We recently had a question from a reader:
Dear Glam Gals,
I love those little half booties that were so popular last fall. I see that they are coming out again this year and would love want to buy a pair, but just do not know what or how to wear them? HELP!
Karen G.~ Minnesota.
Hi Karen,
Your timing is perfect! We just saw this add for the DKNY and here they are showing the same shoe with lots of different looks!
This ad from DKNY is an excellent example of how to look updated!
Here is why we like them:
| Layering with cropped straight pants:
Great casual look, could do it with flats too! (DKNY) |
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| Add a vest! (try one, you might like it!)
Simple white blouse (untucked)
Flat front straight cropped pants
vest. (Might want try to find one longer, if you want to hide hips)
.(DKNY) |
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| Cute for work or out to dinner:
Back again, this layered look was popular last fall thanks to Michele Obama.
Try a skinny belt and make sure you have a pair of those opaque tights. (the ones with patterns can make your legs look fat, so keep it simple with solid colors unless you have super skinny legs)
(DKNY) |
|
Slim Balloon pant:
We are seeing a huge comeback this fall with the balloon pant. Beware this style does not work on all body types. However, if it is well cut, on the slim side, like this one, it might look great on you! Can be a fun style to try. Not so great with flats though…. (DKNY) |
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| Scarf Action!:
Adding a long skinny scarf is an easy way to go from drab to fab! These tight, just to the ankle jeans have a little “poof” at the ankle that can actually be flattering! (DKNY) |
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| This soft jacket pulls the entire look together:
For a modern twist on the navy or grey blazer, try one that is made of a soft fabric. Both comfortable and chic it will knock you up on the style scale! (DKNY) |
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We recently did a post about leggings and we are still getting more questions! Leggings are so tricky because they come in so many types of fabrics and colors.
Here is a photo that one of our readers gave us permission to comment on and share with you. She asks,” Is this outfit o.k.?”
White leggings are hard to pull off...
- While this gal certainly has a perfect figure and terrific toned legs, these white leggings do look skimpy with that top.
- These white leggings are really almost an opaque footless tight, so the fabric is too thin to wear as “pants”.
- We like the top, but think it would look much classier with long shorts or flat front pants or capris.
- This top is too short to wear with leggings, it will need an actual pant, shorts or skirt to go with it.
- The sandals are very cute, but they would look better with a sundress than with these leggings.
- Another option for shoes is, if you were to put a longer top or dress with these leggings would be a ballet flat.
- One more idea is that you can certainly pull of leggings that are 3/4 length too. That way you can be cool and yet covered.
- Leggings need to be used in layering outfits, not on their own. That is why using leggings in the summer is not as easy as using them in the fall/winter.
It is tough to get all these “rules” and tips straight, so we are happy that you sent in your photo to help clear things up! The biggest challenge for women after 40 who have great figures, is how to show it off and still be sexy! This gal can wear shorter shorts and probably mini’s too, but will need to make sure she is pairing it with nice fabrics and classy styles.
Please comment below with your thoughts! Or if you have a summer outfit you are wearing please send us a photo with permission to use it and we will share it with our group!
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.
JoBee, looking Age-mazing for a date out for dinner with friends!
I can’t help it, but I’m always blown away when my (JoJami’s) mother sends me a photo of herself.
My mother (JoBee) has always been an inspiration to me and as well as a great example to always try to look your best and stay fit!
However, when she decided to get out more and try the dating scene (she was widowed a few years ago), it was a very scary and confusing time for her.
She called and ask, “What should I wear, so that I look youthful and classy?”
So after reviewing her wardrobe and making a few updated purchase, here is the Age-mazing™ JoBee, with her date, dressed in casual chic , all ready to go out to dinner with friends.
Boy, she LOOKS SOOOO HOT and she is over 70!!!!
Do you realize that all she has on is jeans and a casual top? That is right… if you buy an updated version of simple staples and then accessorize you will find that you too can start turning heads and look chic!
You can steal this look at any age, and here is how:
Step 1: Start with a colorful LONG top with a low neckline. (secret: Top must not be baggy, it should skim the body.)
Step 2: Find a great hip belt. It needs to have some streach in it. (secret: Suzi Roher belts from Nordstoms are wonderful)
Step 3: The jeans are stretch and very straight!
Step 4: Long fitted jacket. (secret: This one from Zara was not expensive)
Step 5: Long scarf, colorful, to pull the outfit all together.
The KEY is to have updated pieces that have some style and fit to them.
Yes, you can dress fab after 40, 50, 60 and even 70!!!
Please send us you favorite out to dinner look and comment below!
Hi Girls!
