This summer I bought a short jacket in green linen. I bought it specifically to wear on one special occasion over a sleeveless summer frock. That worked very well. But how else could I wear this short jacket to make sure it didn’t just sit in my closet all year?
As I head south to the Med for winter where skies tend to be bluer and days warmer and drier, I want to be able to style my short jacket with casual clothes.
I’m 62 inches tall, in these pictures about 148 pounds, and I’m over 70. As always, I’m mainly writing for older women especially for the woman over 50 who may not be tall and slender.
This article is one of a series showing how to make sure when you buy one new item you have 5 new outfits – using the sort of clothes you likely have already in your closet.
Breakfast at my local café
One of the treats I give myself when I’m in my little apartment overlooking the sea is taking a stroll around the harbour to the town square so I can take breakfast in the early morning sunlight, sitting outside if it’s warm enough, and savouring my black coffee and a fresh, crusty croissant.
Wearing a patterned shirt hanging below the short jacket makes a relaxed look. A tailored jacket will always look smart, but the bright shirt and the shirt-tails mean I don’t look overdressed for my local café.
Sight-seeing
There are many old and beautiful towns near where I live. And I love to stroll around the narrow streets, pop into one of the art galleries or spend a couple of hours in a museum.
I can make the first outfit look just a little smarter and ‘city’ by tucking the shirt in and adding a belt. Wearing jeans ensures I don’t look as if I’m off to the office. Ah, retirement!
Cooler evenings
Although most days are sunny, they are short and before you know it the light is going and it’s beginning to get cold. I find that especially if I go to an art show opening or the cinema – activities often scheduled for late afternoon.
Wearing a scoop neck vest under the short jacket looks feminine and if the day is sunny I can wear the jacket open. Then adding the warmer wide brown corduroy trousers balances with a more masculine style and is ideal for walking home later.
Shopping at the morning market
Our small French town still holds a market every Saturday morning, all through the winter. It’s a great place to buy street food with a Mediterranean flavor. It’s also the time when all of us winter migrants to the Riviera mingle.
Denim always says ‘everyday wear’ to me. It can make the smartest top look more relaxed. The South, in winter, definitely has a relaxed vibe. The Parisians with their blingy summer dresses and immaculate white pants have disappeared and it’s just us oldies strolling around now.
As a change from denim jeans I will wear my denim skirt. It’s the classic off-duty outfit of white tee, denim and jacket.
A touch of French chic
Adding a ‘silk’ scarf immediately makes me feel a bit more French. Rather than going with a reserved toning color I’ve decided to pack the brightest scarf I own to make the outfit more fun.
If you have a short jacket that you bought for a summer smart occasion I hope you can see here ways to style it casually in Autumn and Spring too.
A short jacket can look less reserved than a blazer when worn with pants. And, of course, for us short girls, it’s a godsend as it doesn’t drown us.
Where I bought these clothes
Most of the clothes are from marksandspencer.com.
The short jacket is no longer available
The patterned silk shirt is from broraonline.com
What to read next
If you found this post interesting, why not read these others about layers:
25 Fall cardigans – a shopping list
British and French smart blazers try-on
I love a short jacket they make the legs look longer. My jackets are shorter, to the waist because I am 5’2″ with short legs. They are great on those cooler days, Yours is a fabulous colour and look great especially (my favourite) with the dark cords. I wear a lot of dresses, soft with a full skirt for larger thighs and I think soft jackets are a great pairing.
I love hearing from you, your blogs are different, you dress for yourself and are more relatable to me. Thank you, Clare
HI Clare. You are the same height as me so you ‘get’ the importance of shorter jackets. I just can’t fathom why some years it’s impossible to find them. There are lost of us short ladies after all. So pleased you like the blog, thanks for your comments. Joni
Hi Joni! I love your outfit with the little neck scarf. I don’t know a short blazer like yours but I have two short denim jackets, one white and lightweight for summer and a heavier denim dark wash one for transition weather in the fall and spring. I live in a small very rural town in southern Colorado in the mountains. People just don’t wear blazers here unless they are selling real estate or work in the funeral home. It depends on the demographic. But I do like the different looks you put together for your little jacket. I’m 61 1/2” tall and 139 lbs. today. It varies but I’m going to be 80 in December so I’m not one to wear clothes for style but for comfort and hopefully as a second be stylish in my casual way. I love your blog and always keep an eye out for it.
Sydney H. from Colorado, USA
Hi Sydney. Great to hear from you. Yes, we have to wear what looks right in our community. I love dresses but frankly rarely get the opportunity outside of high summer to wear them as I also tend to find myself in less urban areas. I’m in a small village in the South of France right now so can wear smart-ish casual though jeans and sneakers are more popular of course. Joni