I love those little half booties that were so popular last fall. I see that they are coming out again this year and would love want to buy a pair, but just do not know what or how to wear them? HELP!
Karen G.~ Minnesota.
Hi Karen,
Your timing is perfect! We just saw this add for the DKNY and here they are showing the same shoe with lots of different looks!
This ad from DKNY is an excellent example of how to look updated!
Here is why we like them:
Layering with cropped straight pants:
Great casual look, could do it with flats too! (DKNY)
Add a vest! (try one, you might like it!)
Simple white blouse (untucked)
Flat front straight cropped pants
vest. (Might want try to find one longer, if you want to hide hips)
.(DKNY)
Cute for work or out to dinner:
Back again, this layered look was popular last fall thanks to Michele Obama.
Try a skinny belt and make sure you have a pair of those opaque tights. (the ones with patterns can make your legs look fat, so keep it simple with solid colors unless you have super skinny legs)
(DKNY)
Slim Balloon pant: We are seeing a huge comeback this fall with the balloon pant. Beware this style does not work on all body types. However, if it is well cut, on the slim side, like this one, it might look great on you! Can be a fun style to try. Not so great with flats though…. (DKNY)
Scarf Action!:
Adding a long skinny scarf is an easy way to go from drab to fab! These tight, just to the ankle jeans have a little “poof” at the ankle that can actually be flattering! (DKNY)
This soft jacket pulls the entire look together:
For a modern twist on the navy or grey blazer, try one that is made of a soft fabric. Both comfortable and chic it will knock you up on the style scale! (DKNY)
Pictures don’t lie! It is amazing how many of us imagine ourselves one way and in reality look another! Nothing like a reality check!
Take for example one of our readers Janet O. who thought she might have to give up this dress…
Hello Glam Gals,
When is short too short? I have several dresses that hit me above the knees. I am not a fan of my knees (I call them “thnees” – thighs that merge into my knees with no definition) but these dresses are so comfy I continue to wear them.
What do you think? Time to hang them up?
~Janet O
HI Janet…LOL..love your new term! However, you don’t have “thnees”, you have nice knees and you look great in your dress!!!
Keep on keeping on! Your wedge shoes, long necklace and bangles, really look updated too!(so does your hair, the little that we can see of it!)
Your dress is much better than a boring pair of khakis and a polo shirt yet you look totally comfortable and chic.
Thanks for sending us your photos!
The Glam Gals
Can Janet pull this dress off? She thinks she has ugly knees!
Yes, she can! Her legs are beautiful!
This Glam Gal has an updated look and great style!
So what do you do when you are turning 50, your husband has just passed away and you want to do something daring and different? If you’re Janis Irwin, you go out and learn to ride a motorcycle and then ride it across the country and back…all by yourself!
Recently at a local wine tasting event in West Chester, PA, I (JoJami) spotted this Age-mazing™ women. I was drawn to her beautiful coat and entire ensemble of a turquoise necklace, snazzy boots, cool helmet and sunglasses! Of course I had to go up to her and chat her up!
She was beaming when she shared with me her inspirational story of how she packed up only the essentials (including a nice dress and a pair of heels) and went on a cross country adventure, solo on her motorcycle.
She calls herself, a “Barbie Biker” because she has her own feminine style of biker dressing. “Many women think you have to dress like a tough girl in head to to black, Harley Davidson attire,” says Janice. ” I found the more I got into the sport, the more I realized that it’s only the beginers that dress that way. I love to be able to get off my bike and feel like I’m still me and not this alter ego.”
Well Janis, we agree that you look gorgeous and classy in your outfit!
As for her day job, Janis runs her own interior design firm.
Do you have a job with a fun hobby? We want to hear from you!
Alright, I know you’ve seen this dress before (you can see our “Tweak Your Chic” model wearing it in this post, and me in it again right here), but a neutral shirt dress is a staple. That means it never goes out of style, and you can keep updating it to fit the current trends. Below is a video showing how I used this season’s layering trend to breathe new life into an old dress…and I didn’t have to buy anything new to do it! That’s the easiest way to shop on a budget – treat your wardrobe like a store and keep reinventing outfits!
