If you saw our post Are you Mad to Wear Plaid? and got a little nervous about all the bright, wild plaids, we just want to reassure you that the runway is not reality. Some were indeed, gorgeous, expensive, high fashion looks, while others looked more a little wacked out! The Good news is that in the stores we’re seeing many really wearable and wow plaids for regular gals over 40. Take a look at what we found.
(As usual please put your thumb over the model’s faces and imagine yours there. We couldn’t find any pics of mature women in the latest styles, what else is new!)
Modern twist on an age-old pattern
Easy to wear and modern and fresh to look at, this Burberry cardigan gets a red check mark from us! A great staple for any wardrobe and an easy to include some plaid into your wardrobe without looking stiff. (Saks) |
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Painterly Plaid
Here’s an artistic take on a Scottish plaid that is clever and beautiful. It’s a swingy silk skirt from Trina Turk that is awash with a soft brushstroke plaid pattern. Lovely and cheery, it is named the Tidepool skirt. (Nordstrom) |
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Little Plaid Dress
Sound the bagpipes for this practical and pretty dress by Carmen Marc Valvo. The A-line Silhouette is most flattering on over 40 figures with a few extra pounds to hide. But what makes this dress special is the touch of organza at the hem- an expected contrast which is very modern and lends a feminine touch to a menswear fabric.(Saks) |
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Cute Car Coat!
Here’s something we can really picture ourselves throwing on and scooting over to the mall in. It bright, but not crazy so, and so darned cute with the leather buckles and all. From the House of Plaid itself- Burberry! (Saks) |
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Cape Couture
Sporty capes are hot this fall and this Tahari Plaid cape in houndstooth plaid is pure chic. The stand up collar and short sleeves make it perfect for any woman wanting stand out style. Try it with long black leather gloves and a great leather tote and watch heads turn. (Nordstrom) |
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Glen Plaid gets our seal of approval!
A gorgeous and very wearable suit from Rachel Zoe. This glen paid suit with single breasted blazer is perfect for the working gal. Pair it with a soft loose bow tie blouse and you have elegance and power combined. Right on Trend! (Nordstrom)
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Deb in her Michael Kors trenchcoat
Deborah: I went to meet my friend Karen for lunch the other day, and didn’t we both show up in navy blue trench coats! Now, trench coats are one of those basics that never go out of style and are perfect for the “inbetween weather” of spring and fall.
Karen in her cute trench
This year I’m noticing more of them than usual!
A little background…It was Thomas Burberry who created the Trench coat in 1901 for British Officers during the first world war. They were designed as warm weather coats to wear in the trenches, but went on to become a fashion favorite.
Today Burberry is still famous for its trenches, but almost every other name designer has done some version of the trench at one time or another.
Boring, you say? … Trenches can be, but at the moment there are so many versions of the trench to suit every fashion personality type, they are really exciting and more popular than ever.
Here’s a look at a few we found that we thought looked Fab.
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Ruffle some Feathers!
We love the way this Tahari ‘Evelyn’ Ruffle Front Satin Trench puts such a feminine spin on a what was originally a masculine uniform. (Nordstrom)
Tip: A trench coat should not pull across the bust when buttoned up, or you know it is too small. |
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Red hot Mamma
Imagine popping into the grocery store or picking up the kids in this chic double-breasted Gallery Trench Coat. Just looking at this vibrant red gives us energy. (Nordstrom)
Tip: These short trenches are particularly good for petite women who can look swamped in longer trenches. |
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Poetic Possibilities
For fashion forward gals this Elie Tahari “Shari Belted” Trench is a keeper. The dramatic collar and 3-quarter length sleeves give it a classy, artsy feel.
