Shopping for our Christmas cocktail dresses we couldn’t help but notice that Black Lace is a huge trend this holiday season. Here’s a few of our favourites:
| For pear shapes:
This beautiful neckline broadens the shoulders and balances the hips making your bottom look more in proportion with your bust.
(Nordstrom) |
 |
| Tiger Lace:
If you want to look a little more chic than pretty..Love this simple sexy look. The lace is actually underneath the sheer netting that is draped to look like tiger stripes. (Nordstrom) |
 |
| Elegant:
She almost looks like a ballerina! This is very ladylike and alluring with the lace just at banded waist. Don’t try this look if you are shortwaisted or you will be all band!(Nordstrom) |
 |
| Romantic:
Very pretty but make sure this isn’t too short on you or it will look like you are wearing a nightie. (Nordstrom) |
 |
| Pink and Black Lace:
A flirty hinit of pink underneath this easy to wear sheath is great if you wory that all too much black lace will wash you out.(Nordstrom) |
 |
To accentuate your waist:
The scalloped edging is a gorgeous detail, and we like that the band and bow are not overpowering. (Nordstrom) |
 |
Thinking ahead to Christmas and wondering what to wear? Here are 4 Holiday Dressing Tips to make you look fabulous after 40.
Try not to buy black
By this time in your life, haven’t you bought enough little black dresses?? Why not break out of the rut and dare to buy something with some color in it! That way, you won’t be just one more dress in a sea of black, and you will look festive and fun! We would love to challenge you to just go out there and “try” not to buy black. You will find it’s harder than you think!!
Don’t reveal too much skin
The biggest mistake we see mature woman make is that they buy holiday outfits that are in style, but that don’t look good on bodies that are aging. That means the ever popular strapless dresses are generally a No No! As we age, our arms are one of the first places to start sagging. Be aware of this and take action! Go for a deeper neckline, but see if you can find a dress or top that has wide straps, or that has some fabric over the shoulders that covers up the arms.
Think Legs
This season you can get overwhelmed with the choices of dress lengths. What should you do? We think you should be honest with yourself about your legs! If your legs are still looking great, don’t cover them up. Show them off! Don’t hide under long skirts that make you feel matronly. However, if your legs are not your best feature, just skip the dress and go for a wonderful pant suit. You can still look festive and hip in a pant suit if you look for a fabric that is elegant and shiny. Be sure to wear the right shoes and accessorize it!
Invest in a Shaper
If you choose a dress made of clingy fabric or that is body hugging GREAT! However, make sure you keep the bulges to a minimum! There are so many brands of shape wear out there, you will be thrilled with the choices and instant smoothing results! Most boutiques carry the ever popular Spanx line, but there are many more out there too, like Cass and Co, Sassybax and Slimpressions.
The little black dress… It’s a girl’s best friend! Loyal and true it comes to the rescue when you’re not sure what to wear. Always right, this classic wardrobe staple, makes you look instantly chic and never goes out of style.
If you don’t own one or feel fabulous in the one you’ve been wearing, then it’s time to buy a new one. Here are:
7 Top Tips for How to Buy and Wear the Perfect Little Black Dress
1. Look for a Dress with a Touch of Sizzle
The beauty of the ‘Little Black Dress’ lies in its simplicity; so make sure the one you choose has clean lines, not a lot of fussiness and frou frou. Do, be sure however, that your dress has a touch of sexiness, like elegant slit up the side, a deep V back, a lacy hemline or some sheer netting across the bust or arms for example. Details like buttons, sashes, cuffs, etc done in touches of velvets, silk tulle and other sumptuous fabrics will create a very rich look.
For example, this Anne Klein black silk dress is flattering to most women. Reminiscent of bygone Hollywood, it has a wonderful deep V-neck halter top and a tied waist with a long silk sash. The skirt is softly pleated and falls just below the knee. This dress can hide a woman’s flaws while subtly enhancing the female form.
2. Make Sure it Fits you Like a Glove
Fit is key to looking like a million in your little black dress. Don’t try to squeeze into a tight dress thinking it will make you look thinner. It will only make you look bigger. Throw away size tags and buy a dress that skims the body without pulling. A lined dress will smooth your figure and Spanx helps give you that sleek look too!
We think this dress hits the mark to show off a woman’s curves without being too sexy. It has a v neck which flatters the neckline and chest area with a cinched waist and softly pleated skirt. It flatters the pear shape body very nicely and with its longer length–hitting just slightly below the knee, most women can wear this dress beautifully!
3. Be Sure the Dress Plays up Your Best Features
For many of us 40+ teensy spaghetti straps and strapless dresses are not flattering. They highlight that midlife flabby flesh we often carry on our arms and underarms. Take a look at your best features and decide what else might work for you. V-necks flatter most body types, but if you have a really long neck, a rounded neckline will look good too. If it’s your legs that still look great, you can go a tad shorter on the skirt. If it’s your waist that‘s still looking wonderful, show that up with a great accent there like a ribbon tie or belt. Wherever you want the eye to go is where you want the detail to be!
For example, this simple, classic, black dress is a good one if your best features are well defined arms or a tiny waist. We love the capped sleeves and cinched waist. Moreover, the length hits just below the knee, which is a flattering stopping point for most figures.
