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The other day, my Aunt Mary called me to ask me a question on what to wear to an upcoming wedding. She mentioned that this was an evening summer wedding and she wanted to be cool and comfortable, but still look classy and fabulous after 40!
Here were here choices:
- A light yellow linen suit
- Blue sleeveless cotton pique dress (lined) with self belt. (bought on sale!)
This dress has a "self" belt
I asked her bring over the 2 options. The yellow suit was just too boxy looking and looked a little too casual for an evening wedding. The blue dress was really pretty, but there were 2 issues.
- The thin belt that came with the dress was not flattering
- She would need to buy a sweater to wear with it.
The first advice I gave her was to try the dress on with NO belt. How many of us feel that, just because a dress comes with a belt, we HAVE to wear it! As we age, our middle thickens and tiny pieces of fabric around our waist does not look so great on many of our middle age bodies! So, we got rid of the belt and the dress looked a million times better on her.
Next, she felt she needed a top or sweater to wear over the dress to hide her arms. I took one look at her arms and said, be proud of your arms! They look fine! Sometimes we are too hard on ourselves!!!
However, she did want to get a sweater, since the evenings are starting to get cool in our area back east. The neckline on this dress is wider than normal, so not every sweater will work.
Here were her marching orders:
- Find a sweater that is not too long, best if it is shorter.
- Make sure to take the dress with you when you shop, so you can try it with the sweater.
- Make sure the sweater is a thin fabric and does not compete with the neckline
- Find a pair of nude shoes to go with the dress.
- Do not try to wear a necklace with this type of dress. Instead, just wear earnings and a cuff style bracelet.
It ended up that Aunt Mary, went out to find a sweater and and ended up with a new suit, instead for the wedding. Bottom line is, when buying a dress on sale, make sure you LOVE it!
If it comes with a self belt, throw it away and use a leather one or not one at all!
For more great tips on how to dress for a wedding, check out our e-book, Tweak Your Chic, Dressing the Mother of the Bride!
You can download this e-book now and get instant access to all your questions!
Dress with no belt...looks much better!
Has Hillary been reading our ebook – Tweak your Chic Mother of the Bride?
Quite possibly, because she really looked fabulous at Chelsea’s wedding!
We absolutely loved her choices. The sea foam green caftan she wore to the rehearsal dinner was feminine, chic and etheral. It was such a breath of fresh air to see her out of those pants and into something pretty and stylish.
Hillary’s raspberry Mother of the Bride gown was rich, but still soft..truly magnificent on her. The color made her complexion look creamy and angelic and that soft wavy hair….well, it only added to that classical Grecian goddess look. It looked like it was gently blowing in the breeze. A lesson to remember here- don’t have stiff looking hair. It will age you.
Now back to her dress choice–It really goes to show you that if you wear your right colors of clothing (and make-up) you will shine. Hillary is a summer – ash hair and cool skin and the colors she chose were perfect for her.
A wrong choice would have been if she had worn warm shades in stead of cool. For example, it would have been a mistake to wear a grass green dress ( grass green is warm – it has yellow in it), instead of the cool sea foam green.
It would have also been a mistake to choose a mother of the bride dress in a bright clear poppy (orangy red) vs. of the muted cool raspberry red. But Hillary got it right!
Both JoJami and I (Deborah), do color analysis, so if you are ever in our neck of the woods give us a call to set up a session.
Also we’re planning a Tweak your Chic day with color analysis included, and want to know where to hold it. Please let us know what area of the country you live in and if you’d be interested in a Tweak Your Chic day in N.Y. or L.A., Philadelphia or Toronto or wherever. We want to come to where you are!!
Finally, if you are going to be a mother of the bride of groom then you won’t want to miss reading our popular Ebook Tweak Your Chic- Mother of the Bride. It’s full of fabulous advice on what to wear on one of the proudest and most important days of your life. Those family wedding pictures are forever and you want to look your best. We’re happy to help.
