This is a difficult post to write, but I feel I have to put something in writing regarding the recent loss of my amazing mother-in-law, Kathy. You may remember a post in her honor last April as part of our Match Made in Seven collaboration on the “Best of British.” She was absolutely my biggest blog fan and sent me lovely notes of praise about the outfits I was sharing. To honor her memory, I’m dedicating this post to her and styling a classic style outfit today.This is the type of classic outfit I know she would love.
My Biggest Fan
Hers was a classic style. I remember back in her working days (some time ago as she was 89!), she told me that even though she was on a budget, she happily spent up to $100 for a beautiful blouse. She always wore tailored suits and gorgeous classic blouses in her professional life. She had excellent style and knew how to dress to show off her best assets.
When I styled an LBD recently, she sent me an email telling me how lovely it was and how great it looked on me. Her last email to me was for the post, Floral Tie-Hem Top and Jeans. She wrote, “Very cute top, you look great and the jeans are perfect. Love the jeans jacket too.” She had a couple of jean jackets that she styled with flair and bought me a red one for my birthday a few years ago. Below is a photo of her in her “traveling outfit” when she visited us in April. She was tall and elegant carried herself well. That lady had style!
Speaking of style, there was also a time when I featured an outfit that I really didn’t feel that good about. She made a comment about how it violated a fashion rule about your bag being below your skirt or some such thing. She said it nicely and I had to agree with her!! Lol!
Per the title, she was my biggest fan and read my posts religiously every single day. And I will miss her every single day.
And now, here are two versions of a classic style outfit in honor of my fabulous MIL, Kathy.
The Classic Style Outfit
For this look, I’m styling a classic style blouse featuring a high neck ruffle, bow, and quarter length sleeves. Classic ’50s! I love the higher neck. The fabric is a heavier weight polyester, so it can definitely be worn in cooler fall weather.
This top is from Tuckernuck. I’ve been seeing their ads and looking over their website for a while now. They have classic style pieces and are a pricier line, much like Everlane. This top, the Faye blouse, is under $75 and you can get a percentage off for your first purchase making it fairly affordable. The top also comes in fuschia, black, and white.
As the devil is in the details, the back tie bow takes this basic piece and gives it some additional interest. One side note: the tie in the back is challenging and you need somebody to tie it for you. My husband gave it his best attempt! Not too bad, right? Lol!
Styled casually with straight-leg white jeans and espadrille sandals, this outfit is perfect for date night or your next party.
The top looks lovely with plaid ankle pants, making it a perfect look for work or a professional obligation. Plaid is big again this fall, and there are lots of plaid pant styles to choose from, including wide-leg, cropped, paperbag waist, and pleated styles. I purchased these at last year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Here is a link to a similar pair of plaid ankle pants from Vince Camuto. On sale for around $50!
Neutral kitten-heeled slingbacks (an older pair from Talbots) and a winged navy handbag from Target complete the look.
In Loving Memory
While my wonderful Mother-in-Law might not have worn these exact pieces, she would definitely have enjoyed this classic style outfit. And she would recognize it as a look that she could’ve worn.
So, this post is written in her honor. We thank her for the many wonderful memories, her constant support and encouragement, for being a fantastic mother to my husband, a loving grandma to my son, and a woman I loved and admired. We will miss her.
This is a beautiful post Darlene. Yes a chic lady and sorry for your loss. I am struck by how much these outfits suit you.
I so appreciate your kind comment, Anna. She is sorely missed. I find I do like her classic style!
Have a lovely day,
xx Darlene
You did her proud! It sounds like you had a wonderful relationship. She sounds like quite the lady! That navy blouse is a stunning piece!
Aw, thanks so much, Laura! It was a hard post to write but something I felt I had to do. I appreciate your kind words. And I agree on the top–it’s such a classic piece!
This will be a long week, I know. A Monday holiday tends to do that, doesn’t it?
xx Darlene
So sorry to hear about the loss of your MIL and your biggest blog reader/fan! I don’t think any of my family reads my blog… which, sometimes I wish they did! I love that blue top with the bow in the back. Such a pretty detail. It is always nice to have some classic looks, they work with almost anything!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Thanks, Carrie, for your kind comments. Besides my husband and son who occasionally read my posts, she is the only family member who did! You are so right about classics–they do work for almost anything!
Enjoy the weekend,
xx Darlene
Such a lovely post and how lucky you are to have such a wonderful, supportive mother-in-law. So many of us, do not have that. I LOVE your outfits. So classy and Audrey Heburnesque!
Thanks for the thoughtful comment, Amy. Yes, I do feel fortunate that she was a part of my life, and I’m sorry that’s not the case for you and others. And thanks for the outfit praise–you are so right: Audrey Hepburn it is!! Lol!
Happy Labor Day weekend,
xx Darlene
A beautiful tribute to a 1st class lady. She is smiling down on you Dar. 😘💕
Thanks, BFF. It’s hard to put into words, but I wanted to honor her somehow. I like to think that she is looking down on us, Kath.
Thanks, dear friend.
xx Darlene
I am so sorry for your loss; Kathy sounds like a wonderful, stylish, supportive person. I hope that you and your husband find comfort in your memories of this lovely woman.
Thanks so much for your lovely comment, Diane. We do have many wonderful memories. We were fortunate to have her with us as long as we did, but she will be missed.
xx Darlene