Casual style~ perk it up with stripes!
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.
Hi Charlotte,
Well, horizontal stripes are probably not your best friend…however it might be a fun look to try especially if you wear a colorful jacket over it. The lines of the jacket will visually “stop” the stripes and you could pull it off. One thing is that the jacket or thin sweater would really have to be a simple style and hit you in the right spot. It might take a few attempts of trying on different style of striped tops to find the right one. I would suggest only buying one with a “V” neck, since it will elongate you, but also make sure it is nice fitting and not too baggy. Then the jacket or sweater should be very simple lines too. Good luck and let us know if you succeed!
I’m very short. I was built like the young Liz Taylor until my late 40′s–now I’m built like ske was after her own weight gain. Bottom Line, short VERY busty apple. Any thoughts on how I might incorporate this look? I’ve avoided horizontal stripes my whole life!
Hi Be good Babe,
While horizontal stripes can be hard to wear, if they are thin stripes then most can pull them off. LOL.. love the golf shirt analogy!!
I always advocate that people use horizontal stripes with extreme caution because they make you look wider. To look taller and leaner (which the vast majority of people would prefer), vertical stripes are the way to go! My husband has been indoctrinated to never buy a golf shirt with horizontal stripes; what man over 40 needs to have his abdomen look larger?!
Hi Catherine,
Good to hear from you! We are seeing stripes in the stores everywhere here…so as you know the states are a little behind Paris! I will be going over, the 2nd week of May, so will have my camera ready to snap pictures of women over 40 and share it with our readers! Thanks for your post, I will add the Satorialist to the photo credit!
These pictures originally are from the Sartorialist.
I live in France and though there certainly are the classic striped shirts (called marins, for sailors) in stores, I haven’t seen them so much on actual women. Still, I bought one in Paris about 10 years ago and wore it until last year. It’s something that always looks good, even when it isn’t the trend of the moment.