Dressing the Mother of the Bride-Tips for Deciding what Color to Wear
The most frequently asked question by a Mother of the Bride is “What color should I wear?” Choosing the right color is stressful and scary. There are many things that need to be taken into consideration such as the time of year, the formality of the event, how the color photographs, the color of the bridesmaids dresses and the color of the wedding flowers, not to mention what looks good on you. How can you be certain that you are choosing the right color?
Here are 5 tips for deciding what color to wear when you are Mother of the Bride:
Monotone
One option is to wear a mother of the bride dress in the same general color family as the bridesmaids. This is a classy way to coordinate, but still be a little different. For example, if the bridesmaids are in lavender, the Mother of the Bride is in eggplant.
Contrast
Another idea is to choose a Mother of the Bride dress in a color that is directly opposite on the color wheel to the bridesmaids’ dresses. You’ll definitely stand out, but the bridesmaids will still look great next to you in pictures. For example, the bridesmaids might be in orange and the Mother of the Bride in blue.
Our Ebook will help you celberate the big day in Style!
Tonal
You could also wear a color in the same color palette as the bridesmaids’ dresses. For a seasonally themed wedding, this can nicely pick up different aspects of the season, and look very classy. Bridesmaids may be in pastel blue and mom can be in soft, butter yellow.
Pattern
Wear a patterned Mother of the Bride dress with a color in it that echoes the bridal colors. This adds some personality to the bridal party and pictures. For instance, if the bridesmaids wear pink, the mother of the bride can be in pink and green watercolor wash.
Neutral
When in doubt, neutrals go with everything! Just be careful to get a more saturated color so it doesn’t wash you out. For example, if the bridesmaids are in chartreuse with magenta sashes and fuchsia bouquets, the Mother of the Bride can still wear a dark, silvery gray.
Of course, you can always take the bride with you for a second opinion! She will certainly have a vision in mind as to how she wants her day to look, and will probably be the best person to go to for advice. With this in mind, picking out a color to go with the bridal party will be a cinch. Now what about the style? We have many more tips to make sure you look fabulous and appropriate at your daughter or son’s wedding.
If you have more questions and want to make sure you are making the right choice, Check out our new eBook, Tweak Your Chic: Mother of the Bride .
Our Ebook will help you celebrate the big day in Style!
If your daughter or son is getting married and you’re not sure how to make the transition from sneakers to stilettos, then here are 10 Dos and Dont’s for choosing the perfect pair of Mother of the Bride shoes.
1. Don’t buy dyeable shoes Perfectly matching the color of your shoes to your mother of the bride gown is very passé. Plus, when your feet sweat, your feet will turn color.
2. Do break your shoes in before the wedding Vacuum in them. Walk up stairs in them. Otherwise you’ll be walking around the reception with big blisters.
3. Don’t change into rubber or plastic flip flops during the reception, or even worse, go barefoot Is the dance floor a dormitory shower, or the boardwalk? Change into a lower heeled formal shoe if you must, but respect the formality of the event.
4. Don’t choose mother of the bride shoes with boxy or squared toes These heavy, clunky looking styles do nothing to elongate your leg, and are best left for more casual outfits. Fine occasions call for fine shoes.
5. Don’t buy shoes that are not your size! Too many women fall in love with a shoe that’s a half size too big and end up stepping out of it, or they buy a size too small hoping they’ll be able ignore the pain. You can’t. If you really can’t get the store to locate it in the correct size, move on!
6. Don’t wear a heel you may slip out of, or fall off A mule or a 5” stiletto heel will give you rolled ankles and swollen feet if you are not used to wearing them. Let’s make sure the limo, not the ambulance, is what transports you from the ceremony to reception!
7. Don’t opt for price over quality when buying Mother of the Bride shoes Expensive, well-made shoes are worth the investment. Scrimp on less important things. (We won’t tell anyone those earrings are faux-pearl!)
8. Do pick up a copy of our ebook Tweak Your Chic- Mother of the Bride and Look Fabulous after 40 at the Wedding!
bright colors are in
Gone are the stodgy old ideas about how a Mother of the Bride should dress. Here are the top trends in Mother of the Bride Dresses that give us hope!
