Swimsuit Season! How to look hot even with a meno-pot!

The perfect dress…if it would just fit

Today we wanted to share another cute article from our guest bloggers at Writing without Periods.  Here is Jenny’s saga of “if the dress does not fit, what then?”… ENJOY!

Adieu Perfect Dress, Until We Meet Again

by Jenny Archer

Three years ago, I searched many department stores and boutiques, tried on many other dresses that didn’t measure up until I finally found it. When I slipped into it and looked into the mirror, there were no doubts in my mind. This was THE PERFECT ONE. It was love at first sight. We were made for each other. We complemented one another in every way — our shapes, our coloring. THE DRESS was simple and comfortable. Beautiful. I took a deep breath before I wrote the check. I had never paid as much for a piece of clothing. But I decided it was worth every penny.

A couple of weeks later, I wore THE DRESS to a ceremony where I was a finalist for a writing award. I required no Spanx that night. The PERFECT ONE fit like a glove. I didn’t win the award, but I still looked and felt like a winner, thanks to THE DRESS. I went home, had it cleaned, and put it away in the back of my closet to await another occasion worthy of its class.

That event occurred last month in Washington D.C. I packed THE DRESS carefully for the trip, treating it with the reverence it deserved. I packed my Spanx, too, since I was pretty sure I had gained a pound or two over the last 3 years.

On the night of the event, I wiggled into my Spanx, took THE DRESS off the hangar, slipped into it. Reaching behind me, I pulled the zipper up to my waist — that’s where it stopped. I needed help. I asked my roommate to zip it the rest of the way. She tugged the sides of the bodice together in back, tugged harder, said, “I’m afraid I’m going to break the zipper if I pull it hard enough to close it.” Another tug, then she added, “I don’t think it WILL close.”

“Ohmygod!” I shrieked. “Have I gained weight in my back?” Reality check: If I couldn’t zip up while wearing the Spanx, I had gained more than a couple of pounds over 3 years time. That didn’t bother me as much as the realization that I would not be wearing THE DRESS that night. I hadn’t brought another dressy frock, so I had to wear this one, which is funky and fun, but I was a bit casual for the occasion.

Oh, well. When I was 14, my junior high homemaking teacher taught me that when it comes to fashion, a woman can get by with just about anything by following this simple rule of three: “Sit up straight, hold your shoulders back, and stick out your personality.” So that’s what I did.

My perfect dress and I will share another special night. That is a promise. I love it too much to let it go forever. (Besides, it was too damn expensive to only wear once!) I read an article today written by somebody supposedly in the know who said it’s a fallacy that women gain weight as they age because of hormonal changes. Said person in the know claimed that the weight gain is due to the fact that we become less physically active, and that by exercising and eating sensibly, middle aged and older women can maintain their slim figures.

I’m putting the expert to the test: I found that Yoga video and pulled it out, dusted it off, and soon it will make its way into the old VCR. And I’m trading in my almost-nightly glass of red wine for Mary’s Mellow Mellow.(Find recipe here) When I am able to zip that zipper again, I’ll post a photo of me in the dress, but please don’t hold your breath. It might take awhile!

Thanks Mary and Jenny  for your fun take on another common fashion dilemma! Also be on the lookout for more of their witty antics, since they are now officially members of  our weekly  Blogging Boomer Carnival!

Welcome aboard!

JoJami and Deborah

Think you’re healthy? Check out this list of the 10 worst foods…

If  you are over 40 want to look good in your clothes, the first thing you need to make sure is that you’re eating healthy.

We came across this list today, of the 10 top worst foods.

I (JoJami) was shocked to learn that, even though I think I’m a pretty healthy eater, I’ve been making some bad choices.

On the list was Progresso soup, which I do enjoy and  eat once in a while, and came to find out  is extremely high in salt

Worst of all,  my favorite night time snacks, buttered microwave popcorn, was on the “bad” list too.

SHOOT..I love buttered popcorn!

Now that I know this, I can start to try make better choices.

Let us know how you’re making better choices and if it’s worth it!

Plus Size Question

Recently we had an excellent comment from one of our newest readers named, Sharon when we asked her, “What is your single most important style comment?”

