I know how you feel, Kathy. It took me 40+ years to really know what works for me, stylewise and color wise. I look (and feel) better in pastels. I don't wear black or red or anything bright. I've never been into jewelry too much, either, but discovered I love to wear ankle bracelets and toe rings. I've realized that from the knee down, my legs are pretty nice (thanks to walking) and I think I have pretty feet. I think it's good to draw the eye towards your best feature.

I am really enjoying fashion and having fun with clothes and accessories at this age of my life. For me it is part of creative expression and I am really having fun with it. I think I missed out on this phase when I was in high school and am making up for it now. I also use allot of color and love mixing interesting color combinations and texture. I will sometimes match my shoes to my earrings and necklace for fun. Of course it helps that I design and make jewelry so I have a variety to choose from:) I think you can have basics from anywhere in your clothes and zazz it up with a great handbag,shoes,belt,jewelry etc. Accessories can make the whole outfit. I am a great bargain hunter.....one way I get great wardrobe basics is the sale section of L.L.Bean and get their L.L.Bean credit card......I only use their card for them and I get free shipping and free monograming,so between the sale price and free shipping you get great deals!

Oh, I always match my earrings to my top and in the colder weather, I like to match my socks to my top.

to Dianne:
I'm not originally from New Mexico - have been here 12 years, 10 of them in a rural community 27 miles away from Santa Fe. But New Mexico, and Santa Fe in particular, tends to be a magnet for independent women. My husband and I however, are putting it out there to be able to relocate, as I am SERIOUSLY missing the ocean after so long away from it. Just occasional trips to the ocean won't do it either, and lakes and rivers don't do it for me(I grew up oceanside, on the East coast, but returning there is not an option at all for me, plus I really like the progressive West coast alot better, esp. northern California). It was REALLY hard to return to our little town after our last trip to San Francisco a couple of months ago.
But back to clothes, fortunately I don''t have a straight job that necessitates "professional, safe" clothes, and like you, I refuse to just wear granny stuff, esp. when what I already wear looks good on me. I forgot to mention shoes - mine absolutely HAVE to be comfortable from the moment I try them on in the store, otherwise they don't come home with me. Fortunately, there are all kinds of fun, flat, funky comfy shoes around. No killer heels for me. In Santa Fe, you don't see a lot of high heels, as women tend to be more independent and often active.

Oh, you don't know that I'm the shoe queen of this site, do you? At last count, I had 118 pairs but have added more since then. I love high heels with a dress but anymore I can barely bend over the next morning after wearing them. My lower back kinks up. Must be an age thing, darn it!

I have a ton of jewelry, some real and some costume and some really beautiful scarves but I don't know how or I forget how to accesorize. I see women who put together a classy outfit and realize I could do that too but I forget or don't know how or something!!! I think it's an artistic thing.

So someone, anyone, give some clues here! What is the secret?

I was born and raised in Silver City. A nothing, copper town. Very small. I like Santa Fe but would not want to live there. I need green grass and trees after living in AZ for so many years. My husband's job keeps us moving so I get to experience a lot of different terrain.

Cara, you're not in Chimayo, are you? My husband and I went to Santa Fe 2 weeks ago and since then, about 4 people have come into the store and said we HAVE to go to Chimayo. I'm in a little town in CO, about 35 miles north of Chama, NM.
I also grew up in the east, 70 miles north of NYC. WE kind of miss the beach too, and can't wait to take a trip to CA to check out the Pacific.

Dianne, I thought you have to cut back on the shoes since you moved to a smaller home?? Do you rent a storage unit for those babies?

No, I'm in Galisteo, 27 miles south of Santa Fe. Big difference between the two. Outside of the fact that Chimayo was "picturesque", did not care for the vibe there, as there is a huge undercurrent of suffering due to a huge heroin problem and related crime. I had a friend who built her own adobe house there, and she had to move as she was really harassed alot. She's no creampuff, either.

Well if we go it will be to see the old church there and have dinner at what is supposed to be a great restaurant. So sorry to hear about your friend beng harassed. I know there is a huge meth problem in our part of the country, didn't know about the heroin. There is so much sadness and bondage in the world.

Bluebird, I tried, I really did, to cut back on the shoe buying but there is this evil shoe spirit that haunts me day and night!

Now, don't laugh but I actually have rented a storage unit for my clothes and shoes! I have a closet the size of a postage stamp in this flat so what's a girl to do?

The storage unit is less than a mile from the flat so I can take clothes and shoes back and forth to get a variety.

Luckily, I have a husband who understands. It's not like he wasn't warned before we married. I told him in plain English about my shoe fetish so he has no defense now.