At the beginning of Spring this year, I (JoJami) decided to give away all my old summer casual skirts that I have been wearing for the past few years. They were the soft , flowing kind, that have been popular, but I felt it was time to move on and update them!
Here are a few ideas on how to update you casual skirt wardrobe and what to give away:
| Just right, this bold print, stiff cotton is Age-mazing!:
Just bought one like this at the J. Crew outlet! What I love that I can dress it down with a casual t-shirt or up with a nice blouse! Flat or strapy heels work just fine! Love these nude shoes they are showing with it, here! |
 This skirt from J.Crew is a great one to update your skirt wardrobe! |
| Too Young Looking :
Do you have a skirt like this? It might be time to give it away. The gathering will cause your middle to appear larger than it is and it is too short for most gals over 40, unless you are wearing it as a coverup for the beach. P.S. Make sure your not “tucking” in your top, it can be aging as well! (Nordstoms) |
 This is too young and short
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| Beware! The Long Hippy Skirt can be aging:
If you are still trying to wear this look, be careful! There are a few problems with trying to look like a hippy. First of all, if you want to do long, you should go one of the newer long dresses not a skirt. Next, this look is one that has circled back from our past and our daughters might be wearing it. We over 40 gals, if you want to look more sophisticated should try something more a-line or pencil style, depending on your body type. (Nordstrom) |
 This skirt can be aging!
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We recently posted a letter from a reader who can’t wear heels because of foot problems and wanted to know if she could wear leggings with clunky flats.
When we mentioned that instead, she should try some flat boots, she ran out and found a pair at Nordstrom’s!
Now leggings and jeans are fine, but what if she wants to wear a skirt? Since these boots are very casual they will be look best with pants…
Flat boots like these will be comfy for those with foot problems
However, here is a skirt that will work with them too. You could also try a casual dress, like a sweater dress.
Colorful skirts make fall dressing festive
Don’t forget to make sure to find opaque hose (not sheer) or tights that match the boots. This will give the leg a longer look.
We went to Boden.com and Spiegel and found lots of great casual styles to choose from! At Boden, you can even “try” the clothes on a fantasy model and see what they would look like on a person!
Here is another combination we liked:
This skirt from Spiegel, would be a good length and weight to balance this boot.
And, for extra comfort and support, don’t forget some Dr. Scholl’s inserts!
Dear Glam Gals
Please advise. I’m a tall woman (1,76 m), inverted triangle with a little tummy. I was given some very long A-line skirts of good quality and would like to shorten them since they are my ideal skirt shape.
I have long, well-shaped strong, not skinny, legs with rounded calves and a tiny hint of X-leg. Which length should my skirts be to look good? I understand that long skirts are not really that fashionable right now and feel that shorter looks more modern.
Thanks in advance – you’ve been a great help since I discovered your site!
Best regards,
Sabine
Dear Sabine,
We agree that A-line skirts are the most flattering for every body type. They balance out a larger top half, and with the extra volume on the bottom, they even make your waist look thinner! Shortening the skirts to the knee is probably the best way to go. That way the thinnest part of your legs will be showing from underneath, and it’s not too short. You don’t want to go too far above the knee, because it will look too poufy, and too long not only shortens your body, but can also be rather dowdy.
However, if you want to try something new this season, you should definitely try a pencil skirt! With your height and figure, a pencil skirt will look really sexy, especially when it hits the bend at the back of your knee.
Good luck!
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!
I have a confession to make (JoJami here…)
I was TOTALLY STUMPED this weekend… I had a daytime, holiday party to go to and boy, did I have to work hard to find just the right thing to wear…
It seems that every time the weather changes or I have an event to go to are the times that I struggle with what to wear.
This party I was invited to was a cookie exchange party with a twist. You had to bring your cookie dough and bake cookies at the party, while enjoying martinis! Fun concept, but hard to imagine what to wear…. It seemed on the one hand, I should dress casual for the cooking part, while drinking cocktails with the girls, I wanted to look chic, but not too dressy.
But wait, there was one more caveat… My girlfriend that was also going to the party, called me a few days before, to ask me what I was going wear and I told her DEFINITELY NOT JEANS, but probably a skirt of some kind.