She said, “The single most important thing to me is that I present myself as stylish to the world because I am a plus size and that is a negative in some peoples eyes and I want to show a woman can be glam, stylish and sexy and still be a plus size!!?
We say, you are right on track with that comment!! One thing we have noticed is that out there in the retail world of shopping, it’s really not that easy to find clothes that are fashionable and come in plus sizes.

We recently spotted a great post at Glam Chic on this subject that we think all of you gorgeous women will enjoy

For more great tips, like this fun, functional and full size raincoat by Michael Kors, click here: Fashion Tips for Plus Size Women

Good News for Plus Size Style

There must be something in the air because the tide seems to be turning. Our image of the perfect body is shifting and suddenly it’s o.k. to have some meat on your bones.

First there was the news from Spain that underweight models had been banned from the runway. Next we started seeing curvy Dove pro-aging nude grandmothers popping up on billboards in Times Square. Just recently, we all went wild cheering on full-figured singing sensation Jennifer Hudson, who has since landed the gold stamp of approval and cover of Vogue.

Now, this just in…Michael Kors and Calvin Klein are finally jumping on board this “bigger is beautiful” bandwagon and have begun to produce designer clothes for plus size gals. The lines are being sold sold at Macy’s, Bloomingdales and Lord and Taylor and run from $50 for a blouse to $250 for a trenchcoat.

It’s a godsend for boomer women who still want to look stylish and chic despite some extra menopausal pounds. After all, 62% of American women are a size 16 or over. It’s unrealistic to think that we are going to stay our high school weight forever.

Trying to find high quality, fashionable  goods for those of us that are over size 16 has been a struggle for years. The high end fashion designers  have thumbed their noses at the plus size market for far too long. We salute those designers and stores that are finally waking up to reality.

Women of all ages and sizes still want to look and feel fabulous!!

Tim Gunn’s 6 Fashion Don’ts?

Sounds like Project Runway’s Tim Gunn assumes that all women over 40 are overweight and out of shape!

His now famous list on Oprah of  The Six Things Women over 40 Should Never Wear, might as well have been called, The Six Things Fat Middle Aged Women Should Never Wear!

We totally agree that horizontal stripes, jackets that hit at mid-thigh, pleated pants, double breasted blazers, Capri length pants, and low rise jeans do not flatter heavy or matronly bodies.

But if you’re still looking fit and trim after 40, which many of us are these days, some of these styles will still work.

It’s really more about the shape you are in rather than your age your age. Let your body be your guide.

For example, a pair of cute Capri length pants on a boomer body is a great alternative to shorts.  A double breasted jacket can still look classy and fashionable on a slim, mature woman.

A classic horizontal striped top (we’re thinking of the cute navy nautical ones this spring) looks smart and sporty if you’re toned up top and not overly busty.

As for pleated pants, well they look terrible on any woman with a tummy regardless of age, and since flat front pants are what’s in style anyway, why even bother.

Ditto for jackets that fall at mid-thigh.

Low rise jeans, it’s true, are most always best left to young tight bodies, but we think that slightly lower jeans, rather than those frumpy high waisted ones make you look more hip and they flatter most figures.

So go ahead break a few rules. Let your shape, not simply your age, help determine what you should and shouldn’t wear if you want to be stylish at any age.

Are Your Breasts Heading South?

Loved this tip from Image Consultant Brenda Kinsel on how to judge whether or not you have sagging breasts.

The author of 40 after 40: Forty Things Every Woman Needs to Know about Getting Dressed, recently told Oprah:

Stand in front of a full-length mirror. Put your hands on your hips. Draw an imaginary line across your shoulders, and an imaginary line across your waist — if your bust line is in the middle or north or the mid-point, you’re in good shape. If it’s south, you need to lift your breasts up so there is more room between your waist and your bust line.

Droopy breast make you look tired and matronly. Perky breasts instantly shave off some years. So try this test,then hike up those bra straps, or even better, get out there and treat yourself to sexy new bra with lots of support.

Remember: as we age gravity takes it toll and our undergarments become even more important than our clothes.