We know that we love to preach how NOT to buy black, but we could not help but share this Age-mazing Grandmother, who we saw shopping the other day with her over 40 daughter and grandson! The daughter was from NYC and so they had been shopping recently and bought the same shirt. Here is how they both took this simple black piece and made it age appropriate for themselves. Not only that, we have gotten many letters from you all that are asking the question, “Can I still have a more creative or funky look and not look silly?” We say,” but, of course” !!!
All black is easy to wear, when you off for a day of shopping
Here how theses gals got their hip and “funky” but casual looks:
- Start with an good quality t-shirt dress, that hits above your knees. Notice that the sleeves are on the long side, so cover arms but will still keep you cool. Also, the v-neckline is wide and flattering. If it was a rounded neckline, it would not look as hip.
- Add leggings (see or post on leggings)
- and fun flats, like these pretty pewter ones.
- Don’t forget a dramatic light weight handbag.
- If you have a thin figure, you can belt the shirt
- Add tight straight legged jeans, and the latest flats.
Here is a step by step look:
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Updated pewter flats
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This handbag is lightweight and makes a statement!
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Her glasses are updated and hip |
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This is her daughter, in the same shirt, but belted with jeans.
(The daughter is also over 40) |
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Thin double belt.
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Love her cool boots, so comfy and updated.
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We recently did a post about leggings and we are still getting more questions! Leggings are so tricky because they come in so many types of fabrics and colors.
Here is a photo that one of our readers gave us permission to comment on and share with you. She asks,” Is this outfit o.k.?”
White leggings are hard to pull off...
- While this gal certainly has a perfect figure and terrific toned legs, these white leggings do look skimpy with that top.
- These white leggings are really almost an opaque footless tight, so the fabric is too thin to wear as “pants”.
- We like the top, but think it would look much classier with long shorts or flat front pants or capris.
- This top is too short to wear with leggings, it will need an actual pant, shorts or skirt to go with it.
- The sandals are very cute, but they would look better with a sundress than with these leggings.
- Another option for shoes is, if you were to put a longer top or dress with these leggings would be a ballet flat.
- One more idea is that you can certainly pull of leggings that are 3/4 length too. That way you can be cool and yet covered.
- Leggings need to be used in layering outfits, not on their own. That is why using leggings in the summer is not as easy as using them in the fall/winter.
It is tough to get all these “rules” and tips straight, so we are happy that you sent in your photo to help clear things up! The biggest challenge for women after 40 who have great figures, is how to show it off and still be sexy! This gal can wear shorter shorts and probably mini’s too, but will need to make sure she is pairing it with nice fabrics and classy styles.
Please comment below with your thoughts! Or if you have a summer outfit you are wearing please send us a photo with permission to use it and we will share it with our group!
Skinny pants, leggings and everything in between. What’s the difference, are they age appropriate, and what do you wear with them so you don’t look like a giant ice cream cone? Here’s our thoughts…
Skinny pants are just that- pants that are close to the body and narrow at the ankles, sometimes even hugging the ankles. The newest versions have some stretch.
Leggings are more like tights. They fit very close to the body and end at the ankle, or mid calf. The biggest difference is that they are more lightweight than a skinny pant- almost like a thick stocking.
A good way to think of it is: leggings are an accessory. Don’t wear leggings as pants.
You can wear skinny pants with short tops, t-shirts, short sweaters and long sweaters.
You should only wear leggings with long tunics, long sweaters, long jackets, long shirts and short, but not mini dresses that are ultra short. In other words, if you are wearing leggings, don’t expose your behind. Cover it up. Take a look at what we mean…
| Long Cardigan + Skinny jeans or leggings:
This is our favorite look with leggings or skinny pants. Everything is so soft and flowing and looks so right. Black leggings are very slimming and work best in fall, winter and early spring paired sweaters. Don’t ever wear them with a t-shirt, or it will look like you lost your pants.