1)Bright Colors
It used to be that Mother of the Bride dresses only came in four colors: blah, boring, beige, and blech. Pastels and navy blue are only part of the selection nowadays! Finally, the industry is starting to show a spectrum of different colors, from spring greens to royal purples. Whether you love bold jewel tones or lean towards rich earth tones, there will be something out there for you. Since more saturated colors are better for aging, pale skin tones, liven up your look by choosing a color with some pizzazz!
2) Bolero Jackets
You may be sick of those boring Mother of the Bride jacket dresses, but the good news is there’s finally a fresh new take on them! Designers have addressed the
Bolero jackets have style
need for a removable jacket to cover the arms that is also very fashionable. The bolero jacket, with different sleeve lengths, is in. It’s elegant and practical. Take it off when you’re hot, and you will still have a great dress underneath. Wear it to cover up during the ceremony – no one will guess you’re trying to cover those wobbly chicken wings under your arms!
3) Tiered Dresses and Skirts
Tiered skirts are showing up in stores this season and are especially appropriate for formal wear for the over-40 set. They’re modern and feminine and can be very flattering if they are not too frilly. Try one before you buy, and make sure it suits your body. With all that extra material, this Mother of the Bride style is not for everyone!
4) New Lengths
Say goodbye to floor length when it come to Mother of the Bride Dresses. Plenty of different hemlines are popping up, mainly due to the huge variety of different wedding styles and venues these days. We’re seeing plenty of cocktail-length, knee-length, and handkerchief hems, as well as hi-lo dress lengths. (High in the front, long in the back). At the knee, or slightly above the knee is as high as you want to go. Remember: All these new hemlines give you one more reason to wear some fabulous, head-turning shoes!
5) “Green”Fabrics ( no, we don’t mean color!)
Environmentally responsible weddings are all the rage. Couples are using recycled materials for invitations and donating to charity instead of offering plastic, land-fill bound favors to their guests. The “green” theme even reaches all the way down to wedding attire. You may have to explore specialty stores, but organic cotton and silk dresses are growing in popularity. The best part about them is because the dresses are made with natural fibers, they are more comfortable and breathable. When you’re outside at an August wedding, you’ll appreciate why this is so necessary!
For more great tips on How to dress as mother of the bride or groom check out our ebook Tweak Your Chic- Mother of the Bride
Look beautiful for the family wedding photos!
As wedding ceremonies and receptions become more highly personalized, doesn’t it make sense that your Mother of the Bride gown should be more personalized too? Why not make it a true reflection of you? Let your personality shine through with these 5 ways to be a Stylish Mother of the Bride:
1) Find a Signature piece of Jewelry A great way to put your own personal stamp on your mother of the bride gown is to add a little glam with jewelry. If you have a favorite piece, or an antique with some family heritage, make that a focal point of your outfit. Unique jewelry will add glamour and meaning to what you’re wearing. Note: We said ONE piece! Don’t “guild the lily” by layering on the accessories! You’ll detract from your dress, and your natural beauty!
2) Add Pattern and Texture A big trend in mother of the bride gowns is to use pattern somewhere in the outfit. For an informal wedding, a mother of the bride could wear a linen skirt suit with a patterned scarf. Trés chic! For a more formal affair, you could try a wearing a vintage lace shawl over your mother of the bride gown. This will add some depth and interest to your outfit, and cover up your arms at the ceremony in a fashionable way!
3) Focus on your feet What mother of the bride gown is complete without a fabulous pair of shoes? We can’t overemphasize the importance of comfort when you’ll be on your feet all day and dancing all night. However, comfy can be stylish. Choose a shoe that inspires you, that you feel stylish in, and that feels good on your feet. Heels are always preferable to flats for style and sophistication, and avoid heavy clunky shoes no matter how “in” they are. A safe bet is always a neutral shoe or a metallic. Stay away from white or black Mother of the Bride shoes as they look too heavy. The one exception to that rule is wearing black shoes with a black dress.
