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!
Here is a video of their new Spring Collection that has it all from great daytime dresses to special occasion.
Enjoy!
Listen into this special interview with author, Robyn Okrant
First there was the Julie/Julia Project, then came Living Oprah~ My One-Year Experiment to walk the Walk of the Queen of Talk.
Yoga teacher, Robyn Okrant, aka LO (short for Living Oprah) is a self proclaimed, “average” almost 40 year old, who set out to find out what would happen if she put her life in the hands of televisions’ most influential personality.
The result was a full year of watching the Oprah Show (everyday), reading O Magazine, and going on line to the website as well. What happened is a fun ride down a slippery slope. Not wanting to be sponsored, Robyn chose to buy everything that she could afford that Oprah reccomended for a full year… even if that ment having to give back a free Kindle that the producers of Oprah sent her! OUCH!
JoJami read the book (Loved it!) and got a chance to interview Robyn this week to ask her some upclose and personal questions about how the whole thing went!
Listen here for this juicy chat with the author and find out if LO has worn out the cute ,age-appropriate, lepeord print flats she was instructed to buy!
Here is a great fashion question from one of our readers: Dear Glam Gals, Wondering what handbags you would consider “old lady” and which would be considered more youthful…..thanks! L. C. Vandercook Hi L.C. We had fun looking for some good examples to share with you. Here are our Do’s and Don’ts
| Example | Don’t | Do |
| This bag on the left is too stiff and old lady like, plus it’s boring beige.
See how the bag on the right is more relaxed and soft. That’s what you want. Soft is youthful and the color adds life! (Nordstroms) |
 |
 |
| You see these bags like this one the left all the time on older women. These bags look heavy and tired. Do you want to look heavy and tired too?
Try shiny black patent leather with white piping instead for a fresher, up to date look. (Black House White Market) |
 |
 |
| Patchwork may be in, but over 40, sorry, it looks like you’ve taken up quilting.
Try a single bright pop of color with a classy touch of hardware for a more powerful chic look. (Saks) |
 |
 |
| Red is always cheery and can be sporty mixed with tan or brown, but this bag on the left has a boring shape making it look ho-hum.
Instead,try this cute one on the right. It’s got a less uptight shape, is also more matte, so more sporty and the tassels are a great stylish. Tally ho! (Nordstroms) |
 |
 |
Meryl Streep is looking Fab, in her new movie, It's Complicated photo credit: Universal Pictures
With the new hit movie It’s Complicated out, we were recently called upon by Rita Truschel of The News Journal, to get our input on the subject of dressing women over 40.
The author states, ” For women of a certain age, chic and fashionable hits a fresh line between matronly and too youthful.”
Deborah and JoJami were asked what they thought of Meryl Streep’s style of dressing in the movie.
We loved it! They gave her an upscale bohemian style. She wore lots of scarves and flowing, fabric in lovely muted colors that really flattered her.
Her hair was on the long side, and we liked it on her that way. Her make up was clean and fresh looking too!
The Glam Gals (Deborah and JoJami) would like to thank all of you wonderful ladies out there for reading our blog, writing in with your comments and for getting out there and trying new styles and products!
Cheers to you and hoping you have enjoyed all our tips and tricks to keeping looking Fabulous!
We are excited about the new year and will be bringing you lots more ideas and ways to update your style!
Here are our New Years Eve tips you can try tonight:
Have fun!
When running around town, we want to make sure that we Glam Gals are super comfortable, but chic too.
Great way to put a little color in your day out!
The answer is simple. A sweater dress, leggings and a pair of boots!
Here is our recipe to pull this look together.
Both dresses shown are from Newport News.
 For a sexier look, this flattering style would look great on most! |
 This boot is from Zappos.com |
Click below for more styles that will fit your body type!
How about those matching oven mitts! photo: www.washingtonion.com
In a recent story from www.washingtonian.com , they showed this age appropriate outfit as “What to wear to a Christmas cooking party”
They also suggest, “For a casual meal at home, stick to comfy flats, cozy cardigans, and cheery kitchen accessories [those cute oven mitts!]. Short sleeves will stay out of your way in the kitchen, a tweed skirt adds both texture and a touch of class to the ensemble, while a cranberry-based color palette keeps the whole thing holiday-oriented.”
