Dear Glam Gals,
The 3/4 length sleeves on winter coats seem to be popular, but what do you do with your sleeves of dress, shirt, etc? Would it be appropriate to wear long gloves?
Thanks, Ellen
Dear Ellen,
With all the rage of the 3/4 sleeve jacket, there are lots of options on how to wear this look.
I (JoJami) just bought this plaid jacket from a local resale shop, and have found it a great 
transition piece into fall. I have worn it with some black slim pants, with a black turtleneck with tall boots tucked into them, as well as more casual with a pair of straight legged jeans.
I even wore it with a black pencil skirt and black tights and black pumps and a thick belt to a networking event.
This big question is: Is it OK that my sleeves hang out the bottom? Yes, we have seen them with the sleeves hanging out the bottom (like this hounds tooth jacket below from Nordstrom’s), but feel it looks best if you choose a top that you can push up the sleeves or are sleeveless.
This 3/4 sleeve jacket is from Nordstroms
Moreover we agree that this jacket would look great with a pair of long leather gloves when the weather gets cooler.
It is also looks great with different shells. Here I have a sleeveless turtle neck, and a 3/4 sleeve scoop necked shell.
The options are endless, however I really like to keep it simple with all black underneath or pop it with a white blouse.
There is a bit of tan in the plaid as well, and would work nicely with a column of tan underneath as well. Since I bought it used, I would not attempt to try to put red with it, since it would be probably next to impossible to get the red right.
One more note, we both agree that we would not invest in a piece like this if it was pricey, since this is more of a trendy look. However this one was only $40.00 and so I felt like it was a good buy for how much I will be wearing it.
If you have a 3/4 jacket, please send us your photo in it with permission to use it on our blog. It is always fun to see how others put their looks together!
Over 40, feeling frumpy? Wondering what to buy this season to zip up your wardrobe and get you back on the style track?
Here are 7 Fall Accessories to help make you look Fabulous after 40
1. Wide Belts
Wide belts are a great way to bring definition to your waist, hide figure flaws and help accentuate a curvy body (Just look at Oprah ~ she wears them all the time!) One great look is to tuck a sweater set or blouse into your pants or skirt and add a wide belt. Any one of these colorful croco patent leather belts would be a modern choice.
You can also use a belt to create a layered look. Slip on a pair of pants, a shirt and a long sweater coat, and then add a 2″ belt on the outside of it all. This Suzie Roher lambskin quilted belt would look great wrapped snugly around your middle, or if you prefer, you could let it hang a little looser, just to one side, to camouflage a jelly belly. If you are extremely round in the middle (apple shaped, rather than hour glass), you need to skip a belt altogether. It will only bring attention to the wrong area.
2. Oversized Clutches
This is an easy look for most shapes and sizes, and adds instant glamour to a suit, dress or even a pair of jeans. This Michael Kors clutch hits the mark this season because of its regal purple shade and patent leather finish.
Exotic animal skins are also a hot trend and that’s why we love this ladylike python headturner by Jalda. Like many of today’s clutches, it has a magnetic latch which makes it easy to get in and out of. Ladies, keep in mind that your clutch does not have to match your shoes. You may have on a brown outfit with brown shoes, but a bright gold or purple clutch spices things up a bit and makes you look good with it. Make a gorgeous clutch your focal point!
3. Gloves Galore
Gorgeous leather gloves in warm autumn shades are a must have item this Fall if you want to look Fabulous after 40. Treat yourself to a pair of short Italian cashmere lined gloves or, better yet, to a pair of glamorous long ones. These brown suede beauties by Robert Rodriguez go perfectly with a sleeveless dress or 3/4 sleeve length sleeve jacket. Not only are they super chic, but they make your jacket more wearable in the winter. Many of our readers ask how to dress to be cool in the Fall, (they’re dealing with hot flashes)…The 3/4 length jacket fits the bill perfectly, but going from the cold to the warm inside will be tricky if you don’t have the right gloves.
