How to Add Creativity to Neutral Workwear
Today, I want to show you how one fabulous, statement piece can take neutral workwear up a notch and, also, continue to celebrate the new journey for designer Paulette Martsof and Allie-Coosh. If you missed yesterday’s post, you can find
My original 2013 Post about Paulette
I have written often how my signature style is all about my accessories. A fabulous silk scarf like the one designed by Paulette here can truly take a neutral look to another level. I want the world to know I am creative and my wardrobe needs to speak that message daily. It is wonderful when we can find a true artist and designer like Paulette to help us enjoy our style and stand apart from the crowd. Allie-Coosh Scarves
Paulette has been in business over 28 years, and is now an over 60 entrepreneur. I asked her what kept her going to work each day and she said, Being an over 50 entrepreneur who has now passed on to her sixties (yikes I still feel like a 30 year old) is an awesome place to be. I started at the bottom and built an amazing business from an initial $12,000 investment. I made my mistakes, I paid my dues, I had to reinvent myself over and over again with the changes in our society and I worked 24/7 for the first 15 years. And I would not change a thing. The best part of this stage of business is the security of knowing I have succeeded! Now it is much more experimental and fun as I have reduced the overhead and stress level and returned back to the roots of the business. I am once again doing all the designing, even cutting and sewing and I couldn’t be happier. Kelly has stepped up to the plate and manages the day to day operations and our team is incredible. A group of women who love coming to work and helping each other and our customers each day.”
She has lessons and encouragement to offer all of us, “The biggest lesson I have learned for my particular business is to oversee the manufacturing of your products to ensure you maintain quality control and to appreciate and reward the people who make the products. Without them there would be no business. We treat each other with respect and we make sure that our clients received the type of customer service that is difficult to find in today’s retail environment.”
As for the encouragement for the rest of us in our sixties and still dreaming, “So you are over 50 and it is time for a change. Go for it!!!!!! Age is a number. Find what makes you excited! Today I still wake up with butterflies so enthralled about creating yet something else new and beautiful. I know it sounds cliche but find your passion. When you do you never really work a day in your life. I smile when people say to me ’Thank God it is Friday’! The day of the week doesn’t really matter. I work most Saturdays but so what every day is TGIF to me!”
It has been great to catch up with Paulette and spend a couple of days with her on the blog. If you live in Dallas or visiting, stop in and say HI. Make sure you tell her I sent you!
Allie-Coosh 521 N. Interurban St. Richardson, TX . 75081 . This is where fashion and art collides.
Remember, anything is possible and KEEP SMILING!
Disclaimer: I was provided product for this post, but the words are my own.
I follow, enjoy and look forward to you blog every day. However, I have a negative comment that I am going to put out there and at the same time say I have learned so much from your blog. When you wear your long unfitted jackets it makes your legs look so short and not very chic. When you wear shorter and fitted jackets, you look amazing, so creative and oh so chic. I know this is just my opinion and I do so admire you and your blog.
I hear your heart to help, but this blog is more about the audience than me. I love to wear both and agree with you that the shorter jackets are more flattering. But I will continue to wear both. I try to bring the audience a lot of ideas for YOUR OWN personal style and I know many will be different from my own. I love today’s look, but hope today’s post will inspire others to use accessories in a way to pump up their own style. Thanks for reading Esther.
I love this look Pam! You look elegant and classy. The scarf is a beautiful pop of color. I would definitely wear this outfit and it looks great on you.
Thanks Susan! I love this scarf!
That’s a gorgeous scarf! It would make a wonderful wrap for evening too! It’s always nice to read about women who love what they do!
Her perseverance to succeed is so inspiring! Thanks Karen!
Recently, I’ve purchased longer vests and cardigans. I am 5’9″ and struggle with proportions. I was buying a lot of clothes that visually cut me in half. I took some selfies and I could see short horizontal hems did me no favors. I try to think “vertically”, lol… details such as vertical seams, subtle color blocking, long earrings, necklaces, scarves, etc. I’ve learned from your blog….still learning.
Thank you, Linda! Always happy to help!
I have stopped worrying about “looking short.” I AM short. I wear long things (think duster) over pants and I wear cropped jackets, too. I’m old enough now that I dress to please myself. If I get compliments on an outfit, that’s just a bonus. That scarf is beautiful and I love how you wear it long and untied.
Great look on you, Pam! I love it. Thank you for sharing the scarf site – it will be fun to pick one out to add to my collection.