Wearing vintage after 40 can be tough because you run the risk of looking like you’re out of date or an old lady. It is fine to wear vintage when you are young, because it is obvious that you are hip, however when you look like you haven’t thrown out your clothes for the last 20 years, it can be tricky!
This gorgeous vintage piece is age appropriate! photo credit: Atlantis Home
Here is a great example of a lovely gray vintage dress that we found on Atlantis Home. This 80′s silk, jersey dress is super flattering with the way it ties at the hip. The way it drapes would hide the tummy area nicely and is a style that one can wear at any age.
Vintage pieces also tend to have pretty details, like these covered buttons on the sleeve.
Now can you tell the difference between this new outfit that she just bought?
This fabulous bright leather skirt and coordinating sweater from the latest 2010 fall Lyn Devon collection is classic and could be from any era. She has updated it with some super hip, thigh high boots. (This look might be over the top for some, but we think she can certainly pull it off!)
This bright skirt is from the new Lyn Devon collection photo credit: Atlantis Home
So the moral of this is… if you are going to try to pull off vintage, make sure you are going to update it with current shoes and accessories and that you can’t tell that it is vintage.
With all the publicity about the new movie just out, Eat, Pray, Love, the bottom line is, what fun to just get off the track of life and to take a year off and just run around the world! However, this might not be realistic to many of us!
Here is a fun clip to see what we might be able to do to get that “get away” feeling in the comfort of our own home!
We recently had a contest that featured La Ishaproducts and they are being featured again on this program.
I (JoJami) were given some testers to try and let me tell you, I LOVE THEM!!!
Here is why:
they are made out of natural ingredients
they have a lovely scent without perfumes
they feel wonderful and light on the skin
The oils have a plumping effect!
they are specifically formulated for over 40 skin!
At the beginning of Spring this year, I (JoJami) decided to give away all my old summer casual skirts that I have been wearing for the past few years. They were the soft , flowing kind, that have been popular, but I felt it was time to move on and update them!
Here are a few ideas on how to update you casual skirt wardrobe and what to give away:
Just right, this bold print, stiff cotton is Age-mazing!:
Just bought one like this at the J. Crew outlet! What I love that I can dress it down with a casual t-shirt or up with a nice blouse! Flat or strapy heels work just fine! Love these nude shoes they are showing with it, here!
This skirt from J.Crew is a great one to update your skirt wardrobe!
Too Young Looking :
Do you have a skirt like this? It might be time to give it away. The gathering will cause your middle to appear larger than it is and it is too short for most gals over 40, unless you are wearing it as a coverup for the beach. P.S. Make sure your not “tucking” in your top, it can be aging as well! (Nordstoms)
This is too young and short
Beware! The Long Hippy Skirt can be aging:
If you are still trying to wear this look, be careful! There are a few problems with trying to look like a hippy. First of all, if you want to do long, you should go one of the newer long dresses not a skirt. Next, this look is one that has circled back from our past and our daughters might be wearing it. We over 40 gals, if you want to look more sophisticated should try something more a-line or pencil style, depending on your body type. (Nordstrom)
Beach in reece by Empress229 featuring J Crew top
We recently posted some lovely coverups to go to the beach, but here are is a great “look” to use as inspiration for something more casual. Here are some more ideas that might help:
Love the color of the one piece, no need for black when a deep purple will be just as flattering!
This white coverup from J. Crew is both chic and affordable!
The wedge sandle is perfect to give your leg a little length with out looking too sexy. It is also the updated version of the “kitten heel”.
The hat is a must, to keep the sun off our delicate face!
Bangles, bangles bangles…how fun! Mixing up the textures and thickness makes them work.
The only thing missing is some oversized sunglasses!
I would love to see a post about cute and age appropriate sun dresses. Usually I am not a dress person, but I would like to throw something on which is not too short , but really comfortable at these temperatures right now.
Thank you so much. Nicole
Hi Nicole,
It’s only July but sundresses are being snapped quickly. Our advice to to get out there and take advantage of those sale racks. We shopped online and found a strong tropical punch theme was everywhere, so here are a few of our favorites to make you look fabulous after 40.