4. Winter Wraps
What are they? They are sort of a combination of a poncho, a shawl, and long sweater all rolled into one. We just love this cozy feminine look as an alternative to coats or jackets. This season the wool wrap is at the top of our must have list and are a very versatile piece that works well for the bodies and lifestyles of women over 40. They are easy to wear because they’re loose (1 size fits most) and they can take you anywhere from dropping the kids off at school, to an evening out with your husband.
Our favorites are this DKNY merino wool “Cozy,” and for a more elegant look we love this Badgley Mischka paisley wrap. Not only is grey this season’s hottest neutral, but the metallic threads running through this wrap give it a very hip feel.
5. Ankle Booties
A great alternative to knee high boots, ankle booties can be worn in a variety of ways depending how you feel most comfortable. For more conservative types, ankle boots are great under pants because they’re cooler and more comfortable than wearing a tall boot. Booties styles include ones with clunky rounded toes, wedges, or pointy toes and thin heels. Be clear on your purpose for the boot. We prefer the more refined rather than clunky ankle booties because a too clunky look can look too funky, and you can start looking like a big old horse.
Now, if you feel your style leans more towards the upper end of the fashion scale and you enjoy experimenting with new looks, then try wearing ankle booties with a dress. The key to this look is to choose a bootie that is cut lower at the ankle, rather than one that covers the ankle like the chocolate brown Star Ling “chow chow” pair (Save those for under pants). Dark booties should be worn with dark opaque hose. We love these Ferragamo pleated Narni beige booties but would only suggest wearing them with a monochromatic outfit (taupe outfit and taupe opaque hose, which might be difficult to find!- best to stick to brown and black booties if you can) The dress and ankle bootie combo looks amazing on women with nice legs. It’s not complementary on gals with thick ankles or knees.
6. Statement Jewelry
The bigger and bolder, the better is what this season’s jewelry says. If you have to just buy one necklace or bracelet, make sure it’s a clunky one. This Kendra Scott cuff with fan shaped stones is the perfect way to turn a little black dress into a stunning black dress. The Ippolita Art Link necklace is also a head turner and is very versatile because of its classic simplicity. You only need a couple of really good pieces like this to mix and match with your wardrobe. We can’t stress how important jewelry is and how much it can totally change an outfit instantly.
7. Patterned Hosiery
We are seeing a lot of fun textured hose out there, but we caution you to play it safe with this trend. This is one trend that done wrong (stripes, polka dots, or too much color) can really make you look like Pipi Longstocking! Although printed and textured hose are in, you need to keep things simple and clean. Avoid anything with a big print or that is too textured. Spanx has just created a new line of textured hose that we love. We suggest these tight end fancy chevron pair or the arrow pattern tights. We also love these Donna Karan crocodile pattern tights which are a little more adventurous, but are still subtle enough to be chic.
We came across a great thing over at Nordstrom’s… They have something called The Top 10 where they list the top 10 fashion trends and then you can shop the trend. We have done all the work for you…
Here are our top 5 trends out of the of the 10 including what we would buy and why. Have some fun, check out the site and comment below. We’d like to hear what you would choose!
1.The Stand Out Coat: Everyone needs one. In the fall and winter you will wear it almost daily. Here is one we like. It’s a modern pattern and color combination, but the cut is classic.
2. The Pencil Skirt: A pencil skirt should be simple and fit well. We liked this one the best, especially the way the hem falls at just the right part of the leg.
3.The Statement Necklace: We strongly agree that a statement necklace is a must have in your wardrobe. The neck is one of the areas on a woman that stays sexy the longest. Let’s celebrate it with sparkle!/p>
4. The Short Jacket:
Its hard to see it in this photo, but this jacket has a lot of detail to it. The sleeve has just a bit of flair at the cuff. We like the overall fit too!
5. The Bootie: This was a hard choice, but this one is a great price and has lots of class.