What a great idea…first off, we love that is it NOT Christmas themed.. PLEASE …we women over 40 and have had enough of those darn ugly Christmas sweaters! AMEN!
Also, this printed t-shirt is a bargan at $48.00 from Torn Cristy.
The Tory Burch flats (Zappos.com) could be any brand and still look nice!
One note, we usually DONT like the tucked in look on most over 40 bodies..so beware of that!
That being said, how about tucking it out with a nice hip belt and some tight jeans!
Get inspired…what a great mix of neutrals and color!
Moreover, you can have fun looking in your closet to see if you can pull a classy, but casual outfit together!
Cheers!
The Glam Gals
P.S. Those oven mitts are from Anthropology.com!
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:
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!
We recently posted a letter from a reader who can’t wear heels because of foot problems and wanted to know if she could wear leggings with clunky flats.
When we mentioned that instead, she should try some flat boots, she ran out and found a pair at Nordstrom’s!
Now leggings and jeans are fine, but what if she wants to wear a skirt? Since these boots are very casual they will be look best with pants…
Flat boots like these will be comfy for those with foot problems
However, here is a skirt that will work with them too. You could also try a casual dress, like a sweater dress.
Colorful skirts make fall dressing festive
Don’t forget to make sure to find opaque hose (not sheer) or tights that match the boots. This will give the leg a longer look.
We went to Boden.com and Spiegel and found lots of great casual styles to choose from! At Boden, you can even “try” the clothes on a fantasy model and see what they would look like on a person!
Here is another combination we liked:
 |
 |
This skirt from Spiegel, would be a good length and weight to balance this boot.
And, for extra comfort and support, don’t forget some Dr. Scholl’s inserts!
This over 40 model says, " I'm just running around doing errands today"..."Looking fab", we say!
We recently found a wonderful site called Atlantis Home that we wanted to share with all you more daring fashionistas out there.
The author (shown here) is over 40 and just so happens to be a former model. However, even if you are not tall and rail thin, you can still take some fun tips on how to dress a little more funky but still age appropriate!
What makes her looks so great?
Enjoy!
Have you tried something new lately?
Did you see the Oprah Show the other day, the one where she took 3 women who were all feeling down and out and made them do things that were WAY out of their comfort zone?
Seems the Glam Gals are not the only ones out there trying to get you over 40 gals to try something new! (check out our past posts on leather jackets or thigh high boots!)
If you need a little push out of the “plane” Jane syndrome, just go and take a peak this weeks Blogging Boomers Carnvial #138! The Boomer Chronicles are hosting and have lots of inspiration from some of the top Boomer Bloggers out there!
Wearing leggings can be tricky for women over 40!
Are leggings age appropriate for us ladies 40 and beyond? We say,YES!
So, how can you pull off this falls biggest fashion trend, like these slouch leggings from Nordstroms?
Read our article over at More Magazine, and find out some of the do and don’ts of this fun and easy look!
Is this costume age appropriate?
Dear Glam Gals,
Do you have any guidelines for Halloween costumes? Some of them are very sexy, risque, or silly. I have a Star Trek dress which is like those worn by the women in the old Captain Kirk Star Trek TV show. (Think Lt. Uhura.) It’s modest except for the skirt length being mid-thigh. Am I too old for this look now (I’m 46)?
Dear Ms. Star Trek,
Personally neither of us Glam Gals would think of dressing in a mid-thigh sexy skirt for Halloween and have not done so since around age 40. However, it really depends on the crowd that you are in and what message you want to send. If you have great legs and will be wearing dark hose, it might be alright. The best rule of thumb in dressing however is…IF YOU ARE HESITANT, DON’T DO IT!
Your inner gut is usually your best gauge and it is always better to err on the side of tasteful, than over the top. That way, you don’t have to feel self conscious and wish you had worn something else.