4) Wear Make-up This seems obvious, but there are many women who normally don’t wear make-up, even on their child’s wedding day. The result: They end up looking washed out in photos. To look like a stylish Mother of the Bride you really do need some make-up so you’ll shine those photos. Hire a professional if you are uncomfortable applying make-up yourself and test drive your look a couple of times prior to the wedding so you don’t feel artificial on the big day. A professional make-up artist knows how to walk the fine line between overdone and underdone.
5) Choose an Interesting Purse Another great way to express who you are is via your handbag. Choose something that says you, but still suits the formality of the affair. Instead of matching your purse to your shoes, have them blend instead. This could mean choosing a bag with the same tone beads as the metallic on your shoe, or carrying one with a coordinating print. Even if your outfit is a neutral shade, you can really pop it with a brightly colored clutch! Just keep in mind formality – the smaller and glitzier the bag, the more formal it will appear. Follow these tips for Looking like a stylish Mother of the Bride and you’ll wow your family and friends. Don’t be surprised if you overhear them say “Oooh, I love her outfit. It’s just so her!”
There are so many ways to spice up your wedding day outfit. Find out more by checking out our newest eBook, Tweak Your Chic: Mother of the Bride.
When you have curves it can be tricky to find clothes that have some style to them. However, we have been chatting up the wonderful selections from Lola and Gigi for years and their on-line shop just keeps getting better and better!
Check out their site for more samples of their Spring Collection that covers all the basis from festive daytime dresses to sexy special occasion ones.
Enjoy!
Don’t you sometimes get sick of that blatant sexy look everywhere you turn….. Movie stars with dresses cut down to their navels, women in magazine ads with stilettos and skirts that barely cover their bums and, skin, skin and more skin with nothing left to the imagination.
Where’s the mystery? Mystery is sexy, especially after 40 when too much skin on a mature body can look downright desperate.
That’s why when we were shopping online we fell head over heels in love with these pretty, ruffled tops that are so feminine, yet seductive they made us melt.
Here’ s our vote for a classy and pretty way to look sexy this this Valentine’s Day.
| Hot Coral:
This color is pretty, and it will give you some life too. You’ll may want to pair it with a light neutral colored cardigan or wrap. |
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| Ruffles:
You can be covered up but still look very pretty and sexy. A great choice if you are self conscious about your arms. |
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| Form fitting:
If you’ve been working hard at the gym and you want to show that off, this is a great pick. The turquoise color is universally flattering. |
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| Causal and Cozy:
If you are planning on cuddling up at home this Valentine’s Day, or celebrating in a more relaxed way, then jeans and this soft ruffle top will be lovely.
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| Elegant and pretty:
Nothing is more feminine than a pretty bow and this one is perfect because it it looks very grown-up up and elegant. The mint green is a flattering choice if you have cool skin (pink undertones). |
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| Poetic:
Be sure that if you are wearing soft ruffly tops like these that your hair and make-up are also soft, or you will ruin the look.
All tops and blouses from Ann Taylor. |
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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
Click here to Buy NOW!
Don’t miss out on this Special first time offer!
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!
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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!
Getting dressed should not be a chore, but a lovely ritual
Hi, JoJami here, today and I have a confession to make. I tend to be one of those gals that is always on the run from one activity to the next, always, busy busy busy…
However, a few weeks ago, I decided to actually, slow down and meet a girlfriend to go to our local art museum, to go see lovely documentary film about the art of having tea. The film was all about how the Asian culture makes time for the precious ceremony of preparing, setting the table, smelling and slowly sipping tea. I left the theater feeling so peaceful and serene. Then I thought…
Why not apply it to getting dressed?
So, without delay Deborah and I put together some tips and wrote the following article for More Magazine on “The Art of Getting Dressed”
Enjoy!
Also, please share with us your rituals and tips below, we want to hear them!
Hi Deborah and JoJami,
I would love your opinion for this outfit I have chosen to wear to an informal class reunion at a bar/ restaurant next week.
Can Kathryn wear this look?
Do bear in mind that it is the middle of winter here. I was wondering if maybe I was a little to chunky to pull it off, what do you think.
Warm Regards,
Kathryn
Hi Kathryn,
Great to hear from you~
It is really smart to start planning your outfit, now and not wait to the last min!!
