Recent Blog Posts

Fashion gets real with stylist Paul Podlucky

We just stood up and shouted “YES! to a new beauty guru we’ve discovered and LOVE because he is the voice of sanity in an insane fashion world!

Wowowow has an inspiring interview with Paul Podlucky who says, “I think magazines show us too many skinny girls with long one-length hair wearing $25,000 worth of clothes, and I’m sick of it. None of us looks like that. And that’s not who we are. So who keeps telling us that’s what we are supposed to look and be like? That is impossible.”

Paul is all for starting a magazine for real women with real figures wearing beautiful affordable clothes.

We couldn’t agree more. We’ve been shouting this same message ever since we started our blog. Let’s be real. We’d love nothing more than to show you pics of 40+ women looking fashionable in clothes you can actually buy, but since we are a homespun blog, we don’t have the money to go out and create photo shoots like this.

Instead we are stuck using pictures of skinny young girls in clothes we’re suggesting would look good on a 40+ woman. You have to be able to visualize. That’s for sure. When will retailers and magazines wake up?

To balance this out we have started taking some photos of  Age-mazing© women on the street, and now we need your help.

Ladies, if you are over 40 & stylish, or you see a woman over 40 out there looking really fashionable, please, snap her picture and send it to us. We’d love to post these photos to inspire you!

< Here’s one we just took. This gal is the manager of car dealership who just lost 60 pounds and ran her first marathon. She got her dress at TJ Max, then switched out the  belt with one she found on sale.

She’s paired her dress with a great pair of cork wedges from Nine West. Doesn’t she look great? 

Don’t miss out on Susan Bigsby twin set sale!

Hi Ladies,

Last week we shared with you a fantastic SALE on Susan Bigsby’s Ultimate Twin Set.

We were sure you would LOVE Susan’s sweater set because it fits so nicely, and it made up of the  2 ” must have” classic pieces every woman needs to have in her wardrobe.  Not to mention, we have found Susan’s sweaters to be the best fitting and best looking ones on the market!

Looks like we were right. Since then some of you received your sweaters and have been sending us letters with rave reviews!

Hi Susan and Glam Gals-

I wanted you to know I got my order and I love my twin sets!!  In fact, I love the shell so much (I wore it today) I ordered two more of the shells in black, this way I can actually “wear them to pieces” and not worry!!

Thanks again!!  Rhonda

One more note, we want to encourage you not to play it safe…we think the cream and blue and red ones are FAB, to add some much needed color to your wardrobe! Susan spent hundreds of hours choosing just the right shade of blue and coral that is universally flattering to all women.

She is now is closing out her stock, so don’t miss out on this great SALE on these high quality twin sets! (Feel free to write us with your photo and we will help you pick out the right color for you!) info@fabulousafter40.com

Here we are in our twin sets…(don’t forget to let Susan know you found them here on Fabulous After 40!)

JoJami has on the Susan Bigsby cream cardigan

Deborah in her Susan Bigsby black shell

Click HERE to see or buy Susan Bigsby’s Ultimate Twin Sets

How to wear the wrinkled linen look and pull it off

Linen, it’s such a great fabric. It’s all natural, breathable and cool, but the thought of looking wrinkled in it has given it a bad rap!

Have you ever thought to yourself, “I’d love to wear linen but I can’t because it wrinkles so much.”  We spotted this Age-Mazing woman, Stacey Inglis at the airport recently traveling with her daughter and could not take our eyes off her. Wow… in the sea of hurried travelers this woman was looking radiant in what seemed to be a linen outfit. Could this be? We stopped her for a quick chat!

Stacey, do you wear linen often?

Yes! I have had this jacket for several years and it’s one of my favorites!

Where did you get it?

It’s an Anne Klein…so probably at Macy’s.

What about your skirt and blouse and shoes?

The skirt is Carole Little and this blouse came from Express! (the blouse is a halter wrap around, so you you don’t have to tuck it in!)

The shoes are Via Spiga…they are so comfortable!!!

Your necklace really makes your outfit! Is there a story behind it?

LOL… Well I just bought it on my trip and the funny thing is, I was reading Cosmopolitan Magazine on the plane just now, and here it is featured on page 65!

Oh my… is that a Lalique bracelet?

Well, I love Paris and last time I went I treated myself to one special thing… you know this bracelet probably cost more than my entire outfit, but I like to mix things up!

One last question, do you always dress nice like this?

You know, I find that it is just as easy to put on something like this on than a pair of jeans, and I’m actually more comfortable. You don’t have to spend a lot on clothes to look nice!

Well you look terrific!

So ladies… the proof is in the pictures! By injecting some linen and wonderful accessories into your wardrobe, you may be a little wrinkled but you can still look FAB!