4. Don’t Over-accessorize
Since a little black dress is like a blank canvas you can change the feel this way or by the way you accessorize. But be very careful to not over do it or you’ll detract from the look. The days of matching earrings and necklaces are over. It is much better to just wear a pair of great earrings with a smashing up-do, or a single item like a beautiful pin. Satin gloves with pearls will give you that timeless Audrey Hepburn look.
If you choose a lace dress like this, you won’t need to add much jewelry. There is a lot going on with this dress, so you would want to keep it simple with just earrings and perhaps a single bracelet.
5. Update your dress with Shoes
Shoes are the easiest way to update your dress and a great way to show off your personality. If you want to stray from the classically elegant black pump, try bright red heels, or leopard or metallic beauties.
TIP: Ankle straps on a shoe are not for everyone. Depending on your size, they can cut off your leg and make you look shorter. This woman is able to pull off the ankle strap, since she is tall with slim legs and ankles. (By the way, we like this dress too, since it is flattering on most body types and the fabric drapes nicely to make it comfortable to wear.)
6. Wear the Right Hose
Choose either a nude or black hose- ultrasheer to be sure! Fishnet stockings are a great way to add some glamour. You can go hoseless in the summertime if your legs still look good, and if you wear a self tanner. And, if you choose to wear sandals definitely go for the bare look! P.S. The right shade of “nude,” is one shade darker than your natural color. Avoid buying your hose that are dramatically too light or too dark. It should look as though you don’t have any hose on.
7. Top it Off with the Right Handbag
Yes, there is a right one! It’s this season’s favourite ~ a slim little clutch to tuck under your arm while you are sipping on your favourite cocktail. Your bag should not match your shoes exactly, but should have the same feel. Black always works and patent leather is in right now, but what’s even better, especially this season is a dazzling jewel toned clutch… a great way to give your little black dress a little oomph!.
How many times have hit the stores in search of something new and wonderful and ended up trudging home with the same old thing…..another basic white shirt, another black pair of pants, another plain tank top or another simple 2 piece suit with zero personality? Talk about BORING and disappointing!
If you’re stuck in a style rut and can’t see your way out, here are 5 easy ways to go from Boring to Boomer-licious! Check out our examples, and click on the images to enlarge them!
If you are looking for a new fall suit jacket to spice up your wardrobe, then you probably know by now that grey is new “it” new color. But grey can be lifeless if you don’t do it right.
Grey doesn’t look good on everyone, and for women over 40 grey can really wash you out. So if you finding yourself reaching for this dull grey jacket think again. This jacket is as plain as you can get. It takes the term “classic” to a boring low.
Compare this to the look. You can still wear grey on the bottom, but perk things up with a colored jacket up top to light up your face. The grey skirt (with flecks of brown) warms her up and the striking slate pendant ties everything together. Funny thing too, these gals are wearing the same tank top but look how much richer the one on the right suddenly looks against the green. Also the suede vrs. wool jacket is a hipper, more relaxed option. (This model could use a little nip in at the bust to make the jacket even more fitted. It looks a tad loose) Suede, Jones of New York jacket ($280.00)
If you’re looking for a pretty dress to wear to a cocktail party or night out, why buy a boring knit that has no shape and just hangs on you like a bag?
Although this dress is a great color, that does not make up for its dowdy style.
The dress is too long, even if you are tall (and would make a shorter woman look like a dwarf.) These uninspiring flats make it look, oh so frumpy.
Now check out this hip, fun bold print dress by Melessa Masey on the right. O.K. so it reminds you of something you wore in the 70’s. Don’t get set in your ways. Give it another try and see how it works now.
Geometric prints are very current and the lower neckline and 3/4 length sleeves reveal just enough skin to make a 40+ gal look sexy but not silly.
It’s body skimming but not tight, and the hemline is a flirty, flattering length for evening. Even a solid color in this dress would look smashing. Heels finish off this modern look that will accentuate your figure in all the right places and will make you look like a boomer babe!
Do you keep buying the same white shirt over and over again? Even important staples like this need updating now and again.
Compare the shirt which is loose, and unshapely to the below shirt with it’s fashion forward with ruching at the waist and no cuffs.
This chic stretch cotton shirt with button cuffs looks much more current, doesn’t it?
These little details make the difference between looking tired and stale and looking with it. (Theory Luxe Kiki Shirt-$195-Nordstroms)
What are you wearing sweater -wise these days? We see a lot of women with this look. A white shirt paired with a plain cardigan may feel safe but makes you look very predictable.
Instead push yourself to kick it up a notch. This fall chunky knits are in. This is one trend that can be adapted to suit the 40+ crowd. Look how beautiful this sweater and shirt below looks. So easy to wear. (Ann Taylor)
They’ve taken a white shirt and paired it with a toned down bulky knit (leave the ultra bulky knits for the twentysomethings),then topped it off with a great belt. Instant cool.
We always say the key to looking young is not to try to look young -just keep yourself updated in current styles that suit your body and you’ll automatically take ten years off.
Finally, the little black dress -simple is always best, but don’t be too plain. This round neck long sleeve dress is typical of what many women at woman 40+ might choose. While you can dress it up to make it look sharper why not just move away from something so predictable for a change.
A split v neckline and pretty sleeve instantly kicks it up a notch, so that you go from looking nice to very very N-I-I-I-C-E!!!!!!!(Premise-$325 Saks)
