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There are some color combinations that just feel like home. Lately, they’ve quietly become the foundation of my wardrobe after 60.

For me, earth tones, turquoise and denim are one of them.

Give me a worn-in pair of jeans, something in rust, olive, chocolate or warm cream, add a little turquoise jewelry, and suddenly we’re speaking my language.

It’s relaxed.

It’s colorful without trying too hard.

It’s a little boho, a little Southwest, a little California hippie and definitely not interested in disappearing quietly into the background.

And maybe that’s why I love it so much at 68.

Because getting dressed at this age isn’t about following every trend that comes along.

It’s about finally knowing what feels like you.

So if you’re building a wardrobe after 60 and you’re craving something relaxed, artistic and just a little rebellious, let’s start with three things:

Earth tones. Turquoise. Denim.

Baby, we can build a whole closet from there.

Start With the Colors of the Earth

When people hear “neutral,” they often think beige.

And you already know how I feel about a wardrobe full of beige.

But neutrals don’t have to be boring.

Look at the colors around us:

Rust.

Terracotta.

Olive.

Mustard.

Camel.

Chocolate brown.

Warm cream.

Burnt orange.

Deep burgundy.

Those are neutrals with a little life in them.

They mix beautifully with denim, and you can wear several of them together without looking overly coordinated.

SHOP THE LOOK: EARTH-TONE BASICS

A flowy blouse, relaxed tee or lightweight tunic in one of these shades is an easy starting point.

Throw it over jeans and a simple top and you’ve already got an outfit.

Denim Is the Piece That Holds Everything Together

I don’t think denim gets enough credit.

It can be the quiet piece that lets everything else in your outfit have fun.

A turquoise necklace?

Denim loves it.

Rust-colored blouse?

Add jeans.

Embroidered kimono?

Jeans.

Big funky earrings?

Yep. Jeans again.

And denim after 60 doesn’t have to mean one particular cut.

Wear the jeans that work for your body.

Straight leg.

Bootcut.

Flare.

Wide leg.

Relaxed.

Cropped.

The right jeans are the ones you actually want to put on.

SHOP THE LOOK: GOOD DENIM

For a more boho feeling, I especially love a bootcut or subtle flare.

And don’t forget the denim jacket. It’s one of those pieces that works across seasons and gives dresses, skirts and flowy pants a little structure.

Then Add the Turquoise

This is where everything wakes up.

You can have on the simplest outfit in the world — jeans and a brown or cream top — and add turquoise jewelry.

Suddenly there’s personality.

And you don’t need an entire matching set.

Actually, I usually prefer when it doesn’t match perfectly.

Try a turquoise ring.

A chunky bracelet.

A pendant.

Statement earrings.

A cuff.

Or layer a few pieces you’ve collected over the years.

Turquoise looks especially beautiful against denim, rust, camel, chocolate, white and black. It’s no accident either — turquoise has been prized in Southwestern and Indigenous jewelry for centuries, long before it became a boho wardrobe staple.

SHOP THE LOOK: TURQUOISE DETAILS

And remember: jewelry doesn’t have to whisper just because we’re over 60.

Mine certainly doesn’t.

The Formula Is Almost Ridiculously Simple

Here’s where this wardrobe becomes useful instead of just pretty.

You don’t need 47 new pieces.

Start with:

Denim + Earth Tone + Turquoise

That’s it.

Jeans + rust blouse + turquoise necklace.

Denim jacket + olive maxi dress + turquoise earrings.

Wide-leg jeans + cream tee + camel cardigan + turquoise cuff.

Denim shirt + brown pants + turquoise pendant.

Once you’ve got that basic formula, you can start playing.

Texture Is What Makes It Feel Free-Spirited

This is where we move from simply wearing earth tones to creating that artistic, collected-over-time look.

Think about texture:

Crochet.

Embroidery.

Fringe.

Suede-inspired finishes.

Woven bags.

Soft knits.

Leather.

Hammered metal.

Natural-looking fabrics.

You don’t need all of them in one outfit.

