Are You Dressing too Young this Christmas?
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. |
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| 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. |
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| The draped look can be very elegant if it’s not overdone. Less is more if you are 40, 50, or beyond. |
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| 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! |
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| 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. |
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| Grrr.. need we say more? If you like animal prints you might as well be a sexy cougar, rather than a baby cub. |  |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |  |
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Okay, I’ll bite. Where do I get the “sexy cougar” dress? (I’m not a cougar, BTW, just love that dress).
All of the “Do” examples are excellent. However, only one had covered arms. Nothing spoils the look of a great dress more than exposed flabby arms.
OK, I HAVE to have the third from the bottom OK to wear black dress, with the bow in the front. What designer??? Where can I get it??
Hi there,
All the dresses come from Nordstroms! (see our link in the blog post..)
Those dresses are just beautiful and sexy. I am 63 and 11 months!!!! and I exercise – swim mostly – my arms are not like a 20 year’ old but I still wear sleeveless. I will not suffer with sleeves in warm or hot weather because of what others think.
Hi Marguerite,
Glad to hear that you are still feeling sexy at 63! Your arms sound like they are in great shape, so good for you for showing them off! We applaud you!!
Having been to my share of Holiday parties this is an area which trip up the 40+ women quite a bit.Clothes that are too tight, too young and downright inappropriate. I loved all the dos(especially the “cougar” dress!
Love the leopard print and am heading to Nordstroms right now! lol
Thanks for the fun post!
please tell me where you bought these gorgeous xmas dresses from?