Have you ever looked at something in the store and thought, “Nah,I’m not going to try it on. It’s probably not for me..I don’t think?”…. and then you walked away?
Well, this summer I (Deborah) nearly walked away from two winners.
 Looked kind of baggy on the hanger |
 Deborah in her new favorite comfy dress! |
The first was a simple navy blue Diane Von Furstenberg dress with a nautical feel. It had a cute scoop neckline, billowy sleeves and a darling rope belt. I liked it, but I was sure it would be too loose and billowy, and would make me like I was wearing a big old bag.
But then I thought…. what the heck, I’ll try it.
To my surprise, it was actually very fitted through the waist and hips and looked really cute on me. It’s so comfortable too, and looks great with my red canvas Ralph Lauren wedges.
 I wasn't sure about this one |
 Deborah says, "You can still feel glam even going casual!" |
The second near miss was another Diane Von Furstenberg dress…..this one had a simple cut and the material had a wild colorful pattern. Now, normally I don’t wear many patterns, but I was really attracted to the colors in this dress. I also like things that nip in at the waist and this looked more just a straight up and down style. It didn’t have the greatest rack appeal but, but I just had a feeling.
It’s now become my new favorite dress. It’s cute and comfy and I can dress it up and down. I have had a million compliments, and most important of all I feel fantastic in it. Here’s me on my way to my girlfriend’s new country house for a casual summer dinner.
So what’s the lesson here? If you’re not sure, try it on anyway. It sure worked for me! Oh, and do check out Diane Von Furstenberg. She’s on of my favorites. Saks carries a lot of her clothes.
Well, as you might have heard, I, (JoJami) was in NYC last week when the rain totally blew my plans to visit the Botanical Gardens, however… not one to complain, I decided to check out the shopping!
When in NYC I always love to check out Bergdorf Goodman for just the plain decadence and to check in on what the creme de la creme of society is buying. With classic labels such as Chanel and Armani surrounding you on one side and the hottest newcomers on the other, the entire experience can really get your creative juices flowing and have you seriously contemplating getting a second job!
Anyway….I digress… what I wanted to share with you was the highlight of my BG experience was chatting with one their sales associates. She was super friendly and looked so gorgeous I had to ask her if her dress was a Missoni!
How old do you think she is?
YES it was but she got it last year! (BTW, She is 52 and a grandmother). She had updated it with a big chunky necklace from Anthropology and the shoes are from Zara.
 Chunky necklace from Anthropologie |
 Gladiator sandals from Zara |
Did you happen to read our recent blog on where Sigrid Olsen is now?
I (JoJami) recently interviewed the beautiful fashion designer so you can hear her story on how she has re-invented herself now that she no longer designs for her namesake label.
After 25 years of working “like a mouse in a cage” and never having time to take a vacation or a yoga class, Sigrid now runs her boutique/art studio only a few steps from her home in Massachusetts.
Moreover, not to be missed is her upcoming Yoga/Art retreat that she will be teaching with her Yogini sister in Tuscany. We have heard that her retreats are first class and life-changing!
Our friend, voice coach Nicki McClusky was on a recent trip to Italy and shared this fun photo with us!
She had read our post about age appropriate shoes with cutouts wanted to share with us shoe trends on display in Venice. Nicki said the Italian women looked fabulous! “Some of the Venetian women and an older blond gal in Lake Como looked beyond wonderful. You would have loved them and their outfits.”
Thanks for thinking of us Nicki and sending the photo! Looks like patent leather is going to be big this Spring!
Love the patent green half bootie heels, behind the green pumps on the bottom shelf…how stylish!
If you see something cool you would like to share, please send it toinfo@fabulousafter40.com.
We’ve been looking around for ages to find a site where we could buy cool, beautiful boutique items for ourselves, and to give as special gifts to our friends…
Finally, we’ve come across one!
Amy Demas, an award winning designer, travels the world to bring you fabulous unique clothes, home accessories and gifts that you can order online at Bestow Boutique.
