I was awestruck.  Just look at them!  Click on the photo to make it larger and look at them some more.  These women are fabulous incarnate.  The antithesis of matronly.  The embodiment of sophisticated style and confidence.  They're clearly beyond their 40's.  I'd guess the one on the left is in her 60's and the one on the right in her 50's.  Considering how timeless they look, and judging only by their wonderful faces, they could be respectively in their 70's and 60's for all I know!

I want to look like this when I'm their age!  I absolutely adore this photo.  It's such an inspiration and it makes me smile. 
I can perfectly picture the withering look these two would give if you tried to convince them to wear a holiday sweater.  Or Mom Jeans. Or those high waisted pleated polyester pants that you never see in stores until you're over 70. 

Part of looking like this obviously means I'll have to visit Italy many more times.  Soaking up style works better on-location.  That's why I have my sister who speaks fluent Italian.  Britt- pack your bags!  We're going shopping!

I've said before that fall is a great time to find modest items that work for spring and I was recently asked for a few examples.  So here are just a very few examples of what you can find.  And remember, these clothes appeal to our frugal sides as well since you can wear them any season!

Sheath dresses - with sleeves!!

Sheath dresses are universally flattering.  But shop for one in spring or summer and nearly all the styles have straps instead of sleeves. 

• Wear it now: with boots, fun patterned tights, sweaters, even a thin long-sleeved turtleneck underneath.
• Wear it later: without the hosiery and layers, add cute jewelry and a bright bag.
  

White shirts - that you can't see through!!

A white button-down shirt that fits you great is a wardrobe essential.  Spring and summer options tend to be very thin "summer weight" cotton.  Shop for one now and you'll score thicker material.

• Wear it now: with anything!  Use it to showcase a great scarf or sweater.
  
• Wear it later: with anything!  It's the perfect counterpoint to summer skirts and bright accessories.
  

Lightweight tops - with sleeves!!

Fall isn't all about heavier fabrics and thicker knits.  You can find lightweight items and more styles with sleeves.

• Wear it now: as a nice thin layer to thicker sweaters and coats.
• Wear it later: as the perfect, floaty spring and summer top.
  

Dresses - with longer hemlines!!

Fall is the perfect time to find dresses that hit at the knee.  This is a great wrap dress in a color that works with boots in fall and sandals in summer.  Personally, I would shorten those sleeves to elbow length.  Easy to do and more appropriate for all seasons.

• Wear it now: with boots, a cute hat and scarf.
• Wear it later: with statement making sandals and a ponytail.
  

Another good dress option.  All it needs is a camisole!

And one more for good measure.  Especially nice for showing off (or creating!) a small waist. 

Again, just add a camisole.  I'd also shorten the sleeves to just above the elbow.

All right, let's talk about Style Files!!  If you already keep one, this post will hopefully offer a few ideas about ways to expand or organize it.  Or motivate you to share your great ideas with us!  If you don't keep one, or don't know what I'm talking about, allow me to explain. 

A Style File is a collection of inspirations to help you express your own style, dress better or more creatively, and use your wardrobe more efficiently.  These little pictures and notes help us avoid wardrobe ruts and "Closet Blindness" moments that occur.  You know those times; when you're standing in front of your clothes but can't come up with anything to wear.  A Style File is the miracle cure.

Here's a pic of one of my own Style Files and one of the empty folders waiting to be filled.  I use the Briefcase Files from Levengers.  Bought them years ago for work and despite all the use and abuse I've put them through, they still look brand new.  I LOVE that they're see-through and double sided!  At a glance I can instantly see what types of things are tucked in there.  While rummaging through my office supplies for a better Style File option than a manila envelope, I found them tucked into a tote and literally shouted for joy that I'd kept them.  They're perfection. 

I checked out Levenger to see if they still had them.  And they do!  Currently they're offered in these lovely soft shades. Click here to check them out. 

They also have these on sale, though from the picture they don't look nearly as durable.  Check them out here for yourself.

So - what do you put in a Style File?

• Any image you find inspiring and would like to incorporate into your style!
  
• Expand beyond fashion magazines.  While pictures of complete outfits are the basis of a style file, inspiration can come from anywhere.  Fast Company recently profiled a Dutch architect and the photos of how he used black and white texture in one of his buildings translated very well to fashion.  I also posted a week or so ago (here) about a thank you card I received with fantastic color pairings.  Into the file it went!
• Add images for both items you own as well as those on your wish list.  I recently added a picture of a great outfit with a floral skirt.  My skirt has different colors but the outfit will still work. 
  
• Add items for their details alone.  Sometimes you might only like the accessories in a picture.  Tear it out, circle what you like, make yourself a little note, "With blue blouse = date night!" and add it to your file.
  
• Use your modern technology.  You can take quick pictures with your cell phone that you probably always have handy.  Print them out and add them to your file. Make notes to yourself on your PDA of choice (iPhone, Palm, etc.)  I love taking screen shots when I'm browsing the internet and I've been known to call and leave myself a message with an outfit idea when I have no other means of recording it at that moment.
  

How do you organize your Style File?  The options are virtually endless but here are a few tips:

• By season.  You can have your Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter folders.  If you live in a relatively season-less state (I grew up in AZ) you could try the following.
  
• By Occasion.  A Work folder, Sunday folder, Casual folder, Date Night/Party folder.
• By Type of Inspiration.  Right now I have a folder strictly for color inspiration.  Different pairings and combinations that I use to inspire an outfit for any occasion.  You could also have a folder for "Full Outfits", Denim, Pants, Skirts, or Suits.  Each folder would contain inspiration for how to wear each of those pieces.
• Don't forget to spring clean every once in a while.  Ditch images you no longer like and have fun reorganizing into a new method.  It'll help you see your Style File in a whole new light.  *A note about cleaning out your Style File - if, like me, you have young children, consider storing away the pictures to show them later.  They'll probably love seeing how you dressed "back then." 
  

If you're still skeptical of the benefits of a Style File, just try it out for a while.  I guarantee you'll find new outfits in your closet you never knew were there.  You'll take a few healthy steps out of your style rut and start wearing the same pieces in new ways.  Which pretty much equates to new clothes!  It'll help you define your personal style if you aren't sure what it is.  As you collect things for your file you'll start to see patterns emerging.  It also helps you when shopping.  If you have pictures or notes of things you need or want in your wardrobe, you can better target your search.  So start printing, snapping, snipping and ripping (out of your own magazines, of course!) And discover a whole new wardrobe world through your Style File!

SHARE YOUR STYLE FILE TIPS!  How do you organize it?  What do you keep it in?  Where do you find the inspirations to put in it?  Leave a comment and help spread good style.