Well, one of my rules to myself is, when I tell someone what I’m wearing, I better wear it!!! So of course it was a 1/2 hour before the party, I was in the closet and the clothes were flying all over the place, and all the skirts just seemed too dressy, it was a really cold day and I wanted to be comfortable! OH, how I wished I could wear my jeans, but my friend was probably already on her way, and I could call her to tell her that I had changed my mind. (Ends up that NO ONE wore jeans, so it was a good thing I didn’t!)
Anyway…. I floundered along and did find a casual dress to wear and I felt comfortable and that I dressed perfectly appropriate for the party!
So here is a Glam Plan on how to look comfortable but chic for an afternoon holiday party!
1. Plan ahead! Don’t just pick out what you want to wear, try it on and make sure it looks good and you have all the accessories you need.
2. Start your outfit with what shoes you want to wear. If you know your going to be doing alot of standing at the party, think twice about those killer heels. Boots are great for this time of year, low or high, you can still pair them with a skirt, pants or leggings
3. Fabrics should be cozy and comfortable (colorful cashmere comes to mind!)
4. Invest in a beautiful top or jacket. If you’re out shopping for an outfit, so as not to go into overload, start with one piece that stands out to you. It could be a pretty jacket, sweater or again, you can start in the shoe department.
5. Beware of going for the same look you always wear. Search catalogs and magazines first, to get a fresh idea of how to pair 2 pretty colors or a new type of look. (Did any of you happen to see Nicole Kidman on Oprah the other day…. we LOVED her outfit!) Her purple suede jacket with a tank top the exact color as her hair, pencil jeans and matching heels!! Perfection and not too hard to duplicate!)
Just jeans, heels and a jacket - but it's perfect!
Here is my outfit, that I was so comfortable in. I admit, grey is not my best color, but I tried to liven it up with the scarf, and overall, I think it was a good casual look for this type of party. (In case you are wondering…yes, that is a paper plate I am “modeling”) Also, I have a new hair do AGAIN!!!
The scarf and belt completed the look
Look around and you’ll see that everything is coming up…roses and tulips and daffodils, as fabulous florals burst onto centre stage in the fashion world. A pretty floral or botanical print is a simple and surefire way to freshen up your wardrobe this season.
Here’s a look at how to wear one of this Spring’s hottest trends.
Dresses
DON’T
Dainty, tiny, sweet…These are NOT the florals of Spring 2008. So don’t go near this innocent ingénue look!
DO
Instead, think bold, colorful and strong and you’ll be right on track! This spring’s florals have an artistic, painterly and often graphic quality to them. They shout, instead of whisper, and they’re bright and happy, happy, happy.
Floral Skirts
DON’T
Once you find a strong floral that works for you, think about STYLE. It’s equally as important! You may be in love with this bold botanical print, but this long Granny skirt will make you look matronly especially after 40.
DO
Instead, try something shorter and fresher. This green A-line brushstrokes skirt is a classic 50’s style and looks great if you have wider hips and a nice waist you want to show off.
DO
Or, you may want to try this straight style skirt with watercolor dandelion print that flatters most body types. Notice how both are paired with simple cotton blouses. These looks are more subtle and wearable, compared to an all over floral dress which can make some of look and feel like we belong in a garden.
DO
When you want people to notice your bustline or your pretty face, instead of your bottom half, then try wearing a feminine floral top paired with a plain bottom. (Their eyes will go to wherever you put the print.)
This billowy charmeuse top with banded bateau neck, and ¾ raglan sleeve is a beautiful choice and best suited for small to medium busted women.
DO
Off the shoulder is hot this season and this peasant tunic top, accented with velvet, reeks of romanticism. This style can be worn by all sizes.
Shoes
DO
If you just can’t get your head around wearing florals (you prefer a much more tailored, clean look) then experiment by accenting a simple, solid colored outfit with a dash of botanical.
These cute D&G poppy flats with white piping and peep toe would look fab with a solid column of all white, or better yet with a new pair of dark wash trouser jeans and preppy red or white t-shirt.
DO
We fell in love with these irresistible satin with pink and orange rosette slingbacks with wedge heel. Once again, with all this fluff on the toe, you want to keep the rest of the outfit simple. Then just enjoy the compliments flowing in!
Accessories
DO
You don’t need a whole bouquet to make this look work. Even a single bloom, such as this interesting floral cocktail ring updates your look. Quite the conversation piece!
DO
And remember that Floral is a trend that extends to evening as well. This Judith Leiber Australian crystal sparkly floral clutch is a gorgeous compliment to a simple evening gown. More of an art piece than purse, at $3,600 this is one flower that better not wilt!
