We always get a kick out of hearing from you and finding out what you do to stay Fabulous after 40…. Karel wrote us with this story.
Hi Glam Gals,
Looking for energetic women over 40 who are still active? I have been ice-skating with my pal, Valerie for over 30 years and we continue to teach! I will be 48 this year! With the Olympics around the corner, we encourage adults to get on the ice! We look forward to hearing from your readers!
Karel Zubris
Diamond City Figure Skating Club, Wilkes-Barre, PA
P.S.
Right now, I am oldest coach in the group. (48) Here are some photos of me teaching.
This FAF reader still ice skates and help with the Special Olympics!
I even had the honor of presenting an honor to 2002 Olympic Figure Skating Champion Tara Lapinski for her charitable works when she first performed in Wilkes-Barre back in April 2002.
For all you true blue fashionista’s out there…we had to share this wonderful video by one of our favorite bloggers, Susan Tabak. This Age-mazing™ woman certainly lives life in the fashion fast lane…always off to Paris fashion shows, hobnobbing with the designers and shopping in NYC.
Here is her latest adventure:
The Dior, Spring 2010 Haute Couture fashion show… pure fantasy, but fun to see!
Catherine Zeta-Jones always tries to look her best!
Here is an inspiring headline we saw recently:
Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones doesn’t dress down – even when she does the food shopping.
Catherine Zeta-Jones commented: I owe it to my fans to wear my best when I go to the supermarket.
The Glam Gals have chatted endlessly about what to wear to the grocery store and we feel the same way as Catherine does; there is no reason not to try to look your best when you go out.
That being said, you can still look great and be comfortable, but it takes some strategy.
First you need to have your “going to the grocery store” outfit all ready.
This outfit should consist of:
cute but comfortable shoes or flat boots
stretch pants or stretch dress
coordinating stretch top
if your having a bad hair day, then you will need a cute cap
The fun part is gathering all the pieces, and then finding a special hook or spot where the entire outfit is always ready to go.
Most women don’t need more than 1 going to the grocery store outfit per season, since you rarely run into the same person when you’re out.
However, If you shop a lot ,you may want to have a 2 or 3 slightly different versions of your shopping outfit. So instead of creating one going shopping outfit you would create a going shopping module. Modules are a way of dressing that save you tons of time and money while giving you more versatility. To find out more about how to create your own wardrobe modules you can read our ebook Chic on the Cheap- How to create a wardrobe on a budget.
We recently asked you all to share your stories and inspirations with us, we love hearing from our readers and wanted to share with you some of the gals that have sent in photos looking fabulous after 40!
You ladies all ROCK!!!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Laura from Florida:
This Mother of three changed her diet and now does weight training.
Hi:
My name is Laura and I am a 43 year old mother of 3 beautiful children. Hitting 40 was a turning point for me. My body started changing. I had fat in places I never had it before. My skin started to change and my energy level was very low. I was not feeling too good about myself. I was addicted to sugar and even thought I may be hypoglycemic.
It was time for a change. I went back to school and am now a Nationally Certified Personal Trainer. I just competed in an NPC Figure Competition and came in third place in the open age division. I will be doing more competitions this year and plan on winning first place!!!
I recently spent the day with Jennifer Nicole Lee from the AB Circle! What a great experience. I always learn something new to share every time I meet someone new. I enjoy sharing my love for health, exercise and nutrition with others. My goal is to help other women and moms be the best they can be!!
Laura Eckstein
Florida
Pam:
A U.S. army soldier for 20 years. You look fabulous!!!
Hi,
I started perusing your site when it was mentioned by a couple of members on a forum I belong to. I saw the piece on regular Glam ladies over 40 and I figured …why not? I thought I would submit a few photos of myself as a Glam Gal over 40 who looks and feel Age Amazing. I’m a mother of 3 lovely kids, whose a US Army Soldier (20 years and counting) and I love fashion. I love dressing up I hope you think I’m age amazing as well.
Description of clothing: Blue jewel top and boots are by Calvin Klein, black jeans are by the Gap. Jewelry is by Silpada.
