4 Ways to Look Wow on the Weekend
1. Swap your jeans for a dress with leggings
Yes, we know it’s the weekend, but why hide behind jeans just because they’re easy and familiar? Instead, try wearing something that will put a little swing into your precious days off. You know all those dresses you want to buy, but they are too short for a gal over 40? Try pairing one of those ( a shirtdress or tunic style is best) with some leggings, ballet flats or high flat boots. You’re going to be amazed at how cute you’ll look. Just be sure the short dress is long enough to cover your behind, or it won’t look right.
2. Be Bold in Bright Pants
Weekends are play time and what better way to send that message than to add a shot of color. This year color is king and one of the biggest trends is to wear pair of brightly colored pants. Red is the color of the moment so why not try a pair of red skinny jeans. Top with a big chunky sweater or cute leather jacket. If a red bottom makes you feel like you are pointing a big red arrow where you least want it, you can try emerald jeans, cobalt blue jeans, or simply wear a pair of black jeans with a vividly colored top, purse or accessory. It’s the bright and bold anywhere that gives you that sporty weekend look. (That’s Fabulous after 40 reader Lisa in her red jeans!)
3. Play with a cape or poncho
You want to be comfy on the weekend, but not look boring . A sporty cape or pretty poncho is a great way to bypass boring weekend dressing. Throw on one over a turtleneck and skinny pants and boots or pair with slim pants with a touch of a flare. A great look to wear when going to the movies, out to dinner, shopping. Very chic.
4. Have Fun with Wedge Ankle Booties
As the weather turns and the leaves begin to fall, wedge ankle boots are a great weekend footwear choice. They look best paired with skinny pants or even a knit dress plus opaque stockings. Wedges are super comfy compared to a heel and give you that little bit of height that a flat boot doesn’t, making you look taller and slimmer, not dumpy and frumpy.
Stuart Weitzman Coban Suede Wedge (Nordstrom)
Belle- Sigeson Morrison zip booties (Saks)
ViVa Spiga Harrison wedge (Nordstrom)
Hi Ctgal,
Aaaaaawe…..it was such a fun store, too! Thanks for letting us know!
Bad news ladies. I liked that beige gnarled poncho as well. Petunias Folley is closed.
Thanks Pat and Liz for the website tip offs.
Unfortunately Long Tall Sally only make up to 34 inch inseam (I’m a 36 inch inseam), and LongLegs is all sold out of anything black! I’ll have to be quicker next season.
I’m guessing we tall women are just not meant for leggings, hey? And they say that plus size women have it difficult! If only they knew!
Hi Maire M,
Under the poncho goes either straight legged jeans or you can do flair jeans if those look better on you. The leggings on curvier women can be done, but you have to make sure your top comes down past the hips or you will look like you forgot to put your pants on!!! Also leggings can be worn with boots to really balance out the curvy body! Make sure the boots come up to the knee for the most flattering look. Those boots that stop at mid calf are just not flattering! The ankle boot is cute too. Try flipping up the hem of some straight legged jeans with them. Good luck!
Hi! I love the look of a poncho and leggings but I have two questions….
What should I be wearing under the poncho? Say i need to take it off inside? And two, does the legging idea work for women who are a little curvier? Thanks for you help…love your site!
I would like to see stylish items for a woman on a budget. Shoes, clothing and items that are not frumpy . I always see items on the site that are adorable but way over my budget.
I have found 36 inseam leggings on line at Cold Water Creek. Just bought my second pair and love them.
Hi Chris, JoJami here…I got it a boutique in Philadelphia, PA called Petunias Folley!
One thing I love about their store is that they have pictures of models in outfits from their current merchandise. When I saw the photo of the model in this cape I new i had to have it! It is so much easier to buy clothes when you have a picture or idea on how to put the outfit together. We hope that we can do more of that for our readers!