Here is our take on your outfit…
First off, we can see that you are very fashion forward with your sense of style. Layering and belting on the outside with black hose and boots are VERY much in style right now… however your outfit is good example, of what can happen when you put this type of look on a body that is not 6 feet tall and 99 pounds!
It is VERY hard to pull off this look on women over 40….since it is we tend to look bulky in all these layers, instead of chic.
So, our answer to you is that your gut feeling is RIGHT ON!!! We agree with you, that this outfit does not really flatter your cute figure (BTW, you are not “chunky”, you have a great figure, we just need to get it into clothes that make it look great!!!)
So what now????
It is always good to take a photo of yourself in an outfit, so you can see where your eye goes too first.
We think that the boots grab your attention and take it off the outfit. Because they have a lot of “scrunching” going on, they tend to make your legs look bigger than they are…and give your legs a bulky look. Those boots would look better on you, if you wear a longer skirt. You need the skirt to hit below your calf for it to be flattering.
Now, if your set on wearing that outfit, we think it would flatter your figure if you did not try to belt the outfit at all and let the dress hang.
The necklace does not work either, it is too dainty with the outfit. How about adding a colorful scarf?
This is a great attempt to look hip and chic, but with your body type it is hard to pull this look off.
Lets keep this conversation going…can you send us your new updated photo of you after you try our suggestions?
(Kathryn has agreed to let us share her story with our readers. After we gave her some suggestions she put together a few new outfits and sent those to us. We will show those in Part 2.)
Our reader Kathryn recently wrote us to ask what to wear to an informal class reunion to be held at the local pub, in the dead of winter (it is winter for our readers in Australia) .
Katherine sent this photo and asked, "Does this look good on me?"
The grey and black layered and belted look, shows that she is up on her fashion trends, however we felt that we could dress her cute figure to flatter it a bit more. So we sent her some homework and asked her to send us what she came up with.
Here are the other options she sent us, for round 2:
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Even though it is an informal event, we think this outfit is way too casual if Kathryn wants to dress to impress! The layers hide all her curves, and the checker shirt and clunky shoes make her look very masculine. The long, light colored top is the wrong proportion on the body, and makes her legs look very short in comparison. This is definitely not a look we’d recommend. |
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This look is much nicer! It looks classy and crisp, and the shapes flatter her figure. The only point we’d make is that it’s just too conservative! From the first outfit to this one, we’ve lost all Kathryn’s style sensibility. Where’s the funky trendiness we saw in the first outfit? |
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Finally, we think this outfit is a slam dunk! The black belt pulls in the narrowest part of Kathryn’s body, and the fact that it’s all one color makes her look longer and leaner. We have the boots again, however she had another pair in her closet that fit nicer and hug her leg, which adds a little sexiness to the outfit. She added back in some of her personal style with the necklace and bracelets. We believe this is the best outfit yet! Our only suggestion would be to add a little color into the ensemble. Perhaps wear a bright colored blouse instead of the white to give your face some color. Maybe try wearing a colorful scarf or holding a colored bag. Adding a pop of color will give her outfit some visual interest, and help her stand out! |
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Kathryn also sent us a picture of her coat. Isn’t it adorable? We love the winter white wool trench with the cinched waist and decorative vintage pin. The A-line is a perfect cut for her too. That just goes to show that even in sub zero weather, you can still look hot! |
What do you wear when you are the Mother of the Bride or Groom and the wedding is early afternoon, but the reception is not until the evening?
Is a dressy suit more appropriate or an evening gown?
The answer in this situation is, either is acceptable.
 Barb's Mother of the Groom outfit for the ceremony |
Some choose to play it both ways, like my friend Barbara. Barb’s son Andrew got married a few weeks ago and she decided she would wear one outfit to the ceremony and another to the party.