Grey cashmere ruffle sweater by Gap (2 years ago).
Donna from New Jersey:
Sleek and sexy. What a figure!
Interesting to note: All these gals have long hair and look great which disproves the silly theory that you can’t wear long hair after 40.
This FAF reader is looking red hot at age 42! Read on to find out how...
Hi ladies,
I lost 23 lbs, four years ago and at 42 years old I am in the best shape of my life. I keep fit by eating a healthy diet consisting of lean protein, lots of veggies, whole wheat grains and nuts. On weekends I eat and drink whatever I want.
My quest for fitness started after reading a great book titled, Body for Life by Bill Phillips. It was then that I started eating healthy. and implementing an exercise program incorporating weight training for the first time in my life. Weight training is very important for us over 40 girls. It sculpts your body like nothing else, revs up metabolism and helps with bone density health.
My workout consists of weight training twice a week, kickboxing classes and gym or outdoor cardiovascular activity five times a week.
Thanks for a wonderful informative website, keep up the good work!
Sandy Roffe
Thanks Sandy, you have certainly inspired us, wow, your body looks absolutely terrific!!!
After reading your letter, I (JoJami) called a girlfriend and sent her your story and photo and she flipped. So now, we have a date to go to the gym on Thursday to start our first weight training workout. She has “the book” and did Fit for Life about 4 years ago with great results and is ready to get back on the program again! I do not need to loose weight, but I am looking forward to toning up and eating better!
I hope I can post a photo like yours one of these days!
We asked you to send in your thoughts and ideas about what you are doing and thinking and what kind of new products you are developing…
Here is the first in a series of posts we will do to feature, YOU… are Fabulous After 40 ladies!!
We think Lauren Traub Teton who is the founder of www.Twifties.com was the perfect gal to start things off . Lauren came up with the name “Twifties” to describe people in their 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s (and plus!) who are fit, fun, feeling good, and enjoying life.
Meryl Streep is looking Fab, in her new movie, It's Complicated photo credit: Universal Pictures
With the new hit movie It’s Complicated out, we were recently called upon by Rita Truschel of The News Journal, to get our input on the subject of dressing women over 40.
The author states, ” For women of a certain age, chic and fashionable hits a fresh line between matronly and too youthful.”
Deborah and JoJami were asked what they thought of Meryl Streep’s style of dressing in the movie.
We loved it! They gave her an upscale bohemian style. She wore lots of scarves and flowing, fabric in lovely muted colors that really flattered her.
Her hair was on the long side, and we liked it on her that way. Her make up was clean and fresh looking too!
These gals look Age-mazing, even though we all know that many of them work out like crazy, and have even had cosmetic surgery to help.
Still, we can’t help but look and think, that with some hard work, we might be able to do the same. It got us wondering….
Do you look as fit and fab after 40? If so, how have you managed to do it? We want to hear from you!!
If you’re proud of your 40+ body, please let us in our your secrets for looking so great so we can share it with our readers. We’d love to feature you.
Just send us an email with your photo; tell what you eat, how much you exercise, and anything else you want us to know, and you can be our inspiration for 2010!
What’s worse than dressing too old and frumpy? …Dressing like you’ve shopped in your teenage daughter’s closet! There’s a fine line between looking fabulous or foolish. Here are some Christmas cocktail dresses we found to illustrate the point. (All dresses are from Nordstroms)
Example
Don’t
Do
Red satin is a bold and dazzling choice so be sure to wear it with class.
When you are young and firm you can get away with most anything, but after 40 more coverage up top and a longer length skirt will ensure you don’t end up looking like aging cocktail waitress.
Baby Doll dresses have been popular in the last few years but on a grown up gal will make you look like you are playing dress-up.
You can still enjoy the ruffle look by wearing a dress with simple clean lines and no cutesy short or puffed sleeves.
The draped look can be very elegant if it’s not overdone. Less is more if you are 40, 50, or beyond.
We love these big collar dresses because they can put beautiful emphasis up by your face.