Summer party dressing, Part 1: Cool Colors

We got a doozy of a question from a reader about how to dress for a summer party:

“What do you wear to an outdoor party in July when the weather is 95 degrees and humid, and you are pushing sixty years old?  How does one look cool and stylish and not frumpy?  I like to be comfortable too, so I can forget about myself and focus on enjoying the company of others.  I am 5′1″ and overweight.”

Summer weather poses quite a problem for women in their 40s and up, who are constantly concerned with coverage.  It is a challenge to find a cool (literally and colloquially), age-appropriate outfit for summer gatherings.   However, summer heat and humidity does not mean you have to throw sophistication and age-appropriateness out the open, screened-in window.

We find that many women, when faced with what to wear to an event, will generally choose an all-black getup over something colorful.  We get it – we love black.  It’s safe, it’s flattering…but it’s also hot as heck!  Instead, try white as your go-to neutral this summer.  It’s much cooler in the sun, and can be just as flattering when worn correctly. One of our favorite looks for a wider woman is a monotone top and bottom.  This “column of color” look makes you look taller and thinner, while evening out your proportions.  Pair a white linen or gauze tunic with a white pant, and dress it up with embellished flats and a lightweight cotton scarf  that are all the rage this summer!

(*for another, all-white outfit, please refer to JoJami’s outfit when she went to NYC)

Here’s an important tip to pulling off this outfit: wear nude colored undergarments that match your skin tone!  There’s nothing worse than an obvious white panty under white slacks…have someone check you in full daylight to make sure there are no glaring panty lines before leaving for your party!

(This style from Saks.)

Summer party dressing, Part 2: Fresh Fabrics

Using thin materials in natural fibers will also keep you fresh and breezy.  Fabrics like linen, cotton, and silk are infinitely more breathable than synthetics that make up some summer clothes. This summer, we love that the long peasant skirt is back in style, beware these can make you look matronly. A much better option is a maxi dress, paired with some flat sandals.  For ladies who are tall enough to pull it off, try a long, flow-y patterned skirt with a sleeveless scoop- or v-neck top. Just make sure you opt for wider straps if you choose to show off your arms – it will cover your Bra straps and look much more age-appropriate.

(These styles are from Kohl’s.)

Summer party dressing, Part 3: Add Accessories

Finally, add some accessories to formalize and freshen up your outfit. You can wear all those stylish, clunky jewelry pieces to really add some flair!  Wear a signature jewelry piece like a strand of chunky jade, a stretchy stone bracelet, or dangling earrings depending on the formality of the affair.

Layering these pieces can be fun too.

Here is a woman we met recently. She has on coral necklace that she bought years ago and has layered it with a thin crystal necklace.

A splash of bright color works well with grey and white!

layering necklaces can help spice up an outfit

Don’t forget your feet! No matter what your size or shape, any woman can have fun with her shoes.  Summer is the best time to find colorful heels or embellished sandals.  Don’t forget the toes!  Look elegant from head to toe by getting a great pedicure.  In summer when you’re wearing less Clothing, every detail counts!

(Accessories from Nordstrom’s)

Have fun, and stay cool!

On the street in NYC…what to wear to be comfortable

Last week I (JoJami) took off to NYC for some culture and good food! After getting so many letters from you ladies on how hard it is to come up with outfits to wear that you can be comfortable in and not look frumpy, here is a quick peek into what some of your options might be!

First off, you have to really plan ahead.  We had planned on spending the entire day walking around the city. Our first stop was going to be the NYC Botanical Gardens and afterward we planned on visiting the Frick Museum. The next day we scheduled a walk in Central Park and were off to rent bikes in Chelsea. On top of everything, rain was in the forecast!

My friend Lisa called me the week before and was worried that all she had was flip flops to wear. I told her to make a quick trip to the discount shoe store DSW and find some cute walking tennis shoes.

Meanwhile, I took my own advice and found some updated Converse that had a little more support than the normal flat ones.

Well, our plans did change since it started raining like crazy…but we did make it to the Frick and HIGHLY recommend it!  More over we walked our booties off all day and the next in comfort! (However, our hair didn’t do as well as our feet!)

Share with us your favorite photo of your “summer touring” outfit and we can share it with everyone!

Just write us at: info@fabulousafter40.com

Age-mazing gal we met at Bergdorfs (on the street in NYC part 2)

Well, as you might have heard, I, (JoJami) was in NYC last week when the rain totally blew my plans to visit the Botanical Gardens, however… not one to complain, I decided to check out the shopping!

When in NYC I always love to check out Bergdorf Goodman for just the plain decadence and to check in on what the creme de la creme of society is buying.  With classic labels such as Chanel and Armani surrounding you on one side and the hottest newcomers on the other, the entire experience can really get your creative juices flowing and have you seriously contemplating getting a second job!

