Dear Glam Gals,
I realize the season has passed for these but am wondering if I “can or should” be wearing Capris.
Yes. Cathy Capris are still in style and you look FAB! (pants from K Mart)
They are made of a stretchy material and about the only thing that fits me because of my super skinny legs. Is this appropriate for my age. (59) And as long as I look like this, is it ok to still wear them or should I forget the Capris and start wearing pants. (shorts do NOT look good on me because of my skinny legs)
Cathy S.
Hi Cathy,
Actually, people read our Fabulous After 4o blog from all over the world, so for some it IS summer, so thanks for sending in this question!
Yes, Capris are very much still in style and absolutely age-appropriate. You are so youthful looking and in great shape! (Just look at those lovely arms!!!!)
And your legs are gorgeous!! Please let us know the brand of your pants, they certainly are flattering on your type of body!
- The top you have chosen is nice too because it is long enough and hits you at a good spot.
- Your necklace is perfect to fill in the scoop neck
- Your sandals are updated and the thickness of the straps balance out the print in the top.
Keep up the great work at looking Age-mazing™, the word we use for looking amazing for your age!
Dear Glam Gals,
I have sent you two photos and need your help. I feel this dress is age appropriate. It is not black. It is not baggy. It is the right length.
- Do you think that I have “overdone” the cream with the hose and shoes? I am only 5’2’’. So I try to follow rules for petites. Unfortunately, the dress doesn’t really have a sleeve to it. So I wore it with the wrap and I think that looks nice.
- I also have this rust colored sweater. What do you think? Can I wear it over the dress?
I am enjoying your website and I have told lots of other women about it! Thank you. ~Dianna
Dear Dianna,
This is a great dress and it fits you’re lovely figure well. While the sheer wrap on the left does technically match the dress, what has happened is that you have started mixing up styles and this is why you’re feeling like there might be something going wrong here!
This dress is very classic and needs to have a classic wrap with it.
The sheer wrap on the left is just too romantic looking for your tailored dress and the red sweater on the right is too heavy and casual. It is meant to be worn with jeans and some boots. Also, the cream sheer hose: while the “rules” say that they elongate your leg, right now, cream hose are out of style. You would look more updated if you wore a nude hose and nude shoe. Actually,the style of your shoe is nice and would look fine with nude hose.
One more thing: the necklace you have put with this is a little too frilly as well. You don’t really need a necklace at all but some simple pearls would be fine. Here are are few ideas that we think would step this outfit up to the next level:
This simple white sweater would be perfect worn open. It is from Talbots and comes in a variety of colors. Or you could go more dramatic and opt for a black jacket like this one from Dillards. However you would need a black pump and nude hose to pull the outfit together.
Ladies do you have any ideas or suggestions for Dianna? Please comment below:
Dear Glam Gals,
I’m getting ready for a trip to Europe and I am really stumped about what type of shoe I should bring that will look good with my outfits and not make me look like a tourist. I know you both tend to wear more delicate shoes but I am a big-boned gal and need something a little more substantial.
However, a tennis shoe is just not an option for me, what alternatives do you suggest?
Thanks, Cynthia S. – Boston, MA
Dear Cynthia,
You are in luck since we recently came across a new brand of walking shoe. Fly London is a European brand that is made with comfort and style in mind.
Their styles are a little more funky and clunky than we usually show, but I ( JoJami) still really liked them. Here are a few that we thought stood out:
Fly london, 270 CAD
Fly london boots, 320 CAD
Fly LONDON high heel boots, 390 CAD
Fly LONDON peep toe shoes, 85
Fly LONDON black boots, 145
FLY London Women’s Yaya Peep-Toe Pump
Dear Glam Gals,
Is this coat too trendy and not age-appropriate?
I have a question. I purchased an adorable Elizabeth and James linen blazer (called the James linen distressed blazer ~Nordstroms) It has a three-quarter length sleeve and hits right below the butt. It fits perfectly, and it was a great deal. My question is, the fabric has been made to look like it’s two-tone…what they are calling “distressed”. Is it too much for a 45 year to wear if the rest of the outfit is simple?
Thanks, Robin
Hi Robin,
We think your jacket is definatley age appropriate as well as a great purchase! This updated version of a classic jacket will be a wonderful “go to” piece in your wardrobe and one you will get much use out of!
We did some research for you and thought we might share with you a few ideas on how you might wear it.
Your jacket seems popular with the younger celebrities… no surprise since your Elizabeth and James piece was designed by the Olsen Twins.
However, that does not matter because the style of the jacket is more classic than trendy, it well made and is a wonderful piece to dress up or down.
Here are a few different ways you can wear your jacket, and how you might “tweak” it to make it look fab for any age.
 Cameron Diaz has dressed her blazer up! (but to be age appropriate we would make sure the shirt was longer) |
Belted on the outsideHow sporty is this! Cameron Diaz has put a simple black dress or black top and black tight mini underneath it.
- Make sure if you wear it like this that the skirt is little longer. (right above the knee)
- Notice how the belt is a medium width and not too skinny.
- The shoes have thick straps that add some weight to it to balance it all out!
- If she had worn simple black pumps it would have looked dated.
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 Dakota Fanning has put a simple cream and lace dress under it. |
Over a formal dress Dakota fanning has gone with a more romantic look wearing the jacket with a flowing dress with lace.
- If you have youthful legs you could pull this off. If not, it would still work nicely if the dress was just a bit longer.
