“Putting together an outfit is like putting together a room,” says FOF Marjorie Hirschhorn, a retired interior designer. “You’re basically accessorizing yourself from a palette. Today my palette is bone and I’ve accessorized with jewelry—instead of pillows and lamps!” FOF caught her mid-lunch at Le Pain Quotidian on NYC’s Upper East Side where she was spending time with her husband, Robert, and daughter, Carolyn.

Name: Marjorie Hirschhorn

Age: Over 50

Where do you live now: The Upper East Side of Manhattan

Any passion projects? My husband and I collect American Folk Art. Particularly, we collect marquetry.

How do you describe your style? Very eclectic. I never wear one designer. I mix it up.

What’s your favorite item in your wardrobe? My favorite accessories are earrings and belts. My favorite belt is black, by Alberta Ferretti. It’s elastic, about three-and-a-half-inches wide and covered with round mother-of-pearl beads. It holds you in and makes an outfit. I lent it to a friend who got married on an island. She wore it with a white shirt and black pants, and it was magnificent.

What’s your favorite designer? Andrew Gn is my favorite!

What is your favorite store? I love Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. I also like walking up and down Madison Avenue, hopping in and out of boutiques buying a lot of accessories.

On Marjorie:
Bag: Balenciaga
Pants: Ralph Lauren.
Shirt: From Neiman Marcus.
Bracelet: Crystal with semi-precious stones including aquamarine and topaz.
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik.  “It’s really difficult to buy someone shoes, but my daughter got me these for my birthday. I liked them so much, that I got them in a couple of colors.”
Earrings: “I designed them myself at Alex’s Jewelery on Madison Avenue, they’re gold and diamond,” says Marjorie. “The inside is silver and the outside is gold. I noticed that everyone was wearing hoop earrings and I wanted some. I didn’t want them to be round because I have a thin face, but this oval gives you more length.

Photos by Katherine McPherson for faboverfifty.com

Putting together an outfit that is the perfect marriage of comfortable and chic can be nearly impossible. Yet Deborah Sofferman, an interfaith minister, is a pro at marrying together the seemingly divergent–from couples to clothing. FOF spotted her outside of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Name: Deborah Sofferman

Age: Over 50

Where are you from? New York City

Where do you live now? Connecticut and New York City

What do you do? Interfaith minister, wedding officiate, spiritual counselor and sleep therapy consultant

Any passion projects? It is enormously gratifying to help others discover the spiritual truth about their identity. In addition, it is an honor to create beautiful and unique wedding ceremonies that convey the love and commitment of couples of all ages!

How would you describe your style? Comfortable, classic, creative and easy.

Do you have a routine for picking out your outfit each day? When I’m in the Connecticut countryside, it’s relaxed and casual.  When I have appointments with clients in New York, I like to wear sophisticated and elegant clothing.

What’s your favorite item in your wardrobe? A sincere smile — priceless!

Do you have any style advice for other FOFs? A healthy perspective heals everything.  When your thoughts are helpful, you feel good and therefore, look good. And when you smile because you are content, it’s infectious.

On Deborah:
Aqua sweater: Eskandar
Blue shirt: Go Silk
Sunglasses: Robert Marc
Jean leggings: Doesn’t remember
Bag: Goyard Tote
Bracelet: Hermes

Photos by Katherine McPherson for faboverfifty.com

No need to hop on a flight to gawk at global garb. We spotted FOF Hanne Winfield from Denmark in front of the Guggenheim Museum in New York. We had major passport envy when she began rattling off the origins of her outfit, which includes pieces from Italy to Brooklyn and just about everywhere in between.

Name: Hanne Winfield

Age: 51

Where are you from? Jutland, Denmark

What do you do? I’m an actress. I’ve come to New York for acting lessons. I’m here for 3 weeks.

What are you doing today? Just went to the Guggenheim. I loved the Picasso exhibit.

What’s your favorite place to shop? Anywhere. I’m not that into names.

Do you have a passion project that you are working on? Well right now I’m on vacation. I’m out here to learn new stuff.

What have you learned so far in New York?
I think New York teaches you to actually grab what’s yours.

How is that different from Denmark?
Denmark is much smaller. Not as much energy as in New York. It’s great to meet all these people. There’s so much will here. But I like New York and Denmark for different reasons.

Shirt: Mesai. “I just bought it in Denmark,” says Hanne.
Bracelets: “I bought them from an artist in Brooklyn. I don’t remember the name.”
Earrings: From a jeweler in Denmark
Bag: David Jones, bought in Italy.
Sandals: Merrell, bought last summer in Czech Republic.
Ring: “It’s from my grandmother.”

Photos by Katherine McPherson for faboverfifty.com

We spotted this FOF, Colleen Golin at Pascalou bistro on 93rd St and Madison Avenue, lunching, laughing and catching up with her best friend. We couldn’t help but notice her springy hues and classy style, jazzed up with her best accessory…confidence.

Name: Colleen Golin

Age: 51

Where are you from? Wall, New Jersey

What are you doing today? Having lunch, shopping and enjoying this beautiful weather with my best friend Sharon. We’ve been best friends for 10 years. We open the stores and close them. We used to do it with the bars…

What do you do? I am a retired attorney.

Do you have a passion project? Piano. I started taking it three years ago. I borrowed a junky keyboard to start…ended up with a Steinway. Me with my piano is like Thurman Munson with the Learjet.

How would you describe your style? Pretty classic but I like to update it with the trends. I try to stay age-appropriate though. I don’t want to look like a granny.

What’s your favorite item in your wardrobe? Probably my orange Biern bag from my sister’s store, Entrée in Port Washington, N.Y. Sarah Jessica Parker wore it in Sex and the City, but my sister’s store had it first!

Do you have a ritual for getting dressed in the morning?
I usually start with the bottoms and then build up from there. I ask myself  “Are we going somewhere?”
My daughter was best dressed in high school. I have a very good mentor. We both have matching Tiffany key necklaces – mine is a heart, hers is a fleur-de-lis. The other day I asked her if she wanted to borrow mine and she said “No way!”

Scarf: Ann Taylor Loft – $34.50
Shirt: Ann Taylor Loft – 2 for $25, 30% off
Pants: Norma Kamali – About $130
Bracelets: Assorted John Hardy Bracelets and Silpada “Popcorn” Bracelet
Watch: EBEL
Necklace: Tiffany Heart Key
Sandals: Havianas in gold, $24.95
Bag: Beirn in orange

Photos by Katherine McPherson for faboverfifty.com