Anyway….I digress… what I wanted to share with you was the highlight of my BG experience was chatting with one their sales associates. She was super friendly and looked so gorgeous I had to ask her if her dress was a Missoni!

YES it was but she got it last year! (BTW, She is 52 and a grandmother). She had updated it with a big chunky necklace from Anthropology and the shoes are from Zara.

Chunky necklace from Anthropologie

Gladiator sandals from Zara

Susan Bigsby sweater sets on sale!

If you’ve ever wanted to own The Ultimate Sweater Set, designed by image consultant Susan Bigsby, now is the time to get one — she’s having a closeout sale!

Both Deborah and I own this set, and we can attest that these two pieces are going to offer you more versatility in your closet than any other two pieces you own.  After years of assisting women with their wardrobes, Susan found that most women were missing this crucial closet staple. Out of frustration, she designed it herself! The result is a universally flattering cut and colors that can be creatively styled for countless activities and events.

The silk blend is luxurious enough for evening wear, and will never lose it’s shape.  The shell can be worn by itself, as a sweater vest, and back-to-front for two different necklines.  The cardigan, conveniently a little longer than the shell, can be worn around the shoulders for a relaxed casual look, over a sleeveless top for warmth, or buttoned up for work.  There are so many options, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!

ONE MORE THING:

If you are having trouble deciding what color to buy, just email us a recent photo of yourself and we will help you choose which one will work best!

Just email us at: info@fabulousafter40.com

This updated classic is now 50% off at Susan’s shop.  At the bottom, tell Susan we sent you – write “Fabulous After 40″ in the referral box.  We can’t wait to hear how much you love them!

Can we change or do we need too?

Here at Fabulous After Forty, we are all about stretching our outlooks and embracing change when it comes to dressing.  But, no matter how much we love trying new things, there are some things in life that might not need to change.

We heard that there is a great new book out called The Five Things We Cannot Change…and the Happiness We Find by Embracing Them, by David Richo.

This week’s Blogging Boomer Carnival host is Dina at This Marriage Thing, where you can find more great ideas to mull over and maybe even change your mind about!

Have any of you out there read this book? Please write in and let us know what you think!

Farewell, Farrah

We are sad and disheartened to say goodbye today to one of our generation’s most prominent fashion icons.

Pin up model, movie actress and Charlie’s Angel star Farrah Fawcett lost her 3 year battle with cancer at 62 years old. She was the face (and hairstyle) that defined an era in American pop culture in the 1970s, and won over the world with her beaming smile and bombshell beauty.

She was a true Boomer Babe, and she will be missed.

Live interview with Sigrid Olsen

Did you happen to read our recent blog on where Sigrid Olsen is now?

I (JoJami) recently interviewed the beautiful fashion designer so you can hear her story on how she has re-invented herself now that she no longer designs for her namesake label.

After 25 years of working “like a mouse in a cage” and never having time to take a vacation or a yoga class, Sigrid now runs her boutique/art studio only a few steps from her home in Massachusetts.

Moreover, not to be missed is her upcoming Yoga/Art retreat that she will be teaching with her Yogini sister in Tuscany. We have heard that her retreats are first class and life-changing!

Skirt styles and lengths

Dear Glam Gals

Please advise. I’m a tall woman (1,76 m), inverted triangle with a little tummy. I was given some very long A-line skirts of good quality and would like to shorten them since they are my ideal skirt shape.

I have long, well-shaped strong, not skinny, legs with rounded calves and a tiny hint of X-leg. Which length should my skirts be to look good? I understand that long skirts are not really that fashionable right now and feel that shorter looks more modern.

Thanks in advance – you’ve been a great help since I discovered your site!

Best regards,

Sabine

Dear Sabine,

We agree that A-line skirts are the most flattering for every body type. They balance out a larger top half, and with the extra volume on the bottom, they even make your waist look thinner! Shortening the skirts to the knee is probably the best way to go. That way the thinnest part of your legs will be showing from underneath, and it’s not too short. You don’t want to go too far above the knee, because it will look too poufy, and too long not only shortens your body, but can also be rather dowdy.

However, if you want to try something new this season, you should definitely try a pencil skirt! With your height and figure, a pencil skirt will look really sexy, especially when it hits the bend at the back of your knee.

Good luck!

How to hide those lumps and bumps in summer clothes

So now that it’s finally getting warm and we have to wear thinner fabrics to stay cool, it can be frustrating to look in the mirror and see those lumps and bumps! 

Not to fear, this week’s Blogging Boomers Carnival has great tips to fix that image problem and lots of others too…

This week’s host is John Agno from SoBabyboomer.com where you can read all sorts of  interesting Boomer topics from getting more PR for your company to 100 ways to detoxify your mind, body and home!

Happy reading!

