One of our favorite celebrities is Victoria Beckham. Yes, we know she is stick thin and drop dead gorgeous but still her style is so classy and mostly age-appropriate. This means that you can take inspiration from her and pull it off no matter what your size.
These taupe suede boots are the starting point to a great look. Clean lines and a rounded toe is what you are looking for.
Beige pencil skirt. You could also do this in a blue or red with these boots!
Small plaid blouse. If you are in warm weather this sleeveless shirt is perfect. Those who live in cool climates can do a long sleeve and the look will be the same.
Of course you could add a short cropped jacket or cardigan for work.
I’m recently divorced, back on the dating scene and have no idea how to dress. What can I wear that looks sexy, but isn’t so skimpy it reveals everything? Thanks,Liz P.
Hi Liz,
We get this question all the time. Who wants to go out looking like a 21-year-old dressed for night of clubbing? Where’s the fine line between that looking sexy, and looking sleazy, especially after 40?
Our friend, Anne Berit Oslvik looks sexy in her wrap dress
Our answer is always the same. If you want to look feminine, alluring and classy, we suggest you try a wrap dress. Diane Von Furstenberg’s classic wrap dress from the 70′s is back and more popular than ever. Its figure flattering, waist clinching, bust enhancing ability, makes it the perfect pick for almost any woman. Even if you have a few extra pounds, the way this dress drapes will make you look sculpted and 10 pounds lighter.
We’ve both just bought one think it’s the perfect dress for almost anything and can be dressed up or down with accessories. Plus, it travels like a dream. It’s lightweight you can throw it in your bag and it’s always so comfy because it’s made of its soft jersey silk fabric.
Here are some tips for wearing a wrap dress:
If you are not planning to wear hose and want to keep things looking smooth, wear some shapewear like Spanx to eliminate any panty lines, bumps and bulges.
Some wrap dresses have a tendency to come open at the top. Make sure that you buy the correct size or wear a camisole underneath. We find that the non-lace ones look better with this tailored look.
If you are not that busty, this is a great time to have some fun with a pretty padded push up bra!
O.k. What about the shoes? The formality of the print and the size of print will dictate the heel. The wilder the print, the chunkier you can go with the heel . That means you can do anything from a more delicate heel to a wedge.
As Diane would say, “Feel like a woman, wear a dress!”
Are you a fan of the new hit series Modern Family?
If so, you won’t want to miss reading about over 40 actress, Julie Bowen , who “bares” it all in her upcoming interview in one of our favorite guilty pleasures, More Magazine!
As a star of ABC’s Modern Family, she’s enjoying the rewards of never giving up. Julie talks to More for the September cover story coming out this week.
Highlights include:
On getting her big break: “I always thought I was lucky to work at all. I’m keenly aware of the odds of succeeding in our business…honestly, I feel like a lot of times, the only really bad choice you can make is one that closes doors. I have good relationships with the people in my life, both professionally and personally. If I wanted to chuck it all tomorrow and move to Michigan and live on a farm, I could do that—and I don’t think anybody would be mad at me.”
On not being a part of Hollywood’s in-crowd:
“Hollywood is nothing but every prom queen and cute girl in America.” says Bowen. “People like to pigeonhole blonds as the cute girl next door. I was never good at that. I was always better once they let me be a bit acerbic or have just a touch of a dark side.”
Julie looking chic on the street!
Julie on the cover of More Magazine
This lovely lady has a sense of humor, great attitude and puts her family first…a true Glam Gal for sure!
I have a question. I purchased an adorable Elizabeth and James linen blazer (called the James linen distressed blazer ~Nordstroms) It has a three-quarter length sleeve and hits right below the butt. It fits perfectly, and it was a great deal. My question is, the fabric has been made to look like it’s two-tone…what they are calling “distressed”. Is it too much for a 45 year to wear if the rest of the outfit is simple? Thanks, Robin
Hi Robin,
We think your jacket is definatley age appropriate as well as a great purchase! This updated version of a classic jacket will be a wonderful “go to” piece in your wardrobe and one you will get much use out of!