All that being said, having fun is the main point, and if you want to wear a short skirt or be extra sexy on Halloween, go for it! It’s the one day of the year that really anything goes!
Happy Halloween!
Hi Ladies-
I am so glad I found your wonderful website. I have a question that relates to what is “age-appropriate”. I am 43 and very petite. I am in love with a trend jacket that is big for the Fall, although I usually stay away from trends. The jacket I am talking about is the Alice + Olivia shrunken military jacket, a picture of which is attached.
My only concern is the age-appropriate perception of this jacket due to the adornment? My idea would be to wear it with some nice fitting jeans, a simple white top underneath and simple sleek black or metallic heels. No excessive accessories. I have tried the jacket on and it fits beautifully.
Your thoughts on the age-appropriateness of this ensemble is greatly appreciated!
Sincerely,
Gail
Hi Gail,
We have been seeing this look around and we agree it is so FUN!… but here it the thing… this is definitely a trend and what we call a “statement piece”. That means that you really will not wear it all the time and if you do, people will definitely remember that specific jacket.
Also, we know that this piece is rather expensive and is in the price range that we would call an “investment piece”. We suggest that you keep looking and find one that is similar with the military look, but perhaps not so dramatic as this one.
Moreover, if you buy it, because it is so trendy you might get tired of it soon and wish you had put your money in a high quality coat that is still fun, but one that you feel good in and can enjoy for a long time. An example of this would be this one we’re showing by Tory Burch.
To answer your question if it is age appropriate, we say that yes, someone over 40 can pull this off, but it is almost “costume-like”… so you would really have to be in a funky, fun job or live in a very cosmopolitan city or environment to wear it enough to get your moneys worth.
BTW… we think it would great left open with a red plaid flannel shirt under it with blue jeans.
Let us know if this is helpful, comment below!
Cheers!
The Glam Gals
The ruffle trend that started this Spring looks like it has some strong legs and will be walking into our closets this fall!
But beware, this is not a trend for everyone and should be analyzed carefully before running out and getting one.
Being over 40, the idea of trying to wearing ruffles can be tricky for several reasons.
| 1. Ruffles add bulk to your front. If you have a large bust, you will have to be careful how much and where your ruffles are. |
|
| 2. You will look sweet because ruffles are romantic and feminine. If you have a power job or are trying to project authority, you will want to stick to sharper lines, or stay away from ruffles altogether. |
|
| 3. Be careful not to over do them. Too much ruffle can be aging. |
|
That being said, you can still wear this trend, but you have to be picky.
This fall we are seeing a lot of leather and extreme shoulders. A little it of ruffle at the neck can soften this look and make it feel more feminine and updated.
Here is a sweet white blouse with just a touch of softness at the neckline. This will work perfectly to replace my old blouse that has started to look tired. I (JoJami) found it at one of my favorite local boutiques in Wilmington, Delaware called Ellie.
Hi Glam Gals!
I love your blog and have found it to be very helpful and inspiring.
If you wear these around town, the Glam Gals frown!
I live in Tallahassee, Florida, home of Florida State University, of which I am an alumni. Year-round but especially during football season, I see many women wearing clothes and accessories with the FSU Seminole mascot and/or the school colors, garnet and gold. I mean, not just to attend a game or party, but as part of their daily outfit, especially on a game day. I think these things look cute on young women who look like they are students or recent grads. I have considered wearing some of these things but they seem to be not age-appropriate. I also hesitate because garnet and gold are colors that are unflattering to me, and I never wear them in my regular wardrobe.
So, do you have any guidelines for wearing sports team items?
Another question: Do you have any guidelines for Halloween costumes? Some of them are very sexy, risque, or silly. I have a Star Trek dress which is like those worn by the women in the old Captain Kirk Star Trek TV show. (Think Lt. Uhura.) It’s modest except for the skirt length being mid-thigh. Am I too old for this look now (I’m 46.)
Thanks!
Pam H.
