Are You Dressing too Young this Christmas?

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

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)

Do you dress to express your personality?

Do you dress to express your personality?

Every Monday, we share with you some out of the box topics from our friends called The Blogging Boomers. This week we had so much fun reading about a couple from Florida who has taken the word “whimsical” to a new level!!

Here is their home, fondly known as the Bowling Ball House, since it all started when they were at a flea market and took home a pile of  free bowling balls!

Do you agree, there is a good chance that the owners are probably just as colorful?

This might be an extreme example, but it got us thinking on how so many women have forgotten how fun it can be to dress in a way that is more colorful and festive!

Today, we challenge you to look in the mirror and ask yourself, do I dress in a way that really expresses my personality?

Please comment with your thoughts below.

This weeks Blogging Boomers Carnival #142 host is Wendy Spiegel, at Gen Plus,where you can read more wild articles on sex, business, and science.

Back from NYC Reinvention Convention, Best Dressed

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

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?

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 !!!

Style Tip – Try it on anyway

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

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? 

We love cork wedges..they are comfortable

How to wear the wrinkled linen look and pull it off

Linen, it’s such a great fabric. It’s all natural, breathable and cool, but the thought of looking wrinkled in it has given it a bad rap!

This Age-mazing woman is looking classy and feeling comfortable her linen outfit

Have you ever thought to yourself, “I’d love to wear linen but I can’t because it wrinkles so much.”  We spotted this Age-Mazing© woman, Stacey Inglis at the airport recently traveling with her daughter and could not take our eyes off her. Wow… in the sea of hurried travelers this woman was looking radiant in what seemed to be a linen outfit. Could this be? We stopped her for a quick chat!

Stacey, do you wear linen often?

Yes! I have had this jacket for several years and it’s one of my favorites!

Where did you get it?

It’s an Anne Klein…so probably at Macy’s.

What about your skirt and blouse and shoes?

The skirt is Carole Little and this blouse came from Express! (the blouse is a halter wrap around, so you you don’t have to tuck it in!)

The shoes are Via Spiga…they are so comfortable!!!

This Fab statement piece is by Stephanie Greenfield

Your necklace really makes your outfit! Is there a story behind it?

LOL… Well I just bought it on my trip and the funny thing is, I was reading Cosmopolitan Magazine on the plane just now, and here it is featured on page 65!

Oh my… is that a Lalique bracelet?

Well, I love Paris and last time I went I treated myself to one special thing… you know this bracelet probably cost more than my entire outfit, but I like to mix things up!

Lalique bracelet...a treat from Paris

One last question, do you always dress nice like this?

You know, I find that it is just as easy to put on something like this on than a pair of jeans, and I’m actually more comfortable. You don’t have to spend a lot on clothes to look nice!

Well you look terrific!

So ladies… the proof is in the pictures! By injecting some linen and wonderful accessories into your wardrobe, you may be a little wrinkled but you can still look FAB!

Age-mazing gal we met at Bergdorfs (on the street in NYC part 2)

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

Where to shop for lovely mother of the bride dresses

What a relief to see that those old misconceptions about how a mother of the bride – or mature woman attending a special event – should look, are finally changing.  America’s biggest bridal retailer, David’s Bridal, is forging the way for moms and wedding-goers to look hipper, younger and cooler!

Here are some trends we have seen in the bridal industry in the past few seasons that give us hope!

We love that David’s has come up with stylish, more age-appropriate ways to appeal to the new generation of boomers!  To get more tips about how to dress for your son or daughter’s wedding, check out our eBook Tweak Your Chic: Mother of the Bride!

Summer dresses on sale

It’s amazing how many places you can find to wear some of this summer’s best dresses!  We found a ton of great styles at Nordstrom’s, all under $150!  Check out how you can wear them to all your summer destinations.

	At the beach. Accessorize with: A wooden beaded necklace and sunscreen.
	To a barbeque. Accessorize with: Flat, embellished sandals and a sauce stain.
	As a bathing suit cover up. Accessorize with: A big floppy straw hat and shades.
	To a summer wedding. Accessorize with: Metallic heels and dangly earrings.
	To an outdoor party. Accessorize with: Pearls and a cardigan.
	To a cocktail party. Accessorize with: Big gold bangles and a slick up-do.
	A night out with the girls. Accessorize with: A black leather clutch purse (with ballet flats inside!).
	To work. Accessorize with: Button earrings and sensible pumps.
	Anytime! Accessorize with: Gladiator sandals and a colorful handbag.