I just LOVE your website! I was wondering if you can give some ideas for wardrobe for an upcoming trip to NYC. I will be traveling with my husband, mother and teenage daughters next Memorial Day weekend. We will be visiting museums, a broadway show, and LOT of walking around and window shopping…Please could you give me some advice? Thanks a lot!
~C. Capetta
Having just been to NYC recently, we can say that the first and foremost important item is your shoes! You will need to find a great pair of flats or cute tennis shoes and work your outfits around them.
We saw LOTS of leggings or tight fitting pants with nice flats, long tops and lots of scarves and a big, oversized purse. Black is the locals favorite color.
We recently featured some great new shoes that are both stylish and comfortable. Also, you can go to our archives for more ideas.
Here is a typical outfit (from DKNY and Nordstom):
- Shoe alternative would be a colorful flat or very casual thin soled black tennis shoe with this.
- If your feet are not comfortable, you will be miserable!
- Make sure to wear shoes that are tried and true. Never pack brand new shoes that you have never worn… make sure to break them in before you go.
- Try adding a Cozy (long flowing sweater) to take it from day into evening.
This outfit from DKNY is a perfect NYC casual outfit!
Sweater from Nordstom
Catherine Zeta-Jones always tries to look her best!
Here is an inspiring headline we saw recently:
Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones doesn’t dress down – even when she does the food shopping.
Catherine Zeta-Jones commented: I owe it to my fans to wear my best when I go to the supermarket.
The Glam Gals have chatted endlessly about what to wear to the grocery store and we feel the same way as Catherine does; there is no reason not to try to look your best when you go out.
That being said, you can still look great and be comfortable, but it takes some strategy.
First you need to have your “going to the grocery store” outfit all ready.
This outfit should consist of:
- cute but comfortable shoes or flat boots
- stretch pants or stretch dress
- coordinating stretch top
- if your having a bad hair day, then you will need a cute cap
The fun part is gathering all the pieces, and then finding a special hook or spot where the entire outfit is always ready to go.
Most women don’t need more than 1 going to the grocery store outfit per season, since you rarely run into the same person when you’re out.
However, If you shop a lot ,you may want to have a 2 or 3 slightly different versions of your shopping outfit. So instead of creating one going shopping outfit you would create a going shopping module. Modules are a way of dressing that save you tons of time and money while giving you more versatility. To find out more about how to create your own wardrobe modules you can read our ebook Chic on the Cheap- How to create a wardrobe on a budget.
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!
Here is a great offer… free shipping on purchases over $75.00 at Kohl’s. We recommend this cute sundress from the Elle collection, and it’s under $40!
This Vera Wang jacket is a great transitional piece from summer to fall, especially for petites!
And, if you need a pair of new shorts before the summer ends, these Vera walking shorts are cute and on sale. 
In fact, all these items and many more are on sale now at khols.com!
These are just a few money-saving suggestions. Right now, we’re working on a new e-Book “Tweak Your Chic: Chic on the Cheap,” to get you looking great on a budget!
We got a doozy of a question from a reader about how to dress for a summer party:
“What do you wear to an outdoor party in July when the weather is 95 degrees and humid, and you are pushing sixty years old? How does one look cool and stylish and not frumpy? I like to be comfortable too, so I can forget about myself and focus on enjoying the company of others. I am 5’1″ and overweight.”
Summer weather poses quite a problem for women in their 40s and up, who are constantly concerned with coverage. It is a challenge to find a cool (literally and colloquially), age-appropriate outfit for summer gatherings. However, summer heat and humidity does not mean you have to throw sophistication and age-appropriateness out the open, screened-in window.
Example of a nice, white, lightweight top with some coverage.
We find that many women, when faced with what to wear to an event, will generally choose an all-black getup over something colorful. We get it – we love black. It’s safe, it’s flattering…but it’s also hot as heck! Instead, try white as your go-to neutral this summer. It’s much cooler in the sun, and can be just as flattering when worn correctly. One of our favorite looks for a wider woman is a monotone top and bottom. This “column of color” look makes you look taller and thinner, while evening out your proportions. Pair a white linen or gauze tunic with a white pant, and dress it up with embellished flats and a lightweight cotton scarf that are all the rage this summer!
(*for another, all-white outfit, please refer to JoJami’s outfit when she went to NYC)
Here’s an important tip to pulling off this outfit: wear nude colored undergarments that match your skin tone! There’s nothing worse than an obvious white panty under white slacks…have someone check you in full daylight to make sure there are no glaring panty lines before leaving for your party!
(This style from Saks.)
As you all know, More Magazine is one of our all time favorite magazines for women over 40!!!
So as you can imagine we were blown off our computer chairs when we got a letter recently asking us to join the More online Blogging team!
Today we debut our first article for them,
What to wear when you work from home, by The Glam Gals
Hope you enjoy it!