I live in the uk, we have a shop here called long tall Sally they make clothes for tall girls. I get my leggings there. I have a 34″ inseam and they are long on me. Funnily enough I’m wearing mine right now with a long tunic style jumper.! I think they ship to the states and have pop up shops there also. Check out their website. Hope it’s of some use!
JJ & D love your blog-very useful and fun! I’ve been seeing red jeans everywhere here, I think their cute. I would buy if I could find them long enough.
JJill and Talbots also use more mature (or at least a better mix) models.
Where did you find the tan sweater poncho? I love it.
Chico’s uses SOMEWHAT older models – probably 40-ish women who look a little younger, but they certainly aren’t 20, and Chico’s market is definitely over 40′s – I buy LOTS of my clothes there.
To get long inseam pants go to http://www.LongTallSally.com
They mail. Also, http://www.LongLegs.ca I’m tall too. Pat.
I totally love the look of leggings with a short dress or long tunic — thanks for validating that look for women over 40. Just as you noted, you can get away with a short dress if you wear nice leggings or cigarette pants to disguise or distract from bad knees/legs. Eileen Fisher has terrific straight-keg pants (black) that are a cross between leggings and slacks — very slimming and flattering with short dresses.
Hi Leanne,
We will get back to you on this….anyone else know??? Please chime in!
The idea of skinny jeans/pants with a looser fit top has grown on me. But colored jeans/bright colored pants are just so not for me. I think they look kind of silly – like something a kid would wear. The look comes and goes over the years but I’ve always felt the same way about it. That said, I think if you are very thin it’s easier to get away with the bright color on bottom but the top almost always needs to be lighter for it to work I’d guess. I really don’t like the look of a darker color jacket with bright colored bottoms.
Jcrew used to have Lauren Hutton modeling – Sundance uses some older models as well. And some European companies. And Talbots in recent times. The U.S. is really caught up in the whole “youth” craze of trying not to grow old. A lot of companies are missing a big market.
Not sure of the brightly coloured jeans ladies, might just stick to tops. They say if you can remember a fashion phase the first time it come around you maybe shouldn’t be wearing it the second time. I do remember wearing brightly coloured jeans in the 80′s so maybe not for me. Having said that I might be tempted with the nice purple ones.
Hi Glam Girls,
Any ideas where to get leggings to fit a six foot tall woman? I love the look, and I’m long and lean(ish), but I haven’t managed to find leggings to fit a woman who usually takes a 36″inseam anywhere. The look of leggings is lovely, but I’m certain they’re NOT supposed to be worn on the knee!
Thanks for the terrific work you do, and the great tips generally (more tips for the tall girls would be very welcome!)
XXX
More Magazine uses mature models.
I’ve noticed that Garnet Hill catalogue uses older (and yet gorgeous) models. I really love them for it. Take a look! I’m pretty sure they’ve been using one of their models for at least 10 years.
Hi Jolyanna,
Thanks for your comment. Our biggest problem is trying to find pictures of women wearing clothes we would wear.
For our blog use use photos taken from designer sites, retailers, online catlogues and all of thes use under 40 and way under 40 models.
It’s very frustrating and sad…Frustrating because it’s very difficult to imagine yourself in something being worn by a 20 something and sad because these designers/retailers don’t seem to think that women over 40 still want to be be stylish and are stylish.
If any of you gals know of a designer. retiler/catalogue out there that uses mature models please let us know.
We hear Ann Tylor is switching to a boomer market. Right now they use young models. It will be intersting to see what kind of clothes they’ll offer and what kind models they use in the future. We hope they get it right… meaning mature models + chic clothing.
Cheers, Deborah and JoJami
The Glam Glas
I think the clothes are great and the idea of fashion for over 40 is a good one.
Maybe you should use more mature models, though. If the ones here are 40…they are just reaching that age.
Women in their late 40′s, and throughout their 50′s and beyond want to look great, too. And many do. I would like to see THOSE women modeling.
That skirt and sweater from Talbots just screams F-R-U-M-P!