Year-End Roundup: My Favorite Outfits Of 2016

ivory sweater vest over black

Here are my 6 favorite outfits posted in 2016, in chronological order.

Above, I joked that “this is what happens when I let my Inner Minimalist dress me,” but I still love the simplicity and impact of this look. The long vest from Ann Taylor turned out to be a good purchase and I’m on the lookout for more like this one. It’s great for transitional season dressing!

earrings (similar) | top (similar) | vest (similar style) | ring |
bag | pants | sandals (similar)*

how to wear black in summer

When in doubt or feeling uninspired, I reach for black and white. It always pulls me right out of a style funk.

cardigan (similar) | top | necklace | necklace | bag | jeans |sandals

Those Stuart Weitzman tassel sandals were an impulse buy when we were in Las Vegas in March, and I think they turned out to be one of my best purchases of the year. They’re comfortable and really add oomph to an outfit. While they sold out quickly last Spring, they’re available again (pre-order), and in several colors!

Sandro embroidered tee

earrings (similar) | tee | bag (same style in black) | ring |  jeans | sandals

I’ve included this one among the Favorites not because I think the styling is particularly inspiring, but because this tee turned out to be another of my best and most-worn purchases this year. It’s a fabulous warm weather piece that adds some visual interest to an outfit when it’s too hot for layers. It was part of my Japan travel wardrobe, and was one of my MVP’s.

left bank style

earrings (similar) | scarf (similar) | jacket ( and similar) | top | jeans |
bag | bracelet (similar) | sandals

What can I say? So many of my wardrobe favorites, and …in PARIS!!!

leopard print with olive, red bag

I love an olive/red/leopard combo! Once I found the right shoes, this outfit just came together.

earrings | cardigan (similar) | top (similar) | necklace |
bracelet | bag | jeans | sandals

And of course…

This coat is already turning out to be a great investment. (This has been my year for finding LA-weight coats.) You’ll be seeing more of these shoes too in 2017…

earrings | coat  (similar here and here) | sweater (similar) |
necklace | jeans | shoes 

Drawing Conclusions…

Looking back through these six, I noticed that they all featured one or more of these elements:

  • a longer outer layer
  • leopard print
  • red accents

While I’m enjoying experimenting with (a little) more color and pattern, the takeaway for me is that I still prefer a simpler look with one or two focal points. While I tried out some different pants silhouettes during the year, a slim leg (not super skinny) style is what I keep returning to and what I think looks best on me. As always, the challenge is finding that balance between What Works and incorporating some new styles to keep it interesting and current.

I’m also getting the itch to let my hair grow out a little bit this year.

You can see all of my outfit posts here, or just click on the MY STYLE tab at the top of the page.

*A note about the product links: I’ve linked to the same items I’m wearing whenever possible. I understand how frustrating it can be to see something you like and find it’s no longer available, but with retailers’ short cycles, some items are in and out of stock within a few weeks. When the original pieces are no longer available, I’ve done my best to find items that are similar and would work in the same context.

Do you review your outfits from the prior year or season? Do you find it a helpful tool for refining your style?

Stay in touch

Sign up to be notified of new posts and updates from une femme d’un certain âge.

Affiliate links in posts may generate commissions for unefemme.net. See my complete disclosure policy here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

23 Comments

  1. Love the tiger tee I want one Do they run large ? I want to order one but they seem to look a little large?? I usually go by customer reviews but there are none on their website I wear a j crew med or large (if slim cut t shirt)

  2. When I first learned of Emmanuelle Alt’s “uniform approach” to styling herself, I thought, “That’s so boring.” Then as I paid more attention to the clothes that made me feel great and like myself I realized how smart her approach was. As you say above, it’s still important (and fun) to stay current. In 2017 I’m going to get more current with my glasses, hairstyles and makeup. I’m thinking my glasses will become *more* and hair and makeup will become *less*. Final thought — that old fashion advice to look in the mirror just before you leave the house and remove several pieces of jewelry applies to me. I just need to heed it more often! As always, thank you for your blog!

    1. Several pieces of jewelry? I think the advice is to look in the mirror and remove just one thing — at least that’s the way I remember it. Anyway, I usually only have one or two pieces of jewelry on at any given time, so that’s less of a dilemma for me.

      I’m totally down with the uniform approach. I’ve been keeping a record of everything I wear each day and am just about to go through it, determine what my favorites were, and see whether there’s a pattern or formula. Thanks for the great idea!

