A January Reset: Why Personal Style Still Matters + What I Love This Week
Happy New Year! If you’re returning after a holiday break, welcome back. And if you’re new here, welcome!
For many of us, January is a month to take stock and set goals. I’ve been having a long think on the direction(s) I want to take here in our shared online space: what will be most helpful to you, and what aligns with my values. There’s a lot going on in the world, and at times it can be easy to feel that style is a trivial concern. But when it comes to personal style over 50, I don’t think it is.
Why I Don’t Think Style is Trivial
Personal style is one way of showing up for ourselves in the world. Dressing with intention, in a way that reflects our tastes and values and what we want to express, can be very grounding. It’s a reminder that we matter, that our voices matter. And that’s no small thing.
So I plan to continue to focus on offering tools and ideas to help you create and evolve your personal style: color and style tips, travel wardrobe ideas, favorite finds, and outfit ideas. And do let me know what topics you’re most interested in!
And sometimes, those ideas look very practical: the colors we reach for on grey days, the pieces we wear on repeat because they make us feel like ourselves, the small pleasures that bring comfort and inspiration. With that in mind, here’s what I’ve been loving this week.
What I Love This Week
A Hit of Color on Grey Winter Days
We’ve had some much needed rain these past couple of weeks, but after a few days of damp, dreary weather, I find myself craving a dopamine hit of color.
TROUSERS | SHOES (SIMILAR)
My sizes: Sweater – Small, Trousers – 8
One of my favorite color combinations has always been bright avocado (or “sour”) green and aqua. (What can I say, I’m a child of the 60’s…) The scarf is from Eric Bompard, purchased last year in Paris. I’m really loving these smaller square and knit triangle scarves, so easy to wear!
Scroll to see more…
Another favorite: this high v-neck cashmere sweater from J.Crew. It’s available in several neutrals and colors. The green I’m wearing is slightly less bright than it appears in the photo, and can work for both Springs and most Autumns. (Winters, check out “Iris”, and Summers take a look at “Hthr Bouquet”.)
Comfortable But Polished Wardrobe Staples
Jenny Bird earrings – $98
These earrings are hard to see in the photo above, but I’ve been wearing them almost daily for the last several weeks.
They’re lightweight, and “just enough” earring to show up without fighting with my eyewear or other jewelry.
And they’re available in silver for you Summers and Winters.
Slouchy twill pants – $220.15
These are a comfortable-but-polished alternative to jeans, available in several colors. This “Washed Navy” color is just a skosh darker than Spring’s “Bright Navy,” should work for Winters too.
(I’m working on an updated post on navy by seasonal palette…look for that soon!)
I packed a pair of these in warm brown for my recent trip to Paris and London. They traveled well and were easy to style. This is a popular style, and I anticipate new colors will be added seasonally.
Currently Watching…
“Shetland” Season 10 on Britbox!
Lately my favorite series genre is “obsessive women detectives with complicated personal lives solving murders.” New episodes weekly.
(Bonus points for the parade of great knits, scarves, and outerwear…clearly my kind of detectives.)
As we settle into the new year, I hope this space continues to feel like a place to pause, gather ideas, and reconnect with what feels like you. I’ll be sharing more on color, wardrobe building, travel style, and the kind of intentional dressing that supports how we want to live and move through the world. As always, I’m glad you’re here, and I’d love to hear what you’d like to see more of in the months ahead.
Stay in touch
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Hi Susan,
I love that green/aqua combo! It is one of my favorites, too, as is Shetland. 🙂 I am always grateful for your posts. They serve as one of my “healthy distraction”breaks.
Hi Susan! Yes, please keep taking about personal style. It may be more important in this time of chaos than ever – I think one must figure out herself before dealing with everyone everything else, and that includes how one presents herself to the world. Plus, style is fun, and we deserve to have fun! Looking forward to the navy series. I can think of two things I didn’t buy because they were the wrong navy for me, but that’s some “fine tuning” compared to do I wear camel or do I wear gray. I love anything you write about color, and thsnk you for remembering is cool seasons! In also love your outfit formulas. I’m starting back to the office five days and I’m working on some mix and match outfits to relieve decisions fatigue. Also love ideas for mixing one or two new things into what we already have to modernize. (Such as the triangle scarf.) Here’s to 2026! Bisous
Hi Susan! Welcome back and Happy New Year! I like the look of the high V neck sweaters as well–I’m about to take off for a month in Hawaii so I’m missing all the sales. (Maybe that’s a good thing)I’ve got some questions: The Ruti pants are so cute but that style isn’t offered in petite. I’ve emailed them to get their advice on sizing but I wondered what size you took: 6? 8? The other issue I have is scarves. I have so many beautiful scarves now but I feel ‘old’ when I wear them. I think I need to play with them more or perhaps use them in other ways. Annie wants me to knot them up in a tidy manner for the gamine look but I feel like that look ages me. How would a ‘dramatic’ wear a scarf?
Hi Sally, and thanks! I’m wearing an 8 Regular in the twill pants. I’m working on a scarf post, so look for that in the next few weeks.
Thanks Susan! I look forward to it! Your outfit is so cute and colorful. Looks great on you
I ordered that sweater in small in iris and just returned it because it was too large. I’m usually a small petite, sometimes xsmall. I’m glad that your post came up and today they have more iris color in stock. I’ve ordered the sweater in xsmall and xxsmall. Hopefully one of those will work. Iris is a beautiful color. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Ooh, Shetland looks good!
