Hi Glam Gals,
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)
Linen, it’s such a great fabric. It’s all natural, breathable and cool, but the thought of looking wrinkled in it has given it a bad rap!
This Age-mazing woman is looking classy and feeling comfortable her linen outfit
Have you ever thought to yourself, “I’d love to wear linen but I can’t because it wrinkles so much.” We spotted this Age-Mazing© woman, Stacey Inglis at the airport recently traveling with her daughter and could not take our eyes off her. Wow… in the sea of hurried travelers this woman was looking radiant in what seemed to be a linen outfit. Could this be? We stopped her for a quick chat!
Stacey, do you wear linen often?
Yes! I have had this jacket for several years and it’s one of my favorites!
Where did you get it?
It’s an Anne Klein…so probably at Macy’s.
What about your skirt and blouse and shoes?
The skirt is Carole Little and this blouse came from Express! (the blouse is a halter wrap around, so you you don’t have to tuck it in!)
The shoes are Via Spiga…they are so comfortable!!!
This Fab statement piece is by Stephanie Greenfield
Your necklace really makes your outfit! Is there a story behind it?
LOL… Well I just bought it on my trip and the funny thing is, I was reading Cosmopolitan Magazine on the plane just now, and here it is featured on page 65!
Oh my… is that a Lalique bracelet?
Well, I love Paris and last time I went I treated myself to one special thing… you know this bracelet probably cost more than my entire outfit, but I like to mix things up!
Lalique bracelet...a treat from Paris
One last question, do you always dress nice like this?
You know, I find that it is just as easy to put on something like this on than a pair of jeans, and I’m actually more comfortable. You don’t have to spend a lot on clothes to look nice!
Well you look terrific!
So ladies… the proof is in the pictures! By injecting some linen and wonderful accessories into your wardrobe, you may be a little wrinkled but you can still look FAB!
NYC last week, looking very bleak!
Last week I (JoJami) took off to NYC for some culture and good food! After getting so many letters from you ladies on how hard it is to come up with outfits to wear that you can be comfortable in and not look frumpy, here is a quick peek into what some of your options might be!
First off, you have to really plan ahead. We had planned on spending the entire day walking around the city. Our first stop was going to be the NYC Botanical Gardens and afterward we planned on visiting the Frick Museum. The next day we scheduled a walk in Central Park and were off to rent bikes in Chelsea. On top of everything, rain was in the forecast!
My friend Lisa called me the week before and was worried that all she had was flip flops to wear. I told her to make a quick trip to the discount shoe store DSW and find some cute walking tennis shoes.
These Sketcher tennis shoes are comfy and cute!
Meanwhile, I took my own advice and found some updated Converse that had a little more support than the normal flat ones.
JJ looking comfy (the rain had not started yet!)
Well, our plans did change since it started raining like crazy…but we did make it to the Frick and HIGHLY recommend it! More over we walked our booties off all day and the next in comfort! (However, our hair didn’t do as well as our feet!)
Share with us your favorite photo of your “summer touring” outfit and we can share it with everyone!
Just write us at: info@fabulousafter40.com
This week’s Blogging Boomers Carnival #103 is being hosted by our friend Ann, over at Contemporary Retirement.
Blogging Boomers is a group of outstanding lifestyle writers who post about everything from boomer travel to menopause to how to cope in this time of transition.
We’re excited to introduce 2 new bloggers to our clan! Welcome to: Wendy Lawson at Menoupause the Blog and Barbara Ann Weibel at In the Doughnut Hole. Stop in and see what these over 40 gals and all our other friends are up too!
HI, JoJami here, from beautiful Palm Beach, Florida!
I live in the northeast, and planning to travel south, to Florida….deciding what to pack, was a daunting task! When living in freezing cold and knowing that I would be basking in 70 to 80 degree weather for a week, was something I had a hard time getting my head around!
Now that I’m down here, I thought you might enjoy, some interesting tips on what to bring and what to leave home!
