Just imagine, you’re filled with excitement of the news that your son or daughter is going to be married…but then panic sets in when you think, “Oh, what am I going to wear?”
Of course that is a huge issue and we know how stressful the entire process can be when wanting to look your best for this life changing event!
So today we are going to break it down and just talk about the shoes.
You can find the most gorgeous dress but if the shoes don’t complement it, you can really ruin the entire outfit.
Here are some tips we got from Sissy Harris, owner of one of our favorite shoe stores, Peter Kate Shoes. Make sure to check out their website for shoes and accessories. They make shopping easy since their store is well edited and full of beautiful things. You just can’t go wrong or make a mistake at this online shop!
Some things to remember when shopping for Mother of the bride or groom shoes that you might not have known:
A wedding is going be a long day so your choice of shoe is important.
Your shoes should have some padding in them so they are comfortable.
The heel height should not exceed 4 inches.
Consider taking your shoes to have some rubber put on the soles. This will prevent slipping and keep your shoes from being scuffed.
You might want to have a second pair on hand, with a lower heel, ready to slip on after walking down the isle and the photos are done.
Take the time to walk around the house in your shoes before the big day to break them in a bit.
If you are going to wear hose don’t wear “mules” or shoes that are backless.
Your shoes do not have to be the exact color of your dress, that can look dated.
The weight of the shoe should echo the weight of the fabric. If it is a winter wedding and the dress is heavier a closed toe shoe will be best. In the warmer months a sandal or peep toe will do.
Make sure your shoe is either nude or metallic if you are wearing a colorful dress.
If you are wearing black, a simple black shoe will look best.
This book will take you step by step in helping you find a dress. These tips will make shopping stress-free so you can feel confident that you will look radiant on the big day. The choices can seem overwhelming but this e-book is chock full of tips and tools that will direct you to the perfect style for your body type and personality.
Are you drowning in your clothing? Do your pants bag? Does your top look like a tent? Go the mirror now. Take a good look. Be honest. Baggy, poorly fitted clothes are a big problem after 40.
You’ve gained a few pounds, you don’t feel really good about your body and you cover up- big time. But you are not fooling anyone!
Big baggy clothes will not make you look slimmer. They will make you look heavier- much heavier than you really are and they make you look frumpy as frumpy can be!
Case in point. Look at the problem with this outfit on the left. The sweater is too heavy and baggy, the skirt too long and loose- rather dowdy wouldn’t you say, but look what happens when we put her into this outfit on the right.- a slimmer fitted sweater with a more open neckline, shorter skirt with nice pencil style. Viola- absolute difference.
Before- baggy
After
Lesson here is poor fit = frumpy.
Embrace the body you are in now and wear clothes that skim your silhouette no matter what your size. Not too tight, not too loose- but just right.
Take your clothes in- men do it all the time but we feel we have to buy off the rack. We give you permission to take something in, or throw it out and start all over. Dump the frump and get the right fit!
Here are some things to think about when you are trying to get the right fit:
1. Sleeves on jackets should just cover your wrist bones when you hangs hang down at your sides.
2. Shoulders of a jacket should sit perfectly straight on the shoulders with no drag or pull to one side.
3. A jacket should not cling or be snug across the back – no horizontal lines across the back or it is too tight.
4. Skirts lengths should be at the knee or up to 2′ above the knee if you have great legs.
5. Side seams on skirts or pants should lie flat and hang hang straight from the waist.
6. The rise is the key fit area on pants. Make sure the crotch is not too low or you will look short, too high and it is distasteful.
7. The hem of your pants should touch your instep in front and gently slopes back down covering half of your heel.
Do you have an outfit that you are not sure about the fit? Send an email and photo to questions@fabulousafter40.com and we will tell you.
It’s time to be gearing up for this season’s round of graduations, reunions, weddings and outdoor fun! See what great fashion, health and beauty tips we have in store for you with this week’s Fashion Flash!
The Fashion Flash is our weekly run down of tips from some of the top over 40 fashion bloggers. Here you will find links to them and the full articles on a variety of over 40 style tips and more.
Our host is Jackie Silver from her aptly named blog Aging Backwards!
Enjoy this weeks tips on:
Between hot flashes and summer heat, how not to get caught in make-up melt down…
Make sure your arms are tone for those sleeveless tops…doing push-ups can make a big difference
Our bodies come in all shape and sizes, find out more about shopping for your body type
Are you traveling this summer? We have some wonderful gift ideas and ways to overcome jet lag
Find out what shoes you will need to update your Spring wardrobe
Dobbin Clothing is a new on line store made with the over 40 lady in mind!
Over and over we get the same letter: “Where can we buy casual clothes that are fashionable and modern and that don’t make us look like an old lady or our teenage daughter either?” Boy, do we agree with you! We have been so frustrated and have been looking for clothing companies that “get it” and we have finally found one!
Ladies, we are so excited to introduce you to a wonderful new clothing line called Dobbin Clothing.
Dobbin Clothing is made in the USA (New York) and have styles that are made for the over 40 woman that are chic and have wonderful fit.
Not only that but they have Free shipping both ways!
The best news is that you can enter to win $200.00 in beautiful Dobbin Clothing! Just visit Dobbin Clothing, then hop on back and comment below on which style you like best and why?
We love this Carla Lattice Skirt, so colorful and just right for running around in!
If you are ready to shop now, they have a special 15% discount just for you! (Enter Code: Fab40)
Good luck and make sure to share this with your friends! We know so many of you are going to be excited to finally see an online store like this!
