The folk-inspired fashion trend that began in 2020 seems to be alive and well this Spring. Nordstrom’s senior fashion director Shannon Shafer describes it as “breezy dresses and blouses with delicate embroidery, paisley prints, and eyelet fabrics” Others coin the look prairie fashion. Folk Inspired or Prairie fashion can those of us over 50 wear it? Let’s take a look at Fashion Over 50 Folk Inspired.
Next Tuesday Sarah and I will be joined by our friend Kim from NorCal Style for our Signature Style Series. We will discuss dresses. Kim and Sarah do the look so well. For me, it’s a challenge. I will talk more about that later. Today let’s talk about Folk Inspired Shirts and if and how those of us over 50 (or 60) can wear them. I love the shirt trend you have seen the look in a couple of my outfits of the week featuring this Sundance shirt here. The botanic wonder shirt is still available on Sundance here.
and here.
I can’t normally wear ruffles, poofs, or patterns. I think it looks silly on me perhaps due to my tomboy days as a child. This shirt from JP and Mattie (love the brand by the way) comes off more textural than ruffly so it works on me. It is long enough that it could be worn tucked out. It is no longer available in the lavender but a really pretty teal version at Sundance here. I wore it here tied at the waist but it looks just as great with pants tucked out. Love this shirt! Ebay also has a nice selection of JP and Mattie shirts here. FYI Anthropologie has a new partnership with Nuuly where you can buy gently used items at a huge discount.You might want to check it out for interesting items to add to your closet!
I love this jacket from Daniel Raiin normally $118, and gently used for $49. It is reversible too.
The work on this Layla Embroidered blouse is gorgeous. For those who need extended sizing, this might be your ticket. It is on sale for $99.95 with many sizes still available. It is shown on the website in extended sizes as well which I find very helpful.
Johnny Was is a great resource for folk inspired wear. Their items can be pricey but they always have many items available in their sale section here Love this Eden Jacket in black.
I have the eden in a gray/khaki which you can find on Ebay here. You can see it next week in our dress post,
I love this Samantha Voyager Tunic from the Johnny Was Sale Section. This would be great with jeans as shown or dressed up with white pants.
Many of the Johnny Was items come in extended sizes as well hereYou can also find many of their kimonos in extended sizes on Ebay here.
I have had my eye on this Edith Cardigan Duster. Isn’t she a beauty? I keep hoping she will go on sale. Patience is a virtue, right? I know a regular reader who will love this. I am talking to you Patricia.
Thanks for reading Fashion Over 50 Folk Inspired. My question is would you wear it? By the way Jennifer from A Well Styled Life, and Pam from Over 50 feeling 40 have a fun post every weekend titled Would you Wear it. You might enjoy. While researching this post from Rants by Ronni made me smile. Have a great Friday. We are meeting with the movers today and doing heavy-duty packing with the help of our kids this weekend. FYI my posts may be more sporadic or posted at odd hours during this transition. I apologize in advance!
**EDITORS NOTE
So many of you have asked about the H&M eyelet tunic. It is still available in this beautiful mustard and also in the black version here.
Cindy,
I love a lot of the Johnny Was blouses and the duster is fabulous. I find you can dress up the blouses and they don’t look too boho.
I hope your move is going as you planned.
xo,
Karen
I am busty which means that pleated or smock tops make me look even more busty and overweight. I can wear loose tops that are not gathered and that usually works well. Often when a top fits in the bust, it is too big in the shoulders and arms. Anyway, I agree with you regarding ruffles and overly flowery clothes. It’s just not me. Your blog is very helpful to those of us trying to look good after 60.
I’m 60 , 5’9 and size 12. I love your colorful boho fashions but I prefer to blend in because of my height so bright patterns and colors are not mine to wear
I do like some boho clothing, but the colors & styles here , I do not like. I prefer the more feminine, softer look. That’s just me.
Thanks for weighing in Cathy live your input!!
I love this look and have always worn it. But as I age, I lean towards a pared down look. I now seek pieces in exquisite fabrics, in natural tones. The Daniel Raiin Jacket speaks to me.
I love folk inspired clothes ~ peasant tops, flowing dresses, etc. What girl of the 60’s doesn’t ☮️?
Love all these clothes you have featured. Now off to shop.
Take care
Amanda
Hi Amanda
That is it in a nutshell, really isn’t it? I am guessing you are younger than me (you sure look it!). But yes! I feel like as long as we don’t look like our high school yearbook photo we should stay true to our own style. Cheers! Roundtop next Spring we are meeting up!!
I love these tops…so simple with a pair of jeans and sandals. I would wear them almost anywhere.
Hi Tea
You are my kinda girl!! I always wonder if I post too many things with jeans, but that is what I live in. Just because we are of “an age” doesn’t mean that has to stop, right?
Love the comments! Cindy I like many of the folksy pieces that you curated. I even ordered that embroidered blouse from Sundance. I’m not a ruffles or poofy sleeve kind of a gal–grew up and have lived in California most of my life and so jeans and tees are actually my default. When it comes to Boho I have to say ‘oh no’. I like minimalist modern in decor. Love your blog and postings!
Hi Sally
The comments are the best, aren’t they? I learn from you all every post. I feel so lucky to have engaged, inspiring, intelligent women with so much to offer commenting here on my blog. I am blessed.
P.S jeans and tees yes!!
Anything lavender is our fashion friend now, isn’t it?! Amazed how wonderful it looks with our grey locks. I’m with you about ruffles… I also being short and busty, it’s hard to pull off, but love that Sundance top and disappointed the lavender was sold out. Another big regret is missing out on that gorgeous H&M grey eyelet tunic you rock so beautifully!