Can Colorful Shoes Make You Look Young and Modern? Part 3

PUMPS

We call these fuchsia peep toe sling backs “power pumps” because they sure let you know who’s in charge.	They are the perfect complement to this belted houndstooth business suit because they add just the right touch of femininity and personality. The key to wearing colored shoes at work is to keep everything understated except for that pop of shoe color. If your workplace is more conservative, a closed toe pump in fuchsia would look great too.
Shiny patent pumps like these in Fire engine red turn up the heat on this black and white graphic dress.	See what a beautiful contrast these shoes are to this eye catching David Meister dress? If the dress was red and white, and you wanted to wear red shoes, it would be nearly impossible to match the red, and if you did it would look too matchy matchy and dated anyway.

How To Hide Your Midlife Tummy – Part 4

4. Wrap It Up

Wrap blouses and dresses are always a great way to hide the tummy.

The wrong wrap

Here’s a beautiful metallic wrap top, but it stops at the waist, so if you have a tummy this will NOT work!

The right wrap

Instead try something like this wrap blouse.The beautiful portrait neckline puts the emphasis up top by the face, while the shirt is nice and long to cover the tummy. As for the bow, play with it and see. It’s off to the side which makes it quite flattering but if your tummy bulge is quite prominent then you may just want to tie this top at the back.

Patterns keep the eye moving away from the tummy

Another option is a colorful patterned wrap dress. There’s lots to look at, meaning the eye moves around this pattern instead of focusing on your tummy, so don’t be afraid to try one. If you are going to wear a print try adding some chunky jewelry.

What To Wear as a Casual Bride?

I’ve got dressing my age (52) down.  I’m a pretty good dresser, not frumpy, thanks to my teenage daughter.  And, no, I don’t dress like I’m 16!

My problem is that I am getting married this summer in a 10 acre backyard in a rural setting in Texas.  Most guests will be wearing blue jeans.  It’s going to be simple and fun.  What do I wear?  I don’t want to look like Ellie Mae Clampett wearing a dress made by Cousin Pearl, nor do I want to look like the girls from Hootersville (what a funny name looking back on it now).  I am 5’10″, wear between a 6 and an 8, small chested, Norweigian heritage, pale skin and blonde and silvery hair.  It’s not bleached! What can I wear just to look memorably pretty?

L

Hi, L!  My, my – you sure are a tall drink of water, and slim too!  Lucky you – you can probably pull off a sleeveless style, which you will be thankful for outside during a hot Texan summer! Shopping for styles might be difficult, since you’ll see a lot of fussy, frilly junior dresses out there with big bows and high hems! Stick to simple lines, lighter, flowier fabrics (nothing too heavy or satin-y), and V-necks to bring the attention up to your face.   Stay away from anything too heavily beaded or embellished, or anything too short!  To the knee should be the highest your skirt should go.

As far as color, you still do want to designate yourself as “The Bride” in pictures and to your guests.  After all, you’re still a bride – you can allow yourself to go a little glam an stand out in the crowd!  Therefore, we do recommend a lighter color.  We understand that once you get to a certain age, wearing white to your own wedding is considered passé (sometimes even taboo!).   But it you’re a traditionalist at heart, why not go for an ivory or white?

The empire waist and V-neck is very flattering

If you don’t dare do white, then choose a light blue or green.  (With your skin, stay away from pale pinks and beiges — they could wash you out!)  Soft pattern would also be nice, as it has a more casual feel.

Lace insets give this a demure wedding feel, but the silky fabric keeps it casual.

Solids colors are pretty too, as long as you spice it up by putting some flowers or an embellished comb in your hair.

Chiffon will keep you cool.

We found all these dresses on Nordstrom’s website.  Good luck, and best wishes!

Look fashionable over 40 this Spring – part 5

Continuing our series on 5 ways to look fashionable over 40 this spring….

Question # 5. Beige… Boring?

The color beige seems to be everywhere this spring, but I’m afraid to try it because I think it will wash me out. Do you think beige is too much of a blah color for women over 40? …Judy

Hi Judy,

Beige may suit you depending on your coloring. It’s true that after 40 our skin and hair tends to fade and we can become washed out, so beige doesn’t always look so good, but with makeup and hair coloring you should be able to beige well if it has always looked good on you before.