For more ways to update your wardrobe on a budget, check out our eBook Chic on the Cheap!
Our new e-book on How to Update Your Wardrobe on a Budget
I am so glad I found your wonderful website. I have a question that relates to what is “age-appropriate”. I am 43 and very petite. I am in love with a trend jacket that is big for the Fall, although I usually stay away from trends. The jacket I am talking about is the Alice + Olivia shrunken military jacket, a picture of which is attached.
My only concern is the age-appropriate perception of this jacket due to the adornment? My idea would be to wear it with some nice fitting jeans, a simple white top underneath and simple sleek black or metallic heels. No excessive accessories. I have tried the jacket on and it fits beautifully.
Your thoughts on the age-appropriateness of this ensemble is greatly appreciated!
Sincerely,
Gail
Hi Gail,
We have been seeing this look around and we agree it is so FUN!… but here it the thing… this is definitely a trend and what we call a “statement piece”. That means that you really will not wear it all the time and if you do, people will definitely remember that specific jacket.
Also, we know that this piece is rather expensive and is in the price range that we would call an “investment piece”. We suggest that you keep looking and find one that is similar with the military look, but perhaps not so dramatic as this one.
Moreover, if you buy it, because it is so trendy you might get tired of it soon and wish you had put your money in a high quality coat that is still fun, but one that you feel good in and can enjoy for a long time. An example of this would be this one we’re showing by Tory Burch.
To answer your question if it is age appropriate, we say that yes, someone over 40 can pull this off, but it is almost “costume-like”… so you would really have to be in a funky, fun job or live in a very cosmopolitan city or environment to wear it enough to get your moneys worth.
BTW… we think it would great left open with a red plaid flannel shirt under it with blue jeans.
I would love your opinion for this outfit I have chosen to wear to an informal class reunion at a bar/ restaurant next week.
Can Kathryn wear this look?
Do bear in mind that it is the middle of winter here. I was wondering if maybe I was a little to chunky to pull it off, what do you think.
Warm Regards,
Kathryn
Hi Kathryn,
Great to hear from you~
It is really smart to start planning your outfit, now and not wait to the last min!!
Here is our take on your outfit…
First off, we can see that you are very fashion forward with your sense of style. Layering and belting on the outside with black hose and boots are VERY much in style right now… however your outfit is good example, of what can happen when you put this type of look on a body that is not 6 feet tall and 99 pounds!
It is VERY hard to pull off this look on women over 40….since it is we tend to look bulky in all these layers, instead of chic.
So, our answer to you is that your gut feeling is RIGHT ON!!! We agree with you, that this outfit does not really flatter your cute figure (BTW, you are not “chunky”, you have a great figure, we just need to get it into clothes that make it look great!!!)
So what now????
It is always good to take a photo of yourself in an outfit, so you can see where your eye goes too first.
We think that the boots grab your attention and take it off the outfit. Because they have a lot of “scrunching” going on, they tend to make your legs look bigger than they are…and give your legs a bulky look. Those boots would look better on you, if you wear a longer skirt. You need the skirt to hit below your calf for it to be flattering.
Now, if your set on wearing that outfit, we think it would flatter your figure if you did not try to belt the outfit at all and let the dress hang.
The necklace does not work either, it is too dainty with the outfit. How about adding a colorful scarf?
This is a great attempt to look hip and chic, but with your body type it is hard to pull this look off.
Lets keep this conversation going…can you send us your new updated photo of you after you try our suggestions?
Our reader Kathryn recently wrote us to ask what to wear to an informal class reunion to be held at the local pub, in the dead of winter (it is winter for our readers in Australia) .
Katherine sent this photo and asked, "Does this look good on me?"
