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
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!
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 |
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!
1) Color
|
It used to be that Mother of the Bride dresses only came in four colors: blah, boring, beige, and blech. Pastels and navy blue are only part of the selection nowadays! Finally, the industry is starting to show a spectrum of different colors, from spring greens to rich purples.
Whether you love bold jewel tones or rich earth tones, there should be something out there for you. Since more saturated colors are better for aging skin tones, liven up your look, and go for something with pizazz! |
2) Bolero Jackets
|
We’re sick of those boring, frumpy jacket dresses too, but with the rising popularity of bolero jackets, there’s finally a fresh new take on them! Designers finally addressed the need for a removable, arm-covering piece that is also fashionable.
It’s a perfect combination of style (with different sleeve lengths, they can be very sharp), practicality (take it off when you’re hot, and you will still have a great dress underneath), and modesty (wear it to cover up during the ceremony – no one will guess you’re trying to cover those wobbly chicken wings under your arms!). |
3) Variety of lengths
|
Say goodbye to floor length! We’re seeing plenty of different hemlines popping up, maybe due to the variety of different wedding styles and venues. We’re seeing plenty of cocktail-length, knee-length, handkerchief hems and hi-lo (high in the front, long in the back).
Just stay away from anything above the knee – that’s way too short. All these new hemlines give you one more reason to wear some killer shoes! |
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!
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!
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.
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.