Tip: be careful wearing head to toe black, especially if you are fair. Black can be draining, especially after 40 as it is very high contrast against aging skin. |
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Globetrotting Gal
Shoulder epaulets and a button tab collar give this “Rebecca” trench by DKNY a military look. Doesn’t she look like she’s ready to get on a plane, train or boat and travel somewhere exciting? This is the perfect travel coat.(Nordstrom)
Tip: If you have big hips, a great way to balance them out is to find a jacket like this with some detail at the shoulder. The epaulets build up your shoulders making them look wider and your hips look slimmer! |
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Ombre Mystery
Talk about new and very cool. This Gryphon Dip Dye Belted Trench looks like the kind of timeless, classic spy coat modernized by a moody- dip dyed design. (Nordstrom)
Tip: The classic trench is double-breasted, which looks fantastic on most, but if you are big busted it will make you look top-heavy. Try single breasted instead. The perfect length is at the knee.
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Artsy Original
Drape yourself in a work of art. This Robert Rodriguez Trench Coat oozes style, class and uniqueness. (Nordstrom)
Tip: This trench is a little unusual in that it has double lapels. But, double or single, the mark of a good fit is that the lapels lie flat. The stitching on the lapels should also be impeccable. |
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Sporty Chic
This Patagonia Torrentshell Trench Coat with its concealed zipper and hood has a very sporty and youthful look and feel that works best with pants.
Tip: This burnt orange color is most flattering on women with warm skin and hair - women with golden blond, warm brown, auburn or red hair, and skin that has yellow or peachy undertones. |
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Trench Inspired
Pretty cute if, you have the figure! This darling trench inspired jacket by Caslon is fabulous just the way it is pictured here. Just cover up this young girl’s face and insert yours instead! (Sorry about that ladies, but these are the pictures we have to work with-retailers need to wake up!- This from Nordstrom)
Tip: This is a fantastic example of taking a classic ( the trench coat)and adding a trendy element (the motorcycle jacket cut). Classic + a trendy twist = FABULOUS AFTER 40!
Which trench do you like?
Did you buy a trench coat this year? Send us a photo of you in your trench and we will post it! |
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Lucky me, (JoJami) was off to Paris for Mother’s Day and just got back!
My mother JoBee and JoJami in Paris!
Paris is one of my all time favorite cities and I have not been back in a few years so I was super excited to see what women over 40 were wearing these days!
Here we are…my mother in her new Cop Copine jacket and me in my orange, BCBG jacket that I bought last month (see post)…This jacket ended up being my everyday go to piece.
Even though it was May, it can still be cold there, so everyone was usually bundled up the entire time and layering and throwing on a scarf for warmth and style!
We found a charming and colorful scarf shop called Mandalas, and picked up a few there! (JoBee has her new scarf on!)
One morning, I stopped these two Fashionista’s for a quick photo shoot.
Ended up they were from Seattle, WA on a girlfriends trip to shop vintage. (The gal on the left was on a quest to find a wedding dress, Marilyn, on the right is a jewelry desinger!).
| Gals on the street!
These two gals were looking stylish for being past 40 and 50! I was so surprised to find out that they were not French but Americans!They were sporting the all black look,that is so prevalent over there! |
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| Vintage Prada
I saw shiny metallic shoes, handbags and tops, all over the place…on the young and not so young! |
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| Talent and Style:
Chunky statement jewelry! Bigger is better on the streets of Paris. This is Marilyn’s own design, from her wholesale company, MB Beads! |
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| Sequins go from day to evening:
It is hard to see in this photo, but under her lightweight ruffled jacket,she had on a gorgeous black sequin top that she had layered with a black long sleeved t shirt. It was one of their vintage finds… |
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| Leggings and low heels:
How FAB are these little low heeled shoes with her leggings! |
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| Dark skinny jeans and comfy flats:
Paris Hilton flats look perfectly great on her with her skinny dark jeans and sparkle top! |
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| The best accessory is always a pooch!:
I could not believe all the women running around in high heels… This wonderful, Age-mazing gal came into the restaurant with her Burberry trench, oversised handbag, high heeled black pumps, large sunglasses, leggings and a dog!
She had just had her hair done at a local salon, it was short and very sassy! JUST LOVE the entire look! |
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| Even the food is dressed up!
The women were lined up in all the pastry shops.How they stay so thin is a mystery to me!