If you are still uncertain whether you ever looked good in beige perhaps you’ve just never found the right shade of beige or nude as it I now being called. Cool ash and pink beiges suit women with cool undertones. Warm peach and golden beiges are better suited to women with warm (yellow) undertones.

No

Nice style, but this beige is nearly white and washes her out.

Yes

Keep in mind, a tan always helps make you look better in beige. A touch of white or black with beige can also spice it up, as can accessories.

Absolutely Not

A lethal combination – beige against washed out skin plus an ugly sandal.

Look fashionable over 40 this Spring – part 4

Continuing our series on 5 ways to look fashionable over 40 this spring….

Question# 4 Michelle Obama Style

I really admire our new first lady’s style and I’d like to emulate her look. What’s a quick and inexpensive way to get Michelle Obama style? …Carol

Hi Carol,

Michelle’s unique style has been a smash hit with women for many reasons. First Michelle loves simple classic styles which are universally flattering, and always look age appropriate after 40. The first lady also favors wearing bright colors – a refreshing and optimistic change from black , black, black. And most interesting of all, she chooses to accent her wardrobe with bold jewelry and accessories which really adds a modern twist. Al this, plus the fact that she’s very comfortable mixing a little high priced with lots of lower priced fashions, make her a style icon everyone wants to copy.

The easiest way to get Michelle’s look is to purchase a simple shift dress in a bright color. Michelle loves pink and fuchsia judging by this famous floral gown she wore, and the wonderful shift dress she graced on the cover of Vogue.

Yes

We picked out this cute shift dress with jacket that we could easily imagine her in. If you don’t like pattern, any bright colored shift would do. You might even pair it with a cashmere sweater as he first lady often does and add a bright pin at the neck or some great earrings or a thick belt.

Don’t know where to start to look. Shift dresses are everywhere, but you may want to try J. Crew, one of Michelle’s affordable favorites.

What Should I Wear to a Charity Ball?

Dear Glam Gals,

Please advise what to wear to a charity ball if you are plus size and 60+ years old. The theme this year which may or may not be an issue is Golden Age of Hollywood. Would it be appropriate at my age and size to wear a shiny fabric such as gold or silver? Also, are halter type tops out of the question? Also, style is an issue – I don’t want to look like a mother of the bride or an aging prom queen. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you!
S.A. 

Dear S.A.,

Here are some good rules for women of your age and body type to follow:

• Shiny fabrics tend to show every lump and bump, we say it’s a good idea to stay away from them.
• Halters can be very flattering on many women, however, if you have broad shoulders or thick arms, this is one style you will want to steer clear of.
• We think Sophia Lauren is a great role model for wearing what looks glamorous on the red carpet. She loves to wear boat neck tops that show her nice neckline, but cover up the tops of her arms.
• What makes a gown look like a mother of the bride is stiff fabric, matching jackets and high necklines. Beware of these pitfalls!
• Aging prom queen would look like cheap fabric, and too much glitz and glitter. Keep it simple and make sure your dress is a quality fabrication.
• Make sure the color is flattering on you. As we age, black can be draining and light grey, although very fashionable these days, can look drab on many of us!
• Focus on the dress first, then accent it with accessories that will give you “Old Hollywood” glamor to capture the theme. Think: Art Deco-inspired jewelry and Marcel hair.
• Go here for more great style ideas for women over 40!

(Thank you Nordstrom’s for the styles shown above)

Should I Match Items or Not?

Dear Glam Gals,

I have enjoyed your website tremendously.  I do have a question regarding the recent trend to “unmatch” items.  It seems that it is “in” right now to have shoes not match the bag and also to have almost mismatched items in an outfit.  For example, I have seen leopard print shoes (brown and black) with a bright red dress and black belt (I would have gone with a black or red shoe). If I still match, does it make me look dated and out of fashion?  The term “matchy-matchy” has been used.  How do we know when to match and when not to?

Thanks,
TC

Hi, TC!  We agree that this can be a confusing issue.  Matching clothes is really based on your own personal style.  It’s a lot like how you might want to decorate your house.  Some people like the mixed-matched Shabby Chic look and others like an upscale, contemporary, monochromatic look.  However, you are on the right track just by being inspired and seeing how stylists in magazines are putting outfits together.

It's all about personal style

Your description above with the leopard print shoe with bright red dress and black belt sounds right on track!  One note of caution: If you are going to wear that leopard print shoe, leave the print at that.  Don’t go buying the matching purse or belt.  