Here’s a couple of things we fell in love with… A pretty hanging travel bag for $65 & Fleur de Violette Soap Bar for $16
We want one of each!!!
Know of any other great online gift boutiques? Let us know and we’ll spread the word.
We love watching these beautiful photos from the Paris Spring Haute Couture shows roll in.
Sure, these gowns are pure fantasy for 99% of us who could never afford such outlandishly priced creation… but what wonderful eye candy to inspire and uplift us during this cold, drab winter!
These dresses are from the Christian Dior Spring Haute Couture Collection. The detailing and colors are exquisite!
Chic in Paris has a great post that takes you up close and front row to some of the top shows in Paris.
Saw some great sexy, very wearable Anne Klein clothes at a recent fashion show at Verity in Toronto and wanted to share the pictures with you for inspiration.
Here’s what was coming down the runway for Fall/Winter 2008. << Isn’t this sweater darling?
Grey definitely seems to 
be the color of the season! Notice the hat>>
We wrote about this kind of hat in our last newsletter>
Always love a simple sheath! Also, gloves everywhere.
Grey can be hard to wear if you are warm skin toned, but you could pair grey pants or a grey skirt with a purple jacket like this. >>
I (Deb) bought this purple jacket>>>
Brown was also hot and we love this coppery shade of brown, below. Big jewels are also in.
Here’s a trench with a similar finish. Nice for the holidays.
These are beautiful, no nonsense clothes that make you look look fab.As the late Anne Klein, herself, neatly put it, “Clothes won’t change the world. The women who wear them will”. 
Tibi is a fabulous contemporary line we discovered when we were on the lookout for a couple of dresses for a recent TV interview.
JoJami found this smart pumpkin military style dress, and I picked up a chic Kelly green shift. These dresses are super comfortable knits and look perfect with dark tights and boots, or platform pumps.
Amy Smilovic is the designer behind Tibi. Her motto is “casual chic”. Amy’s influences comes from childhood. Her father was an artist and that comes through in her clothing, as she is know for her brilliant use of colour.
Tibi is showing at New York Fashion Week. Check out what they’re showing for Spring 2009.
We were just flipping through a Valentino spring slide show at In Style and noticed many new and unusual color combinations for Spring.
It’s been a long time since we’ve seen pink and purple together. Love the way he has color blocked this cute outfit on the left.
He’s done something similar with this coat/
dress? Like the periwinkle color, but in reality, not too many women can wear this unusual shade of acid green.
Here’s another fresh combo. (Deb says these are the same colors, + pink , that are in her 5-year-old daughter’s ballerina themed bedroom.)
As for the style, must admit, it kind of reminds me of a hospital bed sheet pulled across a strapless sundress. (I think it’s that shade of green that’s making me think hospital). Cute style….. if you are young.
Elegant off the shoulder look on the right. Sort of Grecian meets modern woman. The pink and green combo is pretty, but reminds us of upholstered furniture we had in the 80′s. Remember all those soft greys with pinks, peaches, mauves, and this shade of green that was so in?
Finally, if you can’t make up your mind what colors you like, here’s a dress that has them all.
This pretty pink sheath is so Spring-like, all shimmery on top with bands of pastels underneath…kind of like a painted Easter egg.
Maybe Easter is what Valentino was thinking about when he created these beautiful dresses.
Our thoughts on this colorful palette. Careful here. Although gorgeous on these 20something girls, pastels can be aging on a 40+ woman. Think Grandma at the Sunday Easter Egg hunt. You don’t want to look like a sweet little old lady.
The New York Times is reporting that “a meticulously tailored look that evokes the White House years of Jacqueline Kennedy” is what’s in store for Fall.
Sheath dresses, and smart matching suits, all signal a shift towards conservatism. We’re thrilled!
We’ve always loved that clean lined look and have many fond memories as children of our moms sporting smart, chic, little sheath dresses back in the 60′s.
They are just so tidy and modern. You slip one on, add a pair of gorgeous pumps and and you look like a million bucks. Plus, the look is great for women over 40 because, let’s face it, things have gotten soft and we need a little structure in our clothing to give us some shape.
