Our Most Talked About Fashion After 40 Posts of 2010

Thanks to YOU…2010 has been our biggest year ever with over 55,000 unique visitors a month!

We’ve appreciate that you’ve spread the word about FAF to grow our amazing community. It’s been so much fun chatting with all of you and seeing everyone become such good friends.

Just in case you missed any posts, here are this year’s most hotly debated ones! Keep the comments coming…we love to hear from you at Fabulous after 40!

Back in first place again this year… we followed our friend Jill Knapp on her journey of weight loss. She hit her one year mark and has still been able to keep the weight off and even made an appearance on to the Dr. Oz show	Jill before and after her 100 pound weight loss!
2. This year Gray hair became a surprise fashion trend! This opened the door to discuss the “to go or not to go gray” topic, here at FAF! Read more…	Helen Mirren looking radiant in her gray hair!
3. Over the knee and Thigh high boots, are they age appropriate?Many of you said that you had the hankering to find your inner biker chic and this article sure got the sparks flying!!
Clogs. Another fashion comeback this year and this time they came with heels! The Glam Gals weighed in on this controversial topic with lots more comments from you!!!
“Dainty and feminine” or “young and tacky” were a few of  the comments we heard when we dared to chat about ankle bracelets!
Can I wear Leggings after 40? Find out how our readers weighed in.

Knee High Boots – Can you tuck in?

Hi Glam Gals,

I’m a size 4, very athletic, fit, and 42 years old.  Can/should I wear skinny jeans tucked into knee high boots?  I know it’s very “in” now, but I’m wondering if it’s okay for the over 40 crowd.  I often look good in the youthful clothes, but I’m unsure if I should be wearing it. I don’t want to come across as wishing I was still 22.

Thanks,

Carol

Hi Carol,

You absolutely can tuck in and look Fabulous after 40! Take a look at this photo we just shot.

If you want to be current, wear skinny jeans tucked into tall, flat boots (see Deborah)or tucked into tall boots with a low chunky heel. (see JoJami in jeans).

Flat boots are sporty. They look youthful, but still age appropriate, worn with  jeans or leggings tucked in.

It’s much trickier to wear the tucked in look with  tall, high heeled boots.

If you want to try tucking  into tall, high heeled boots, keep your boots simple. Classic leather or suede  ones, without a lot of  busy hardware (studs, zippers, buckles, straps), are your safest choice.

Our preference is to wear high heeled boots and wedge boots with skirts and dresses. (see JoJami)

So Carol, go for it, and don’t forget to send us a picture.

Fall Boots – Here’s what you need to know

Hi Glam Gals,

With all the choices in boots this fall, what are the best styles for women after 40?

Is it appropriate to wear knee boots?

Thanks, Lisa

Hi Lisa,

You, like many of our readers have lots of questions about boots. That’s because there are so many choices out there, it’s overwhelming! Here’s a rundown of what we are seeing and what we think works best. Let’s start with knee boots:

Russian Princess: Here’s a boot that is hard not to love. It’s sleek and feminine , it’s got the perfect heel and that we love touch on the turn down. For those with thin legs these would hug nicely and could be worn with skirts and dresses. Might be tough to get skinny jeans in these…you would have to just try it.(Saks)
Star Studded This is an elegant and glam version of a cowboy boot. The distressed creamy leather is unique amongst a sea of black boots out there and the hammered studs give these boots just enough detail to make them special! We think they’d look great with  flowing print dress or skirt and a nubby cardigan belted on the outside…could be your new favorite run around weekend outfit!(Saks)
Mainstream motorcycle These Tory Burch buckle up boots look like something a fasionista police officer might wear. These boots are both a combo of toughness and elegance- creating a very cool feel. We could see this with a long plaid coat or  a wool pleated skirt. This boot is quite simple and so can also be dressed up or down with black leggings, a long sleeved fitted t-shirt  and one of those popular fur vests! (Saks)
Cowboy meets military man What a combo! W love trying to find alternatives to basic black and here’s one! This rich reddish brown would be a welcome neutral to an otherwise, boring black closet! (Saks)
Hi Ho, a pirates life for me.. Don’t these look ultra comfy? They’re flat, casual , but have that nice wrap detail that makes people look twice. We can see these with black jeans and a big bulky sweater! Or how about a pretty ruffle blouse and tailored  jacket! Quite swashbuckling! (Saks)
Do you dare go thigh high? Last year we were on the fence about this…but here it is again and we say, if it is really you, go for it. That being said keep the rest of your outfit buttoned up and simple!  The boots should be the focal point. These are by Ralph Lauren and are a great example of  thigh highs that would be age appropriate worn with some jeans tucked in and a wonderful tailored detailed jacket! They are simply and unfussy-not like some of the crazy thigh high studded, chained, busy hooker boots we often see in the magazines. (Saks)