We did some research for you and thought we might share with you a few ideas on how you might wear it.
Your jacket seems popular with the younger celebrities… no surprise since your Elizabeth and James piece was designed by the Olsen Twins.
However, that does not matter because the style of the jacket is more classic than trendy, it well made and is a wonderful piece to dress up or down.
Here are a few different ways you can wear your jacket, and how you might “tweak” it to make it look fab for any age.
Cameron Diaz has dressed her blazer up! (but to be age appropriate we would make sure the shirt was longer)
Belted on the outsideHow sporty is this! Cameron Diaz has put a simple black dress or black top and black tight mini underneath it.
Make sure if you wear it like this that the skirt is little longer. (right above the knee)
Notice how the belt is a medium width and not too skinny.
The shoes have thick straps that add some weight to it to balance it all out!
If she had worn simple black pumps it would have looked dated.
Dakota Fanning has put a simple cream and lace dress under it.
Over a formal dressDakota fanning has gone with a more romantic look wearing the jacket with a flowing dress with lace.
If you have youthful legs you could pull this off. If not, it would still work nicely if the dress was just a bit longer.
We love this strappy nude shoe with this. This shoe helps tone down the outfit so it’s not to cutesy.
Soft and feminine~ from Shopbop
Paired with soft pants,your outfit will be super comfortable but still dressy! (from Shopbop)You can also do some soft flowing pants that are a similar shade as your jacket with a simple top.
Make sure to keep the top untucked
The top is banded at the bottom to keep the look a little sleeker
Nude kitten heel pumps are a comfortable alternative to high strappy heels.
You could wear this to work, out to dinner or to the theater.
This Elizabeth James linen jacket is from Nordstroms
As you mentioned, you can go simple with a fitted tank top and straight legged pants or jeans.
Once again make sure to keep the top untucked.
Would like to see a pretty necklace with this look
For shoes you could go with simple black flats or black chunky heels.
At 41, Gwen Stefani keeps her make-up youthful and glamorous.
We are excited about the topics for this week’s Fashion Flash:
Get all the scoop on:
Great tips on how to apply your make up so you look younger!
What is the number one trick celebrities tout to looking fab?
What’s new for fall for those “red bottom shoes”
Can you diet and still have “a brew”?
Is that a blueberry in your cocktail?
You can read about all these and more over at this weeks new host, Geri Brin from Fabulous Over Fifty! Geri, welcome to our group. We love your site with all your info for lots of fashion and lifestyle tips for women over 50 and look forward to following your posts!
Having always thought of Princess Diana as a role model for taste and style, every once in a while we can’t help but stop and wonder, what would she be wearing these days?
Here is a “fantasy” collage in memory of Diana’s 50th Birthday! She will stay a Glam Gal in our minds forever!
The straw fedora worn by Jennifer Aniston is an updated look to replace the boring baseball cap for when you are dressing casual.
Dear Glam Gals,
Sometimes I’m having a bad hair day and just throw on a baseball cap. Do you have any suggestions for an alternative?
Thanks!
Sandy G. Austin, TX.
Hi Sandy,
What a great question, something we all struggle with, especially with summer humidity! We love the little straw Fedora as an alternative to the baseball cap for when you are dressing casual.
This straw fedora looks good on most!(Nordstrom)
Over 40 celebrities like Jennifer Aniston have been spotted wearing them bringing some class to a casual outfit!
Great with a little tank, lightweight jacket and a pair of jeans for going to the mall
Last minute invite to go out, no problem, throw it on and you will look super chic
Add a pair of Ray Ban style sunglasses to keep your face protected from the sun or for the “cool” factor
We found this fedora at Nordstrom for only $18.00!
Here is a quick video on how to wear this trend when you are over 40.