Where to shop for lovely mother of the bride dresses

What a relief to see that those old misconceptions about how a mother of the bride – or mature woman attending a special event – should look, are finally changing.  America’s biggest bridal retailer, David’s Bridal, is forging the way for moms and wedding-goers to look hipper, younger and cooler!

Here are some trends we have seen in the bridal industry in the past few seasons that give us hope!

1) Color	It used to be that Mother of the Bride dresses only came in four colors: blah, boring, beige, and blech.  Pastels and navy blue are only part of the selection nowadays! Finally, the industry is starting to show a spectrum of different colors, from spring greens to rich purples. Whether you love bold jewel tones or rich earth tones, there should be something out there for you. Since more saturated colors are better for aging skin tones, liven up your look, and go for something with pizazz!
2) Bolero Jackets	We’re sick of those boring, frumpy jacket dresses too, but with the rising popularity of bolero jackets, there’s finally a fresh new take on them! Designers finally addressed the need for a removable, arm-covering piece that is also fashionable. It’s a perfect combination of style (with different sleeve lengths, they can be very sharp), practicality (take it off when you’re hot, and you will still have a great dress underneath), and modesty (wear it to cover up during the ceremony – no one will guess you’re trying to cover those wobbly chicken wings under your arms!).
3) Variety of lengths	Say goodbye to floor length! We’re seeing plenty of different hemlines popping up, maybe due to the variety of different wedding styles and venues. We’re seeing plenty of cocktail-length, knee-length, handkerchief hems and hi-lo (high in the front, long in the back). Just stay away from anything above the knee – that’s way too short. All these new hemlines give you one more reason to wear some killer shoes!

We love that David’s has come up with stylish, more age-appropriate ways to appeal to the new generation of boomers!  To get more tips about how to dress for your son or daughter’s wedding, check out our eBook Tweak Your Chic: Mother of the Bride!

Can Taste Be Taught – Now at More.com!

Audrey Hepburn. Jackie O. Grace Kelly.  All of these timeless, elegant beauties have that intangible “je ne sais quoi” about them, making them classic figures in fashion. You too can clutivate a style that is sophisticated and timeless, with a little research and a lot of observation! Check out our (The Glam Gals) newest featured story on the fashion page of More Magazine’s website, and find out: Can Taste be Taught?

How to wear shorts when you’re over 40

We’ve recently had a lot of women writing to us to ask us how to wear shorts after 40.  Let’s start with what NOT to do:

	Don’t wear baggy cargo shorts.  They are better suited to younger gals, and the pockets add extra bulk around your hips and thighs, which we definitely don’t need!
	Don’t pick a short with pleats.  Pleats tend to give you a pooch around your hips, and it’s hard to wear a longer shirt over them without bunching.
	Don’t choose a style that is too short.  Short shorts may be in for the younger set, but at over 40 this look could be very tacky.
	Don’t choose a style that’s too long.  When your shorts hit you below the knee or lower, it will look like you’re wearing capris that shrunk!
	Don’t buy a short with a cuff around the thigh.  This draws attention to the widest part of your leg.
	Don’t wear a kitten heel or mule with a short.  They tend to shorten your leg, and are too formal for this look.

For an age-appropriate way to wear shorts, try these Dos:

	Do look for a simpler, sleeker line.  A straight leg is best, especially when it fitted perfectly to your body.  You’ll look taller and thinner!
	Do pick shorts with a flat front.  Most women over 40 look better with a shirt tucked out to camouflage a bulge around the midsection, and flat front shorts is more flattering and less bunchy than pleats under a shirt.
	Do choose a short right at your, or just above, your knee.  Your knee is likely to be the thinnest part of your leg, so you would want to draw the eye there by having your shorts cut off at the knee.
	Do wear a chunkier heel, wedge, or flat sandal with your shorts.  It’s a hipper look and the right formality.

Summer dresses on sale

It’s amazing how many places you can find to wear some of this summer’s best dresses!  We found a ton of great styles at Nordstrom’s, all under $150!  Check out how you can wear them to all your summer destinations.

	At the beach. Accessorize with: A wooden beaded necklace and sunscreen.
	To a barbeque. Accessorize with: Flat, embellished sandals and a sauce stain.
	As a bathing suit cover up. Accessorize with: A big floppy straw hat and shades.
	To a summer wedding. Accessorize with: Metallic heels and dangly earrings.
	To an outdoor party. Accessorize with: Pearls and a cardigan.
	To a cocktail party. Accessorize with: Big gold bangles and a slick up-do.
	A night out with the girls. Accessorize with: A black leather clutch purse (with ballet flats inside!).
	To work. Accessorize with: Button earrings and sensible pumps.
	Anytime! Accessorize with: Gladiator sandals and a colorful handbag.