What to wear on the plane:
LAYER! Because it was so cold when I left, I wore a Bebe sport jogging outfit with 2 layers of tops. The first layer was a sleeveless tank top and I put a long sleeve t-shirt over that. Then I had the matching jacket. My shoes were short boots, but I had some flat sandals stuffed in my carry on, so when I got there, I could switch them out. Off went the jacket and the long sleeve t-shirt as well!
What went in my suitcase:
- Several flat sandals and some high heels and some tennis shoes.
- Several little dresses for dinner
- A wrap, that went with them
- My Susan Bigsby twin set (my black top and red cardigan)
- Sunglasses
- workout clothes and a baseball cap
- All my good jewelry (Lots of good jewelry is big down here, the more the merrier!)
- 1 pair of casual shorts
- Bathing suit and cute cover-up
What I didn’t bring and wish I would have:
- A pair of white pants, jeans or peddle pushers. (Yes, you can wear white after labor day down here… everyone does!) I had no idea that everyone still wore white… I sure wish I would have brought some because you feel so fresh and classy in white!
- A cashmere cardigan or pullover in a nice bright color! I would have worn this at night out to dinner.
- More bright colors…. everyone wears fun, bright, tropical colors down here!
- Bring on the BLING BLING… if you have some sandals with jewels , or bag or belt with some rhinestones, get them out and bring them…why not wear something sparkly..when you never get to at home!!!
If you love to travel south or to the islands, please comment and tell us your favorite thing to bring! Cheers!
With all the new luggage regulations and extra charges for multiple bags, it’s more important than ever to make sure you pack smart. Once you learn how to pack less and pack the right things you will never want to go back to your old ways again!
So here are the Top 7 Do’s and Dont’s for Packing Light and Packing Right:
1. Don’t think you need to pack one outfit per day.
It may be hard to admit, but the fact is, since most of us shower everyday, our clothes don’t really get all that dirty or sweaty. Think twice about having the exact number of outfits to match the exact number of days. A couple less won’t hurt.
2. Do plan your outfits around your shoes.
How many times have you laid out all your clothes only to realize you’ll need to take 5, 6, 7 or more pair of shoes to make them work. Shoes waste a lot of valauable space. Always start with the 2-3 pairs you will be taking and work all your outfits around them, instead of the other way around.
3. Do make sure you pick outfits that color co-ordinate.
Create wardrobe capsules (grouping of items that work together) in neutral colors like black, white, cream, grey, brown. That will give you the base to start with. Then you only have to throw in a few colorful scarves, tops, and accessories to liven everything up and change your look.
4. Don’t choose fabrics that are high maintenance.
Linen pants and starched cottons wrinkle after a few hours. Pick fabrics that have some stretch in them like nylon, so you don’t end up looking like you’ve been sleeping in your clothes. Another great thing about non-wrinkle clothing. You can roll them up in a ball and gently squeeze them into your suitcase – real space savers!
5. Do use large ziplock bags and label them.
Keep items like pj’s in one bag, clean underwear in another, and dirty items in another. Another trick is if you’re taking 2 suitcases, slowly transfer the dirty clothes to one case as the days go on. Then half way through the trip, if you are travelling from one place to another, you’ll only have to lug one suitcase from the car to the hotel room; the one with the clean clothes!
6. Don’t forget the stain remover.
If you’ve ever spilled something on your favourite new outfit while on vacation you probably know the frustration of having to hunt around in a foreign city to find some kind of stain remover. What a nuisance! Be sure to pack a tiny bottle of laundry stain remover when you travel. A small amount of dish-washing soap to cut grease also works wonders. Both come in very handy to help lessen stains until you can get home and do a proper wash.
7. Don’t leave home without a pretty pashmina that matches your outfit.
Weather is so unpredictable and a pashmina is light to pack but very warm. Pashmina also can take you from day to night and they really dress up a plain outfit in case you suddenly find yourself going somewhere fancy.
Planning a trip down south and wondering what to pack?