Your bracing color combo is just the thing to inject some energy into these drab days of winter. And I really like the little scarves as they’re so manageable as well as neck warming.
I’d love to learn more in the new year about juxtaposing unexpected elements, such as complimentary colors, to add a little zip to what I wear. Our generation was raised to meticulously match our clothing pieces but now, at least to my eyes, mixing things up seems much more energetic and interesting.
Agree with these as topics of interest — I am interested in examples of unexpected juxtapositions and why they play well together.
Happy New Year!!
I like it when you focus on color palettes (I’m a summer). Look forward to the navy post.
I love your posts. I would love more information on gamine adult outfits . Also I love visuals on cool options, I’m a bright winter, that would be really helpful. Thanks.
Thank you Susan for your posts. I have learned a lot about color theory from you and have discovered some new combinations I never thought of. I know my personal style is more tailored than yours, so would love some options that look more “East Coast”. I live in Philadelphia and dress everyday as elegantly as possible, even with casual clothing. I also would like to see some less expensive alternatives to the items you highlight. Many thanks, Susan Makurath
Your blog is a delight and such a welcome bright spot! Please never feel frivolous and full steam ahead!
Susan, I agree with your thinking. Change is good but you fill a unique and important place for many of us, which is why we’re loyal. It’s been a great lesson to see you grow over the years. You’re so intelligent and honest about your choices.
Hi Susan, really enjoy reading your words! could we perhaps have more items from European/British sellers? it is easier to buy online from them for those of us outside the USA
First, as to your observation that style may seem trivial with all the problems in the world, I hope you haven’t been criticized for your blog. And as for all the troubles in the world, during covid (pre-vaccine) I had to go to ER for heart palpitations, and later during covid and also when Russia invaded Ukraine, developed significant GI problems. So even with recent events, I am fully aware of them (read 2-3 newspapers daily and watch evening news) but for sake of my health I have to compartmentalize.
Now to more pleasant things: I love your aqua/lime combo and it convinced me to put that sweater in my cart!
I am longing for spring. But ice and snow are the thing now. Sigh.
Greetje
Bracelet info please! It’s so cute
Thanks! The bracelets I’m weariing are combined from a couple of different sets, but here’s a set with similar look/colors: https://go.shopmy.us/p-30025303
Thank you for continuing to be a resource and an inspiration after all these years! I so enjoy your voice, your thoughts, your perspective, and feel fortunate that you still choose to be a blogger/videographer/teacher. Again, thanks–and bonne annee!
Love the post, Susan! Beautiful green sweater! I love the bracelet too – could you please link? Thank you!
Hi Margaret, thanks so much! The bracelets I’m wearing are actually combined from a couple of different sets, but are similar to these: https://go.shopmy.us/p-30025303
I am a fan, and — having met you IRL — can attest to the fact that you are truly a lovely, creative, inspiring, and generous person! I concur with all the reasons you stated, that dressing “mindfully” is important. Though I hesitate to make this suggestion (in response to your invitation), because you cannot be all things to all people, I would love to see attention to natural fabrics, clothing made with sustainability in mind, and whenever possible information about makers & sellers that support a fashion industry that is healthier for the planet. Perhaps even the occasional resale find! A big ask, I know 🙂 Thank you for all that you do.
Your “hit of color” reminds me of a question I’ve had about how the Tibi color wheel intersects with seasonal colors. The Tibi wheel seems to be about mood without paying attention to which colors actually look best on individual people– for example, Ring One black isn’t on most palettes, and the Ring Four brights seem a bit strong for Summers and Autumns. But I feel like there’s probably a bright for everyone, likewise a “ring three” non-color (most of my Autumn palette) for everyone. Can you comment on that?
As you rearrange things in this new year are you still enrolled either Faster Way to Fat Loss?
Hi Debra, yes I am. While I don’t track food as closely, I do utilize the workouts.
As a retiree, this really resonated with me: Dressing with intention is “a reminder that we matter, that our voices matter.” When I go out, I stay away from embellished sweatshirts, pull on pants, etc because I find that I’m ignored or patronized. So annoying, but it happens all the time. If I’m wearing a sweater and nice jeans, I get treated like a human with a brain. I love your site for classy, age-appropriate fashion.
We are loving Shetland too. It is hard to wait between episodes.
I love your seasonal color info and hope that continues. I agree with another comment…..unexpected (quirky?) outfit combinations and why they work. I’d also like to learn more about style. For instance, Who benefits from a crewneck vs v neck?
I’ve enjoyed your posts for years. Always learn something.
Thanks!
Hi Susan-
Can you recommend a color analysis company for those of us in the Midwest? I would love to have mine done. Thank you
Hi Joan, I don’t know anyone personally, but here’s a directory of House of Colour consultants (a system that’s very similar to the one I was trained in): https://www.houseofcolour.com/find-consultant
Thank you!
I’m a petite (5’ tall) woman and also a Summer. Thank you for offering guidance on where to shop for clothes that work best for both our assets and limitations!
Hi Susan,
In 2026 I’m going to work on polish, presence, and ease. I’m also working on accessorizing and layers. I love checking into your blog for updates.