But at midlife you need to keep this look understated. Not too bright, short or exaggerated. Caution: don’t even go near this look if your arms aren’t in good shape!
What gal can’t resist a bit of sparkle, but this mini on the left with it’s winged shoulders will make a woman 40 or better look like an desperate fashion victim.
We prefer the shift on the right with only a hint of shimmer peaking out from behind some sheer material. You can have fun with this trend, but not in a garish way.
Grrr.. need we say more? If you like animal prints you might as well be a sexy cougar, rather than a baby cub.
Pretty in pink? You can be if you choose to express the color in a sophisticated way.
Keep the cut clean, lean and modest. Stay away from the prom queen look.
Bows. They’re tricky but they’re in style.
Forget the strapless, mini style and go for the regal Jackie O style. The tailored bow on the model on the right gives you much more presence and power than a floppy satin one.
There’s a lot of green out there and it looks fabulous this Christmas.
Thin dress straps look lovely on a gal with perfect shoulders and decolletage, but after 40 they are too harsh. Also, avoid youthful fashion statements like these heavy black hose paired with a cocktail dress.
Opt for a dress like this one on the right with its stunning portrait neckline. It flatters most figures, especially 40+ ones that have experienced a little middle age spread because it balances out hips and shoulders.
If you want to go sheer, do it in a tasteful way. Just a hint will do you. Be sure the rest of you is well covered up.
FAF reader, Cindy Mellow, in her recent wedding on the beach
Where do you turn to for advice when you are getting married for the second time and you want to make sure you look age-appropriate? Call on the Glam Gals, of course!
Looking Age-mazing™ for a wedding or any special occasion can be a challenge when your over 40 and want to make sure you not trying to look too young or too old.
With our e-book, Tweak Your Chic™,Dressing for the Mother of the Bride, we have a plan on how to approach shopping for any special occasion not just weddings! This e-book is packed with tips and a worksheet to make shopping a breeze for any upcoming event.
Here is are just a few of the issues we solve:
Finding the right dress for your body type
How to pick the perfect accessories
Where do I start?
For all of December, when you buy our e- book, we will be happy to answer up to 5 style questions (via e-mail) that you might have. Just write and e-mail us photos for us to review to: info@fabulousafter40.com
This weeks Blogging Boomer Carnival #140 is full of adventure, and it is being hosted by one of our wonderful Blogging friends at VaBoomer!
P.S.
We would are curious to hear your story! Just email us with a photo and description and we will put your name in our montly drawing for a chance to win this months prize! (info@fabulousafter40.com)
I (JoJami) am off again traveling and this time, the weather is cold and dreary. Last time I was at the airport, I found a stylish gal, that ended up being from my home town in Wilmington, Delaware of all things! We have since had lunch together and I have been to see her daughter perform the lead in a local production of Carmen!
Since that was such a great experience, I wasn’t shy about stopping this gorgeous women and her husband. The only thing was that she could not speak a word of English!!! However, with a little bit of sign language and giving her my business card, I convinced her to let me snap away! The bonus this time, was as the end of our mini “photo shoot,” she was all smiles and grabbed me and gave me a nice, European double kiss on both cheeks! How sweet was that!!!
Here is our latest “on the street” inspiration from Northern Spain, looking Age-mazing™!
Check out how she got this look:
Let the focal point be the coat (investment piece)
Kept it simple, monochromatic, all one color for the top and pant
scarf (of course!)
Boots are nice fitting, hug her legs and come up right to the knee
Purse over-sized and updated with handles and hardware instead of a shoulder strap.
This chic European is from Spain and is looking stylish and comfortable.
This bag had the right rugged but elegant feel to pull this outfit together!
These boots were made of the coolest animal skin print! They were sort of a green color!
This over 40 model says, " I'm just running around doing errands today"..."Looking fab", we say!
We recently found a wonderful site called Atlantis Home that we wanted to share with all you more daring fashionistas out there.
The author (shown here) is over 40 and just so happens to be a former model. However, even if you are not tall and rail thin, you can still take some fun tips on how to dress a little more funky but still age appropriate!
What makes her looks so great?