Dear Pam,
We think that if you want to have team spirit, that is up to you. However, we Glam Gals would NEVER wear sport team items, but that is just us. These types of items are ment to be worn by big burly football players not women. They are baggy and unflattering. Why would someone want to wear it around town? If you really feel the need to wear one, we hope that you would at least get the womens version which can be more fitted but then just to the game. Around town, its just plain silly looking.
As far as your Halloween costume, you mention that the skirt length is “mid-thigh”. We think that the question is not as much about being age appropriate, as the question, “Do you still have the legs for it?” Any shirt that we wear every day or as a costume, well, you gotta have nice legs and knees, or it will look terrible.
How do you know if you have great legs? Just have a look in a full length mirror. If you legs look good to you, then your ok. If there is even a hint of doubt, you can always wear your Logo shirt and go as a football player, instead!
Three Cheers for your team and Happy Halloween!
Hello Glam Gals,
Do you think the new thigh high boots for Fall 2009 are age appropriate for women over 40?
Thank you for your help.
~Jenifer G.
Hi Jennifer!
Great question, since we are seeing that thigh high boots are a big trend for fall. This is tricky because there are a lot of variables here. The thigh high boot is a very young and sexy look, so it is hard to pull it off after 40. However, we have seen women of all ages pulling off this trend, but it is a delicate and tricky one for sure.
If you are excited to try this new trend, here are some things to keep in mind:
We imagine that the women over 40 that could pull this off, are on the creative and festive sort! However, if you really do want to partake in this trend, we recommend you
Bottom line: Are you wanting to try out a new trend, pick up a younger guy or just channeling your inner biker chic?
You weill need some confidence and good dose of style to pull this look off now that your over 40, or you will end up looking silly instead of chic.
Are you thinking of trying this look out this fall? If so, we want to hear your comments below!
It is easy to feel frumpy after 40, especially when life in general is all about dressing casually. I (JoJami) was out on a group hike over the weekend, and was chatting with a fellow hiker about her frustrations with her everyday dressing techniques.
Dresses are a great summer option to shorts or capris
Hiker Sue: I am petite and my middle has spread, even though I exercise and eat moderately. I am not interested in looking fashionable, I just want to dress age appropriately.
JJ: I understand how you feel, we hear the same story from our FAF readers all the time who write us and complain that they can’t find anything at the store anymore.
Hiker Sue: What I do now is wear the same “uniform” that works for me. I love khaki pants and simple t-shirts. I also find that I don’t wear heels much anymore, because I like to be comfortable when I walk around town.
JJ: Well, have your tried putting little dresses into your casual wardrobe? They are so wonderful, you feel more feminine and you can wear flats or heels with them.
Hiker Sue: You know, a lot of women have given up wearing dresses because of chaffing! Their thighs rub together and it makes wearing dresses really uncomfortable!
JJ: Actually, I have not really thought about that!!! Thanks for bringing it up!!
Oh my, chaffing thighs under dresses is a terrible problem. But ladies, there is a solution!
If you find wearing dresses uncomfortable, we highly recommend that you wear some shapewear under your dress. The little “bike short” style is just perfect to go under any sundress and will totally eliminate the chaffing problem. We found a ton of these over at Bare Necessities in a variety of styles and sizes. Make sure you grab the thigh slimmers that have a flat band around the leg opening so they don’t roll up, and long enough for comfort (probably right above the knee). Not only will they stop your thighs from rubbing together, they will smooth out your legs and midsection too!
So we hope you will go out and try on a new dress and add it to your casual wardrobe. Find some cute flats and also some matching heels and see how you feel!
Then send it in and let us share it !!!
Hi Glam Gals,
I wanted your opinion on those pant sets, jackets, tops, dresses that you see on those shopping channels called CitiKnits. 
They say it travels well, doesn’t wrinkle and it’s a synthetic fiber.
I’m 45 and love fashion but I wonder if that look is a little old and dated with their matching sets.
Thanks L.
Hi L.
We went to the site and checked them out. We were eager to see them, since all the benefits sure sounded tempting no to mention they are on sale for such a great price.