Here’s Barb at 1:00 in the afternoon at the church in a black skirt and stunning fuschia jacket. She’s a summer and the color was spectacular on her. |
 Barb at the reception |
After the ceremony and during the photo taking she changed into this dramatic black number (which she had made) and wore it to the 5:00 P.M. reception held at a posh supper club. |
| What did I wear? I went for two outfits too. I wore my favorite cream colored summer suit by Ross Mayer to the church. To the reception I wore this espresso sparkly teardrop dressy by Milly that made me feel like dancing. It’s available at Nordstrom.
In this very casual dress world we live in, isn’t it nice to have the chance to go to a wedding so you can play dress-up sometimes? |
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For more great ideas on what to wear as Mother of the Bride or Groom check out our ebook Tweak Your Chic-Mother of the Bride!
What a relief to see that those old misconceptions about how a mother of the bride – or mature woman attending a special event – should look, are finally changing. America’s biggest bridal retailer, David’s Bridal, is forging the way for moms and wedding-goers to look hipper, younger and cooler!
Here are some trends we have seen in the bridal industry in the past few seasons that give us hope!
1) Color
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It used to be that Mother of the Bride dresses only came in four colors: blah, boring, beige, and blech. Pastels and navy blue are only part of the selection nowadays! Finally, the industry is starting to show a spectrum of different colors, from spring greens to rich purples.
Whether you love bold jewel tones or rich earth tones, there should be something out there for you. Since more saturated colors are better for aging skin tones, liven up your look, and go for something with pizazz!
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2) Bolero Jackets
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We’re sick of those boring, frumpy jacket dresses too, but with the rising popularity of bolero jackets, there’s finally a fresh new take on them! Designers finally addressed the need for a removable, arm-covering piece that is also fashionable.
It’s a perfect combination of style (with different sleeve lengths, they can be very sharp), practicality (take it off when you’re hot, and you will still have a great dress underneath), and modesty (wear it to cover up during the ceremony – no one will guess you’re trying to cover those wobbly chicken wings under your arms!).
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3) Variety of lengths
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Say goodbye to floor length! We’re seeing plenty of different hemlines popping up, maybe due to the variety of different wedding styles and venues. We’re seeing plenty of cocktail-length, knee-length, handkerchief hems and hi-lo (high in the front, long in the back).
Just stay away from anything above the knee – that’s way too short. All these new hemlines give you one more reason to wear some killer shoes!
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We love that David’s has come up with stylish, more age-appropriate ways to appeal to the new generation of boomers! To get more tips about how to dress for your son or daughter’s wedding, check out our eBook Tweak Your Chic: Mother of the Bride!
Last month, we blogged about tiered dresses and if they made sense for women over 40. Well, just the other day, we found a beautiful woman wearing a lovely dress that definitely fit the bill! Only problem was, we got the picture without getting her name! (If you’re out there…we loved your outfit!)
What makes this dress work is the fit (it’s body-hugging without revealing too much skin), a gorgeous color (that blue it beautiful on her!), rich fabric, chic hair-do, and elegant, understated accessories. We would have loved to see her in some great embellished silver heels, but the sandals give the outfit an easy feel.
Love this style? Then, GRAB THAT GARB! We found similar ones online – check them out!
This and many lovely styles available at Nordstrom. Do a search for “shutter pleat,” and check out all the options!
And for those bargain shoppers, here’s a steal from Kohl’s.
Are you back in the dating game again?
The Glam Gals have some tips for you, so you don’t make these top 4 fashion mistakes on your first date!
1. Avoid over or under dressing! Dress appropriately for the activity. Most first dates you will be going out to eat. Do your homework and go online to find out the type of restaurant you’ll be going to. You don’t want to feel over or under dressed!
2. Make sure your wardrobe is up to date. Now is the time for a reassessment of your “look”. If it’s been awhile since you have been on the dating scene, make sure your hair, makeup and clothing are up to date. Don’t go crazy. Just be yourself, but the best and classiest, you can be.
3. Avoid dressing too sexy. This might sound obvious, but it actually can be tempting! Remember, you want him to like you… not just your cleavage!
4. Don’t wear a drab color! What color looks best on you? Try wearing a top or dress or sexy shoes in a lovely fun color! You will feel pretty and that way you can stop worrying about how you look and concentrate on being your charming self!