A pattern made up of neutrals can be used to accent any solid bright color.

Moreover, when trying to wear a bright color shoe, do NOT match it with the same color bag.  The idea is to have a fun “pop” of color, and not overdo it.  If you want to keep it monochromatic, keep the colors subtle by using neutrals like white, tan, black, or grey.  A bright yellow, red, or bright blue from head to toe is just too much!

Madonna’s Grass Dress

What ’s Madonna trying to say with this crazy green grass dress she wore recently??….looks like she needs to be mowed!

This is what what happens when a 50 year old woman suddenly gets a divorce and loses her confidence.

We’ve seen it with many of our clients. They start dressing a little wacky, desparately trying to look sexy. Madonna is a perfect example.  For more on the the latest buzz on what’s going on with Madonna and her wadrobe, check out this great post we found at www.wowowow.com.

What to Wear to a Spring/Summer Wedding

Got a wedding coming up? Confused about what to wear? Afraid you’ll have to resort to recycling that old standby, hidden in the back of your closet?Here are the answers to the

7 Top Questions about What to wear to a Wedding

Q1. What should I wear to a Daytime Wedding?

The mood of a daytime wedding is light, fresh, and cheery, and so a pretty dress in a happy color like this sunny yellow is a good choice for a wedding guest. Choose something that’s similar to what you’d wear if you were invited to a fancy garden party or special summer luncheon.

A floral print dress is ideal, and should be very easy to find because floral are one of the hottest fashion trends this Spring/summer 2008. Accessorize your dress with some cute heels, a great clutch, and if you are daring enough, a hat. How often do you get to go to a wedding? Have fun and dress up.

This blue floral halter dress is light and breezy and would be right at home at an outdoor summer wedding.

Q2. Can I wear Pants?

Yes, absolutely! If your legs are not your best asset or dresses are just not your thing, then pants are a fine choice. However, we’re not talking any old pair of slacks and a top. To look more elegant a wear a solid color pantsuit or a beautiful blouse and a pair of Palazzo pants which are flowy and feminine, almost like a dress. Lighter colors like this pastel blue pantsuit are best for daytime weddings, and be sure to choose fabrics that are relaxed and a little more luxurious than everyday.

Q3. What should I wear to an Evening Wedding?

Easy Answer – a cocktail dress! Just make sure it is not too flashy or sparkly or skin revealing. You don’t want to look like you should be at a disco. For example, a tight fitting red satin dress with sequins and a plunging neckline is too showy. This green silk charmeuse dress with goldtone beads has just the right amount of shine.

Love this coral chiffon dress with soft fluid skirt that would be heavenly to dance in.

Here’s another elegant style. This mauve stunner with bolero jacket gives you a little more coverage.

Another option for an evening wedding is to wear a dressy suit or a cocktail suit. Remember, it’s night. You mustn’t look the slightest bit corporate. No pinstripes, shirts, tweeds, serious suit styles and heavy materials. You need to wear a fitted suit, not a boxy suit; one that is softer, a little sexy, feminine and luxurious – the type of thing you’d wear if you were going out to a special dinner. Think sophisticated. (A very dressy pantsuit with this same feel would work too.)

Q4. Is it true you should never wear white ever? What about cream?

Sorry, that old rule of no white at weddings still stands because you never want to upstage the bride. The only time it is acceptable is to wear a tiny bit of white as a detail on a dress or within a pattern of a dress- but we’re talking tiny. Cream or beige is o.k. unless you know the bride is wearing cream. This form fitting shutter pleat cream dress with a touch of metallic had a cocktail feel and would look great at an evening wedding.

Q5. Can I wear Black?

While black is too dark and heavy for daytime weddings, a black cocktail dress is very appropriate for an evening wedding. This black taffeta skirt with knit top would be chic.

Q6. What should I wear to black tie wedding?

A black tie wedding is most formal and calls for something very glamorous like you are going to a formal ball. Here’s where a full length Black dresswould be your very best choice, however a black cocktail dress would be acceptable too. If you don’t like black, then a single color dress in a rich color is elegant too. Also, a dress that is simple with, clean lines is what’s right for this elegant affair. No fussy details or frou-frou.

Always respect the fact that will be one of the most special days in Bride’s life. Honor her by putting some effort into what you wear and dressing up for the occasion, but never try to outshine her. It’s her moment to in the spotlight. Make sure she feels like the Star.