The jacket is updated with 3/4 sleeves and chunky buttons and is a good length on her.
The gold necklace is bold like the jacket and softens the black top
Love the neckline of that mini dress
These jeans are slim all the way down, but not too tight, they give the legs an extra long lean look.
Even though she is tall she is still rocking platform boots. Believe it or not, these types of heels can be really comfortable.
She looks sexy with out having to wear tight clothes
Ladies, since we’re a all about feeling great about ourselves we want to tell you about Seirra Bender. She’s the best when it comes to helping us to find our inner peace and authenticity~
So Join the Glam Gals as we present:
Goddess in the Bedroom Tele-seminar!
Grace * Gratitude * G-spot
Sierra Bender author and Yoga expert
In this three-part teleconference Sierra Bender shares her wisdom on how to tap in and turn on…..the magic, mystery and eroticism of the Goddess in the Bedroom.
Learn How To:
•Create a sacred union – Is it sex or is it love?
•Titillate and tease the senses. Take the boredom out of the bedroom
•Unleash the temptress, tigress and wild woman – primal instinct vs. guilt
•Open to the nectar of the Yoni and the power of the G-spot
Did you see the Oprah Show the other day, the one where she took 3 women who were all feeling down and out and made them do things that were WAY out of their comfort zone?
Seems the Glam Gals are not the only ones out there trying to get you over 40 gals to try something new! (check out our past posts on leather jackets or thigh high boots!)
If you need a little push out of the “plane” Jane syndrome, just go and take a peak this weeks Blogging Boomers Carnvial #138! The Boomer Chronicles are hosting and have lots of inspiration from some of the top Boomer Bloggers out there!
So what do you do when you are turning 50, your husband has just passed away and you want to do something daring and different? If you’re Janis Irwin, you go out and learn to ride a motorcycle and then ride it across the country and back…all by yourself!
Recently at a local wine tasting event in West Chester, PA, I (JoJami) spotted this Age-mazing™ women. I was drawn to her beautiful coat and entire ensemble of a turquoise necklace, snazzy boots, cool helmet and sunglasses! Of course I had to go up to her and chat her up!
She was beaming when she shared with me her inspirational story of how she packed up only the essentials (including a nice dress and a pair of heels) and went on a cross country adventure, solo on her motorcycle.
She calls herself, a “Barbie Biker” because she has her own feminine style of biker dressing. “Many women think you have to dress like a tough girl in head to to black, Harley Davidson attire,” says Janice. ” I found the more I got into the sport, the more I realized that it’s only the beginers that dress that way. I love to be able to get off my bike and feel like I’m still me and not this alter ego.”
Well Janis, we agree that you look gorgeous and classy in your outfit!
As for her day job, Janis runs her own interior design firm.
Do you have a job with a fun hobby? We want to hear from you!
Nothing is more energizing than running off to NYC to attend the More Magazine Reinvention Convention.
We Glam Gals had a great time connecting with old and new Age-mazing™ women who as usual thrill us with their sense of style and joy!
Here are a few of the women who stood out in over 500 attendees!
Mika Brzezinski from MSNBC’s Morning Joe was the emcee. Looking fine in her outfit from JMcLaughlin she stood out as a shining example of how mixing color can be so effective.
Judy Goss, reporter for Better TV, looking hot in this leopard print dress
Kim rocked this simple yellow dress with the perfect accessories. Her layered strand of pearls, gray pumps, black cardigan were all pulled together with her gorgeous new Channel glasses and red lipstick!
Author Sherrie Mathieson with her newest book, Steal this Style
Here we are with our buddy Sherrie Mathieson who was promoting her newest book, Steal This Style. She had on a gorgeous cashmere sweater coat that she belted and pared with leggings,a scarf and flat boots. (and yes, that is a Hermes bag she is carrying…YUMMY!)
These types of wraps were all the rage. Looking comfy but certainly stylish was this lovely lady from NY. We also featured this necklace in a post few months back. For buying info click here.
