When packing for a trip, it is smart to "try out" the outfits first!
When you are off to a trip, it can be mind wracking trying to plan what to wear!
So when packing for a trip it is great to make your outfits up first and then see how many different “looks” you can create.
We found that interior designer, Heather Clawson from Habitually Chic® has done just that with impeccable taste as she prepares for an upcoming trip to LA.
To see more wonderful outfit choices, you can visit her site, here!
Thisis dramatic and stunning! Don't forget the black scarf that tops it off!
Notes:
Flat shoes are comfortable and stylish
Love the oversized white tote
Simple colors all mix and match
Heather has expensive taste, however you can achieve these looks for much less and use them as inspiration!
Layering is always a good idea when heading out west, since you can never be sure it it will be hot or cold!
If I (JoJami) had to pick one type of item to update my jewelry box, I would pick a cuff style bracelet.
Here are a few ideas that gets the “Glam Gals” seal of approval, from our new collection of Stella and Dot jewelry! We have priced this jewelry and compared the style and quality to other brands and can confidently say that we think this is the best value out there!
Have fun and try a cuff!
They make a chic fashion statement and sure can add some pizazz to your wardrobe!
This silver cuff is so simple and lightweight, you can wear it everyday!
This beautiful cuff will make a statement weather you dress it up with a pretty dress or wear it with jeans!
This airy style is says, "Spring/Summer"
This cuff is a great basic and will be able to transition you from winter into Spring!
Have you ever been shopping and said these fateful words: “I DON”T NEED TO TRY IT ON?” Of course some times that might be fine, but I have found that more times than not, those are words I have lived to regret!
Well,I (JoJami) forgot to take my own advice and I ended up buying this top back in January.
This shirt was a big mistake! I should have tried it on!
Here is the story…
I had gone into the store with a friend and tried on lots of things. Nothing fit or seemed right, so I was walking out the door of the store (empty handed) when I spotted this rack of colorful tops!
Oh, this one looked just great, and I mentioned to my friend, “Boy I could sure use another top, my wardrobe is low on tops right now”.
So she held it up to me and I decided that the size would be fine and there was no need to try it on. (HA!)
Here is a photo of my new shirt. YUCK, what was I thinking!
What went wrong?
Yes, the color is nice but it ended up being a size too small!
The way that the seams hit me on the bust area, flattens my already smallish boobies!
The fabric looks cheap when I put it on.
The style is not at all flattering.
The worst part is that the store has a strict return policy, and now I am stuck with it.
So remember, ALWAYS try things on before you buy, so you won’t make the same mistake I did!
When you have curves it can be tricky to find clothes that have some style to them. However, we have been chatting up the wonderful selections fromLola and Gigi for years and their on-line shop just keeps getting better and better!
Check out their site for more samples of their Spring Collection that covers all the basis from festive daytime dresses to sexy special occasion ones.
Hi Ladies,
This is a big challenge! I need swimsuit advice. I try to stay fit, but at 48 my abs are not as flat as I would like to be rockin’ a two piece. What are your suggestions on looking sexy but age appropriate at the pool or beach? Also, I will need to be looking good for a business trip to a beach resort which makes it extra difficult.
I checked out Victoria’s Secret and they have some great suits, but I am worried that I will see those same suits on tons of other women. Last year I found the most awesome suit and one of the other wives had the exact suit in the exact color. Bummer!
Thanks,
Ellen
Nashville, TN
Hi Ellen,
The word “swimsuit” to almost anyone over the age of 25, and definitely over 40, can send chills up the spine! However, we like your “rockin” attitude and think we can help!
Can you be sexy when you’re over 40…you bet! You just have to know the right tricks!
First off, there are no rules about how old you must be to wear a 2 piece; you just have to have to be on the thin side…
However, to be honest, most women on the back side of 40 are starting to look better in a one piece. Never fear.. you can still look sexy!!
Show off those legs with a high cut suit
If your legs are not looking so great either, you can always show a bit of cleavage!
Go for a suit that has a medium large pattern. This confuses the eye and can hide bulges!
You can’t go wrong with a all dark suit like black, navy or chocolate brown!
The print tricks the eye and will hide small bumps and bulges (www.Soma.com)
Black is always slimming. We like the plunging neckline and wider straps (www.Soma.com)
This cover up can hide thick legs, but still has a peek a boo slit! (www.Soma.com)
With the dark contoured sides, this colorful suit still flatters. (www.Newport News)
Here is a great way to feel great and not show off so too much thigh!(www.Newport News)
This black suit is so pretty and looks good on all shapes! (www.fashionbug.com)
For all you true blue fashionista’s out there…we had to share this wonderful video by one of our favorite bloggers, Susan Tabak. This Age-mazing™ woman certainly lives life in the fashion fast lane…always off to Paris fashion shows, hobnobbing with the designers and shopping in NYC.
