American Classic Style Is Always A Winning OOTD

American Classic is one of the most timeless styles. This post presents its key elements and how to put them together into great outfits.

 

 

Key Elements of American Classic Style

Here is a list of Must-have items

• Polo shirt
• The iconic white button-down shirt (replace each year)
• The blazer in navy blue or West Coast Style brown leather
• Straight jeans
• Riding boots
• Around the knee tweed skirt
• Grandpa cable knit cardigan and cashmere cardigan
• Bias-cut slip dress for summer
• Corduroy or denim skirt
• Button-front skirt
• Turquoise cuff
• White summer dresses (more on American women wearing white in summer)
• Baseball and/or utility jacket
• Denim or trucker jacket
• Hawaiian shirt, skirt or dress
• Pearls
• Oversize sunglasses

 

The next sections show how to pull it all together, and lead you to guides on how to style the respective item(s).

 

 

Polo Shirt Styling

An above the knee straight denim skirt in a dark wash looks great when paired with a thin striped polo shirt and a belt. Make sure that the buckle’s picks up the hardware of your denim. To complete the vibe go with wedge sandals and Jackie O type sunglasses.

 

 

 

 

Tweed Skirt and Cardigan

The iconic tweed skirt looks best with a short or long-sleeve cashmere sweater and driving shoes or riding boots. In winter, a cardigan is added for some extra insulation. It hasn’t to be a real twinset like in Euro Chic. Create a faux twinset with a neutral color cardigan that works with the other (neutral) colors of the look. More on great tweed skirt looks.

 

 

 

 

 

A Simple American Classic Style Recipe: Baseball Jacket with Denim

Stylist tip: A baseball jacket with striped Tee and denim is always a winner.

The following look shows a striped T-shirt, denim and baseball jacket combination a simple recipe for an casual, posh of American Classics outfit. BTW, the shirt is made in the USA from sustainable resources. I love when style meets sustainability.

 

 

 

More on how to style a baseball jacket.

 

 

Riding Boots, Tweed Skirt, and Motorcycle Jackets

Riding boots and everything equestrian like horse buckle belts are key elements of the style. Also motorcycle boots, motorcycle vests, motorcycle jackets, motorcycle coats, and motorcycle shearlings, motorcycle booties. Just think, what does one need to explore the Southwest. The tweed skirt is an icon in all collections from American designers. More on how to style a tweed skirt at the link.

 

 

 

The Button-down Shirt, Jeans and Cardigan

 

 

 

Summer Skirt with (Faux) Twinset

 

 

 

 

 

Black Turtleneck plus Jeans and Blazer Equal Instant Style

Today I keep it short with just an update on my outfit and a little styling trick. I like to refer to the look as my American West casual style. The outfit is a great for Casual Friday outfits. The cashmere sweater instead of a T-shirt makes this casual look stylish at any age.

 

Stylist tip: A black turtleneck sweater plus jeans and a suede blazer are instant American casual posh style.

 

 

 

 

Trick to Wear a Short Jacket over a Blazer

When a jacket is shorter than your blazer, fold the blazer underneath so it would not show. The jacket’s belt allows for this little styling trick when tied tightly. In this outfit, the blue gloves and blue beret and the satchel complete the outerwear.

 

 

The American West Coast Style Blazer

 

 

 

The Iconic White Button Down Shirt

The most important thing of a button-down shirt in general, is the placement of the second button. You know, these awkward gaps that may occur when that button is in the wrong place.

 

An easy fix: Add a push button.

 

Look for a wrinkle-free one. Most the time, it’s one wear and back into the laundry. Thus, unless ironing is your hobby, make sure you get a low maintenance version. Replace the shirt every year. Sweat and deodorizer yield yellow spots under the arms. Not stylish at all.

 

Tip: About 10 to 15 min before washing, add white vinegar on the underarm fabric to slow that “aging” process down. Wash as usual.

 

Replace your white button-down shirt every year to have a crisp appearance. The shirt looks great with pants, straight skirts or jeans like in the photo below. A classic blazer makes the look work appropriate for a business casual style work place.

 

 

 

American Classic Style Icons

Jackie Kennedy, Grace Kelly, Meg Ryan as Kathleen Kelly in You’ve Got Mail, Michelle Obama, Karlie Kloss and Melania Trump are some of the best known American Classic style icons. They are famous for wearing pearls.

Pearls are always appropriate. – Jackie Kennedy

 

 

 

The inspiration for the look below was Mrs Kennedy wearing light capris and a fine knit short sleeve sweater at the beach.

 

 

 

The Jackie O. oversize sunglasses are an eternal classic. As a child I wondered whether they were a fashion statement or whether Jackie tried to hide behind them. Find out which frames are best for you with my free face shape finder.

 

 

 

 

A great Karlie Kloss famous look inspiration is her camel wool coat with jeans and sneakers outfit. Don’t forget Princess Patricia‘s cool monochromatic look with cable-knit sweater, pearls, boat-shoes, and white denim with a pop of red on a sailing boat in Monaco.

 

 

Wrapping Up American Classic Style

This style is the most timeless and ageless style. No matter who your style icon is, take the inspiration. However, make the look your own. In the example with the skirt, the material (suede leather) is so me. In the look with capris, adding a denim jacket is so me.

Like the red skirt outfit? You might also like to see how I wore this skirt in fall with another cardigan and a vest.

You can find outfit ideas with patriotic attire for Independence Day as well as  another American Classic OOTD at these links.

 

Never stress out about what to wear when. Buy my style recipe book now.

 

What is your go-to look that is always a winner when it comes to best personal style?

 

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Photos: G. Kramm

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