Like it or not, fashion is power. What we choose to wear each day speaks volumes about who we are and how we want the world to see us.

As an example, one of the most photographed fashion statements this year was actress Katie Holmes wearing a gorgeous cashmere bra and matching sweater that  revealed a glimpse of her breasts. Katie was in the paparazzi spotlight this summer because of her on /off again relationship with actor Jamie Foxx. Sweet revenge or just moving on, her fashion statement said it all.

Katie Holmes caused a sensation

The bra and sweater set sold out immediately. Now back in stock, the question is can we grown up women wear it and the answer is yes but perhaps with a little less exposed. (Just so you know bra cost over $500 and matching cardigan over $1500. Expensive revenge what?)

January is the start of a new decade and the perfect confluence of resolutions and sales. The standard rule of thumb is to take stock of our closet and giveaway anything we haven’t worn in six months. But this is often more complicated than it sounds as we all have clothing that triggers memories of when we wore them.

If only our closet was this organized

Claudia has a great jacket that she bought in Canada when she was visiting friends at their country house. When she looks at the jacket hanging there, she remembers distinctly every moment of that day and how she and her friends laughed and played and enjoyed great food and companionship. But onward and upward as they say.

Here are eight wardrobe updates to take this new decade by storm :

A white blouse always works
  • Invest in an expensive well fitted white blouse.  If the one in your closet is getting a little gray or perhaps tired around the neckline toss it. A classic white blouse can be casual with jeans or dressy with velvet pants.  Lucy loves stand up collars on all her blouses and jackets and nobody does that better than Caroline Herrera.
Perfect black pants
  • If you don’t already have one, invest in a black pencil skirt.  It can be worn with your white shirt, or a black sweater, or a seasonally bright color. A pair of pencil thin black pants are also a must.  What about a black skirt that is above the knee?  Yes we can. Pair it with a black sweater, black tights and black boots. Monochrome and totally chic.
Arche Boots expensive but worth it
  • Invest in 4 pairs of boots.  If you live in the northern cold climate, one pair that are slip adverse and a pair that you can wear for cocktails or dinner.  Claudia likes the suede Arche tall boots which have a wedge heel and can be worn with a dress or skirt. Tall boots worn over jeans don’t work for us. The equestrian look is over.  Claudia actually rides so this look works with black or brown corded riding pants. Lucy suggests a pair of great ankle boots, one in black and one in brown.  We like that slight street-wear look with a buckle or two and a thick heel.
  • Dressing up and looking for an alternative to Sex and the City heels, a pair of pointy flats with a tie at the ankle are just right and don’t scream “I used to wear heels but not any longer.”
Jeans work if they fit properly
  • Always buy at least two pair of jeans each season. one for weekend casual and one pair for dressier occasions.  Make sure that you try on different jeans to find a style and fabric and length that flatters your body type. Pay what you must for the perfect pair of jeans. January presents the opportunity to find them on sale at considerably less than they were in October.
  • Finish your wardrobe update with a fabulous trench-style wool coat – black or some lovely fuzzy wool options in soft browns and greys. Belt it snuggly and you will look amazing. Feeling the chill, we love the slouch beanie. Ageless, timeless and fun.
Think Meghan Markle
  • Two leather cross body bags in black and brown.  Keep them on the smaller size to showoff that fabulous belted trench coat that accentuates our waist.
  • Pantone announced that the 2020 Color of the Year is Classic Blue, a shade reminiscent of the sky at dusk. “It’s a color that anticipates what’s going to happen next,” said Laurie Pressman, the vice president of the Pantone Color Institute. It is a wonderful color for everyone.  Consider a fabulous scarf in Classic Blue to twirl around your neck. You will be so 2020.

Time to go shopping.

Cheers!

Lucy and Claudia.