Here is her latest adventure:
The Dior, Spring 2010 Haute Couture fashion show… pure fantasy, but fun to see!
We are proud to present a brand new handbag, hot off the press… The Ellen Allen Bag!
When you want to carry a bag that is a great value and be the first one on the block with one, check this out!
Wow, what a great look for Spring!
When handbag designer, Ellen Allen talks about her navy striped Murray Hill bag, she can hardly contain herself. “It’s big, organized, and sleek. It’s a sexy way to schlep.” Ellen’s enthusiasm for this tote is warranted, considering her name is on the silver logo plate that has women all over Annapolis talking. As an interior designer and a parent of two young boys, Ellen found herself constantly looking for a multifunctional bag to suit her on-the-go lifestyle. But she wasn’t willing to sacrifice style. “It was most important for me to have a bag that was chic yet practical,” she said. “Women have been choosing between fashion and practicality for years. Why can’t we have both?”
You can’t go wrong with this festive roomy bag, that has a couture look at a fraction of the cost.
Best of all, you won’t be seeing yourself coming and going.. this exclusive bag is new to the market! Either color just $180.00
Buy it here and you will get FREE SHIPPING in the U.S.!
The older we get, the pickier we get about the shoes we wear. They have to be comfy for our tired tootsies, but still look cool and stylish too. (not like we’re headed for the senior’s centre.)
Finding the perfect shoe after 40 is tough and that’s why Zappos has been such a hit. They’re famous for their huge inventory of sizes, styles, widths (AA-Wides), and super customer service (free shipping, both ways). They’ve even been named one of the top 30 companies to work for.
We are not surprised that there is a site that is keeping track of what Michelle Obama is wearing. Check this out, Michelle Obama’s Look Book for an up-to-date photo gallery of what she is wearing.
You can learn so much from just studying this site, from what styles flatter her figure to what colors look best on her. Also, what styles are good for work as well as age-appropriate. Apply these tips to your own wardrobe and see how they work for you!
Here are some of our picks and why…
In Paris: We have been saying how white is the hot color for summer and here is Mrs. O in Paris looking very fresh and pretty!
Photo by Yves Forestier/Getty Images
Updated suit dressing : This suit is so updated, with the 3/4 sleeves and thin belt. Her black and white flower pins are so fresh and fun!
Next up: Putting color into your look can bring some much needed life to your wardrobe. Also, the large pearls are a classy way to dress up any outfit! The simplicity and fit of this dress with the just right “v” neck makes it an easy style to try. This time she has paired it with a wide belt, also in fashion today!
Finally, this pink gown was worn early in the campain, but has been one of our all time favorite formals that she has worn. We just think it is so feminine, simple and elegant. This spring, florals are still a popular choice and this large print is bold yet the monotone color combination keeps it subtle.
With spring in full swing and summer around the corner, you can’t help but notice all the adorable, crisp white fashions popping up everywhere. Finally, the sun is out and we don’t have to cover up anymore! Here are some from White House|Black Market that we LOVE!
This little white top has just enough of a subtle ruffle to be feminine but not overdone!
A white pencil skirt is a super way to cheer up your wardrobe. You probably already have tops and shoes that will match so you will be good to go with just one piece!
So, after a winter full of long sleeves and long pants, what do you do when your skin is just as glaring white as your new clothes? Many of you have asked us what to do. We say, get a glow – in a healthy way, of course! There are so many tanning products out there that help, but here are two that we can recommend.
For a subtle tan, try a product that is super easy to use, like Coppertone Endless Summer Sunless Gradual Tan Lotion. You just smooth this on every morning and night and your skin gradually darkens (FYI, it does takes a few days to really see the results!).
Can’t wait to wear white and need a quick tan? You can use a self-tanner like Neutrogena Sheer Bodytint for an instant, temporary tan.
These products are all on super sale over at Drugstore.com… not to mention free shipping!
Don’t forget these little tips for suntan success:
All self-tanners recommend exfoliating the skin first.
After your all buff, do not use any lotion.
Pick up some rubber nurses gloves to put on the tanner. That way your hands won’t turn orange!
Make sure the color is totally dry and developed and then rinse off before putting on your white top, though…if you put clothes on before the mousse or lotion dries, you will have brown stains on the inside of your clothes!
It’s been a long time since shoe buying has been so much fun. This spring’s shoes are colorful and crazy and many of you have told us you want to buy a pair.
So what’s holding you back? Are you unsure about whether colorful shoes are age appropriate after 40?
If you’ve come close to buying a pair, but turned back from the cash register counter at the last moment because you thought you’d better stick to something neutral and safe, then read on.
Here’s our take on this season’s rainbow of shoes, with ideas for what to wear them with so you look hip and chic!