Cute and Flirty:Love the modern combination of brown, red and blue which adds sophistication and maturity to this pretty summer dress. It’s nice to find a dress with a hemline with a grown-up length, and the flirty edge gives it that soft touch of summer romance. (Nordstrom)
Tropical Temptation : Pink with Orange is a juicy combination for this cotton sundress. Look very closely at the neckline and you’ll see the tiny white tassels along the v neckline that give it it’s magic.(Nordstrom)
Tropical goes Graphic :A modern twist on the tried and true tropical print. Love the vertical off centre drawstring and cool bordered hem on this artsy summer shift. If you want to look slimmer, then this is the dress because the flower pattern running from shoulder to waist creates the optical illusion making your waist look narrower and more nipped in. (Nordstrom)
Palm Perfect: A great dress that is easy for anyone to wear, especially pear shapes. The scoop neck draws the eye upwards to highlight the face. Wear it with a cute pair of flats. Boy, that looks cool and comfy! (Nordstrom)
Looking fresh and cool!
Here is a photo of one of our readers, Donna from N.J. (looking fabulous after 45) in her version of the tropical sundress, that she bought at Cache! Wow, she looks terrific! Just goes to show, that if you have great legs that you can and should show them off!
Skinny pants, leggings and everything in between. What’s the difference, are they age appropriate, and what do you wear with them so you don’t look like a giant ice cream cone? Here’s our thoughts…
Skinny pants are just that- pants that are close to the body and narrow at the ankles, sometimes even hugging the ankles. The newest versions have some stretch.
Leggings are more like tights. They fit very close to the body and end at the ankle, or mid calf. The biggest difference is that they are more lightweight than a skinny pant- almost like a thick stocking.
A good way to think of it is: leggings are an accessory. Don’t wear leggings as pants.
You can wear skinny pants with short tops, t-shirts, short sweaters and long sweaters.
You should only wear leggings with long tunics, long sweaters, long jackets, long shirts and short, but not mini dressesthat are ultra short. In other words, if you are wearing leggings, don’t expose your behind. Cover it up. Take a look at what we mean…
Long Cardigan + Skinny jeans or leggings:
This is our favorite look with leggings or skinny pants. Everything is so soft and flowing and looks so right. Black leggings are very slimming and work best in fall, winter and early spring paired sweaters. Don’t ever wear them with a t-shirt, or it will look like you lost your pants.
Boyfriend Jacket and Leggings:
If you wonder whether leggings are age appropriate, get a load of JoJami’s mom (age 70!) She rocks this look.
Shirt Dress + Leggings:
A shirt dress is long and would look really good over leggings. You can add a great belt and big chunky fabulous necklace to perk up this look. We find it quite drab the way it is.
This gal has the idea:
A long to and jacket over leggings and ballet flats. Very cool. All black makes you look taller and slimmer.
Wear leggings with a short (not micro mini) dress:
JoJami looks great in this column of color with a skirt overtop that also has a lot of black in the pattern. The necklace also co-ordinates. See, you can wear leggings and look good after 40, 50 and beyond!
this legging look does not work
While we were writing this post we heard from a subscriber who sent us a picture of an outfit she had that she was wearing leggings with, and asked us what we thought. Here is the picture ( on the left) and here is our answer….
Answer: Thanks so much for sending us your photos. You are so youthful looking for your age and still have a terrific figure, wow! However, we are going to vote no to this outfit for several reasons.
We can see that you are trying to make this outfit age appropriate by adding the leggings. However, although it does make the outfit a tad more modest, the problem is that your sending the signal that you are still trying to dress too young.The basic jean mini-skirt and printed t-shirt are saying “teenager”.
this dress is far too tight for leggings
If you want to look up to date and stylish, you can wear the leggings with a long top or shirt dress. (see above)
skirt is too short for over 40 whether you wear leggings or tights!
The white sandals are trying to tie the outfit together but is not working either.
We think you need to trade in the skirt and t-shirt for a pair of Bermuda shorts (above the knee) and a fitted “v’ neck top and different sandals.The white sandals you have on will work nicely with a colorful sundress that has a white background. Good luck!
After this reply our subscriber sent us another picture of her in a black and white bandage dress and asked if she could wear leggings with this. Our reply was no because the dress was too tight for leggings. Leggings look better with a looser top or tunic.
Finally here’s a picture of a gal in blue we pulled out of our files from a party we went to. This gal is wearing a short skirt and dark stockings in summer. They don’t work.