The grey and black layered and belted look, shows that she is up on her fashion trends, however we felt that we could dress her cute figure to flatter it a bit more. So we sent her some homework and asked her to send us what she came up with.
Here are the other options she sent us, for round 2:
Even though it is an informal event, we think this outfit is way too casual if Kathryn wants to dress to impress! The layers hide all her curves, and the checker shirt and clunky shoes make her look very masculine. The long, light colored top is the wrong proportion on the body, and makes her legs look very short in comparison. This is definitely not a look we’d recommend.
This look is much nicer! It looks classy and crisp, and the shapes flatter her figure. The only point we’d make is that it’s just too conservative! From the first outfit to this one, we’ve lost all Kathryn’s style sensibility. Where’s the funky trendiness we saw in the first outfit?
Finally, we think this outfit is a slam dunk! The black belt pulls in the narrowest part of Kathryn’s body, and the fact that it’s all one color makes her look longer and leaner. We have the boots again, however she had another pair in her closet that fit nicer and hug her leg, which adds a little sexiness to the outfit. She added back in some of her personal style with the necklace and bracelets. We believe this is the best outfit yet! Our only suggestion would be to add a little color into the ensemble. Perhaps wear a bright colored blouse instead of the white to give your face some color. Maybe try wearing a colorful scarf or holding a colored bag. Adding a pop of color will give her outfit some visual interest, and help her stand out!
Kathryn also sent us a picture of her coat. Isn’t it adorable? We love the winter white wool trench with the cinched waist and decorative vintage pin. The A-line is a perfect cut for her too. That just goes to show that even in sub zero weather, you can still look hot!
I wanted your opinion on those pant sets, jackets, tops, dresses that you see on those shopping channels called CitiKnits.
They say it travels well, doesn’t wrinkle and it’s a synthetic fiber.
I’m 45 and love fashion but I wonder if that look is a little old and dated with their matching sets.
Thanks L.
Hi L.
We went to the site and checked them out. We were eager to see them, since all the benefits sure sounded tempting no to mention they are on sale for such a great price.
However, sadly when we reviewed them, we found many of the styles in unfashionable colors and the cut of the outfits were certainly matronly. The “wonderful” non-wrinkle fabric, is just a thin polyester that looked cheap even on the gorgeous model!
We also found some on E-bay for sale with the tags still on them. That tells us that the buyer was not satisfied and is trying to get rid of the items!
We would stay clear of shopping on line and make sure you get to try on the outfit before buying it.
(Send us your style question, we pick several a month to answer and yours could be the next one! info@fabulousafter40.com)
Two years ago I decided to go back to college. Most of my fellow students were the same age as my youngest child. I started looking for resources to help me update my look so that I could try to maneuver that area between not too young and not too old.
I have now graduated and am now at my new job in my new career. I have learned that wardrobes need constant updating and your emails give me ideas on how to do that successfully.
Several people I know are looking for new jobs or trying to hang on to current jobs. I am looking for ideas for summer – more stylish, career pieces that are easy on the pocketbook.
Thanks and keep up the great work.
Renee F.
San Marcos, Texas
Dear Renee,
We love the fact that you are making the effort to keep yourself updated, especially since you are competing for jobs in the workplace. Showing that you take pride in yourself and care about what is up-to-date makes you look even more like a go-getter in this tough economy!
That being said, there are a few trends popping up this summer that you can inexpensively add to basics you already have in your wardrobe. Some summer trends we see are: full skirts, splashy colors and prints, and flowy fabrics.
Of course, all together, these trends are not very age appropriate, unless you want to look like a little frilly girl playing dress-up in a nightgown. But, focusing on working one of these pieces into an outfit is totally acceptable, and will make you look very hip.
For example, here we took the full, colorful patterned skirt trend, and dressed it up for work with a modern, sleek short sleeve blazer. On the weekend, choose one of the colors from the pattern to wear on top, and wear it with a flat sandal. The idea is to use these pieces sparingly in a sophisticated way.