This yummy cake was topped with sweet, wild forest strawberries. |
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Hi Glam Gals,
Is plaid is an option over 40 and how it is best to wear it? I am a 41 Stay at home mom with a 8 year old and 3 ½ year old. I am trying to build a wardrobe to last, but also want to add some fun pieces. What do you think? ……………..Thank you. Nicole
Hi Nicole,
We’ve got to admit, we’re not mad about plaid, (a little too sporty for our taste), however that doesn’t mean that you can’t love it, and that it won’t look great on you if you are more the traditional type.
Here are a few plaids to consider, and a few plaids to definitely avoid!
| AVOID!
…”But plaid is so cute”
Please, please – don’t any of you tell us that top is cute or we will have to make you an honorary member of the frump society.(LOL)
This is not Fabulous after 40 or any age, especially when your are carrying a few extra pounds. Plaids are busy. They make you look big, and the boxy fit, high neckline, drawstring waist, and tunic length of this top only add to the walking blanket look. |
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| “But, what if I’m thin?”
Baggy is baggy after 40. This boyfriend lumber jack shirt look may be hot right now but the oversize nature of it sends the message I’m a little girl playing dress-up. It’s babyish and sexy at the same time. At 40+ this trendy look is extremely hard to pull off, no matter how fit you are. |
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INSTEAD
Go for Fitted
After 40 your body starts to soften up and you need some definition, so find a plaid shirt that is more slim lined and nips in at the waist. Also, to look more modern, try a more lively color combination.Traditional plaid colors (navy, forest green, gold, black etc) are usually pretty drab and can make you look tired and old. |
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| AVOID
The Designer Trap:
Yes, It’s Burberry and it’s a status symbol, but who cares, because in this particular case the shirt is too sloppy and edgy to look anything but silly on a grown up gal. Leave it for your teenager.
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| INSTEAD
If you are truly in love with the Burberry plaid, and not just buying it for the designer label, then think about just using a plaid scarf or handbag to pump up an plain outfit. Using plaid as an accent gives you a very chic look.
If you like, and can handle more plaid, then try a modern twist like this fitted high contrast jacket which would look great with black jeans and a black top. It’s sporty, but elegant too, and just that little bit different to make it interesting. |
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| AVOID
Stay away from teenage styles:
This top with it’s cutesy gathering and puffed sleeves looks like it should be paired with a pair of Daisy Duke cutoff jean shorts, and needs to stay right where you found it..in the junior department! |
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INSTEAD TRY
Pairing plaid with a sweater
Try to get past this girl’s baby face (just cover her face with your finger-why do they use such young models??) Now, imagine this combo on you with a cute pair of jeans.
The plaid top is simple, fitted and quite hip because of the simple ruffle detail, and it is an interesting shade of reddish brown. Paired with the chartreuse cardigan it looks fresh. Almost Michelle Obama inspired, wouldn’t you say? We know how she loves this green color. The sweater gives it some oomph and takes away from plaid overload. |
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| OR, TRY THIS
Painterly Plaid
This is interesting and modern twist on plaid. It looks and feels more sophisticated. Pair it with a black cardigan. |
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| BE CAREFUL OF
Matching Plaids:
This is a beautiful suit and would look lovely on most anyone at any age. But if you want to present as a little more hip and less formal you may think about breaking up this suit. You know, pairing the jacket with a single color pair of pants, or even with jeans for the weekend with a t-shirt underneath. When you look too perfect, it can be aging. |
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INSTEAD
Break things Up:
Here’s an example of what we mean. Plaid jacket and a black skirt gives this suit a less formal feel, but it is still very elegant. The 3/4 length sleeves are very flattering and allow you to have fun with some great jewelry. Oh, and don’t forget to smile. |
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DO
Classic with a twist
Hope you don’t get sick of us saying this, but it’s true. What could be a boring beige plaid trench is now a modern, little bit funky purple plaid jacket. The best way to wear this is to let the purple take center stage and accessorize in black. |
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| EXPERIMENT
With something Dramatic
Forget the boring country girl plaid shirt and try something daring and dramatic like this chic cape. It’s classy, but not snooty |
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