The skirt is too short for someone over 40, whether you wear leggings or stockings. Also this is a summer outfit and her leg covering are too dark for summer.If they would have been black leggings they also wouldn’t have worked for the same reasons.
Bottom line- don’t wear a micro mini after 40! You will look silly.
When pants are too hot, shorts make you feel to exposed, or you aren’t in the mood for wearing a dress, cropped pants are the perfect answer.
They’re chic and playful, and can be dressed up or down depending on the whether you’re the beach, at the mall or out to dinner with friends.
Remember Mary on the Dick Van Dyke show, and how darling she always looked?
…..Of course, Mary had a perfect body but no matter …..
…..you can look great in cropped pants too.
It’s all about finding the right style of cropped pant to suit your body type.
Here’s a few example of what to look for and what to avoid depending on your particular shape:
Drawstring-disastrous or delightful?
These drawstring cargo cropped pants look great on this gal because of her gorgeous pancake belly and thin legs, however, if you have a midlife mommy tummy the drawstring waist, massive pockets and baggy legs will make you look like you are wearing a laundry bag. Choose something that doesn’t put all the attention at the tummy. (Nordstrom)
Wide Waisted and Wonderful :
Black is always Audrey Hepburn elegant, and also figure flattering to a woman’s bottom half. We love the wide waistband which pulls in and camoflages that midlife tummy bulge we are all too familiar with. The tapered leg is sexy too. (Nordstrom)
Heading South:
When everything else is sagging at 40, 50 and beyond.. why would you want these pants to drag you down too? Instead of looking fashion forward, you run the risk of looking like you are wearing diapers underneath. ( Nordstrom)
Cautious wIth Cuffs:
Short? Don’t want to looks shorter? Then don’t wear pants with a cuff. You may think the roll up look cute but it will only cut you down and make you look stubby, and if you have a extra few pounds on you, wide too. These pants are best for med-tall gals with average legs. Any gal with bulky thighs should definitely stay from these as the huge pockets will only accentuate them. (Nordstrom)
Zipper free…Yippee!:
Let’s face it. For a lot of us the answer to wearing pants and looking good in them is to wear your shirt tucked out, and these stretchy cropped pants are perfect for that. There’s no buttons, zippers or stuff to get in the way, so you have a seamless tower of white for which to place a pretty top over.(Nordstrom)
Low:
O.K. loose and slouchy, but cool on the right gal. You need a flat tummy (thank you liposuction) and a low waist to pull these off. Very fashion forward and all over Paris JoJami says, based on her recent trip. (Nordstrom)
And finally, Here is JoJami in her new Parisian cropped pants..kinda of that loose, boyfriend style. They work for her because she is slim with no hips. So if you have that kind of slim sporty body, they’d probably work for you too!
Lucky me, (JoJami) was off to Paris for Mother’s Day and just got back!
My mother JoBee and JoJami in Paris!
Paris is one of my all time favorite cities and I have not been back in a few years so I was super excited to see what women over 40 were wearing these days!
Here we are…my mother in her new Cop Copine jacket and me in my orange, BCBG jacket that I bought last month (see post)…This jacket ended up being my everyday go to piece.
Even though it was May, it can still be cold there, so everyone was usually bundled up the entire time and layering and throwing on a scarf for warmth and style!
We found a charming and colorful scarf shop called Mandalas, and picked up a few there! (JoBee has her new scarf on!)
One morning, I stopped these two Fashionista’s for a quick photo shoot.
Ended up they were from Seattle, WA on a girlfriends trip to shop vintage. (The gal on the left was on a quest to find a weddingdress, Marilyn, on the right is a jewelry desinger!).
Gals on the street!
These two gals were looking stylish for being past 40 and 50! I was so surprised to find out that they were not French but Americans!They were sporting the all black look,that is so prevalent over there!
Vintage Prada
I saw shiny metallic shoes, handbags and tops, all over the place…on the young and not so young!
Talent and Style:
Chunky statement jewelry! Bigger is better on the streets of Paris. This is Marilyn’s own design, from her wholesale company, MB Beads!
Sequins go from day to evening:
It is hard to see in this photo, but under her lightweight ruffled jacket,she had on a gorgeous black sequin top that she had layered with a black long sleeved t shirt. It was one of their vintage finds…
Leggings and low heels:
How FAB are these little low heeled shoes with her leggings!