By using the new splashy summer prints, you can breath life into old separates. Look how this plain khaki blazer looks instantly more chic with a flowy, colorful skirt!
As far as staples for this season, invest in modern classics like a great fitting pencil skirt and cardigan sweater set. You will be surprised at just how many outfits you can create by mixing in fun items with these staples!
Adding touches of in-style items here and there not only makes your wardrobe look up to date, but it can save you money as well. All these pieces came from Kohl’s and KMart….and each piece is under $30 (it’s true!)! Mixing these inexpensive pieces with your quality basics will give you a great bang for your buck. Let’s face it — they’re probably only going to be popular for one year anyway!
Ballet flats can be worn with most anything, but we think they look best with walking shorts or capris. These coral beauties from Tory Burch have a classic feel, but the color makes them new and interesting.
Coral looks classiest paired with neutrals like brown, tan, gold and white. This is a great weekend or vacation look. If you love color, you could go one step further and wear a multicolored top with coral in it (i.e., a turquoise-coral-yellow top with neutral walking shorts and coral flats).
Here’s a pretty ballet flat in lavender suede that’s a little more formal with snake embossed leather covered buttons.
Sometimes you just get lucky and find the perfect top to match your shoes. There are so many of these feminine colorful chiffon tops around that it shouldn’t be hard to find one that works. BUT DON’T wear a top like this with these teensy shorts (as if we really had to tell you)! Instead, try putting the top and flats with some great dark denim jeans.
They are the perfect complement to this belted houndstooth business suit because they add just the right touch of femininity and personality. The key to wearing colored shoes at work is to keep everything understated except for that pop of shoe color. If your workplace is more conservative, a closed toe pump in fuchsia would look great too.
Shiny patent pumps like these in Fire engine red turn up the heat on this black and white graphic dress.
See what a beautiful contrast these shoes are to this eye catching David Meister dress? If the dress was red and white, and you wanted to wear red shoes, it would be nearly impossible to match the red, and if you did it would look too matchy matchy and dated anyway.
Gladiator Sandals are an easy way to update your look, but still look age appropriate. These Cole Haan sandals combine Nike air technology for a super comfortable fit.
Draw on any color in this floaty top and you’ll be sure to have a winning look. The yellow gladiator sandals add some excitement. Just don’t go out and also get a matching yellow purse, jewelry or anything else yellow, or you’ll overdo it!
The newest must have shoe for shoeaholics! Yes, even gals over 40 can wear cage shoes if you have the right body and attitude. These green cage shoes are a real head turner so you don’t want to pair them with anything else too colorful.
The ideal match would be to wear them with skinny jeans and a dressy, but simple top. There’s so much color and detail in these shoes you want to make sure all eyes are on these works of art!
The tummy bow adds bulk which you do not need.Don’t wear pants with belt loops, pockets, bows, buttons, buckles or pleats at the waist. They all add bulk and put the spotlight on your tummy (whether you tuck in or tuck out!) The only pants you should buy are flat front pants with very little or no detail! Sounds boring, but it isn’t.
Why? …because there are all sorts of gorgeous long tops in style right now that you can wear over top. (Thank Goodness tucking out is currently in style!). These casual linen pants might look cute in the catalog, or on a model, but the reality is that you will have to tuck in your top or your stomach will really be emphasized.
Go for plain at the waist!Instead, every woman should have a good, simple, basic pair of pants with a side zip or flat front. As you can see here, paired with a top, it looks so flattering! Wear it with shapewear. If your tummy bulge is still quite prominent, get rid of the belt.
Long top over front flat pants is a winning combo.
This similar version from white house black market, is also a good option and it’s half the price.
Finally, here are a couple of casual weekend outfit suggestions to hide your tummy:
Isn’t this much nicer than a pair of jeans or old shorts?
Here’s a great dress you can wear if you are dieting and exercising away that tummy bulge. This shift is easy to take in as the pounds
come off.