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| Boyfriend Jacket and Leggings:
If you wonder whether leggings are age appropriate, get a load of JoJami’s mom (age 70!) She rocks this look. |
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| Shirt Dress + Leggings:
A shirt dress is long and would look really good over leggings. You can add a great belt and big chunky fabulous necklace to perk up this look. We find it quite drab the way it is. |
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| This gal has the idea:
A long to and jacket over leggings and ballet flats. Very cool. All black makes you look taller and slimmer. |
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| Wear leggings with a short (not micro mini) dress:
This dress is a good length to pair with tights. It looks like a tunic. Take a look at some other dresses we blogged about that are similar and would work with leggings. |
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| Leggings with a skirt:
JoJami looks great in this column of color with a skirt overtop that also has a lot of black in the pattern. The necklace also co-ordinates. See, you can wear leggings and look good after 40, 50 and beyond! |
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this legging look does not work
While we were writing this post we heard from a subscriber who sent us a picture of an outfit she had that she was wearing leggings with, and asked us what we thought. Here is the picture ( on the left) and here is our answer….
Answer: Thanks so much for sending us your photos. You are so youthful looking for your age and still have a terrific figure, wow! However, we are going to vote no to this outfit for several reasons.
We can see that you are trying to make this outfit age appropriate by adding the leggings. However, although it does make the outfit a tad more modest, the problem is that your sending the signal that you are still trying to dress too young.The basic jean mini-skirt and printed t-shirt are saying “teenager”.
this dress is far too tight for leggings
If you want to look up to date and stylish, you can wear the leggings with a long top or shirt dress. (see above)
skirt is too short for over 40 whether you wear leggings or tights!
The white sandals are trying to tie the outfit together but is not working either.
We think you need to trade in the skirt and t-shirt for a pair of Bermuda shorts (above the knee) and a fitted “v’ neck top and different sandals.The white sandals you have on will work nicely with a colorful sundress that has a white background. Good luck!
After this reply our subscriber sent us another picture of her in a black and white bandage dress and asked if she could wear leggings with this. Our reply was no because the dress was too tight for leggings. Leggings look better with a looser top or tunic.
Finally here’s a picture of a gal in blue we pulled out of our files from a party we went to. This gal is wearing a short skirt and dark stockings in summer. They don’t work.
The skirt is too short for someone over 40, whether you wear leggings or stockings. Also this is a summer outfit and her leg covering are too dark for summer.If they would have been black leggings they also wouldn’t have worked for the same reasons.
Bottom line- don’t wear a micro mini after 40! You will look silly.
Hi Girls!
I just LOVE your website! I was wondering if you can give some ideas for wardrobe for an upcoming trip to NYC. I will be traveling with my husband, mother and teenage daughters next Memorial Day weekend. We will be visiting museums, a broadway show, and LOT of walking around and window shopping…Please could you give me some advice? Thanks a lot!
~C. Capetta
Having just been to NYC recently, we can say that the first and foremost important item is your shoes! You will need to find a great pair of flats or cute tennis shoes and work your outfits around them.
We saw LOTS of leggings or tight fitting pants with nice flats, long tops and lots of scarves and a big, oversized purse. Black is the locals favorite color.
We recently featured some great new shoes that are both stylish and comfortable. Also, you can go to our archives for more ideas.
Here is a typical outfit (from DKNY and Nordstom):
- Shoe alternative would be a colorful flat or very casual thin soled black tennis shoe with this.
- If your feet are not comfortable, you will be miserable!
- Make sure to wear shoes that are tried and true. Never pack brand new shoes that you have never worn… make sure to break them in before you go.
- Try adding a Cozy (long flowing sweater) to take it from day into evening.
This outfit from DKNY is a perfect NYC casual outfit!
Sweater from Nordstom
Wearing leggings can be tricky for women over 40!
Are leggings age appropriate for us ladies 40 and beyond? We say,YES!
So, how can you pull off this falls biggest fashion trend, like these slouch leggings from Nordstroms?
Read our article over at More Magazine, and find out some of the do and don’ts of this fun and easy look!
Wondering how to dress after 40 to look sexy and hip, but still age appropriate? Buy yourself a pair of tall boots! Be they high heeled or flat, boots that cover your calves and sit just below the knee are alluring, chic, and ageless.
Here are 9 Top Tips for How to Wear Tall Boots:
1. When wearing pants tucked into flat boots make sure the boot is tight enough around the calf, so there’s no gap. Any gaping will make your legs look twice as bulky.
2. Boots are most flattering to the leg when they go all the way up to the knee like these chic Croc boots. Be picky, don’t buy a boot that is 2/3 length, unless you will be only wearing them under pants.
3. A suede boot will always be the best choice for comfort.
4. If you have large calves, choose a pair of these Viva Spiga rouge boots with hidden elastic goring that adds stretch at the 15 inch circumference collar.
