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!)
Here is a recent letter and plea for help:
I am on a very tight budget due to job situation and my daughter is marrying next June, so happy but realize that I must be wise in spending on me.
In my closet I have is the pretty simple silk long A line skirt that has only been worn one time (see attached picture) it has a jacket to match but I really am looking for a different look, I am thinking of having the jacket tailored more (it is too boxy) and wearing it with something else like a for a bridal tea or dressing evening out. Unless you have a different idea for me, the wedding will be during the evening and the temps will be warm in Alabama.
Here is a little about me: I am 52, 5’3” full busted, broad shoulders, short waist, not extra heavy, but pudgy. My hair style is wispy short with salt and pepper throughout. Really like sparkly things, chunky jewelry, scarves & wraps. People seem to compliment me when I wear winter colors. I do not want the normal mother of the bride look, it dates a person I think; I want to look happy and radiant for this most special occasion.
Help me think of what I could do to look good for my girl and feel comfortable for the evening.
Thank you,
Karen H.
Montgomery, AL
Can you take apart this matched outfit?
Hi Karen,
We understand you wanting to update this dress, however we have another idea for you.
We really like the outfit and the color works perfectly with your cool skin and hair.
The skirt looks great so we think you should still wear the matching jacket but have it tailored so that it fits you nicely. (Someone on our facebook page, suggested you might change out the buttons! )
This outfit is classy with out being fussy and as long as the jacket fits well you will look gorgeous. Also, the “v’” neckline of this jacket will probably be more flattering on you than the simple scoop necked top. ( Also since the jacket has a collar with your short hair will flatter you in photos!)
You can add a wonderful chunky statement necklace to it, like you mentioned; if you can find one that is more in a “v” shape it will look best.
You may also want to have the skirt shorted to right below the knee and still wear the matching jacket, nude hose and some gorgeous pumps (peep toe or regular).
When you try to mix and match “matched” sets, it can be very tricky to pull off.
In the photo below, trying to pair the elegant skirt it with a casual top just doesn’t look right. (Your sweet puppies look concerned too!)
If you are stapped for cash check out this new site: Recycled Brides. They have gently used MOB dresses!
It is very hard to make a "new" updated outfit with a classic skirt like this.
Anyone else out there have other ideas? Feel free to comment below!
Cheers,
The Glam Gals
Need help with your upcoming event,
Check out our e-book, Tweak Your Chic,
How to Dress the Mother of the Bride.
Dear Deborah and JoJami,
I am a 49-year-old woman who lives in the Northeast, and while I do dress up occasionally for a dinner or evening out, 95% of the time I need to be dressed for getting in and out of a car, easily; for walking to and from places on a variety of sidewalks, and for a very casual everyday kind of life… often in challenging in autumn, winter and spring weather. I’m finding myself at a perimenopausal standstill! I have run out of creativity and I am sliding down the slippery slope of jeans, colorful t-shirts, fleece and turtlenecks. Yuck! I also have to wear comfortable shoes and boots to fit my aging feet.
How do women like myself, who live casual lifestyles full of activity and creativity, help ourselves to feel, and look, attractive, in the most casual fashions in varying weather? More articles written by the two of you fabulous Glam Gals on the subject of “casual” fashion would be MOST appreciated; thank you for your kindness in reading this letter! I own your e-book,and have READ it, and JoJami’s highly entertaining and useful DVD on closet overhaul, and am in the process of weeding out some of my clothing. What I need and want more of, is INSPIRATION!! I check out your website regularly, and will be on the lookout for more articles about looking CHIC while dressing casually!
Thank you again, Lori
Hi Lori,
Well your letter was so heartfelt we had to respond, not to mention your question is such a universal one! We too have seen our lifestyle change now that we are past 40 and casual wear is something we wear a lot!
Both of us Glam Gals live back east, so we understand your pain. Here are a few tips to get you started:
A faux fur vest is a key piece to add to your fall wardrobe!
- Try a sweater dress and some leggings and knee high or over the knee boots! Don’t feel like you have to wear pants all time. Why not snuggle into a sweater dress and feel more feminine and a little more funky!
- Put some color into your casual wardrobe. All those years of black can really drag a woman down now that our skin is not as vibrant as it once was.
This type of casual coat gives a pop of color and still is comfortable.
- Start with an updated boot. We do not suggest Uggs, since they are so popular with the teenage crowd, they are just not age appropriate.
Even a simple cowboy boot in snakeskin like this will perk up your dressing "blues"!
- Your overcoat can show your personality!
- Add a scarf. Watch this video to get some inspiration for tying a scarf a new way that looks oh so European!
- Go elegant… a long sweater is big this fall!
Dear Glam Gals,
So boots are all the rage again my question is:
1) Do I match my tights to the color of my boots or to the outfit? In my mind if I’m wearing a skirt that hits above my knee I would wear a tight that matches my boot that hits mid-calf.
2)But what if I am wearing an ankle boot with a skirt or dress? Does the same rule apply?
Thanks,
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer,
1) Yes, do match your tights to the color of your boots not the outfit.
These black opaque tights are what to wear wtih a black short boot!