Can you wear Vintage after 40 for fall?

Wearing vintage after 40 can be tough because you run the risk of looking like you’re out of date or an old lady. It is fine to wear vintage when you are young, because it is obvious that you are hip, however when you look like you haven’t thrown out your clothes for the last 20 years, it can be tricky!

Here is a great example of a lovely gray vintage dress that we found on Atlantis Home. This 80′s silk, jersey dress is super flattering with the way it ties at the hip.  The way it drapes would hide the tummy area nicely and is a style that one can wear at any age.

Vintage pieces also tend to have pretty details, like these covered buttons on the sleeve.

Now can you tell the difference between this new outfit that she just bought?

This fabulous bright leather skirt and coordinating sweater from the latest 2010 fall  Lyn Devon collection is classic and could be from any era. She has updated it with some super hip, thigh high boots. (This look might be over the top for some, but we think she can certainly pull it off!)

So the moral of this is… if you are going to try to pull off vintage, make sure you are going to update it with current shoes and accessories and that you can’t tell that it is vintage.

Have you stepped out of your comfort box recently?

Did you see the Oprah Show the other day, the one where she took 3 women who were all feeling down and out and made them do things that were WAY out of their comfort zone?

Seems the Glam Gals are not the only ones out there trying to get you over 40 gals to try something new!  (check out our past posts on  leather jackets or  thigh high boots!)

If you need a little push out of the “plane” Jane   syndrome, just go and take a peak  this weeks Blogging Boomers Carnvial #138! The Boomer Chronicles are hosting and have lots of inspiration from some of the top Boomer Bloggers out there!

New trend: Thigh High Boots

Hello Glam Gals,

Do you think the new thigh high boots for Fall 2009 are age appropriate for women over 40?

Thank you for your help.

~Jenifer G.

Hi Jennifer!

Great question, since we are seeing that thigh high boots are a big trend for fall. This is tricky because there are a lot of variables here. The thigh high boot is a very young and sexy look, so it is hard to pull it off after 40. However, we have seen women of all ages pulling off this trend, but it is a delicate and tricky one for sure.

If you are excited to try this new trend, here are some things to keep in mind:

1. You should  be on the thin side have slim legs and thighs to wear this look.
2. You need to be careful on how to pair your boots with the right outfit. Tight jeans or longer skirts are your best bet to get the right effect.
3. You will need to be picky about the style of boot your choose, otherwise it will look like you’re trying too hard. (More like you are wearing a costume than a trend.)
4. The fit and style of your outfit is key – anything too tight and revealing could look smutty.

We imagine that the women over 40 that could pull this off, are on the creative and festive sort!  However, if you really do want to partake in this trend, we recommend you

• Choose a  simple style that does not have a lot of laces or hardware.

• Stay away from patent or shiny thigh high boots, or you’ll look like a hooker.

• Be sure to  wear dark opaque hose so there’s no leg between the hem of your dress and the boot. Here’s a good example of  flat heeled boot from zappos.com:

Bottom line: Are you wanting to try out a new trend, pick up a younger guy or just channeling your inner biker chic?

You weill need some confidence and good dose of style to pull this look off now that your over 40, or you will end up looking silly instead of chic.

Are you thinking of trying this look out this fall?  If so, we want to hear your comments below!