5. Avoid boots with too many straps or too much bling on them. A simple classic boot looks more elegant and age appropriate and won’t date as fast.
6. For comfort, a wedge heeled boot is a great option. You’ll be able to walk for miles in comfort and still look tall!
7. The newest style of boot has an asymetrical cuff at the top of the boot. It’s a very youthful look and is meant to be worn with a more casual outfit. If you want to give it a try, wear your flat cuffed boots with jeans. Don’t spend too much on these boots as they are super trendy and might not be the “in look” next year.
8. Don’t forget to pair your boots with tights for a modern look. Nylons are too lightweight and will make you look dated. Black tights (or leggings) would be great these gorgeous black suede boots. Your tights should match the color of your boots in order to elongate your legs and make them look lean and sexy!
9. The slimmer the outfit the slimmer, the finer the boot. For example, a slim skirt and chunky, heavy boot like these DON’T mix. Best to save these for pants.
It’s difficult to find that middle ground when you want to look fashionable, yet still feel relaxed. Here are our suggestions.
1. Wear a Dress with Leggings
Short flowing mini dresses worn with bare legs and heels look great on twenty and thirty year olds, but that doesn’t mean they are off limits to us ladies over 40. Many of these dresses look an awful lot like long tops, and so they look fantastic on if you pair them with dark leggings and ballerina slippers, or flat boots. Now before you cross your arms and say, “That’s not me”, give it a try. This is a chic and very comfortable look and once you try it, you’ll be hooked. Here are two examples of dresses that would look great with leggings.
This olive green peasant dress would look fabulous with brown leggings and a brown suede flat boot.
This black sweater dress is also a great option. Sweater dresses come in all fabrics, wool or cashmere, and are super cozy. We’d pair this with a big chunky necklace, opaque stockings and a fun pair of flats.
Finally, here’s Janine…JoJami’s sister in the complete dress/leggings/flats look!
2. Add a Wide Belt to your Outfit
The quickest way to go from boring to brilliant is to add a wide belt to your casual weekend outfit. A wide belt at the waist, or slung down lower on your hip, will instantly add a touch of the wow factor, kicking casual up a few notches. Our favorite belt designer (and you’ve heard us say this before) is Suzi Roher.
Roher belts can be found at high-end department stores and small boutiques. What’s so special about them? They stretch! This makes them super versatile. This is a belt that you will have to grit your teeth and buy, as it is on the expensive side; but once you do, you’ll find that it will transform your wardrobe and you’ll wonder what you had been doing before you had one!
See how this beautiful Suzi Roher belt makes this all black outfit look so much hipper and classier, while still looking relaxed? And, don’t you just love how it camouflages the tummy so well?
On a budget, but looking for something similar? Here’s another great stretch belt that does wonders to create an hour glass figure. One note here, if you are very short waisted then you’ll want to go with a slightly narrower belt, or you’ll end up looking like you are all belt.
This brown sash belt is also easy to wear. You can adjust it so it makes a “V” in the front, which is always figure flattering.
3. Splurge on a Sweater Wrap
Transitioning into Fall has never been easier or more fun, than owning a sweater wrap. Just putting it on will make you feel like you have more flare and sophistication. Sometimes the wrap is just something bright and cozy to toss around you like this Sayami cashmere wrap shawl.
Other times it’s part of a sweater set that cascades down the front like this Sutton Studio metallic tank set, and the Jones New York long sleeve cascade front cardigan on the right.
Sometimes it is more like a poncho. Anyway, it is a powerful and sexy way of wrapping up! When worn with a pair of jeans, a sweater wrap adds chic, grown up style to a very casual look.
4. Find some Fun Flat Shoes
If you love to wear your jeans on the weekend, update them with a great pair of flats. Check out these simple pairs of Arche flats for women. These are so comfortable you’ll never want to take them off.
Don’t they look great with JoJami’s skirt and dark brown hose? Want to look more playful? Try this look with a snakeskin flat!
5. Top it off with a Hat
Weekends bring a welcome change from having to do our hair. What better way to step out with bad hair and still feel great than to hide it under a stylish cap! This year men’s wear is big.
We were recently in NYC and saw the Fedora everywhere!Here is a simple black Fedora hat from DKNY.
We also love this French Beret from Nordstroms. With a great scarf and t-shirt and jeans you will have some fun with this nod to French chic. The black wool beret will also look very nice with your jeans.