For more tips on dating after 40 and to read lots of other great articles on current Boomer topics, visit the Blogging Boomers Carnival #113. This week’s host is The Baby Boomer Entrepreneur!
I’ve got dressing my age (52) down. I’m a pretty good dresser, not frumpy, thanks to my teenage daughter. And, no, I don’t dress like I’m 16!
My problem is that I am getting married this summer in a 10 acre backyard in a rural setting in Texas. Most guests will be wearing blue jeans. It’s going to be simple and fun. What do I wear? I don’t want to look like Ellie Mae Clampett wearing a dress made by Cousin Pearl, nor do I want to look like the girls from Hootersville (what a funny name looking back on it now). I am 5’10″, wear between a 6 and an 8, small chested, Norweigian heritage, pale skin and blonde and silvery hair. It’s not bleached! What can I wear just to look memorably pretty?
L
Hi, L! My, my – you sure are a tall drink of water, and slim too! Lucky you – you can probably pull off a sleeveless style, which you will be thankful for outside during a hot Texan summer! Shopping for styles might be difficult, since you’ll see a lot of fussy, frilly junior dresses out there with big bows and high hems! Stick to simple lines, lighter, flowier fabrics (nothing too heavy or satin-y), and V-necks to bring the attention up to your face. Stay away from anything too heavily beaded or embellished, or anything too short! To the knee should be the highest your skirt should go.
As far as color, you still do want to designate yourself as “The Bride” in pictures and to your guests. After all, you’re still a bride – you can allow yourself to go a little glam an stand out in the crowd! Therefore, we do recommend a lighter color. We understand that once you get to a certain age, wearing white to your own wedding is considered passé (sometimes even taboo!). But it you’re a traditionalist at heart, why not go for an ivory or white?
The empire waist and V-neck is very flattering
If you don’t dare do white, then choose a light blue or green. (With your skin, stay away from pale pinks and beiges — they could wash you out!) Soft pattern would also be nice, as it has a more casual feel.
Lace insets give this a demure wedding feel, but the silky fabric keeps it casual.
Solids colors are pretty too, as long as you spice it up by putting some flowers or an embellished comb in your hair.
Chiffon will keep you cool.
We found all these dresses on Nordstrom’s website. Good luck, and best wishes!
Dear Glam Gals,
I will be attending 2 bridal showers this spring and have no idea what to wear. Please help. I am overweight, an apple shape with excess weight in the tummy. Please give me some options, since I’m clueless about looking stylish.
Thanks!
JMC
Dear JMC,
Style is all about finding what looks good on your body type and what type of look you want to project. Are you preppy? elegant? fun? trendy? or chic?
Start with finding the style that will flatter your figure. You need to balance out your apple shape by wearing a pencil skirt and sweater set on top. No belt. Some nice pumps will make you look taller and leaner.
You can also do a top with a “V” neck to make you look thinner. Keep the top out, and make sure it is form fitted. Too much loose fabric will only make you look top heavy. For tummy control, we highly recommend some shapewear from Sassybax. If you have never worn shapewear we promise it will be your new best friend!
 Solids make you slim |
 For the wild at heart |
 Elegant and sexy |
We also love the full figure flattering dresses, above, from the site Lola and GiGi. Here are a few that would be great for this occassion: a cute green wrap dress , a giraffe print style and an elegant brown frock.
Good luck!
Your body may have changed a bit and you’re face isn’t as perfectly unlined as it used to be, but you still feel sexy and want to show it. What’s the best way to do that? Don’t try so hard. No need to shout when a whisper will do the trick. Here are 3 great ways to look sexy after 40.
1. Steer Clear of Cleavage Catastrophes
Too much
A little mystery is always sexier than letting it all hang out, especially after 40 when everything is suddenly starting to head a little bit south. While Nigella still has a beautiful bust line, her
dress leaves nothing to the imagination and looks like she’s serving herself up on a platter for a feast. With her ample assets, she would have been better off in something a little less low-cut that emphasized her figure rather than just her enormous breasts.
