that ensemble,  but I love the fuschia accent in the handkerchief and gloves here.

Here's an example of Ralph's mixing and matching, and an Oscar ensemble I kept in the softest mauve, wine, and gray plaid and coordinating tweed.   This was sold as a complete ensemble with tags removed as was the custom in Loehmann's Back Room in the late 70's.   I knew it was Oscar from the style and quality and this was always one of my favorites.   The short jacket is fitted at the waist and came with the coordinating paisley pleated front blouse.    The tweed full skirt, cut on the bias with deep tucks at the waist is the same tweed weave within the plaid of the jacket.   I didn't care for how it fit around the pocket waist closure so I took it apart.   That's just the front and back skirt fabric there.  Looks like it's time to refashion it since I can wear my boots again!