Banish your winter blues and update your vacation wardrobe with some gorgeous new styles from the 2008 cruise wear collections. This year we’re seeing florals of every imaginable kind, vibrant hues, as well as geometric and exaggerated prints that pop. Look out for paint splatter patterns, transparent fabrics, and ethnic everywhere, plus crisp khakis.
The magazines are full of inspiration, but there’s always that problem – how do you know if what looks great on a twenty something, will look as good on a woman like you, who may be twice that age?
Here are 3 cruise wear trends you CAN wear after 40, guaranteed to make you look hip on your holidays.
1. Gladiator Sandals
Stylish, not sensible...
Don’t let these over the top, sky high sandals that you’ve been seeing on wild child celebs and long legged super models scare you away from this hot new trend. Grecian inspired sandals are the “it” resort footwear this year and if you are over 40 you can easily wear one of the many more refined offerings out there.
Pella Moda Vixen
High White – Low White
Leave this tall,funky white pair to jr. fashionistas and instead try this classy, wearable version from Pelle Moda Vixen at $112.
Frye Lola Gladiator Thong
Gold Gladiator Sandals
Metallics continue to be the hot new neutral. A chic pair by Manolo Blahnik made for the jet set is a great choice to go with most anything from pants to shorts and dresses. You can also never go wrong this less expensive version from Frye. They’re a classic and a great price at $55.00!
2. Mini Sundresses
Thigh high sundresses are everywhere you look, and how cute they are! But try one on after 40 and you’ll look and feel you are missing your pants! Unless you have great slim, toned legs (and you pair your mini with flats) this too short style will make you look little girlish instead of chic.
Color Block Dress
Not Too Short Mini
The key is to take a close look at the hemline that suits your particular legs. We’re talking vacation wear here so you can definitely go a little shorter than normal if your legs are o.k., but absolutely not more than 4 inches above the knee or you’ll look desperate. Also keep in mind that spaghetti straps can be harder to wear after a certain age because the arms are much softer and fleshier, so if that is the case look for dresses with wider straps or have a little shrug on hand to cover up a touch.
In some instances if the dress is very short, loose and flowy like this Vince Sundress for $195, you can pair it with leggings. It takes confidence to wear this look without having that deja vu feeling that you are wearing maternity clothes.
VonFurstenburg Sundress
Two Good Longer Options
The best idea is to just keep looking because there are other options out there besides the baby doll mini. Here’s one in pink by Lily Pulitzer for $268.00 and another by Diane von Furstenberg at $365.
3. Very Sexy Bathing Suits
You’ll have no problem finding racks of brightly colored, and metallic sparkly bikinis, microkinis and racy monokinis out there (one piece swimsuits with revealing cutouts), because most manufacturers cater to the college crowd. Even if you still have a pretty great body, you’re best to go for something that signals sexy instead of screams it all the way down the beach.
Glamorous Red Bathing Suit
Old school Hollywood glamour is a big trend. It’s a sexy sophisticated option for women over 40.
Color Blocked Swimwear
Color blocked swimwear is also hot this year. It’s a godsend when you want to play down a not so favorite part of the body but emphasize your best assets. Wear the dark half wherever you want to camouflage and the light half whatever you want to highlight. This suit would be perfect for someone who is heavier on the bottom but wants to play up her bust. ($212)
Juicy Halter Swimdress
Cute Brown Bathing Suit
Here’s a similar look by Juicy Couture. The rusching on this suit is a great way to hide a tummy.
Art Deco Print Swimsuit
Swimwear with Patterns
Solids are always slimming but don’t think they are the only way to go. Patterns like this art deco themed swim suit are big ($172), as well as exotic ethnic prints. This fun Africa motif bathing suit from Great Lengths does a great job of drawing the eye away from the thick part of your waist and tummy and up towards your face.($94)
Plunging necklines also abound but think twice if you are too big busted, you’ll look saggy if the v is too deep. Better to opt for more support on top and go for a slightly higher V.
