Here’s the problem….It’s Valentine’s Day. You are going out on a romantic dinner date. You want to look sexy, but you don’t want to go overboard by flashing too much skin.
How do you look sexy, not middle-age desperate this Valentine’s Day or on any other date night? It’s easier than you think. Here are our top tips:
| Do Show SOME Skin. There’s no arguing that showing some skin in youthful and alluring. You’re not going to wear a turtleneck on a date to look sexy. That Diane Keaton kind of coverage signals stay away. On the other hand……… |  |
| … But, NOT TOO MUCH Skin! Letting it all hang out in a skimpy outfit is Vulgar. You have to accept that dressing in clothes your your teenager might wear clubbing will make you look hard, tacky and frankly, worn out. Everything is heading south after all. So where’s the middle ground? |  |
| Let him SNEAK A PEEK. To look sexy, not sleazy or silly, use this rule of thumb. Instead of revealing several parts of your body in order to look sexy, just reveal one. A sneak peek is better than a striptease! For example. If you have a great bust, try a low cut v-neck top, but that’s it. Don’t wear a mini skirt with that top. Wear a regular skirt, like a knee length pencil skirt and put all the focus up top. However, if you have great legs, you may want to go a little shorter on the skirt ( a couple of inches above the knee) or wear a skirt with a slit up the side to reveal some leg. But then, don’t go with a skimpy, bare camisole, or wear a strapless or backless top, for instance. It’s all about balance. |  |
| A Second Rule of Thumb – FIGHT THE TIGHT. Resist the urge to go supertight to look sexy. You want your clothes to be fitted, but please forget about size tags. You don’t need to wear a size 6 if you are really a size 10. You’ll look fat if you do, as well as desperate. Clothes that skim your silhouette are sexy. Clothes that stretch are wonderful, but when you look like a stuffed sausage, that is not flattering at any age. |  |
| Try OTHER WAYS TO BOOST YOUR SEXY That Aren’t About Letting it All Hang Out. Sexy is not simply about baring skin or a tight fit! You can look alluring in other ways. For example, Fabric. Think of the fabrics you are choosing to wear on a date. Crisp cottons and linens communicate action, fun and an on the go feel, not quiet romance by candlelight. A Cashmere sweater or wrap is a great way to communicate sexy because it is so soft, feminine and makes the person you are with feel like reaching out to touch you, just as if you were a fluffy kitten. |  |
| LEATHER is also very Sexy. Leather (especially black leather) with its raw edge signals power, passion and excitment. Wear it in moderation, not head to toe, or you will look like a geriatric domanatrix! Colored leather, particularly in vibrant shades is sexy and current. A Leather jacket worn over a feminine, flirty dress is sexy. |  |
| Dresses, Especially with Some Stretch and Drape, are Very Sexy. THE WRAP is one of our all time favorite sexy dresses. It’s a soft jersey and the gentle wrap hugs the body. |  |
| ANIMAL PRINTS Always Bring Out the Tiger. Put a little tiger in his tank with a touch of the wild. For example an animal print scarf or pair or pumps is enough to get him roaring. |  |
| SHINY is Sexy.Here’s a trick to look hot from the material girl herself. At 53, Madonna has stopped wearing cone bras, but still wants to look sexy, so in the last few years she has taken a shine to satin. Satin and other shiny materials allow her to be a little more modestly dressed, but still transmit a very seductive message. |  |
| The Right ACCESSORIES Make an Outfit Sexy. Purses that swing, jewelry that hangs down and dangles such a s long earrings or a long necklace that land near your bust is tantalizing. |  |
| SHEER is Super Sexy and a Great Way to Cover-up Those Lumps and Bumps!This is a great trick used by many stars like Jane Fonda. Sophia Loren is also a fan of this way of being subtly sexy. |  |
| And Finally………Go SEXY HAIR AND MAKE-UP! Don’t be afraid to bring out the smokey eye look- but do it with a nude or pale lip to create balance. Your hair may be straight and tame during the day but at night you can go a little looser, wilder or even better put it up to show your sexy neck. |  |
Style Expert Deborah Boland specializes in helping mature women to Tweak their Chic®!
I would also like to add that women at any age should 1) play up their best features and 2) make sure to be comfortable. For a special occasion, don’t go with anything you’re not 100% at ease wearing. When in doubt you can always go with some sexy jeans and a great top, dressed up with some sexy high heels.
A nice sexy fit, not too tight or too low cut is always the way to go for me. If you have a nice body, you don’t have to be all “extra” to get noticed.
Hi Budet Chic, Right on!!! But fit is important for all types of bodies! We see many women with great figures hiding behind baggy clothes and of course vice versa as well… Main thing is to have the fit skim your body not too tight and not too loose, like you mentioned…
But we like to go “the extra” when it comes to make-up, hair, accessories. It all goes together to look extra nice!
Can you tell me where that purple poet wrap dress came from?
Deborah, recently you posted that red jeans are a big hit on your clients lists, and their wish for Valentine’s day. I found some red jeans, got the sweater they showed with it, but what are you and JoJami seeing that looks great with red jeans? They are “attention grabbers” on their own! thanks, Jan
PS Got the ebook on Chic on the Cheap, and loved it, thanks for the Valentine’s day sale!
Hi Jan, It’s a popular topic so we just did a post on it. Check it out: http://www.fabulousafter40.com/can-you-wear-colored-jeans-after-40/
Thumbs up for this post! It covered almost everything each girl should know before doing out on a Valentines date. Your man will be pleased to see a glamorous woman after following this tips.
Susan looks quite desperate. Perhaps the break-up has messed with her better judgement.
My hubby and I are celebrating our 19th wedding anniversary on Valentine’s Day and I’ll be thinking of what to wear and not to wear so these points helped-thanks!
Great tips, not only for those of us over 40! But do men really like animal print? I’m not so sure…
Hi Nanne, Good question…Do men really like animal print? Probably depends on the man. You should ask them! We have to dress for ourselves first. Animal print really just says, “I’m a little wild!”… so if you do just a touch of it, like just a shoe or a scarf or a purse (one at a time!) then it can be super fun! When worn in large doses it goes a little too in your face.
Susan, Susan, Susan, what were you thinking? No, not at any age.
Those are great tips! Thanks!
With my man, sexy is me in my Blue Jeans. Nice fit, nice curves…. a little cleavage and we’re good to go!
Should anyone of any age be wearing a dress like Susan is in the very first photo? Blessherheart.