However, sadly when we reviewed them, we found many of the styles in unfashionable colors and the cut of the outfits were certainly matronly. The “wonderful” non-wrinkle fabric, is just a thin polyester that looked cheap even on the gorgeous model!
We also found some on E-bay for sale with the tags still on them. That tells us that the buyer was not satisfied and is trying to get rid of the items!
We would stay clear of shopping on line and make sure you get to try on the outfit before buying it.
(Send us your style question, we pick several a month to answer and yours could be the next one! info@fabulousafter40.com)
Jenn, writer and blogger
Here’s an embarrassing problem that fellow blogger Jenn Archer (one of the two funny gals over at “Menopause Musing”) wrote about.
Have you ever been in this situation?
Read on and let us know what would you do? Here’s what Jenn wrote:
I (Jenn) was at a writer’s conference recently and while walking through the hotel lobby, I saw a 40-50-ish woman walking ahead of me with a thong sticking out of the top band of her slacks. Writers tend to sit a lot, and this particular one looked as if her backside hadn’t been out of a chair since the eighties. But as if the sight of a thong showing above her broad, lumpy butt wasn’t bad enough, this clueless bookworm had tucked her shirt into her pants and INTO THE TOP OF HER THONG. Are you getting the picture? HER SHIRT WAS TUCKED INTO HER THONG! Could she have possibly MEANT to do this?
My first instinct was to stop her and tell her, just in case this was a fashion faux pas on her part rather than an unfortunate fashion statement. But I couldn’t bring myself to do it. She was a stranger and I didn’t want to embarrass her. And she had a friend with her. I told myself that the friend would be behind her at some point, see the thong and tell the other woman. But what if she didn’t see for a long time? If I had stopped her, I might have spared the woman added humiliation. (And spared hundreds of other poor souls from the horrible sight!)
I regret my decision to walk on by. If it had been me with my undies sticking out, I hope someone would’ve told me, even if it is someone I don’t know. (And I hope my friends would tell me to ditch the thong!) We women have to look out for each other. Consider it a sisterhood.
So…two questions: (1) Would you have told the woman? And (2) Would you rather someone you don’t know tell you your undies are showing, or would that embarrass you even more than finding out at the end of the day when you undress?
How low is too low? What is age appropriate when trying to dress and be a little sexy when you are over 40?
We ran this photo of a lovely woman in her late 40’s recently, wearing this overall conservative outfit, except the blouse was low cut.
Is this outfit age-appropriate?
In the comment section one of our readers wrote in, “…can you please address the question, how low can you go when it comes to dressing after 40?”
O.K. you are right, we have not addressed the issue of how much cleavage is too much cleavage. This is a tricky one, since there are a lot of things to factor into that equation.
First off, let’s look at Stacey (seen here). She is dressed fashionably, yet conservatively (long skirt and long sleeves, nothing too tight, fabric is not clingy or form-fitting). She is not extremely busty, and so even though she is wearing a low cut blouse, your eyes are not going to her bust because she has filled the chest area with a bold necklace that draws the eye up. She was also on vacation and traveling, not at work, so we think this look on her is totally appropriate. Moreover, she just happens to be single as well!!! So, we feel she is dressed just fine and age appropriately.
Now, take that same outfit and put it in a corporate work environment and we would say that she should consider changing the blouse to one that is not as sexy.
Here are some things one should consider before going too low:
There is no easy answer to this, but if your gut is telling you you’re showing off too much, then you probably are.
However, we do see many women who have great figures that are hiding behind safe clothes and feeling frumpy.
There is a balance to all of this, and there is not an easy one-size-fits-all answer.
So, if you have a question about how you look, feel free to write in with a photo.
Lets keep this discussion going…please comment below!
Sign up for our newsletter and be entered in our monthly contest for a 2010 Shoe Desk Calendar!
  We'd love to talk with you. |
|
Want to go from frumpy to fabulous? It's time to re-evaluate your style! Check out our eBook, and jump start your style today! [Learn More!]
Tried everything to lose weight? This alternative might be what you need. [Learn More!]