Dark skinny jeans and comfy flats:
Paris Hilton flats look perfectly great on her with her skinny dark jeans and sparkle top!
The best accessory is always a pooch!:
I could not believe all the women running around in high heels… This wonderful, Age-mazing gal came into the restaurant with her Burberry trench, oversised handbag, high heeled black pumps, large sunglasses, leggings and a dog!
She had just had her hair done at a local salon, it was short and very sassy! JUST LOVE the entire look!
Even the food is dressed up!
The women were lined up in all the pastry shops.How they stay so thin is a mystery to me!
This yummy cake was topped with sweet, wild forest strawberries.
I (Deborah) was out shopping the other day and came across an elegant black stretch knit Halston jumpsuit. I was intrigued. I used to wear jumpsuits back in the 70′s and loved them! They looked sexy and chic. I hadn’t worn one in years, so was curious to see how this one would look.
After several ” what the hecks”, I tried it on. I looked in the mirror and started to giggle. I felt pretty darn good. Still, I didn’t quite like how the elastic waistband made my little mommy tummy look. Some Spanx would have done wonders, but instead I just put the jumpsuit back and said, “I’ll think about it”.
What was stopping me? Did I feel too old to be wearing something I wore in my teenage years?
I came home and went online to check out this new trend and found lots of jumpsuits, mainly black. I’m thinking that this look is worth another try, and if I can find the right jumpsuit I will buy one. I’m still pretty slim and tall, so maybe.
What about you??? Would you wear a jumpsuit???
Take a look at a few I found that I’d consider trying on, and a few that I wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole.
Maybe??
I like this one because it is very understated. The cowl neck will draw the attention up to my face instead of my tummy and I know I’ll feel better in the longer sleeves, rather than sleeveless. This should be more flattering because of the wider leg which will balance out my hips. I’d add some fab earrings. (Saks)
Why would I go here?Normally I would never try on anything strapless just because I hate the hassle of wearing a strapless bra and I feel a little bare in strapless. But this is kind of a cute jumpsuit. It has a nice relaxed, ” let’s hang around the pool” feel. It might work for me with flats as shown and if if I put some kind of cropped sweater over top or wear a little wrap. You never know until you try it. ( This is not a good choice if you are really busty) (Saks)
I like the Elegance of this:
Love this. It seems very grown up and chic, but not sure if I’d feel good in those teeny spaghetti straps. They’re hard to pull off when you are more soft and fleshy than you used to be. Worth a shot. (Saks)
The color attracts me:
Purple is a nice change from black, but again spaghetti straps + those tapered cropped pant legs probably not a good combination for me. I have curvy hips and I think I’ll look like a hippo in this! Have to see it in person to decide. (Saks)
No Thanks:
Definitely too weird for me at any age. That sloppy t-shirt look and crazy Aladin pant is off the wall. (Saks)
Art Attack:
Pass…. Way too much going on for me. I think this graphic art print reminds me of some kind of road construction sign. There’s so much going on I think it would make me look clownish. I like more sophistication 40, 50 and beyond.(Nordstrom)
Can’t see it on me:
I guess if you are closer to 40 and have a supermodel body, but put this on the average middle aged woman and it could easily be a total nightmare. For me it’s got that ” desperate to be sexy” look. Too much. (Saks)
Do I really need to say anything?
Lesson here- Do not go near a baggy jumpsuit unless you want to look like a giant paperbag!!! This look is frump city. (Nordstrom)
Stripes are a hot trend this summer and can still be age appropriate! photo credit:The Satorialist
With an upcoming trip to Paris on the books, I (JoJami) am beyond excited to be able to report to you all, first hand, how women over 40 are dressing in one of my favorite places on earth! (Check back in May for pictures and updates!)
From what we’ve been reading in all the fashion magazines, it looks like the classic blue and white stiped t-shirt is going to be a hot trend this summer! So I’m planning on making sure to pack one in my suitcase!
One of my guilty pleasures is reading a blog called Habitually Chic, that is written by an interior designer who loves to travel. Here she has put together some great pictures that might help inspire you to re-invent this classic look into your wardrobe!