2) When wearing an ankle boot with a skirt or dress, it will look best if you do keep the tights the same color as the boot. (Notice how these boots from Nordstrom fit nicely around the ankle. Good fit, will make the short boot more flattering to the leg!)
The fashion magazines are showing the young gals wearing all sorts of fun colorful tights with these short boots and if you are daring you could try that.
Fishnets are fun to wear, but you will want ones that are more subtle than this.
But for most of us, it is just more sophisticated to go solid, black or brown.
P.S. Stay clear of sheer pantyhose with short or tall boots, they will look too fine and will not look right unless your outfit is on the dressy side.
These hose are too sheer with these boots!
Cheers!
JoJami and Deborah
These over 40 models are from the UK
Dear Glam Gals,
I am really enjoying your blog and the information that you provide. I was just wondering why you continually use young models to display the clothes and styles you suggest women wear who are 40 and over? It seems counter intuitive to suggest that we embrace our age and aging bodies, yet all the styles are shown on young models, who have no bodies and are not anywhere near the age of 40! Of course we all know that clothes look better on models without curves, but doesn’t that just make it harder to embrace our age, our style, and reality? Just wondering…:-)
Thanks. I would love to hear your thoughts!
Sincerely, Wendy B
Hi Wendy,
We get this question all the time and we are frustrated too… you see to there are just no photos of “real women” out there in current clothes that you can buy! We want to be able to show you things that you can go out and buy, but all the stores insists on using ultra young and super skinny models!
A few years back, we were excited to start working with a NYC modeling agency for women over 40, but they went out of business!
That is why we try to find women on the street photos, but it can be frustrating for our readers, since most of the time the outfits the women are wearing was purchased a last season and can’t be found now.
One note, most of the styles that we suggest can be worn on most body types, it is just that they are being modeled by young, thin women!
If anyone has suggestions or ideas we would love to hear them!
Here’s a question from one of our readers…
I would love to see a post about cute and age appropriate sun dresses. Usually I am not a dress person, but I would like to throw something on which is not too short , but really comfortable at these temperatures right now.
Thank you so much. Nicole
Hi Nicole,
It’s only July but sundresses are being snapped quickly. Our advice to to get out there and take advantage of those sale racks. We shopped online and found a strong tropical punch theme was everywhere, so here are a few of our favorites to make you look fabulous after 40.
| Cute and Flirty:Love the modern combination of brown, red and blue which adds sophistication and maturity to this pretty summer dress. It’s nice to find a dress with a hemline with a grown-up length, and the flirty edge gives it that soft touch of summer romance. (Nordstrom)
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Tropical Temptation :
Pink with Orange is a juicy combination for this cotton sundress. Look very closely at the neckline and you’ll see the tiny white tassels along the v neckline that give it it’s magic.(Nordstrom)
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| Tropical goes Graphic :A modern twist on the tried and true tropical print. Love the vertical off centre drawstring and cool bordered hem on this artsy summer shift. If you want to look slimmer, then this is the dress because the flower pattern running from shoulder to waist creates the optical illusion making your waist look narrower and more nipped in. (Nordstrom)
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Palm Perfect:
A great dress that is easy for anyone to wear, especially pear shapes. The scoop neck draws the eye upwards to highlight the face. Wear it with a cute pair of flats. Boy, that looks cool and comfy! (Nordstrom)
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| Looking fresh and cool!
Here is a photo of one of our readers, Donna from N.J. (looking fabulous after 45) in her version of the tropical sundress, that she bought at Cache! Wow, she looks terrific! Just goes to show, that if you have great legs that you can and should show them off! |
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Here’s a great style question from one of our readers:
“It now seems to be the style to not have your shoes and purse match.What and how do you determine what to match them with?The old way was to have back,brown,navy,or red if you where feeling wild and they always matched your purse..Some pointers on what is in now.”
~Barbara P.
Your purse and shoes do not have to match but they should blend in style and weight.
Deciding what purse to go with your shoes can be tricky. Some women buy only one purse and wear it with everything. Others collect purses and change them around all the time. It all depends on your needs and lifestyle, but in general your purse needs to be of high quality and the size should fit your style and personality.
This is a photo of fellow blogger Susan Tabak who always has great fashion sense! See how the colors all blend and her purse does not stand out, but pulls her simple outfit together!
Here are a few basic rules to remember:
| Play with mixing colors, but keep one color neutral :
If you have gray shoes, you can have fun with a colorful bag. This look is more for work because of the stiffer, dressier bag. The slouchy bag in front with the gladiator sandals are better for a casual look because they are both less formal. |
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| An outfit made up of solid colors will get a lift from a purse with some color or texture :
This simple outfit is perked up with these purple flats and a snakeskin clutch.
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| Don’t do a stiff purse with a casual outfit:
If you like to wear casual or soft flowing clothes your handbag should match the look. This purse is too boxy and stiff for this sporty outfit. |
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This softer,relaxed hobo style purse is much better with this outfit~ |
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Even a formal purse can work with casual shoes.
This formal channel style bag works with these flats, since the flats are shiny and have a dressy look to them. |
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| Coordinate your hardware:
It will be easier to make choices and you will feel more pulled together if you keep your shoes, jewelry and handbag hardware all the same finish. (e.g. silver jewelry, silver, buckles on shoes, silver zipper on purse) |
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