- We love this strappy nude shoe with this. This shoe helps tone down the outfit so it’s not to cutesy.
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 Soft and feminine~ from Shopbop |
Paired with soft pants,your outfit will be super comfortable but still dressy! (from Shopbop)You can also do some soft flowing pants that are a similar shade as your jacket with a simple top.
- Make sure to keep the top untucked
- The top is banded at the bottom to keep the look a little sleeker
- Nude kitten heel pumps are a comfortable alternative to high strappy heels.
- You could wear this to work, out to dinner or to the theater.
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 This Elizabeth James linen jacket is from Nordstroms |
As you mentioned, you can go simple with a fitted tank top and straight legged pants or jeans.
- Once again make sure to keep the top untucked.
- Would like to see a pretty necklace with this look
- For shoes you could go with simple black flats or black chunky heels.
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Hi Glam Gals,
FAF reader, Nancy M. was a make over winner with Clinton Kelly, from What Not To Wear!
I’ve written to you previously about finding chic-looking shoes for those of us who have to wear orthotics. And in my case I can’t wear heels because of a permanent injury.
We have an evening event coming up and the dress code is cocktail attire. Can you please advise me – quick! – about what I can wear that will look fashionable, sexy, and sassy when I can’t wear heels, that would be appropriate for a cocktail party at this time of year?
Thank you!
Best wishes,
Nancy M.
This question turned into another one, soon as we started chatting with Nancy…It turns out that Nancy had actually won a recent make over contest from her local department store!
Here she is before:
Here is Nancy's "before" photo she submitted.
We think her make over turned out fabulous and it was fun hearing about her experience. So we asked her to send us some photos of the dress she wanted to wear. It turns out that we were surprised that the shoes she already had were just fine but that we felt the sweater was just a little too casual for a cocktail party and asked her if she had any Pashminas. YES, she did , so here they are:
We liked both #1 and #3… depending on how chilly the night would be, she could wear either one.
Which one would you vote for?
Choice #1 Sheer Blue
Choice #2 Sheer polka dot
Pick #3 Heavy Blue Pashmina
Hi Ladies,
Is it acceptable for a woman over 40 to wear the combat boots which are popular again? If so, what would be the proper way to wear them? I remember wearing them in the 90′s and how comfortable they were, but I have a feeling that these boots aren’t worn in the same manner this time around. Please advise.
Thanks!
Here is a great example of when an old trend comes around and we are feeling like, do I or don’t I try it again?
We are afraid there is no short “yes” or “no” answer to this.
However here are a few notes to think about before going out shopping.
- We have seen these on older women looking hip and cool but you must have a whole look. The most successful have paired them with something feminine like the outfit above. If you try to do it all black with leather, you a going to look like an older rocker. (which if fine if you are one, but probably not the best look for the rest of us)
- You can wear these with jeans, but again, make sure to show a bit of a feminine touch.(like wearing a dainty necklace).
- If you have a teenage daughter and she is wearing them, you might think twice about trying to do so also. Why not let her have that style and you try something a little different? This is definitely a popular trend with the younger generation and one that is not as easy to pull off as we age.
- If you live in a cosmopolitan city or have a creative job where you like to look trendy, then go for it.
- Or no matter where you live, if you just love the look and want to wear it and feel comfortable, then fine.
- Bottom line, anything really goes these days and if you have the attitude and you really want to try to wear combat boots, then fine.
For our personal taste, neither of us Glam Gals are going to be investing in a pair of combat boots. Our taste leans more to a boot that looks sleek, clean and simple. There are plenty of comfortable boots that are in style other than this trendy look.
Glam Gals say go for the combat boots if you feel like expressing your creative side, but personally we are both going to pass on this clunky trend! I (JoJami) have actually tried on a few pairs (some more radical than others) and felt that they would just not fit into most of my wardrobe. Deborah’s taste is more refined, and they are just not her style.
Would you wear this look? Comment below and let us know your feelings!!
Hello Glam Gals –
I continue to enjoy your blog … and I have a question. Am leaving for Florida next week and would like to know what’s the verdict on the wider-leg capri pants we were all wearing last summer. I see that wider (long) pants are in, but I not sure about the one that hit above the ankle. I have several pairs in flattering black crepe; they were a staple last year, and so easy/comfortable to wear. I do like the straight leg, snug fitting Capris — but do I have to put my wider ones away this year?
Thank you,
These types of capris are out of style, too short and the cuff is a no no.
Cindy
Hi Cindy,
Great to hear from you! Your question is a good one. We recently wrote a post about the new Spring 2011 version of the Capri and it is definitely different than last year’s, however if your old Capris are still in good shape you should feel fine wearing them. Just don’t buy anymore like them on your next shopping trip!
If you still want to wear them, try updating them by wearing one of the new clunky wedges.
Good luck!
Cheers,
The Glam Gals
Hi Glam Gals,
Should I wear my hair up with this outfit? Should I wear the necklace or scarf? I found this dress for $12.99 at Ross and tried it on with my daughters leggings after reading your articles.
Thanks,
LaAnja Gough (age 50)
You have permission to print my photos on your web page if you would like to.
Does this outfit look better like this or....
Boy, you got a great deal on this dress and it looks terrific on you. We think this outfit works either way and you should enjoy mixing it up whatever your mood.
Or with this scarf and my hair up?
BTW, you really can’t be 50, can you??? You are Age-mazing™ (our special word for looking amazing for your age!)