I LOVE the way the woman on the left has layered her stripes with a mustard jacket and baby blue scarf. (Don’t miss the wonderful orange watch she has thrown on for another pop of color and the hip aviator sunglasses!) I’m imagining that this woman has on nice flats or loafers with her kakis and she’s totally comfortable and feeling FAB! However, beware of this high waisted tucked in look for those who have wide hips. See how the jacket is hitting her right at her waist. You could do the same look, but keep the top untucked and then make sure the sweater is longer.
The women on the right are doing the easy, edgier version of stripes… they threw on their skinny black jeans, boots or heels and headed out the door!!!
If you want to try this look, but don’t want to spend a fortune, head on over to Target or J. Crew and try one on. Both stores have a few styles at great prices.
While it was obvious that they were still getting the pool all spuced up for summer, their “Botanicl Art of Wellness” center was crisp, clean and ready for business!
It was so pretty and smelled oh, so good, that we were tempted to ditch our shopping trip and book an appointment on the spot!
Head to toe Talbots and looking polished and professional!
While checking out the facility, I spotted a woman looking so proffesional and polished that I had to stop her and ask her about her outfit. It turns out she is the Inn’s, Event Planner.
“You won’t believe it, but I’m head to toe, Talbots!” Even my purse and shoes are from there!”
I was certainly impressed that her look was so stylish and effortless from all one store! Moreover, the Inn should be happy to have such a well dressed, Event planner, that looks the part and would make anyone at ease with her polished appearance!
Talbots has been trying to update their image and reach out to a younger crowd and from the looks of things, they are doing a great job of it!
JoBee, looking Age-mazing for a date out for dinner with friends!
I can’t help it, but I’m always blown away when my (JoJami’s) mother sends me a photo of herself.
My mother (JoBee) has always been an inspiration to me and as well as a great example to always try to look your best and stay fit!
However, when she decided to get out more and try the dating scene (she was widowed a few years ago), it was a very scary and confusing time for her.
She called and ask, “What should I wear, so that I look youthful and classy?”
So after reviewing her wardrobe and making a few updated purchase, here is the Age-mazing™ JoBee,with her date, dressed in casual chic , all ready to go out to dinner with friends.
Boy, she LOOKS SOOOO HOT and she is over 70!!!!
Do you realize that all she has on is jeans and a casual top? That is right… if you buy an updated version of simple staples and then accessorize you will find that you too can start turning heads and look chic!
You can steal this look at any age, and here is how:
Step 1: Start with a colorful LONG top with a low neckline. (secret: Top must not be baggy, it should skim the body.)
Step 2: Find a great hip belt. It needs to have some streach in it. (secret: Suzi Roher belts from Nordstoms are wonderful)
Step 3: The jeans are stretch and very straight!
Step 4: Long fitted jacket. (secret: This one from Zara was not expensive)
Step 5: Long scarf, colorful, to pull the outfit all together.
The KEY is to have updated pieces that have some style and fit to them.
Yes, you can dress fab after 40, 50, 60 and even 70!!!
Please send us you favorite out to dinner look and comment below!
Just realized that everything’s coming up Rosettes for Spring.
I just bought these cute black leather flats by Anne Klein with the dramatic black and gold rosette. They’ll go with lots of things I have and I love that they are i-flex- bendable and so comfy!
I’m going to wear these flats with my skinny black jeans and a bright long flowy top or sweater.
Without even thinking about the rosette theme I also happened to pick up this cute pink t-shirt in Florida to wear with my white ankle zippered clam diggers.
Once I had the top home and remembered the shoes I had just bought, it struck me that rosettes must be big this spring. So, I mentioned it to JoJami and we went on line searching for rosettes. There was lots. Here’s a sampling of some great pieces we found.
One other note*****
A word of caution here……
just as with animal prints, don’t over do it. If you are going to wear a rosette top, do not also wear rosette shoes or carry a bag with a rosette on it. It’s too much. One rosette at a time is our rule.
This started the Rosette Rage!