These clothes create a beautiful silhouette.
There’s also no fussiness about them, which can make you look old.
These sleek Michael Kors designs, inspired by Hitchcock Blondes like Grace Kelly, are effortlessly elegant!
Give us a refined, crisp looking suit any day, over a flouncy ruffled boho skirt and overly deep cut top that screams for attention and leaves others embarrassed about where to look.
Deborah found these gorgeous photos of the latest couture gowns from Versace at Style.com, and we both started drooling!!!
JJ: “Oh, my gosh, aren’t these just gorgeous!!!”
DEB: “To die, for! Can’t wait to see which celebrities turn up in these!”
Can’t you just see Elizabeth Hurley in that sexy blue gown? How about Michelle Pfeiffer in that nude, jewelled waisted one?…(even though she is loyal Armani fan)
Lots of bold color, curves, ruffles, Grecian Goddess looks. They’re the ultimate in femininity!
We know that most of you won’t be running out the door to purchase one of these ultra pricey designer creations, but we still thought you’d enjoy this little taste of glamour.
Do you have a special event that you have to buy a dress for? Study the color and style of these gowns and look for something similar if you want to look updated and fabulous!
If you’re a size 12 or over there’s no reason to have to settle for clothes that are baggy and unstylish anymore! A new web boutique called Lola and Gigi has arrived that specializes in hip clothes for women 12-3X.
Lola and Gigi is a labor of love for Laura Caravaggio who was frustrated with being unable to find fabulous, modern plus size clothes to wear. “My dream was born out of a desire to really dress myself in away that was an outward manifestation of who I was inside. I felt sexy and beautiful and the selection was just not out there. I felt I deserved a choice.”
So Laura contacted new and upcoming designers in Canada and U.S. who were selling interesting plus size designs in local boutiques and pitched helping sell their clothes on line.
Lola and Gigi carries clothes for both Lola types (Sophia Loren-ish…sexy but classy) and for GiGi Types (fresher, riskier, more out there gals). Favorite designers include MoMo (who was making up to size x-tra large and Laura persuaded her to go up to 3x) and Vancouver designer Diane Kennedy who creates comfortable eco friendly clothes made of bamboo and soy. Can you believe this brown Charm shirt is 92% bamboo?!
Laura tells us she is careful to use plus size models with different body shapes, to show how the right style can balance you out. Here’s a few examples of what works with what body shape.
If you are bigger on top, smaller on bottom- Choose a style that cuts into chest so you don’t look so top heavy such as V neck or wrap dress. Look closely- Laura is in middle!
Pear shape-small on top, big on bottom. Laura recommends the new Kimono dress because it balances out the body perfectly. Here it is modeled by Miss Plus size Canada who is two sizes smaller on top than on the bottom.
All shapes-New trouser jean. It’s wider at the leg and so balances out wider hips. It also looks much more elegant that skinny jeans which don’t suit big gals.
What’s in store next for Laura? She’d love to do her own line and is especially interested in designing dresses because they are so comfortable and easy.
“I’d like to become the Diane Von Furstenberg of Plus size.” Way to go Laura!
It’s hard enough to find hip fresh clothes to suit the average sized woman aged 40 or 50+. But if you are older and larger size, it’s a double nightmare!
That’s why it’s great news that celebrity fashion designer Tina Knowles, Beyoncé ‘s mom, is coming out with a plus size line for “forgotten women”. The line, called “Miss Tina”, will debut August 9th on the Home shopping network with sizes ranging from 2-24!
According to Tina the line “emphasizes figure-flattering silhouettes and exquisite attention to detail to enhance every woman’s personal style. The collection is designed for women of confidence who like to make a statement with the clothes they wear.
It will feature aspirational head-to-toe fashions that include denim, sweaters, blouses, jackets, trousers, skirts, t-shirts, footwear (i.e. boots, pumps and sandals), handbags and other accessories, such as hats, belts, gloves, capes and cuff links. Prominent signature monograms and crests have been incorporated throughout the collection to add a unique flare.”