Don’t worry about posting during your moves… we’re a patient group!
Hi Nan
Darn, I am so sorry you missed that Sundance shirt. I absolutely love it. The H&M is still available in the Mustard and the black. I like both. I will add it to the post. I have had so many inquiries about that fabulous shirt.
I’ve always loved ethnic styles. I loved the Indian infusion of fashion during my college years (1967-71, yup I’m 71). I was a fan of Young Edwardian clothing at the time. As I have aged, I still appreciate fashion and jewelry that shows the art of the hand. Johnny Was is a favorite. The dusters and kimonos turn a plain black column (tunics, pants, leggings, skirts) into a celebration. Of course, I love Etro, but never will pay that much for it!!! I am still a Boho at heart, but you will never see me wearing ripped jeans. Just sayin’!
Hi Patricia!
Ha ha!! I thought of you when I saw that Edith coat. I knew you would love it. So agree about one piece with a column of color. I think we ladies of a certain age can wear the look as well as long as we don’t overdue it. I love anything that is handmade as well. Great comments! You ladies are always so on point!
Paisley and eyelet, as mentioned by the Nordstrom buyer, can come in many forms. As long as they are more structured, they work for me. I don’t feel comfortable in ruffles or frills and am not a girly-girl preferring more classic pieces. Cindy, you do a polished boho look that works beautifully on you but wouldn’t on me. I’m also not a dress person but will wear sundresses when in tropical places so I’m looking forward to Tuesdays.
Good luck with your packing!
Hi Wren
I just look foolish in ruffles, puff sleeves etc. I think we can pull it off if we are careful! I am a huge linen fan as you know. I find I can wear linen and be comfortable in the heat. I don’t mind the wrinkles it just blends in with the ones on my body!!
I love them! Sometimes the fit is too big on me, but love the embroidery and pattern….Thanks for the tip about Anthropologie!
Hi Mary
Isn’t that cool that Anthro is doing that? I buy most of my clothes on Ebay, so it is just another way for me to get into trouble!
Many of us wore this look back in our college days when I had blouses from trips to Mexico and Greece. I love it, although it is much more expensive now. Today I don’t do as many colors and I only wear just a blouse or just a vest and the rest of my items are neutral.
Hi Madeline
I think almost all of us are on the same page. A little goes a long way. I just love the punch of an interesting jacket, shirt, or vest as well.
I love Johnny Was and I am 57; my beautiful family have given me pieces over the years as Christmas presents. Always wonderful 🙂
Hi Francesca
I love that your family knows to give you something you love. My husband has given me many of the interesting pieces of jewelry that I have. I love the memories that they bring.
I would definitely wear it all! I love embroidered clothing! I’m 51 by the way.
Hi Karen
I do too. There is just something more individual about something that looks handcrafted. I would much prefer that to something that is mass produced and worn by everyone on the planet.
Like Lucretia, I’m not a boho dresser preferring a more classic look and fit. Give me a crisp white shirt anyway, any style. But, the jackets are speaking to me. I love the Johnny Was black & white jacket and absolutely adore the Edith Cardigan Duster. By the way the link takes you to a blog not the duster. Holding out on us? 😉
I’m about to turn 72 and wear a variety of fashions. I love the updated BOHO look and look forward to buying some on sale.
Thanks Cindy I’m new to your blog but enjoy it very much. Also a retired interior designer who has lived in Santa Fe, now Denver and love the interiors you post.
Susan Niles
Hi Susan
Welcome and thank you so much for commenting. We have a great community here. I think you will enjoy it. Santa Fe is one of my favorite places! How do you like Denver?
Hi Joanna
I hope you got my email. I fixed the link. I have to say I love a great white shirt as well! Jennifer, Sandra and I are planning a white shirt post soon. Getting the three of us together is always tricky!
I used to be in the vintage business and our mantra was, “If you remember wearing it you shouldn’t wear it again.” I love peasant blouses, go-go boots and hot pants but I should never wear them again. But I never wore the classic outfits my mother wore in the 50’s so they look good on me. And age appropriate. Of course there are exceptions but this rule of thumb helps me when I’m in the dressing room getting that deja vu feeling!
Hi Patti
Thanks for weighing in. When you get to be my age, most trends have returned at least once or twice. I saw a funny photo of an elderly lady in “hot pants” that I almost posted but didn’t want to offend anyone. We are all so sensitive these days. When I was in high school and wore something flowery (which was never my style) someone said I looked like I got caught in my bedroom curtains. That is what I feel like in those floral dresses. I just can’t pull them off!
I LOVE YOUR QUOTE!
I saw the Johnny Was Edith Duster in one of their stores. Like you I’m hoping it goes on sale. Agree with you on the Tom Boy stage as a girl. Frilly girly is hard for me to do. Love your fashion posts. I’m turning 70 soon. Perhaps you can address Fashion over Seventy!!
Hi Leslie
I am right behind you. I feel kind of foolish doing fashion over 50 posts at times. Look at Sandra Sallin. She looks fabulous in Johnny Was and she is 80!
I generally dislike the boho look a lot. That being said I really like the jackets that you showed. I like basics with one star piece, these jacket fit the bill. I have several well made “folkie “clothing items that I love.
Hi Lucretia
I agree with every word. I don’t even like the sound of boho. I don’t care for the look in decor or fashion, but I do love some “folkie” items!