It seems to us that Valentino may have started this rosette trend about a year or so ago when we first noticed his beautiful rosette bags. Beautiful but expensive at $1,595.(Saks)
Here another version
Valentino’s design was copied by others and now we’re seeing more toned down versions at more affordable prices like this pleated Hobo bag with a simple rosette on the side.it’s $128(Nordstrom)
Keep it simple
If you want to keep things understated, then try a cute silk rosette top by Tibi go with jeans. It adds a pretty feminine touch. (Saks)
Full Bloom
A chanel style jacket is always classy. Add rosettes +the patterned top + big necklace and you have a very feminine and sort of funky look for fashion forward types.(White House Black Market)
Rosettes on shoes
These Kate Spade blooming slingback espadrilles are fun for summer with a cute sundress.(Saks)
Rosette Jewelry
Sterling silver Bottega Veneta rosette earrings are a nice subtle touch to an outfit.(Saks)
It’s barely spring and the flowers are already blooming.. in the stores at least!
I (Deborah) just got back from Florida and was overwhelmed by the abundance of floral pattern dresses in all the stores. Sheath dresses (Michelle Obama’s signature look) are everywhere, which is great news because they’re timeless and absolutely perfect for over 40 fashionistas! Sheath dress are elegant, not bold, but also very fresh, modern and youthful. They’ve always been my personal favorite!
Here’s what I’m seeing in the garden of fashion ……………
Painted Roses:
The elegant mix of colors and the painterly quality to the pattern makes this dress divine! (Nordstrom)
Blurred Watercolor Floral:
Another very artistic expression in bold black and white softened by watercolor brush strokes and rusched side seams.(Nordstrom)
Fresh and Feminine:
This dress is a knock-out in cream and coral-red. I tried it on, but hesitated and now I’m kicking myself. Time to order online! (Nordstrom)
Touch of Floral:
If the idea of wearing all floral is overwhelmig to you, try this cool summer shift with a floral border.(Nordstrom)
Beautiful Blue:
Blue ( especially deep blue) is a one of the most popular color choices this spring. It’s a nice warm change from black because it is softer looking against aging skin. In other words, it doesn’t wash you out, like black can.(Nordstrom)
Not your Grandma’s Florals:
One thing you’ll notice about all these floral prints, especially this one, is that they are very modern looking. This one has a unique graphic twist that makes the dress look fresh and youthful. If you still have a waist, don’t be afraid to belt your shift.(Nordstrom)
I just LOVE your website! I was wondering if you can give some ideas for wardrobe for an upcoming trip to NYC. I will be traveling with my husband, mother and teenage daughters next Memorial Day weekend. We will be visiting museums, a broadway show, and LOT of walking around and window shopping…Please could you give me some advice? Thanks a lot!
~C. Capetta
Having just been to NYC recently, we can say that the first and foremost important item is your shoes! You will need to find a great pair of flats or cute tennis shoes and work your outfits around them.
We saw LOTS of leggings or tight fitting pants with nice flats, long tops and lots of scarves and a big, oversized purse. Black is the locals favorite color.
Danna Davishad a problem. She was tired of having of having sore feet after wearing her fashionable high heels.
That spurred the idea to start designing her own line of shoes that were so chic they are being worn by celebrities walking down the red carpet!
These shoes are not just pretty, they are as comfortable as anything you could buy from Naturalizers.
Although these shoes are pricey, we are so glad to see designers are finally hearing our cries! Please design shoes that we can look good in and still be comfortable!
Have you ever been shopping and said these fateful words: “I DON”T NEED TO TRY IT ON?” Of course some times that might be fine, but I have found that more times than not, those are words I have lived to regret!
Well,I (JoJami) forgot to take my own advice and I ended up buying this top back in January.
This shirt was a big mistake! I should have tried it on!
Here is the story…
I had gone into the store with a friend and tried on lots of things. Nothing fit or seemed right, so I was walking out the door of the store (empty handed) when I spotted this rack of colorful tops!
Oh, this one looked just great, and I mentioned to my friend, “Boy I could sure use another top, my wardrobe is low on tops right now”.
So she held it up to me and I decided that the size would be fine and there was no need to try it on. (HA!)
Here is a photo of my new shirt. YUCK, what was I thinking!
What went wrong?
Yes, the color is nice but it ended up being a size too small!
The way that the seams hit me on the bust area, flattens my already smallish boobies!
The fabric looks cheap when I put it on.
The style is not at all flattering.
The worst part is that the store has a strict return policy, and now I am stuck with it.
So remember, ALWAYS try things on before you buy, so you won’t make the same mistake I did!
Glasses with evening wear is not easy to pull off!