Having seen the outfits she designs for Beyoncé we all know this gal loves glitz and glam…great for the stage, but let’s just hope her real women designs aren’t too costume-y.
Regardless,we have to say that Tina looks beautiful…. as much as a Star as her famous daughter! Get the full scoop on Tina’s new collection at The Budget Fashionista.
Diane Von Furstenberg is on a roll. She introduced the world to her famous wrap dress back in 1974 and now it’s back in a big way. You’ll find her bold pattern and vintage print wrap dresses in all the stores, including Diane’s new Manhattan boutique that just opened last night. (Can’t wait to check it out….)
The wrap is great news for women our age. Its figure flattering, waist singing, bust enhancing ability, has made it a modern classic, that even Barbie is crazy for.
We’ve both just bought one think it’s the perfect dress for most anything. Plus, it travels like a dream. It’s lightweight you can throw it in your bag and it’s always so comfy because it’s made of it’s soft jersey silk fabric.
The beautiful thing about the wrap is that it drapes nicely on most figures. Even if you are not that slim, this dress will make you look sculpted and 10 pounds lighter.
Here are some tips for wearing a wrap dress:
- If you are not planning to wear hose, and want to keep things looking smooth. Try wearing Spanx to eliminate any panty lines, bumps and bulges.
- Some wrap dresses have a tendency to come open at the top. Make sure that you buy the correct size or wear a camisole underneath. We find that the non-lace ones look better with this tailored look.
- If you are not that busty, this is a great time to have some fun with a pretty padded push up bra!
- O.k. What about the shoes? The formality of the print and and the size of print will dictate the heel. The wilder the print, the chunkier you can go with the heel . That means you can do anything from a more delicate heel to a wedge. However, if you end up with a delicate pattern, as many of them are this season, keep your shoes simple. A lovely sandal or peekaboo toe looks great or you can wear a canvas wedge for a more casual daytime look. Do not wear mules or closed toe shoe, they just don’t work.
- With its plunging neckline a short or long necklace will finish off the look beautifully.
- Also, remember that you can wear a jacket over it for a more corporate look.
As Diane would say, “Feel like a woman, wear a dress!”
Over Spring break, had a chance to shop in charming Charleston, NC, where I happened to wander into a refreshing new shoe boutique. It is called Farushga and it carries the most gorgeous and unique hand crafted Italian shoes!
When I am looking for shoes, I want not too high a heel but one that is still sexy but that I can walk in, without my feet pooping out in 5 mins.
Eva Mahgrefteh, the owner was oozing with enthusiasm over all her special brands that only she and a few other stores in the US carry. The ones I ended up getting were 3 1/2 inch nude sandals from Gianna Meliani.
According to Ms. Mahgrefteh, the nude shoe is the hot item of the season, with its ability to match almost everything in your closet, while making your leg look longer and sleeker! Can’t beat a sales pitch like that one…sure sold me!
Farushga
377-A King Street
Charleston, SC 29401
(843- 722-3131
www.farushgashoes.com
Ever picked up a cute sweater, only to find out the the blouse under it, is not really a blouse at all, but two items sewn together for a “mock” layered look? Horrors!!
Better known in the fashion world as the “two-fer”, and synonymous with discount stores and cheap good, in the old days, this was a common practice, and is called a dickey.
Funny how if you rename something it can sound so much better. This year’s fashion darling, Tory Burch has taken it back to its roots. Her new “Dickey Dress” that is in made with fine fabrics (jersey knitt) and has gone on to be a top seller at $325.
At first we were very wary of this trend, however after looking at it, we realize that it does give you a nice rich layered look with out all of the bunching! This dress is both comfortable and stylish.
Way to think out of the box, Tory!
There must be something in the air because the tide seems to be turning. Our image of the perfect body is shifting and suddenly it’s o.k. to have some meat on your bones.
First there was the news from Spain that underweight models had been banned from the runway. Next we started seeing curvy Dove pro-aging nude grandmothers popping up on billboards in Times Square. Just recently, we all went wild cheering on full-figured singing sensation Jennifer Hudson, who has since landed the gold stamp of approval and cover of Vogue.
Now, this just in…Michael Kors and Calvin Klein are finally jumping on board this “bigger is beautiful” bandwagon and have begun to produce designer clothes for plus size gals. The lines are being sold sold at Macy’s, Bloomingdales and Lord and Taylor and run from $50 for a blouse to $250 for a trenchcoat.
It’s a godsend for boomer women who still want to look stylish and chic despite some extra menopausal pounds. After all, 62% of American women are a size 16 or over. It’s unrealistic to think that we are going to stay our high school weight forever.
Trying to find high quality, fashionable goods for those of us that are over size 16 has been a struggle for years. The high end fashion designers have thumbed their noses at the plus size market for far too long. We salute those designers and stores that are finally waking up to reality.
Women of all ages and sizes still want to look and feel fabulous!!
Have you been sucked into Handbag Status Hell?
The latest email from Neiman Marcus, shows this season’s newest look… the HUGE oversized handbag from designer Jimmy Choo. The price, $1,690. OUCH!! (and it’s ugly!)
Funny how no one really talks about it, but somehow we have been brainwashed into believing that if we are not toting the latest, greatest “it” bag, that we haven’t really made it. The pressure is on and every time you pick up a fashion magazine, there’s some writer making the justification for buying one of these much obsessed about bags that come with outrageous four figure price tags. The rationalization is that these hot luxury bags are after all, such amazing quality, and that when you really think about it they add up to only a few cents a day over many years, and best of all, you’ll have them for a lifetime!
But aren’t we fooling ourselves a little? Yes, we boomers have more money than our parents did, but aren’t we going overboard? You have wonder- How much quality do you really need? Are you actually going to use such a pricey bag a lifetime (boring), and isn’t the price slightly insane, especially when you are encouraged to buy another “it” bag every change of season.
We too, have felt the pressure to own an expensive status bag and confess that on one occasion we’ve both spent close to $1,000 on a single purse. (a special “treat” we told ourselves). But was it really worth it?
Yes, the bags we bought were gorgeous in our eyes, and yes, we could afford them, but after a couple of seasons they are now stashed away in our closets we’re on the lookout for something new and interesting.
So the question is: When it comes to buying a new purse how high do you go? Once you do buy a status purse are you hooked into forever buying expensive status purses? Do you become a purse snob? (We think it’s an easy trap to fall into)
If you find yourself going down this crazy road, one option is to at least test drive one of these purses first. BAG BORROW OR STEAL is a great site that allows you to rent a high end designer bag that you can carry around for a while and then take it back when you are done. That way 3 months from now when the new styles roll around, you have not sunk all your money into a purse that is suddenly out or that you are just tired of.
If you think you can somehow move past your “It’s only a great purse if I pay a fortune for it hang-up”, then we have a few suggestions for some classic handbags that are beautiful, high quality and won’t leave you feeling ripped off.
These purses, from:
Francesco Biasia, Stuart Weitzman, and Furla are all fabulous choices.
They’re classic with a modern twist, high end, but all under $500.
Expensive, but not totally outrageous. A good compromise perhaps!
Attention fashion designers and retailers!
Haven’t you noticed that women over 40 are taking more of an interest than ever before in the way they look and dress?
They are taking care of themselves, feeling younger and want their appearances to reflect that.
In fact, a survey of 1,001 Americans between the ages of 42 and 60 revealed that there’s a new subset of boomers called Generation V (V for Vitality), who feel 12 years younger than their chronological age.
Gen V’ers are making health and wellness a priority and have more energy and vitality than most other people their age, or than their parents did at this age. They exercise, take vitamins, and are optimistic about life.
And we all know when you feel good, you want to look good and you want to shop!
So, when are you going to start paying attention to us Gen V-er’s, because we’re still finding that there is a big gap out there.
We don’t want to dress like teenagers, but we don’t want to dress like grannies. Where are the stores that sell stylish, comfortable,and classy clothes for women like us?
If you’ve found a store or designer you like, we’d love to hear from you!