Looking good on casual a day of shopping can be a challenge. What can you wear to look up to date, comfortable and yet hip? Layering seems to be the way to go as we transition into Spring.
This gal was shopping with her daughter at BCBG in Philly. Love her colorful orange cashmere sweater with updated dark washed jeans.
Even her accessories (clear Lucite bracelet and cool watch) were fun!
clear lucite bracelet
This other gal was from Sweden. Check out her fab boots!
This is a comfortable layered look is more artsy. She did a nice job of putting together a fitted, simple top and low slung belt. Her oversized slouchy handbag completed this casual, hip look.
Nicole wrote us recently with this style question about this outfit she found at Saks:
photo: Saks
She had a few questions:
Q- Do you think this is age-appropriate for women over 40? –We think that the overall idea is very chic. The top is perfectly acceptable, however the leather skirt is too short for women over 40.
Q – I like the colors, but do you think they are too blah?– The green leather skirt does give the outfit its “pop” of color. So no, we do not think it is too blah.
Q – What do you think about the bag? — The bag looks fine with this outfit. It could be a good neutral for spring. Personally, would like to see something of a higher quality.
Q – You did the blog about beige dresses. What about bags in this color or crème? Do they work?–A beige bag is very safe and practical. If you’re on a tight budget it would be an excellent choice, since it would go with virtually everything in your closet. However, beige as an accessory can be boring and we find a colorful handbag can really cheer you up. So, you should have one that is neutral and one that is colored that you love and adore! You do not have to spend a lot on a handbag as long as iit looks high quality.
Notes: We really like the shoes and the layered necklace too!
How can I tap into this spring’s Safari look without appearing like I’m wearing a costume? …Jan
Hi Jan,
If you’re a midlife gal, you know how many times this trend has been around the block. It probably won’t be the first time you’ve worn this style, if you opt to buy into it this spring. To make sure you don’t end up looking like an adventurous boomer going on your first African safari, you will want to remember these things.
No
Forget this head to toe one color safari outfit, or you will look like you are wearing a costume. Take a look at this first (boring) outfit and you’ll see exactly what we mean.
Careful!
Now this second outfit definitely has more of a fashion feel, but beware…One of the biggest mistakes we see women over 40 making is buying a long skirt which makes them look matronly. Unless you are very tall with super skinny legs, avoid long skirts.
Yes
This is a better way to interpret this trend. Choose one good piece as your safari focal point. We love this very original leather safari jacket. It’s been teamed up with wide leg white pants, not matchy, matchy beige pants or matchy-matchy leather pants. This gives it a more modern feel. Great heels elevate this outfit from a rustic Indiana Jones look, to sexy high fashion look.
Time flies when you’re having fun! After a while, fashion hits a wall and has to start recycling itself …so here we go again with the maxi dress!
The big question is, when would you wear one? You really don’t want to take this look too seriously. Wear one with:
a pashmina out to dinner
as a bathing suit cover up
when hosting a dinner party at home
Don’t try to wear fancy high heels with this look. These dresses aren’t meant to be dressy. Just pair one with a pretty low sandal, that may have rhinestones or not, or with a simple wedge if you still want to get some height.
Here are some maxi dresses we like and why:
This Donna Rico dress is really flattering and won’t make you look like you are trying to hide something!
Donna -Ricco- maxi
This Matty M twist top has nice wide straps to hide your bra. Also, the neckline plunges just enough that it would be perfect for showing off a nice big, bold signature piece of jewelry!
Matty M Twist top
You can never go wrong with a simple all black dress by Karen Kane, or this wonderful bright floral version paired with some fun jewelry, or worn by itself.
Karen Kane
So, have some fun and think out of the box. A dress like this is a wonderful, updated alternative to a dress or pants.
