Las Vegas bound…but what to wear when you are over 40 or 50…?

Hi Glam Gals,
I’ve got an upcoming short trip to Las Vegas and wonder if you could offer some appropriate ideas — mostly casual day-time wear that could transition to dressier evening attire. Any suggestions would be appreciated! 
Thanks,
Sue

Las Vegas is one of those surreal places. It’s like walking around in a dreamland because life goes on 24 hours a day, and most of the buildings have no windows so you lose track of day and night!  Best of all, you can really wear things that you might not wear back home.  This town is an “anything goes” type of town and if there is something in the back of your closet you have always wanted to wear, this is the place to bring it!

So what to wear? Here are some of the issue you will have to think about:

1. It’s burning hot outside and very cool in the casinos and shopping
2. The shoe issue. You will be walking a lot!
3. How to dress age appropriate and still have your wardrobe feel festive!
   

   A thin cotton wrap will keep the chill off once you are inside the Casino

Here are a few ideas that might be helpful:

• Layering is a must, so have a few simple cardigans or pashminas that you can carry to throw on as you go in and out of stores and casinos.
• Have that little pair of flat sandals in your purse to slip on when you are going to and from venues.
• Daytime, a little dress or linen pants and top are perfect. Cool and classy.
• Nighttime, you can bring out the bling or go more simple.

Super CasualAs you can see, anything goes in Vegas. Even here at the beautiful Wynn hotel (one of the more upscale Hotels) women were seen in capri pants and sandals.
Oh yes to the maxi dress!  Before the show Le Reve, I spotted this pretty gal in this Quicksilver maxi. Just perfect for the hot night and still looked elegant!
Sneaky casual sandal! This gal cringed and started laughing when I asked if I could see what shoes she was wearing… Why?  Because she was wearing really casual sandals!  No one would know that this Glam Gal was keeping her tootsies feeling good under that long dress!
Dressing it up or down! Here’s a great dress…long sleeves and yet with a sexy neckline!  She had on flat white sandals that looked great!
Super Duper dressy! This gal was at the show and looked liked she stepped out of the good old days when people actually “dressed”, but in today’s world she was a little over dressed.
Here is that boyfriend jacket again! I could hardly believe my eyes when I spotted this gal in her Elizabeth and James linen jacket. Check out our recent post that we did on this! I guess we should have mentioned it would be a super piece to take to Las Vegas!

 

5 Summer Style Sins

With temperatures soaring… we’re all are trying to keep cool and still look great, but it’s easy to let your summer style slide. Here’s some lapses in judgment that we’ve seen this summer.

1. Capri pants +socks & running shoes

Capris are a cute sassy look that shows off your lower legs. Yes, they do tend to make your leg look a little shorter because they stop at the calf, but this can be balanced out by wearing a lovely kitten heel sandal or low wedge in the same color as your Capris.

We’ve noticed a lot of gals on vacation who go on walking tours wearing  Capris with socks and running shoes! This is a lethal combination that makes you look short, fat and frumpy. If you need practicality and comfort, then try a cushioned flip-flop  or ballet flat with your Capris or instead wear shorts with running shoes for sporty look. Frump city!

2. Nude Hose with Sandals

If you are want to wear open toed shoes and are tempted to wear even the sheerest of hose with them, stop right there. Remember, nothing looks as tacky as this fashion faux pas. Many women are hesitant to use self tanners because they are worried about having orange legs, but let us assure you that they have come a long way and give the subtlest of result. Our pick for a fair-skinned gal who wants a little shimmer is L’Oreal’s Sublime Glow.

3. Short Shorts

Who wears short shorts? Not women after 40, unless you’ve been digging things out of your teenage daughter’s closet to wear. Short shorts (especially cut off jean shorts) that let it all hang out are tacky and cheap outside of your own backyard.Save them for sun tanning and try an above the knee cotton skirt or walking short for going out.

4. Visible Pockets

One of the freshest looks for summer is a pair of crisp white pants. But beware if those pants come with big visible pockets. That’s all anyone will notice! When shopping for a new white pant, take note if the pockets are taking center stage. Especially those made with lightweight or sheer fabric make sure to take the time to have the pockets taken out by a professional seamstress for a much cleaner look.

5.Crazy Crocs

Can you believe anyone is still wearing this outdated fad? We’ve seen a few! Ladies, please keep your crocks at home. Crocks were originally garden shoes and we think that’s where they need to stay. Wear them around the garden, the pool, the seaside or cottage, but don’t wear them out to a movie or anywhere else. These brightly colored, rubber shoes are a fad and scream childish. Do you really want to look like a kid when you are a grown woman?

Casual dressing at the LA, Eat Right food festival

JoJami here, just back from the Eat it Make it Grow food festival in Culver City, California.

It’s always a challenge to try to find something to wear on the weekends and there is no better place than Los Angeles to people watch and see what the hip cool ladies are sporting when dressing casual.

Had to share with you a few of the stand outs today as I walked around this outdoor event that brought out the local foodies as well as these fabulous after 40 gals:

Veronica (age 51) was rocking her strapless top and khaki pants! What made her stand out was the way she pulled it all together:

Here is how she did it:

• She likes quality accessories and so was wearing this gorgeous necklace right from one of her favorite Beverly Hills stores, Victorian Rose.
• Of course you know I was loving her fedora (see more on that here).
• Her oversized straw bag was purchased at another local fair.
• Her gorgeous flat sandals were from another Beverly Hills boutique called Madison.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nancy (age 48) was out with her family and teenage daughter. I was certainly impressed that she was looking so lovely in her  Trina Turk white cotton dress, Michael Kors handbag and J.Crew nude wedges.

 

 

 

Summer dressing in NYC: Looking fabulous after 40

JoJami here from NYC.

Stopped in my tracks when I saw this gal sitting on the steps on the Upper East side. She just looked so pulled together! This is a great example of how having a few quality pieces can really set you apart from the crowd!

 

Just getting off work, Maria was waiting to pick up her son and agreed to let me take a few shots of her outfit.

 

 

Summer party dressing, Part 1: Cool Colors

We got a doozy of a question from a reader about how to dress for a summer party:

“What do you wear to an outdoor party in July when the weather is 95 degrees and humid, and you are pushing sixty years old?  How does one look cool and stylish and not frumpy?  I like to be comfortable too, so I can forget about myself and focus on enjoying the company of others.  I am 5’1″ and overweight.”

Summer weather poses quite a problem for women in their 40s and up, who are constantly concerned with coverage.  It is a challenge to find a cool (literally and colloquially), age-appropriate outfit for summer gatherings.   However, summer heat and humidity does not mean you have to throw sophistication and age-appropriateness out the open, screened-in window.

We find that many women, when faced with what to wear to an event, will generally choose an all-black getup over something colorful.  We get it – we love black.  It’s safe, it’s flattering…but it’s also hot as heck!  Instead, try white as your go-to neutral this summer.  It’s much cooler in the sun, and can be just as flattering when worn correctly. One of our favorite looks for a wider woman is a monotone top and bottom.  This “column of color” look makes you look taller and thinner, while evening out your proportions.  Pair a white linen or gauze tunic with a white pant, and dress it up with embellished flats and a lightweight cotton scarf  that are all the rage this summer!

(*for another, all-white outfit, please refer to JoJami’s outfit when she went to NYC)

Here’s an important tip to pulling off this outfit: wear nude colored undergarments that match your skin tone!  There’s nothing worse than an obvious white panty under white slacks…have someone check you in full daylight to make sure there are no glaring panty lines before leaving for your party!

(This style from Saks.)