Monday Musing on Style and Balance
I turned the corner in the supermarket on Saturday and stopped my cart short. Not a dramatic “clean up in aisle five” kind of stop, but a quiet double-take.
A woman about my age was coming through the produce section, and she looked amazing! She was wearing subtle barrel-leg jeans cuffed once at the ankle, bright red sneakers, and a white blouse with colorful embroidery that picked up the red in her shoes. Throw in some large, square black glasses, small red earrings, and the whole thing just worked.
The proportions were spot on, the colors had a little spark, and she had this upbeat energy that wasn’t loud, just… right. I told her she looked fabulous because when someone hits it out of the park like that while buying lemons, it’s a crime not to say so.
But as I kept walking, my stylist brain did what it always does. It started analyzing.
I looked down at my own outfit… my usual white sweater, beige-and-white pants, and soft gray clogs, and tried to mentally swap clothes with her. Would I feel “fun” in the red sneakers and the embroidery, or would I feel like I’d borrowed someone else’s personality for the afternoon?
That question has been rattling around in my head ever since.
We talk a lot about proportions and silhouettes, but there’s a layer to style that’s harder to define. It’s the emotional comfort of what we’re expressing. Some women are completely at ease in a look that reads playful and a little perky. On them, it doesn’t look like they’re trying to be cheerful…they simply are.
I’m still chewing on whether our comfort level is fixed, or if we just stay in our lane because the pavement is familiar?
Could some of the looks we admire on other women actually fit in our own style, if we just gave ourselves permission to nudge the dial a notch? I’m not talking about a total identity shift. I’m talking about a more spirited earring or a shoe that isn’t beige.
Then again, maybe the point was just to appreciate a woman who knew exactly who she was while buying her groceries. She certainly made my errands more interesting.
The Power of a Touch
Let’s be honest..some women wear red, and it looks like it was woven into their DNA. They put on a crimson sweater or a scarlet blazer, and they don’t just look “nice”…they look like they’ve finally turned the lights on. It’s natural, it’s effortless, and it doesn’t wear them.
Then there are the rest of us.
I’ve always been a bit red-shy. In my world of calming blues and neutrals, a bold red can feel less like a “pop of color” and more like someone just started shouting in a library. It’s jarring. To me.
I do own and love these red loafers and this red-and-white striped top, but I’ve never worn them together.
Seeing that woman in the supermarket reminded me that red isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s all about how it fits your personality and coloring.
The “Natural” Red-Wearer
These are the women who thrive on high energy and don’t mind being the focal point of a room. You have the presence to match the saturation of the color. On you, a full red look doesn’t look like a costume…it looks like a signature.
The “Reluctant” Red-Wearer
This is where I usually live. We appreciate the spark of red on others, but we want to keep it at arm’s length. It’s about knowing that a little goes a very long way.
I’m much more comfortable with an accessory than a red sweater or jacket. I prefer, and look best in, a raspberry with a blue undertone and a lower intensity that doesn’t “shout”. By keeping the color away from my face, I’m technically wearing the color, but I’m controlling the dosage.
FUN RED HANDBAGS
Balancing Act
While we’re talking about the balance of an outfit, let’s talk about the balance of our bodies. It’s one of those things we take for granted until we feel it slipping. Lately, I’ve been thinking about how much our confidence relies on feeling steady on our feet.
If you’re feeling a bit less than “solid” these days, don’t wait for a stumble to do something about it because falling can be a disaster with bone density issues.
I’ve started making it a point to practice standing on one leg whenever I’m near a counter or a sturdy ledge. Do it while you’re brushing your teeth or waiting for the kettle to boil, just keep that ledge nearby for a quick grab if you wobble. The more often I do it the more my balance improves.
You can look for balance classes at your local gym or community center and even find them on YouTube. And if you want to get serious, Tai Chi and Yoga are the gold standard here. They aren’t just for flexibility, they’re for core strength and proprioception, which is just a fancy way of saying “knowing where your feet are.”
Staying upright and moving with confidence is the best accessory we have. Whether you’re navigating a busy sidewalk or just the produce aisle, a strong foundation makes everything look better.
I’m curious, ladies, have you ever spotted someone and thought, “Could I pull that off?” Or did you know immediately it was a “great on her, but not for me” situation?
Thanks for reading, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.
What was the link for the knit blazer (I think it was J Crew, but can’t find it there) you showed recently in pale grey?
I’m not sure. Where did you see it? What post?
This column was so interesting! Thank you Jennifer! Red has always been a color I like wearing (due to getting compliments) whether solid in pants, sweaters, shawls, blazers, shoes, lipstick, or in prints on scarves, tops, etc. Getting noticed never even occurred to me- just liked the color, thought my dark hair and skin tone paired well. Even wore red silk suit for sons’ Bar Mitzvah and recently long red dress for son’s wedding (requested by bride for the moms)! Your red striped tee (which doesn’t shout RED) with navy blazer, jeans, and red loafers or sneakers would look great together! But it is true that emotions play a part in how you dress, and not everyone would feed comfortable wearing “red”. Also, emotions fluctuate day to day too! Most days my brain doesns’t want to put together any “look” just for supermarket but I don’t look sloppy either. This column does make me think though that looking “fashionable” more often as opposed to just neat could give us an emotional boost! Thank you!
I love to wear red as long as it is in moderation. I try to balance it out with a muted tone in the rest of my outfit. It reminds me of wearing leopard print. I wouldn’t wear it head to toe, but it peps up an outfit when it is in moderation.
I think Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfinger brands offer a pop of red as a classic look that leans towards casual. I found a few pieces worth well for me in all seasons.
I so appreciated this post. I like red and it’s a good color for me, now I need to incorporate it more in my wardrobe.
Before I even started to read your post today, I saw the picture and thought how great you looked with the red shoes. Everyone has a comfort zone, and it’s also nice to try a little move into something different. I love red and usually wear it sparingly, but I got a great red dress last year and wore it to an event where most everyone was wearing neutrals. I felt confident in it and got so many compliments. Fun! Talbots is known for its own red, usually called “Red Pop”. I always look for the items in that color in each of their new collections. It’s a good true red.
Hi Jennifer, I love your blog but as a “Winter” I don’t see many of the colors that I can wear. I’ll admit that I get tired of seeing all of the white, beige, blue and various shades of denim in your posts. But I enjoy your sense of humor and helpful hints on clothing skincare, etc!
Sorry my style and colors bore you
I was once told that we each have a flamboyance quotient and it really is true. What I find is that some days my quotient is very low and other days it’s high. Just depends on whether or not I feel like being noticed.
I like that perspective.
I do love red and have some tops (white and red stripes) and I would buy red shoes in an instant if I could find a cute pair. Now on the other hand, I just don’t get barrel jeans. I’m sure it has something to do with my 5’2” height and slightly large thighs. I think I would look ridiculous! And honestly, I think even some of the skinny models look ridiculous!! Always love your information Jennifer!! Thank you!
I agree about barrel jeans! Everyone looks bow legged in them.
I can wear a cranberry red which is blue based, but not the tomato or orangy red. It is very difficult to find cranberry. I did buy a cranberry red blouse with rhinestone buttons from Chicos before Christmas. I also have a great red handbag. I never wear bright colored pants. I don’t want to draw attention to my hips or waist which I feel are my flaws.
Before I read this I thought your picture is fabulous, topped off by the red loafers you look as good as the “lemon lady”, anyday. Maybe as you say, we get too comfortable and forget the possibilities; at 78, curiosity is living, mistakes will happen but this is life!