Hi Deb and JJ,
Is there a rule about skirt length after a certain age? I work hard at the gym and my legs are as sexy and shapely as those 20-somethings. But since I’ve long left my twenties behind, does that mean short skirts are a thing of the past, too? I am very short – just 5′ – and long skirts make me look even shorter! So what are the guidelines about hemlines? I realize micro-minis are out of the question, but what about skirts a few inches above the knees? Thanks!
-Morgan
Hi Morgan! Hemlines have been all over the map for so long, that we feel strongly that skirt length is all about what looks good on YOU! That being said, you certainly have the right gut feeling about long skirts, because at your height, you are correct in assessing that they will make you look shorter.
Above the knee, but still work appropriate
The mistake many women make is that they don’t take into account the thickness of legs, knees and ankles as well as the length of the leg. This is what counts in skirt length. If you like the look of your knees, then an inch from the top of the kneecap is about the highest you should go. If you work in a professional environment, you might want to make sure your hemline is appropriate and conservative. We love that you are still showing off those great legs! We applaud you!
Welcome to part 3 of our Tweak Your Chic series, where we show you how a few small accessory updates can take you from Frumpy to Fabulous, instantaneously.
Now in part 3, we show you how to Tweak Your Chic using a basic gray outfit. Let’s get to the before and afters.
The Look – BEFORE Tweak Your Chic:
This is a great example of how many of us are following fashion “rules” and still look don’t look our best. This gal is dressed basically in a column of color…She’s got a gray sweater, pants and top which is supposed to make you look very slim. Well it works only to a certain point. Her sweater may be gray but it makes her look old and heavy.
The Look – AFTER Tweak Your Chic:
The biggest change we made is we ditched her big bulky “momsy” sweater for a more stylish refined one. Now she looks much slimmer and up to date. Moving forward, let’s take a closer look at her accessories.
Necklace – BEFORE:
This pretty little necklace, is just too pastel and too dainty for this knit outfit..
Necklace – AFTER:
See how much better this bolder chain necklace works. The weight and size of the links is better in sync with the material and this gal’s bone structure.
Silver is more chic and appropriate for winter than peach.
Belt – BEFORE:
A beautiful belt, but not the best choice for this outfit. It would be a better belt for jeans.
Belt – AFTER:
To update this outfit and make it look more chic, we opted to go wider. Good news – a wide belt can really enhance your figure, and on the right body type will be very flattering! Also, if you can find a belt that sits down on your hips, it will create a flattering line, versus a belt that just goes straight across your middle. See how much more relaxed this looks below. The new belt complements the feel of this soft, stretchy knit.
Purse – BEFORE:
We have all seen (or have) this type of purse. It’s nice. It’s very safe, but safe is old and boring. Your handbag is the perfect accessory to have fun with.
Purse – AFTER:
Give yourself permission to buy something colorful. Size matters. Today’s purses are oversized, and have more hardware. Croc is a popular choice.
Shoes – BEFORE:
Please don’t be caught wearing something like this! Sure, you may need low heels for your aching feet but don’t succumb to these clunky boring clodhoppers.
Shoes – AFTER:
Serious about wanting to look Fabulous after 40 and ready to take the plunge? Then, Tweak your Chic with a sexy shoe. Warning…this might mean being a little uncomfortable…but we think it’s worth it. You can also try some high heels with wedges or platforms. Try to stay away from thick straps which will definitely spell dowdy.
Draw on any color in this floaty top and you’ll be sure to have a winning look. The yellow gladiator sandals add some excitement. Just don’t go out and also get a matching yellow
This gal was shopping with her daughter at BCBG in Philly. Love her colorful orange cashmere sweater with updated dark washed jeans.
This is a comfortable layered look is more artsy. She did a nice job of putting together a fitted, simple top and low slung belt. Her oversized slouchy
The Look – BEFORE Tweak Your Chic:
The Look – AFTER Tweak Your Chic:
Necklace – BEFORE:
Necklace – AFTER:
Belt – BEFORE:
Belt – AFTER:
Purse – BEFORE:
Purse – AFTER:
Shoes – BEFORE:
Shoes – AFTER:
