dress | Fabulous After 40

Judy Goss – Founder of Over 40 Females Has The Look!

May 15, 2013 | By Deborah Boland | 3 Comments

Judy Goss, Founder of Over 40 Females

If Judy Goss looks familiar it’s because, she is! For years Judy was a top Ford model gracing runways and magazine covers. She then went on to become an editor and TV spokesperson for More Magazine.

Today Judy is the founder and driving force behind Over 40 females a nationwide networking group that connects, encourages and inspires its members. I have known Judy for several years and every time I see her she looks so gorgeous and pulled together that I asked her to share her fashion sense with us.

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Vintage Black Lace Dress To A Wedding?

December 1, 2012 | By Deborah Boland | 4 Comments

Front and back view of dress. Back has the bow, should she keep it or take it off?

I stumbled upon your website and would appreciate your advice.

I’m 47 years old, 5’0, 123 lbs., have a Michelle Williams blonde pixie haircut, pear shaped figure.

My Dad is getting married again on December 8, 2012. (My mother passed away 2 years ago and he’s found true love and happiness again! He’s 75 and his bride-to-be is 73!)

I’m going to be part of the wedding ceremony. I’ve purchased the vintage dress that I’d like to wear, but I don’t want to look “costumey” and I want to make sure it looks age appropriate.”

What do you think of this dress? I’m wondering if it would be better to remove the bow from the back. Also, how should I accessorize and with what type of shoe?

Thanks so much for your help.

Laura Huff

Howardstown, KY.

Hi Laura Lynn,

What a heart warming story and it is wonderful to hear how supportive you are of your father’s new love! It sounds like it will be a very special day indeed. We think the dress you have picked has a lovely “romantic” feel to it that will be just perfect for your Dad’s wedding.

We like the dress very much as is and feel there is no need to remove the bow in the back. What makes this dress so unique is the lovely sheer lace overlay that covers it , so be careful not to over do the accessories. This means you will want to stay conservative and classic when it comes to shoes and jewelry.

For shoes, you should wear just some simple leather or patent leather pumps in black with either sheer black hose or nude hose. Make sure you don’t wear anything with a strap since it will shorten your leg in photos.

You could also wear a simple nude platform pump, with nude hose to make the dress look more modern.

Keep your accessories simple. The dress has a lot going on so we would just wear dangly, colorful, jeweled earrings and a simple watch or bracelet. However, be careful..don’t wear anything that will “catch” on the dress. Be especially be careful if you bring a clutch. Anything with jewels on it will grab the fabric and possibly rip it or just be a nuisance.

Have a wonderful time. We are sure you will look just gorgeous!

What to wear when visiting NYC

October 26, 2010 | By Deborah Boland | 7 Comments

This soft stretch dress was comfortable and perfect for shopping and touring!

Are you planning a trip to NYC and don’t know what to wear?

If you are not from a big city and you are worried about traveling back east have no fear…there is an “anything goes” vibe in the air when it comes to dressing.

That being said …if you are a fashionista, it is certainly exciting to do a little research and see what you might want to bring to wear for your upcoming visit.

I (JoJami) was just in the big apple last week and will be doing a series of posts to share with you some of my wonderful adventures!

First item to discuss: What to wear for a day of shopping and tea!

This snake skin print dress is from Etcetera and is made of jersey knit.
I could throw it on and off in a dressing room and yet feel good to go out to tea in in.
If you plan on doing a lot of walking you could always wear a pair of black flat boots and opaque hose instead.
Most people wear black here…so you can pack all black, throw in a scarf and feel right at home!
A black cape or heavy sweater (in black or a fun color) would be perfect to top it off!
If you are coming in the next few weeks make sure to bring gloves and a scarf!

First stop was tea at the Inn at Irving Place . I highly recommend it, the setting was small and intimate and the tea was outstanding! Make sure to book it early it is very hard to get a reservation!

This was a cozy setting and the food scrumptious!

If you have your favorite travel outfit, make sure to send us your photo and we will share it with everyone or just comment below!

Are You Dressing too Young this Christmas?

December 18, 2009 | By Deborah Boland | 9 Comments

What’s worse than dressing too old and frumpy? …Dressing like you’ve shopped in your teenage daughter’s closet! There’s a fine line between looking fabulous or foolish. Here are some Christmas cocktail dresses we found to illustrate the point. (All dresses are from Nordstroms)

Example	Don’t	Do
Red satin is a bold and dazzling choice so be sure to wear it with class. When you are young and firm you can get away with most anything, but after 40 more coverage up top and a longer length skirt will ensure you don’t end up looking like aging cocktail waitress.
Baby Doll dresses have been popular in the last few years but on a grown up gal will make you look like you are playing dress-up. You can still enjoy the ruffle look by wearing a dress with simple clean lines and no cutesy short or puffed sleeves.
The draped look can be very elegant if it’s not overdone. Less is more if you are 40, 50, or beyond.
We love these big collar dresses because they can put beautiful emphasis up by your face. But at midlife you need to keep this look understated. Not too bright, short or exaggerated. Caution: don’t even go near this look if your arms aren’t in good shape!
What gal can’t resist a bit of sparkle, but this mini on the left with it’s winged shoulders will make a woman 40 or better look like an desperate fashion victim. We prefer the shift on the right with only a hint of shimmer peaking out from behind some sheer material. You can have fun with this trend, but not in a garish way.
Grrr.. need we say more? If you like animal prints you might as well be a sexy cougar, rather than a baby cub.
Pretty in pink? You can be if you choose to express the color in a sophisticated way. Keep the cut clean, lean and modest. Stay away from the prom queen look.
Bows. They’re tricky but they’re in style. Forget the strapless, mini style and go for the regal Jackie O style. The tailored bow on the model on the right gives you much more presence and power than a floppy satin one.
There’s a lot of green out there and it looks fabulous this Christmas. Thin dress straps look lovely on a gal with perfect shoulders and decolletage, but after 40 they are too harsh. Also, avoid youthful fashion statements like these heavy black hose paired with a cocktail dress. Opt for a dress like this one on the right with its stunning portrait neckline. It flatters most figures, especially 40+ ones that have experienced a little middle age spread because it balances out hips and shoulders.
If you want to go sheer, do it in a tasteful way. Just a hint will do you. Be sure the rest of you is well covered up.

Black Lace for Christmas

December 17, 2009 | By Deborah Boland | 5 Comments

Shopping for our Christmas cocktail dresses we couldn’t help but notice that Black Lace is a huge trend this holiday season. Here’s a few of our favourites:

For pear shapes: This beautiful neckline broadens the shoulders and balances the hips making your bottom look more in proportion with your bust. (Nordstrom)
Tiger Lace: If you want to look a little more chic than pretty..Love this simple sexy look. The lace is actually underneath the sheer netting that is draped to look like tiger stripes. (Nordstrom)
Elegant: She almost looks like a ballerina! This is very ladylike and alluring with the lace just at banded waist. Don’t try this look if you are shortwaisted or you will be all band!(Nordstrom)
Romantic: Very pretty but make sure this isn’t too short on you or it will look like you are wearing a nightie. (Nordstrom)
Pink and Black Lace: A flirty hinit of pink underneath this easy to wear sheath is great if you wory that all too much black lace will wash you out.(Nordstrom)
To accentuate your waist: The scalloped edging is a gorgeous detail, and we like that the band and bow are not overpowering. (Nordstrom)

Back from NYC Reinvention Convention, Best Dressed

October 13, 2009 | By Deborah Boland | 4 Comments

Nothing is more energizing than running off to NYC to attend the More Magazine Reinvention Convention.
We Glam Gals had a great time connecting with old and new Age-mazing™ women who as usual thrill us with their sense of style and joy!

Here are a few of the women who stood out in over 500 attendees!

	Mika Brzezinski from MSNBC’s Morning Joe was the emcee. Looking fine in her outfit from J McLaughlin she stood out as a shining example of how mixing color can be so effective.
Judy Goss, reporter for Better TV, looking hot in this leopard print dress	Judy Goss (author of How to Break Into Modeling for Under $20) was there looking stunning in this leopard dress, reporting for Better TV.
	Kim rocked this simple yellow dress with the perfect accessories. Her layered strand of pearls, gray pumps, black cardigan were all pulled together with her gorgeous new Channel glasses and red lipstick!
Author Sherrie Mathieson with her newest book, Steal this Style	Here we are with our buddy Sherrie Mathieson who was promoting her newest book, Steal This Style. She had on a gorgeous cashmere sweater coat that she belted and pared with leggings,a scarf and flat boots. (and yes, that is a Hermes bag she is carrying…YUMMY!)
	These types of wraps were all the rage. Looking comfy but certainly stylish was this lovely lady from NY. We also featured this necklace in a post few months back. For buying info click here.
	Lauren-Crowell-Nugent from Talbots was sporting a blue cape fastened with a feather pin. Wow! Did she look gorgeous! Her pants also from Talbots were there signature brand and they fit her great!
Deborah, More editor-in chief Lesley Jane Seymour, JoJami	Here we are with Lesley Jane Seymour, Editor of More Magazine. Deb has on her Tibi dress and I have on my Tibi skirt! Lesley shared that she has not been inspired to shop this year and have found most of the clothes in the stores these days “dreary”. Instead she has bought a few new accessories like the pretty bronze, chunky necklace that she has on to update her current wardrobe.

This years event was packed and we sure enjoyed all the speakers! Congrates to More’s staff to pulling of another wonderful day of reinvention, inspiration!

What to wear in Europe

August 18, 2009 | By Deborah Boland | 13 Comments

At Versailles in Vivienne Tam

There’s still a few weeks left of summer, so if you are traveling to Europe and wondering what to wear we have a suggestion for you.

Deb At The Louvre in Diane Von Furstenberg

Make your life easy and just pack dresses!

When I was in France this summer with my husband and three children traveling around Provence, and then up to Paris for a few days, I found dresses were the perfect travel wear.

It was far too hot to wear pants,and shorts would have felt wrong, so I opted for dresses which took up hardly any space in my suitcase, made me feel feminine and were cool and comfy.

For a twelve day trip I packed 8 dresses: 7 casual, 1 slightly dressier. (You could get away with 5-6, but I like to have a few extras to choose from depending on my mood that day.)

In Provence wearing Trina Turk

During the day I wore these cute sundresses with flat gold or black sandals and a carried a large black tote (to carry souvenirs I was buying along the way!). At night I added jewelry, scarves and small heels for a dressier look.

At Jardin du Luxembourg

Now, we were on a family sightseeing trip. We were driving through the lavender fields and visiting the the quaint French countryside towns in Provence. In Paris we were doing the typical tourist things – The Louvre, The Eiffel Tower,Versailles, Le Concierge, the Seine River Cruise etc.

Deb in Eli Tahari

It was not a romantic couple’s vacation where we were slipping off to fancy Parisian restaurants and night clubs. If so, I would have packed differently and brought some dressier date night things.

But for this kind of day tripping, my summer dress wardrobe worked beautifully. What a relief to open my suitcase, slip on my dress of the day and walk out the door.

If you’re looking for a cute summer dress, Nordstrom’s and Saks carries all of these favourite brands!

Not wearing dresses because of chaffing is a problem?

August 12, 2009 | By Deborah Boland | 11 Comments

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 summer great option to shorts or capris

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 !!!

Style Tip – Try It On Anyway

August 9, 2009 | By Deborah Boland | 8 Comments

woman in dressing room 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.

Fashion gets real with stylist Paul Podlucky

July 10, 2009 | By Deborah Boland | 4 Comments

Paul Podlucky- the voice of sanity

We just stood up and shouted “YES! to a new beauty guru we’ve discovered and LOVE because he is the voice of sanity in an insane fashion world!

Wowowow has an inspiring interview with Paul Podlucky who says, “I think magazines show us too many skinny girls with long one-length hair wearing $25,000 worth of clothes, and I’m sick of it. None of us looks like that. And that’s not who we are. So who keeps telling us that’s what we are supposed to look and be like? That is impossible.”

Paul is all for starting a magazine for real women with real figures wearing beautiful affordable clothes.

We couldn’t agree more. We’ve been shouting this same message ever since we started our blog. Let’s be real. We’d love nothing more than to show you pics of 40+ women looking fashionable in clothes you can actually buy, but since we are a homespun blog, we don’t have the money to go out and create photo shoots like this.

Instead we are stuck using pictures of skinny young girls in clothes we’re suggesting would look good on a 40+ woman. You have to be able to visualize. That’s for sure. When will retailers and magazines wake up?

Here's a real woman looking Fabulous after 40!

To balance this out we have started taking some photos of Age-mazing© women on the street, and now we need your help.

Ladies, if you are over 40 & stylish, or you see a woman over 40 out there looking really fashionable, please, snap her picture and send it to us. We’d love to post these photos to inspire you!

< Here’s one we just took. This gal is the manager of car dealership who just lost 60 pounds and ran her first marathon. She got her dress at TJ Max, then switched out the belt with one she found on sale.

She’s paired her dress with a great pair of cork wedges from Nine West. Doesn’t she look great?