One or two textured pieces can make basics look completely different.

AFFILIATE PARTNER FIND: ADD SOME TEXTURE

I would rather wait for the right piece than stick something in just because I have an affiliate link.

Don’t Forget the Third Piece

One of the easiest tricks I’ve found for making an outfit look intentional is adding a third piece.

You’ve got jeans.

You’ve got a top.

Now add something.

A kimono.

A cardigan.

A vest.

A denim jacket.

A lightweight scarf.

A long necklace can sometimes even do the job.

That extra layer gives the outfit movement and personality — especially when you’re working with simple basics.

SHOP THE LOOK: THE THIRD PIECE

Plus Size Doesn’t Mean Hiding the Body

This is where I want to say something because “flowy” and “plus size” sometimes get interpreted as:

Cover everything.

No.

Comfortable clothing shouldn’t make you disappear.

If I’m wearing a loose top, I might pair it with jeans that give the outfit a little shape.

If I’m wearing wide-leg pants, I may choose a shorter top or define the outfit with a jacket.

If I’m wearing a big flowing kimono, what I’m wearing underneath can stay fairly simple.

It’s about balance.

Not hiding.

And definitely not making yourself smaller because somebody decided women of a certain size or age should dress “appropriately.”

Shoes Should Work With Your Actual Life

There was a time when I might have suffered for a cute pair of shoes.

These days?

They’d better be cute and let me walk.

Luckily, this style works beautifully with comfortable shoes.

Try:

Ankle boots.

Western-inspired booties.

Comfortable sandals.

Clogs.

Loafers.

Sneakers.

A simple leather-looking sandal.

The shoes don’t need to scream boho.

They just need to work with the rest of the outfit — and your feet.

🛍️ SHOP THE LOOK: COMFORTABLE SHOES

Your Bag Can Bring in the Personality

A basic outfit is the perfect excuse for a great bag.

Look for woven textures, embroidery, fringe, tooled-leather looks, warm cognac colors or an interesting crossbody shape.

Again, we’re not trying to make every single piece shout.

If the bag is doing the talking, let it talk.

SHOP THE LOOK: THE FREE-SPIRITED BAG

You Don’t Need a “Boho Costume”

There’s a difference between having a free-spirited style and putting on every bohemian thing you own at the same time.

You don’t need:

Fringe + turquoise + embroidery + crochet + cowboy boots + floppy hat + five necklaces.

Unless you want to.

And then, baby, have at it.

But for everyday dressing, I like letting one or two pieces create the mood.

Maybe it’s simply:

Jeans + white tee + turquoise jewelry + cognac bag.

That’s enough.

Your personality can finish the outfit.

Build the Closet Slowly

This may be my favorite part.

A free-spirited wardrobe should look like it was collected, not purchased as a complete set on Tuesday afternoon.

Start with what you already own. If you want a head start, my modern hippie capsule wardrobe for fall walks through exactly how I build one of these from scratch.

Pull out your denim.

Look at your brown, olive, rust and cream pieces.

Dig through your jewelry.

Find that old bag you forgot about.

Then notice what’s missing.

Maybe you need a great pair of jeans.

Maybe it’s a turquoise necklace.

Maybe it’s the perfect kimono.

Buy the missing pieces instead of replacing your entire closet.

That’s how personal style develops.

One piece.

One experiment.

One oh baby, I like this moment at a time.

Earth Tones. Turquoise. Denim. And a Little Attitude.

At this age, I don’t want a wardrobe somebody else decided was appropriate for me.

I want clothes that feel like the woman wearing them.

A little artistic.

A little hippie.

A little Southwest.

A little California soul.

And probably a whole lot of turquoise.

Earth tones give me the foundation.

Denim keeps everything easy.

Turquoise brings the personality.

And the rest?

That’s where you come in.

Wear the pieces that make you stand a little taller when you catch yourself in the mirror.

Because personal style after 60 isn’t about becoming somebody new.

Sometimes it’s finally giving yourself permission to dress like the woman who was in there all along.