Here at Scoop we get lots of questions from our readers about how to wear current trends if you were born before the turn of this century. We reached out to local personal stylist Jen Grano of CharlotteShopGirl for tips and advice, and she gathered some great fall looks focused on how to wear booties at any age + where you can find all the pieces. Since we all know, it’s not much of a challenge to wear anything well when you are young, we are starting this post in reverse chrono order, i.e. 50+ down through the decades to your easy-going 20’s.
So no matter what your decade, you can grab that PSL and head to the pumpkin patch in style.
Booties in your 50’s ~ It Can Be Done.
In your 50’s – Pair your booties with a sophisticated poncho, dolman-sleeved top or a cozy vest and a statement necklace. Show off those shoulders in an off the shoulder sweater and black denim. Try a shorter, stacked heel in a fun color or the periennal favorite of ladies of all ages – the wedge bootie. Toms has some great styles and are so comfortable you can wear them all day long. For a luxe evening look, try a long sleeved dress with suede booties or black pants, stacked heeled booties and a top in one of fall’s hottest colors: olive green.
In Your 30’s and 40’s
In your 40’s – Embrace those cooler temps by wearing light layers. Go casual by wearing booties with your favorite jeans, top and a furry vest. Or try an all denim look for day and a mix of feminine with edgy for night by pairing booties with a dress and moto jacket. Another great combo is a dark floral mid-length dress with a western style bootie. And you can never go wrong in black skinnies, a white top with a denim jacket and a long necklace. Anything on the magenta/purple pallete looks amazing with gray. Try a gorgeous wine colored sweater or dress with gray booties. Pro style tip: for those bad hair days, just add a hat and no one ever has to know.
In your 30’s – Try an open-toe version with a fun fringed skirt or an embellished version with a cropped sweater over a fall floral dress. Mix a flat bootie with a short-sleeved flirty dress. Either of these looks could effortlessly take you from the office to dinner. Pair a cozy shearling vest with leggings and a fringed bootie for those weekend brunches. Camo dresses and tees are perfect for those warmer days. Pro style tip: when wearing booties with a skirt or dress, choose the color nearest to your skintone to elongate your legs.
Wearing Booties In Your 20’s (no challenge here!!)
In your 20’s – Dare to go higher. Stacked heel booties are perfect for daytime with a short print or striped dress. Wear them with a boho-style or henley top and skinny denim or cords. Add an on-trend wrap or statement necklace with stilletto-heeled booties plus skinny jeans for a night out with the girls. A cargo jacket is one of fall’s best investment pieces and looks great with an all black silhouette or patterns and stripes. Booties come in so many styles and are so versatile; wear a chunky heeled sleek pair with a pretty sleeveless sweater and patterned mini or go rocker chic with a vintage concert tee, jeans and moto-style booties. For weekends, a soft sweater or sweater vest plus denim and low-heeled booties are just what you need for brunch and errands.
After years of working in the corporate world, Jen took her love of fashion and styling to the next level by completing a Fashion Business program through Parsons in NYC. She started Charlotte Shop Girl as a creative outlet and is now helping women all over the Charlotte metro area find clothing that makes them feel their best. A Charlotte resident for over 18 years, when not shopping or blogging, she can be found enjoying time with friends and family. For more styling tips, check her out on Instagram or visit www.charlotteshopgirl.com.