Better Choice
This glamorous silky brown jersey gown is bold and striking and would make Nigela look like a Greek Goddess. It’s still very sexy, but in a more refined way. (Lauren by Ralph Lauren Donnie One-Shoulder Dress with Ruffle)
Too much
If your bust is more in proportion with the rest of your body and you do want to play it up, then do so by all means. But, do it in a grown-up, not girly way. This satin blue top with its pretty bow is too sweet and baby-doll-like for a mature woman.
Better Choice
Here’s something still feminine and romantic but so much more grown up and figure flattering. The gal in this Diane VonFurstenberg ‘Marla” Slipper Satin Wrap Top isn’t that busty but even on a medium busty gal, this would look fab. Choose something with a little less flounce if you are super busty.
2. Trade Thigh-High for Knee-High
Too Much
Super short skirts with bare legs like this knit mini may have looked fabulous on you before the big 4-0 but even if your body is in good shape, they are going to make you look desperate to be noticed after 40. (Rampage Women’s Belted Sweater Dress)
Better Choice
This length of this cable knit sweater dress is much more appropriate for a midlife gal. We suggest just above the knee to at the knee depending on how you feel about your legs. (Below the knee will make you look old) Pair the skirt with matching tights and boots or shoes for a long lean look. What we want to emphasize here is that you do not need to show off a lot of skin to look sexy. You will actually look sexier showing off your shape and this form fitting knit dress does that beautifully.
3. Avoid Clunky or Junky Shoes
Too Much
A clunky shoe like this may look great on Jessica Simpson, Nicole Ritchie or other twenty-something starlets …but on a grown-up gal, you will look like you raided your daughter’s closet. A thinner platform can be quite lovely, but these giant clunkers with their snakeskin detailing are just too trendy to work.
Better Choice
Our pick would be these sophisticated pumps by Stuart Weitzman, still snakeskin but much more elegant, and very sexy with the open toe.
Too Much
Junky shoes, as in too much hardware or junk hanging off them, can easily make you look trashy not classy after 40. Plastic and zippers may look cute, and fun when you are young and being experimental with your style, but they look cheap and hooker-ish on a boomer woman.
Better Choice
These flirty pumps in sexy silver from Chinese Laundry would be a much better choice. The t-strap adds sexiness but not in a vulgar way.
In summary, try this little trick to look sexy after 40. Instead of thinking, “I want to look sexy” and then going overboard by trying too hard, think, “I want to look gorgeous”, and you will end up looking sexy in a tasteful, age appropriate way.
Want more tips on how to ramp up your style in 2009. Then pick up a copy of The Glam Plan: 12 Easy Steps to take you from Frumpy to Fabulous.
Dear Glam Gals,
Please advise what to wear to a charity ball if you are plus size and 60+ years old. The theme this year which may or may not be an issue is Golden Age of Hollywood. Would it be appropriate at my age and size to wear a shiny fabric such as gold or silver? Also, are halter type tops out of the question? Also, style is an issue – I don’t want to look like a mother of the bride or an aging prom queen. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you!
S.A.
Dear S.A.,
Here are some good rules for women of your age and body type to follow:
- Shiny fabrics tend to show every lump and bump, we say it’s a good idea to stay away from them.
- Halters can be very flattering on many women, however, if you have broad shoulders or thick arms, this is one style you will want to steer clear of.
- We think Sophia Lauren is a great role model for wearing what looks glamorous on the red carpet. She loves to wear boat neck tops that show her nice neckline, but cover up the tops of her arms.
- What makes a gown look like a mother of the bride is stiff fabric, matching jackets and high necklines. Beware of these pitfalls!
- Aging prom queen would look like cheap fabric, and too much glitz and glitter. Keep it simple and make sure your dress is a quality fabrication.
- Make sure the color is flattering on you. As we age, black can be draining and light grey, although very fashionable these days, can look drab on many of us!
- Focus on the dress first, then accent it with accessories that will give you “Old Hollywood” glamor to capture the theme. Think: Art Deco-inspired jewelry and Marcel hair.
- Go here for more great style ideas for women over 40!
(Thank you Nordstrom’s for the styles shown above)