      1. (blush) You’re right — the actual advice was to remove a single piece of jewelry (or other accessory). But now you appreciate my challenge. 🙂

  3. I do Susan!
    I like to look back and eiher think “yeah, that worked” or “Hahaha…that was interesting!” or… “I miss that old ***”.
    Clothes are fun and tell a story.
    It is important to stay looking modern and fresh.
    There is nothing as ageing and frumpy as a rut!

    Thank you Susan for all of your inspiration this year.
    Best wishes for 2017!!!
    XXX
    Samantha

    http://www.fakefabulous.com

  4. Susan, thank you for a great year of outfits and all the travel tips! You are generous to include us! This is a wonderful useful blog and I appreciate all you do to find items that are similar if a piece is sold out. Many Blessings to you and your family in the new year…

  5. My favorite was the gamine polyvore you did – so much so that I got the Little Liffner handbag it included for Christmas. i prefer the simpler looks too.

    Bonne Annee!

  6. Hi Susan, after discovering your blog this Fall, you’ve inspired me to wear longer cardigans & I now have several in my wardrobe, I find I wear them daily. The leopard J Crew top is also in my closet, it’s the perfect leopard print, I like how you have it styled with the green pant.

  7. Oh Susan I adore EVERYTHING you wear but …….the shoes. I loved the little Weitzman sandals but really can’t deal with the heels, so clunky! I love all your shoes until I get to the heel and I can’t help thinking ‘orthopedic’ sorry…don’t get me wrong, I am not into les talons haute and I live on my feet! I have a huge collection of comfortable shoes but with a more refined heel (or wedge pumps) RIght now I am wearing very cute Lulu pumps by Dansko(my old lady conceit is the velcro ankle strap!!)As well European shoes abound with comfort and style. I tried a pair of the block heels but I found them uncomfortable and a little too Queen Mum for my taste but hey as we say in Shanghai à chacun son goût:) Although you have shown some fab ankle boots!! Everything else you are sporting I totally covet….
    Je te souhaite une bonne année!!

  8. My favourite outfits came from Desigual in Paris and Seven Sisters in Australia – with one very expensive one from Milan. People stop me in the street back here in Oz to ask where I bought them

  9. Thank you so much for posting your favorites once again. I bookmark. We can always look at this and try to do similar. Thanks for posting similar items. It helps. However that Mcqueen scarf was once in a lifetime as you know. I have searched high and low for it and a similar look. Nothing like that anywhere. Great find. I did get lucky finally on the leopard coat but small size…we will see if it fits when it arrives. Must have been a return. I won’t have much time to wear it, living in FL but it looks awesome. And great for trips north.
    Also love your Paris stuff. A,couple years ago my husband and I spent 10 days in Paris, then rented a car driving through Champagne ..Lyon …Dejon to the south of France. A month long trip I will always remember. Sadly things are changing and safety becomes a worry. This year, six weeks in Italy…my favorite country and have been many times. Your travel packing tips are very helpful.
    Happy New Year.

  10. I would wear all these looks! Our likes are very similar….that is why I always want to see what you are wearing, Susan! Happy New Year! Here’s to a wonderful 2017!

  11. I’m always impressed with your style, but I especially like your black and white looks. Gorgeous. Good luck with growing out your hair! Your current cut is great, but I certainly understand the desire for change: I’m currently growing out a pixie cut. Sloooowly.

  12. Susan, you have been my style-icon-4-2016, and I know you will continue to be into the new year! You’ve inspired me with your fabulous fashions and have taught me to have fun and take risks. Loving your year in review here…so much fun to see a recap of your favorites. Happy New Year!

  13. Susan, you look gorgeous in these photos. I find myself loving leopard print and red myself! Looking forward to following you in 2017. Happy New Year and let me know if you’re going to be skiing in Colorado this winter.

  14. You look great in all of the photos, but when I first saw your photo #4 – the one against the french word wall – I thought, wow she looks amazing! You look so comfortable, confident, and chic, something I think we all strive for. It’s my kind of outfit and so versatile: well fitting jeans, white tee, dark navy or black coat, gorgeous long scarf, and awesome shoes. I pinned it for inspiration.

  15. Great outfits! However my favorite outfit from this year included the black & white cardigan you purchased in Paris from les soldes. Actually I would like the cardigan with black basics and accented with red. I would love to see the cardigan again styled differently.
    Love your blog. I get so many ideas on how to style my minimalistic wardrobe.

    1. Hi Jane, thanks! Yes, I’ll be including that cardigan in some outfits once the weather warms up again. (It’s a very lightweight cotton.)