WEDGES
When you want to go high, but be comfortable, wedges are a good bet. This cute red patent shoe with its striped wedge has a slightly nautical feel to it. So why not pick up on that theme?
This wedge shoe would look great with a navy, black, white or a cheery yellow sundress like this, that is lighthearted and summery.
Electric blue is popular this season, but can be hard to wear because it sometimes comes off as heavy and harsh. This shoe captures the color trend without being overpowering. Love the combination of blue washed snakeskin and a rope wedge which makes this shoe modern and interesting.
One of the easiest and prettiest ways to wear the new blue is to pair it with something white like this tidy linen blend scoop neck dress by Elie Tahari. Add jewelry, like some chunky blue and silver beads, and you are all set.
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!
We came across some good tips over at Chic Galleria on how to spruce up your Spring wardrobe with just a little tweaking.
Here are some of our tips to add to it:
1. Get a “fuzz” zapper and clean up sweaters to look like new.
2. If you can buy one item, make it a pencil skirt, pair it with your old twinsets or cardigans and you will look updated and fresh.
3. Layer a dress by putting a thin sweater over it and belt it. It will look like a new outfit.
4. Get those scarves out and wear them. You can put 2 pretty solids together and add a scarf and have a colorful new outfit!
Here is a quick look at a few REAL women on the street…and what they are wearing.
This lovely (40 something) Glam Gal was sitting in a hotel lobby in D.C. She confessed to finding this colorful 3/4 sleeve Spring jacket for a steal and has paired it with a simple white t-shirt.
What is going right here?
~Her hair cut is current and not fussy
~Not too much makeup
~Great neckline
~Wonderful fun print and the colors really looks nice on her. Turquoise and brown are a modern color combination too!
~She can wear this to work and feel chic and comfortable
Send us your photo of a Glam Gal who looks Age-mazing™ by emailing info@fabulousafter40.com, and make sure to comment below!
I am 40+ stay at home mom of a 7 and almost 3 year old. I am 5 ‘ 7″ and my body is rectangular shaped. I am always on the lookout for a casual jacket and saw this one. I was planning on wearing it with jeans. I am open to other ideas, as I am still a little bit unsure. I love your blog! Thanks!
We really like the idea of this coat for your body type and we think you would wear it well! You can never go wrong with a classic trench coat. This light color is a nice change from black or brown and you will be able to dress it up or down, as well as add a colorful purse or shoes to make it pop!
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.
What’s new for Spring in make up? We asked our Fabulous after 40 Beauty expert Beke Beau for some tips to get your skin glowing! Here’s what she said:
As expected, make-up trends for Spring are characterized by pastel to bright colors from nature. According to Allure magazine (March 2009), we’ll be seeing lip colors in lilac, blood orange and deep rose, while hot new eyeshadow looks include shades of pastel pink, pear green and plum – throw in some bronze eyeliner for good measure.
Here are my tips for those of you over 40 who want to keep up to date with these trends:
The new lip colors can be a lovely way to add color in and around the face, where over-40 complexions can sometimes lose vibrancy. Keep the colors believable, clear and moist–avoid matte lipsticks and resist glosses. While pretty in the tube, they are too bright and too shiny to be flattering.
Pastel pink shadow should be reserved for under-brow highlighting.
Gray and brown-based plums can be great as neutrals, especially for those with brown, hazel or green eyes, but avoid red-tones unless you want to look really, really tired!
Pear pear green goes works well with mid-tone neutrals. Apply to inner corner of lid for a hint of color.
A bronze eyeliner is great for honey-haired women with blue eyes, but make sure it’s not a frosty or shimmery product.
Bright pink blush – it’s a basic for every woman and should be applied with a light hand from the apple of the cheek blending up and back.
Beke says, ” Approached with moderation, make-up trends can be enjoyed no matter what your age.”
Have you ever noticed how Pam Anderson is starting to look a lot like Dolly Parton?
Well, Dolly is just being Dolly… For years she has stuck with her unique brand “look” and it has definitely worked for her country music career. I don’t think we would forgive her, if she ever showed up bare faced in a plain t-shirt! (Actually, she has simplified the big hair a tiny bit over the years… better!)
However, Pamela Anderson, what are you thinking? We know it must be hard to give up your sexpot, Baywatch image, but you’re over 40 and it’s time to re-think your image and tone it down! You’re a gorgeous gal, and you just need to class it up a bit!
Ladies, with summer and just around the corner, make sure you’re not trying to hold on to your 18 year old image by wearing skimpy clothes and tons of make-up.
We will be giving out lots of great age-appropriate tips for for how to look sexy, but not silly this season, so stay tuned!
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
We came across some good tips over at Chic Galleria on how to 
What is going right here?
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
