woman wearing fashion trends for women over 50

Bonjour, I’m Kelly.

From the cobblestone streets of Paris to the vibrant avenues of New York City, I’ve learned the importance of creating a life that feels authentically me, brimming with joie de vivre. I share my experiences here, hoping to inspire your own journey of self-discovery and joyful living. If you’re drawn to the sophistication of French style with a New York State of Mind, the enduring appeal of classic style and the pursuit of a life well-lived—you’ve found your chez vous.

Meet Kelly

French Style Meets NYC Chic

My everyday style is casual, but I prefer an elevated, casual look that leans heavily on wardrobe staples.  Essentially, my style is very French, rooted in my time living in Paris in my late 20s.

I tend to gravitate toward classic fashion styles with a neutral color palette rather than super trendy ones.  Don’t get me wrong, I love some trends, but I only stick to the ones that work for my style and my body shape, and I choose ones that I think will have some longevity.  I invest money in classic staples that I know won’t go out of style and that I will have for a long time.  

It all started with a teacher in highschool who referred to me as her, “mon petite chou.’

Mon petite chou literally translates to my little cabbage, but essentially means my little darling. I started taking French classes in the 7th grade and was somehow instantly hooked and did not realize I was essentially becoming a Francophile of sorts. As a New Yorker, NYC will always be my first love, with Paris coming in a close second. So while my style is very much inspired my love of all things Parisian, it also balances a New York aesthetic. If I had to coin a term to describe it, I would call it New French, a blend of NYC style with the enduring appeal of Parisian chic.

how to layer a blazer over a sweater, woman wearing a blue blazer and lightweight sweater
woman wearing fashion trends for women over 50

My Style Philosophy

Curating a Classic Style for Women

My style philosophy centers around building a classic and timeless wardrobe that will stand the test of time, while thoughtfully incorporating modern elements. As I’ve evolved, I’ve come to prioritize quality over quantity, recognizing that a well-curated wardrobe is a reflection of my personal style and a wise investment.

French women have long been a style inspiration for me. Their effortless elegance, their discerning approach to shopping—it’s a lesson in mindful consumption. I believe in investing in pieces that transcend trends, building a foundation for a truly timeless wardrobe. And I’m here to empower women over 40 to embrace this philosophy. You don’t need to succumb to fast fashion to achieve impeccable style. That certain je ne sais quoi is within reach when you focus on quality and enduring design.

colors for a classic capsule wardrobe, Scandinavian capsule wardrobe, capsule wardrobe colors
OVER 50 STYLE

Join me on a journey of style, where classic French style intersects the streets of New York City.

WHAT I’M LOVING

Wide legged pants, fitted blazers, Chloe perfume, Adidas sneakers, cashmere sweaters, joggers, late morning starts, cuddles with my Frenchie Stella, rainy days, traveling with my husband, and donuts (with sprinkles!)

WHAT I’M LEARNING

To live a truly authentic life and stay true to who I am no matter how difficult that may seem in the moment; authenticity is the key to happiness. That movement every single day is essential as you get older; stretching does a body good.  And, sadly, that donuts are not a healthy breakfast choice!

WHAT I BELIEVE

Sunscreen is essential every single day, even when it is cloudy; telling the people in your life who matter how much they are appreciated; living life should always be on your terms

Throughout my professional life, I have routinely spoken in front of large groups, often with thousands of people. So putting myself out there in front of a large audience did not give me pause…

But, it was harder than I thought it would be to put myself out into the world all over social media.

I underestimated the difficulty of opening up in such a way. I’m naturally quite private, so putting my life on display felt incredibly exposed.

But here is what I know: life is too short to wait for the “right” moment or to stay comfortable. Because the right moment will never come. You’ll hear that voice in the back of your head telling you all the reasons you shouldn’t or can’t. The truth is that there will always be people who won’t root for you or cheer you on. And that is fine by me. I can cheer myself all the way to the finish line.

If I am too comfortable, I am not growing. And without growth, life for me becomes pretty stagnant. Putting yourself out into the world in whatever way you choose, isn’t always an easy thing to do. But you will never know what you are truly capable of without trying.  The thing I have always admired about French women, and NYC women, is their ability to “sois toi-même” (be yourself).

Au revoir for now, mon amie!

years I LIVEd IN NEw York CIty
NUMBER OF TIMES I HAVE MOVED FOR WORK
TIMES I HAVE TRAVELED TO PARIS
number of CROISSANTS I’d eat a week if i could

Q&A with Kell

I grew up in New York and lived in Manhattan for 21 years while in college, grad school, and then work. It was such an incredible opportunity, one I am grateful for every day. In my late 20s, I had the incredible opportunity to live in Paris for work for 18 months; it was magical. When I left the corporate world to pursue my own business, I moved to Charlotte, NC, for an easier lifestyle. Winters were getting cold, and I longed for more space, which you can never get enough of in NYC apartments. I reside here with my husband and Frenchie, Stella.

After working in the corporate space and climbing the ladder to a C-suite role by 37, I grew tired of the grind. Fast forward 7 years later, and I left to pursue my own Executive Leadership Coaching business. I went from working 75+ hours a week to having some time on my hands. So I walked into Bloomingdale’s with zero fashion industry experience and was hired on the spot as a stylist. I worked part-time so that I could still pursue my own business. It was during this time that I knew my next chapter would involve fashon.

I realized that my love of French style was also very much a part of my NYC culture. When you reside in Manhattan, you are forced to adhere to capsule wardrobes. This was a thing in NYC before it was a thing! This taught me how to create multiple outfits from several high-quality pieces, with each look being different. I lived on Fifth Avenue, and Paris is my second favorite city in the world, so it was fitting to call my blog Fifth and Paris.

In all honesty, it’s other content creators. This is not intended competitively; however, I have unfollowed so many women who are just selling vs. building connections and community. Some, I have found, do not have a passion for what they are doing. I am here to provide inspiration for living your best-elevated life that is French-inspired with an NYC twist.

It is hands down my first Louis Vuitton bag that I purchased in Soho on West Broadway in 2000. It is the pochette, and I thought I had gone mad for spending $200 on a tiny purse. Fast forward, and that purse today, in really good condition, would resell for $400-500.

Hands down, it is Paris. My goal is to live there for a full year with my husband when we retire. I love everything about French culture, from the pastries to the wine to the fashion and the history. It all started in seventh grade when I took my first French class.

This is such a great question. Over the years, I have found so many women to be inspirational. Jane Birkin and Bridgette, Audrey Hepburn Bardot both had classic styles that transcend time. A more recent icon is Caroline de Maigret, whose style embodies classic silhouettes with an air of “je ne sais quoi!”

I’m 5’11″ and 148-153 pounds, depending on how well I have been eating and exercising. My shape is slightly hourglass, I carry my weight in my hips and thighs. I typically wear a small or a size 6 in tops and dresses and wear a 6 or 28 in pants and jeans. My shoe size is 11, but I am really more a 10.5; just hard to find this size.

Oooooh, I sure do love to shop! Some people love golf (which I am not very good at), and some, like me, love to shop. My favorite stores to shop Sezane, Reiss, Nordstrom, and Mersea. For higher-end brands, I shop mostly consignment (think Chanel ballet flats, Gucci loafers, Louis Vuitton sandals, and handbags).

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