We recently posted some amazing before and after photos of several “average” looking women who in 12 short hours turned into eye popping goddesses!
With that, several of you commented that some of the women wore glasses in their “before” photos and then had them off in the after!
Well, one of the reasons that none of the women were wearing eyeglasses in the “after” is that they all had on evening gowns.
Let’s face it, wearing your everyday glasses with a formal gown in not an easy look to pull off, unless you’re Sophia Lauren!
However, you can still be fabulous with glasses on a daily basis.
Here are our tips on this eye popping subject!
1) If you wear glasses on a daily basis, make sure you have a pair that is updated and looks good with your style of dressing.
2) Decide if you want your glasses to be a fashion statement or not.
You hardly notice that Sarah Palin is wearing rimless glasses!
Rimless glasses are a conservative choice and literally “disappear”. Sarah Palin is a good example of how to wear this style of eyeglasses.
3) If you are going to a formal event and have to wear your glasses, make sure to pick a dress that will be simple and not compete with your glasses.
4) If you have had your glasses for over 2 to 3 years, you should think about updating them.
Tina Fey looks chic and smart in these updated frames.
5) Glasses can be a way to express your creativity. If you are ready for a new pair, why not go out on a limb and try something that is colorful or a new style.
6) Know your face shape. Try on frames that will contrast with your face shape to balance you out. (e.g. If you have a long face, a more rounded frame will be best for you)
Just because you wear glasses does not mean that you can’t look chic or stylish. Just make sure that you have an entire look that is harmonious and that fits your lifestyle!
With updated hair, makeup and clothes, wearing glasses can be festive and fabulous!
Who doesn’t love black? It’s chic and sexy; makes you look thin, and you can wear it anywhere. But when it comes to building a fabulous wardrobe, are you stuck in a “black” hole?
We think so! Abundant Black Disorder (ABD) is a common wardrobe dysfunction that’s rarely spoken about. It can occur anytime in a woman’s life, but usually peaks at midlife. The symptoms: a closet full of black clothing and accessories, the irresistible urge to “buy it in black”, no matter what, and the feeling of being too fat or too visible if you wear anything other than black, black, black.
What women who have ABD don’t realize is, that an abundance of Black seriously cramps your style and makes you look old. How? After 40 too much black is notorious for draining the color from your already lighter, aging skin. Black hides your fabulous 40+ personality, while constantly dressing in black signals, ” I’m old. Don’t notice me. “…Sad!
We compare having ABD to going to an ice cream store and always ordering a single scoop of low-fat vanilla ice milk. It’s basic and practical, but it will leave you feeling bored and unsatisfied, sucking the joy from your life, and your looks.
How can you cure ADB? STOP being so terribly predictable. Perk up your looks and liven up your soul with a dash of color. Promise yourself not to buy anymore black for a very long time.
If that’s too drastic a change for you right off the bat, then look for outfits that combine black with a bold color. Here’s a few examples to ease you slowly out of black and into color:
Flower Power:
Floral prints are a huge trend this spring. Sheath dresses look polished on everyone. If you are bottom heavy try a sheath with a slightly wider A bottom. (Saks)
Black on Top:
Black makes you look smaller. So if you have a large bust or big shoulders and a small bottom, wear black up top and a brighter pattern/and or bright color on your bottom half to balance you out. If the black washes out your face a bit, add a touch of jewelry such as cute earrings to put some color by you cheeks. (Saks)
Color Block
Wear two blocks of color ( black and a bight) for a dramatic effect. If you are short and heavy, be careful as a horizontal line can chop you up making you look shorter and wider. Go for a monochromatic ( all one color) look instead. (Saks)
Trick the eye:
Patches of black at strategic spots such as the waist can create a waist where there is little. (Saks)
Add personality:
A simple pattern in a bright color adds life and personality to a black wrap dress, where there was none before. (Saks)
Modern way to wear color:
Even though this jacket is bold fuschia, the style is sporty and plain. Mix it with a plain black skirt the outfit would look deadly boring. Pair it with this contemporary pop art patterned skirt and the look is spirited and fresh. (Saks)
Wearing vintage after 40 can be tough because you run the risk of looking like you’re out of date or an old lady. It is fine to wear vintage when you are young, because it is obvious that you are hip, however when you look like you haven’t thrown out your clothes for the last 20 years, it can be tricky!