We are curious..do you like the length of this skirt?
As the days heat up, out come our summer wardrobes. From breezy loose tops, to cute beachy sundresses, and lightweight sporty capris, there’s no more hiding extra pounds under heavy winter clothes.
Sure you can diet like crazy to shed that winter weight. 50% of women are said to be on a diet at any given time, but at some point you just need to dress the body you have. Shapewear sculpts and defines your body and gives you the confidence you need to look fab in the summer months.
Spanx, Playtex and Ultimo, offer shapewear styles for everyone and every outfit. If you’ve never tried shapewear because you thought it was too much like a girdle, think again. Today’s shapewear is lighter and more comfortable than ever. Here are a few tips on Top Summer Shapewear Styles to tame your trouble spots.
Wobbly Tummy = Waist Sculpting Shapewear
For ladies who are worried about their ‘jelly belly’ or a wobbly tummy, then waist sculpting shapewear is perfect for you. This brief shape has built in control panels in the front to smooth and tighten the appearance of the waist. Available in nude and black silky soft fabric, the flat seams provide comfort and invisibility under clothes.
Dress Size Smaller = Full Body Control Shapewear
Full body control shapewear targets all areas of your body. Using a smooth Lycra fabric for ultimate comfort this will sculpt your tummy, bum and waist to create a slimmer and more defined silhouette in seconds. Full body control shapewear is available in a range of colours, also with a seamless finish it’s invisible under clothes so no-one needs to know.
Muffin Tops and Jiggly Thighs = High Waist /Long Legged Shapewear
The perfect solution for ladies who want to slim down the dreaded muffin tops or define their upper thighs. High waist / long legged shapewear delivers a high level shaping technique to create a sleek hour glass figure through the use of strong elastic fabric. These are mainly available in subtle colours such as nude and black and, like the waist sculpting shapewear, they use a flat seam for invisibility and comfort under clothes.
Smoothing Lumps and Bumps = Full Body Slip
Full body slip shapewear is perfect option to smooth and sculpt any lumps and bumps that are on show from your lingerie. Similar to the full body shapewear, the full body slip uses a smoothing Lycra fabric, as it targets the waist, hips, bum and thighs. In addition to smoothing your silhouette, this magical little number also helps to enhance your curves under dresses.
This season is all about Tropicana floral prints, ice cream pastels and bright block colors essentials. Once you have found your perfect shapewear, you can start planning your summer events with the assurance that you will look fabulous! Check out these chic summer styles that can work with your new body confidence.
Have you ever bought shapewear? Did it help?? We;d love to know. Comment below!
Why is it when we think of a special occasion we just automatically think we will have to spend a bundle?
It never ceases to amaze us when we see a woman looking fresh and stylish that they often admit that they have “scored” their outfit without breaking the bank.
Our most recent “find” was in Hilton Head, SC where we spotted this gal on her way to dinner with her husband. ”This dress is from Dress Barn and I loved it so much I wore it to my son’s rehearsal dinner”.
We just loved the retro print of this dress and the crisp cotton fabric.
Her husband chimed in…”Good things you changed your shoes like I told you to!”.
Ha! We can’t imagine what she was originally going to wear but these creme slingback wedges with an Espadrille feel….were just perfect!
Creme Slingback Wedges
Next, we met travel blogger, Carol Cohen in Sarasota, Florida who also shared her casual dress find.
She says that she owns several of these little pull on dresses she found online, in the Junior Department from Target. While we usually suggest that you steer clear of clothes made for the younger set, for summer these dress options can be just the perfect thing to have to throw on for something casual and comfy. They could even double as a bathing suit cover up.
This fuschia pull on dress can be worn to run errands in with a pair of cute flats or sandals. While it might be a little short on a tall gal, it would hit right above the knee on someone 5’4 or under.
Or this little blue number – it’s supposed to be a dress but you could certainly pair it with leggings, turning it into a long top!
Fuschia Pull-on Dress
A dress that could easily be a cute top over leggings.
For more tips on how to look smashing on a budget, check out our popular eBook:
Enter to win this gorgeous necklace by commenting below
If you love antiques, fashion and a touch of the exotic you’ll go nuts for our newest style find- Jewelry from Marie Bruns.
Marie is an international businesswoman, world traveler and mom who expertly crafts real gemstones and pearls into unique pieces from classic to funky that reflect her extensive travels and fashion sensibilities. Her jewelry looks like it walked straight off the runway and adds glamour to any wardrobe.
Choose a pearl lariat or traditional double strand… Find gold vermeil bangles with semi-precious stones ideal for Summer while the Gem Stack rings look stunning alone or stacked.
Lucky for us we’ve made an arrangement with Marie Bruns for one lucky Fabulous after 40 reader to win a piece of this stunning jewelry!
All you need to do is visit Marie’s site and then come back comment below and tell us which piece you liked and why. That automatically enters you into our contest to win this gorgeous turquoise multi-strand necklace ( value $175)
Marie Bruns Dangle Earrings
Odds are very good YOU could be this month’s winner. Our contest ends Monday June 11th at 9 a.m. est, so don’t delay. Hop on over and come back and comment below and be automatically entered. Good Luck!
(P.S. Marie also wants you to know you can support Breast Cancer Awareness by purchasing one of 4 pieces she has designed with proceeds going to the Breast Center at Willowbrook Hospital. Find your new favorite piece in the Marie Bruns collection.)
