Gray is one of those colors that tends to fall into the, well… gray area. It can be a great classic neutral to build upon or it can totally wash a woman out. Not Beverly Roseman, a buyer for Filene’s Basement who declares it the color of the year. “I wanted to have some flexibility,” she says of her charcoal dress. “It’s appropriate for a business function but will make an easy transition if I go out to dinner after.”

Name: Beverly Roseman

How old are you? Over 50

What do you do? I’m a buyer for Filene’s Basement.

How do you describe your style? Classic with a twist. I like to add contemporary touches to update my look a little bit.

Where do you shop? I do a lot of consignment shopping and discount shopping. I’ll shop anywhere and everywhere, although I’m not big on department stores.

On Beverly:
Dress-– Ali Ro
Jewelry— Vintage
Bag— Longchamp
Shoes— Sigerson Morrison

She’s not senior, older or even aging.  “I’m an antique,” says FOF Dora Wong. We spotted the 80-year-old former dress designer at NYC Fashion Week where she shared with us her most sage shopping advice.  Like an antique, Dora gets better (and wiser!) with age…

Name: Dora Wong

How old are you? 80. I was born in the 30s.

Where are you from? Originally Shanghai, China, but I live in New York right now.

What do you do? I owned a dress company, Pandora, for 15 years.  We made couture dresses and evening gowns.

Do you have a favorite store? No, I just walk by and when I like what I see, I go inside. I buy things everywhere. I don’t care where as long as the pieces are good. You can buy something in an auction house and pay a million dollars. You can buy the same thing in a garage sale for $5.

Favorite designer? I don’t have one. Some designers have one piece that will be good and I’ll buy it. Then the others I don’t like. They’re human beings. You cannot be successful at everything you make.

What fashion advice do you have for other FOFs? It’s not about the brand. You have to have an eye and the opportunity. If you see something you love, that’s the opportunity. Buy it, even if you have to borrow money.

On Dora:
Jacket-– Carolina Herrera. “It sells in Saks Fifth Avenue for $7,000. I got it for $700.  I go to Carolina’s showroom with my friend who knows her manager and gets discounted samples.”
Earrings– David Webb
Ring— “It’s a diamond from a Russian princess that I had someone help me redesign.”
Bracelets– Tiffany & Co.
Bag— “I bought it in a thrift store for $5.”

Like the perfect party gift, Jamee Gregory’s outfit was finished with a shiny red bow. Jamee’s no stranger to parties; she’s a writer by day (an Elle Decor contributor) and socialite by night (she attends NYC’s most-exclusive fashion soirees). Her book New York Parties Private Views hits stores this week and offers a glimpse into the private celebrations of New York’s glitterati including Michael Kors, Tory Burch and Evelyn and Leonard Lauder.

Name: Jamee Gregory

How old are you? Over 50.

What do you do? I’m a writer. In addition to New York Parties: Private Views, I also wrote New York Apartments: Private Views.

How do you describe your style? I’m a big fan of Chanel, and I love color.  So when I got dressed today I said, “The hell with it, I’m not wearing anything fall or winter yet.”

On Jamee:
Dress-– Chanel
Belt— Chanel
Bag— Chanel
Shoes— Manolo Blahnik
Bracelet– David Webb

Not everyone can pull off head-to-toe orange. Botched attempts could leave you looking like a pumpkin, jailbird or worse: Hillary Clinton in this picture. Here’s an FOF who did it right….

Name: Sarah Wolfe

How old are you? 61

What do you do? I’m a fashion lover and Couture Council Chair member at FIT.

What does the Couture Council do? We support the Museum at FIT, it’s a fashion museum.

How do you describe your style? Classic with a mix of vintage.

Do you have a favorite designer? Right now I’m really liking Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton.

Where do you shop? Mostly Paris and New York

Which stores? A favorite is Colette in Paris.

On Sarah:
Dress-– Chanel Haute Couture from the Spring 2000 collection.
Bag— Fendi
Shoes— Louis Vuitton
Watch— Vintage Bulgari

When we spotted this elegant FOF and her stunning silver necklace, we hunted her down for a photo. Turns out FOF Judy Scales was on her own hunt; she and her team from Grand Rapids, Michigan, were at NY Fashion Week scouting new merchandise to carry in their shop, Leigh’s.

Name: Judy Scales

How old are you? Over 50.

What do you do? I’m a buyer and a stylist for a clothing store in Grand Rapids, Michigan, called Leigh’s.

What are you doing in New York? We are here on a buying trip.

Have you found anything good? Lots of good stuff this season. It’s probably one of the best. The colors are gorgeous, lots of feminine dressing.

What kind of store is it? It’s upscale women’s clothing. We have shoes and cosmetics. We carry Douglas Hannant, Escada, Phillip Lim….

How do you describe your style? Easy chic. Or avant-garde classic.

Where do you get your style inspiration? From Patrick… he’s our creative director at Leigh’s. Or Grace Kelly.

Favorite designers? Isaac Mizrahi, Carolina Herrera, Calvin Klein–and Nima is a new one.

On Judy:
Necklace-– Kenneth Jay Lane
Bracelet— Kenneth Jay Lane
Shirt– Vince
Pants— Vince
Shoes— Elie Tahari
Ring– “It’s my wedding ring. It was made in Hawaii”

Interview by Sara Wald for faboverfifty.com
Images by Katherine McPherson for faboverfifty.com