Lauren-Crowell-Nugent from Talbots was sporting a blue cape fastened with a feather pin. Wow! Did she look gorgeous! Her pants also from Talbots were there signature brand and they fit her great!
Deborah, More editor-in chief Lesley Jane Seymour, JoJami
Here we are with Lesley Jane Seymour, Editor of More Magazine. Deb has on her Tibi dress and I have on my Tibi skirt! Lesley shared that she has not been inspired to shop this year and have found most of the clothes in the stores these days “dreary”. Instead she has bought a few new accessories like the pretty bronze, chunky necklace that she has on to update her current wardrobe.
This years event was packed and we sure enjoyed all the speakers! Congrates to More’s staff to pulling of another wonderful day of reinvention, inspiration!
Deborah and I are big fans of award shows and we can’t help but enjoy the parade of glamorous starlets down the red carpet… but after checking out the photos of this years Emmy’s we realized that we can learn a lot from them as well! Moreover, we were pleased to see that this year’s show had lots of Age-mazing™ over 40 women to wow us!
Are you going to be going to a formal affair or on cruise in the next few months?
Here are some great examples of how to (or not to) dress for a formal affair and WHY we think so!
Chandra Wilson looking great! photo: www.WireImage.com/Steve Granitz
Trying to wear strapless after 40:
Here ya go… here is a women with curves that is just rocking this dress! Love the plunging “V” and bold design at the bottom of the dress. If you are going to wear strapless, make sure the dress is cut so that it is not straight across. Many strapless dresses tends to push the breasts up and squish them. She has kept her accessories simple with just a necklace and earnings and no bracelet. Great job!
Lesson: Curvy women can wear strapless!
Say No to the Bat Wings:
Let’s not put a number to age, but here’s a reality check. We don’t care when your birthday is or what the tag on your dress says, the bottom line is make sure to look in the mirror before buying a dress.
Here you can see that this dress is just not flattering with her skin bulging out under her arms.
Lesson: Look at yourself in the mirror front and back to make sure nothing’s pouring out!
This dress is just too tight!
This dress,Kyra Sedgwick, is just too much! photo: Wireimage.com/Jeff Vespa
You will always look elegant if you go simple:
Look what happens when you try to make the dress the star and not you. Black shoes, with that dress? Even though the heel matches, the black pump is way too heavy for this flimsy dress – a sandal would have worked much better. (And the red nail polish is clashing too!)
Lesson: Look for a dress that does not overpower you but plays up your best features.
Black can look harsh on aging skin:
Black can help make you look thin, but it can also age you… We actually think the style of this off-the-shoulder dress is quiet flattering and lovely, it is just that the color (or rather the lack of it!) makes Glenn look harsh.
Lesson: Black is too easy of an option. Take the time to try to find a dress that is a pretty color!
Glenn Close we love the dress, but not the color. photo: Getty Images/Jason Merritt
Sigourney Weaver , looking stunning in this simple, yet elegant gown! photo:www.wireimage.com/Jeff Vespa
Use color to stand out and have fun:
Sigourney rarely strays from dresses that are more streamline yet feminine. Yes, her body is a temple, but her taste is great too!
Lesson: Simple lines and simple accessories equal class and elegance!
Don’t forget the proper undergarments can make a huge difference, Shapewear from Sassybax or Spanx is our favorite secret weapons! If you need more detailed info on how to choose the right gown for a wedding or formal affair, get our eBook, Tweak Your Chic: Mother of the Bride!
What if we told you, Stop worrying about the way you look…that after 40, you should just relax and stop caring?
That’s what they’re saying at this week’s Blogging Boomers, on The Joy of Aging. We’re horrified by the tips they are giving out, especially this one, below:
1. No one cares how I look, so I don’t need to primp or go clothing shopping.
We could NOT disagree more!!! Not “caring” is not an excuse to walk out the door looking sloppy.
As many of you know, The Glam Gals’ favorite saying is, “Life is too short to be frumpy”…
To start a discussion about this, and read other posts on a variety of Boomer topics, visit the Blogging Boomers Carnival. This week’s host is The Boomer Chronicles.
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?
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?
