Fashion Question: How Old Should Your Clothes Be Before You Get Rid of Them?

Dear Glam Gals,

I know that I have too many clothes in my closet and I really want to get rid of some of them.  I am still the same size as I was over 10 years ago and just can’t bring myself to let go of some of my classic pieces.  How long should I keep a dress or outfit before getting rid of it?

Gaye M.~Sarasota, Florida

Hi Gaye,

There is no hard or fast rule about how long to keep something.  Some items do become dated looking over time and some never seem to go out of style and can be worn year after year as long as they hold up.

Here is a guest post on this topic by Lisa Taylor Richey :

Tracy Elliman in her classic dress.  This is a great example of a timeless piece that is still in style after many years of hanging in the closet!

Part of the journey of becoming a successful woman is accepting change, moving through life with an open mind and embracing adventure and newness in your life.  All of this gives you the skills to teach your daughters, nieces and granddaughters and develop meaningful relationships in your life.

Because of my career choices and my husband’s, I have lived in 9 different cities.

Whether you work for a corporation or you are an entrepreneur, your professional life crosses into your personal life and vice versa.  When I landed in Philadelphia ten years ago, again I was faced with not knowing a soul.  To start the growth of my business, I attended as many networking events as possible. One day, about 9 years ago, I attended a networking event just for women.  A woman on the panel of speakers stood in front of the group and “wowed” us with her innate sense of style and charisma.  That woman happened to be JoJami Tyler and I instantly knew we would become friends.  And boy did we ever!

You never know who, where or when you are going to meet someone special and I feel lucky that we have been best friends since that fateful day!

Once you start networking, it all becomes six degrees of separation.  We really do live in a small world.  Not long after we met, JoJami introduced me to photographer Laura Novak  who took my headshot that has served me and my business well over the years.

Ten years later, I ran into Laura again at  Femfessionals, a networking event/organization for women.  Laura suggested I meet with Tracy Elliman, her business development manager.  As Tracy and I were meeting and discussing ways in which we could partner on events for children we discovered something we have in common, the love of fashion!  I happened to compliment Tracy on her Jackie O style shift dress.  It was timeless and so pretty.  As women do at times, we started talking about style and discovered she, too, knew JoJami.  Not only did they know each other, JoJami had been the one to help pick out and styled the dress she happened to be wearing!  She confessed that it has been one of her favorite classic  ”go to” pieces and has worn over and over.  Of course we talked about how great it is to have a piece in your wardrobe that is still stylish and works well for so many different types of events (note her closed toed wedges; perfect for a casual business meeting).  A big part of networking is establishing a connection or commonalities and making sure you dress classy especially when you are over 40. What a small world.

Lisa Taylor Richey is a recognized etiquette expert and creator of the popular program, Manners To Go for children. She also provides business etiquette training programs for corporations and universities. To learn more about Lisa, go to www.americanetiquette.com. 

 

Read More

Perfect Shoes For Mother Of The Bride

It’s not a cliche to say that it’s stressful and daunting to have to shop for the Mother of the Bride or Groom outfit.  This will be a very special day and one that you will have the memories and photographs to treasure for years to come.  You’ll want to feel pretty and look your best but not upstage the bride to be!  This is a tight-rope walk that needs plenty of planning and careful decisions.

Once you finally have your dress or pant suit, you will need to make sure that your shoes complete your outfit in a harmonious way.  We have some tips for how to put your best foot forward and find the perfect shoes for the Mother of the Bride or Groom!

 

 

Read More

Legging Fashion Tips For Women Over 40

Leggings are the perfect casual fashion for women over 40. They’re a weekend wardrobe staple or the perfect thing to wear if work from home or are just running errands. But how do you wear them without looking like they are left over from your 80′s wardrobe?

Here are a few tips:

Ankle length flatters all

Ankle length flatters all

Many women wonder how to wear leggings as pants. The main thing you need to remember is that leggings are not pants. Think of them more as tights. They need to be thick and not shiny.  Sheer and shiny are hose and not leggings. The length of yrou legging can vary, but generally ankle length look best.  Capri length that end at the calf can make you look heavy if you are a gal who is short or has thick calves.

Flowing tops work well with leggings

Flowing tops work well with leggings

What you wear up top is key. Invest in long tops  that cover  your behind and go down as far as your thighs if you are heavy or wide there for the most tasteful look.  Since you are wearing skinny on the bottom, you can go wider up top to balance things out, meaning tops that drape and flow work really well. Here’s an example on the right. An empire waist top would be along the same line. Bonus: These kind of tops also hide any tummy bulge.A colorful tunic and leggings after 40 is also a fresh, relaxed look.

Can you wear leggings with dresses? Absolutely! When you see that cute mini dress that’s too short to be chic, wear it with a pair of dark leggings to look modern and casual.

Dress too short- Pair it with leggings!

Dress too short- Pair it with leggings!

What do you do when it comes to shoes? In general, flats work best over 40. Sure a high heel can sometimes work, but they can aslo look tacky after 40. You don’t want to start looking like your teenage daughter on her way clubbing.  Low wedges, ballet flats, or low heeled boots,  look best on mature gals and complement the relaxed feel of  leggings.

Do you have a few legging fashion tips of your own or a photo or you in your favourite leggings. Please email us at info@fabulousafter40.com and we’d love to post it.

 

 

Read More

What to Wear Over 40 to the Grocery Store

 

If you like this video make sure to subscribe to our You Tube Channel and we will send you new videos of updated tips!

Please comment below and let us know what your favorite casual outfit is.  Are you going to be shopping for a new one this fall?  We’d love to hear from you!

Read More

Fashion Flash Beauty Items, Making Exercise Fun and Pleasurable and More

It’s the start of another great week and that means it’s time for our weekly Fashion Flash! Get the latest fashion, beauty and health tips for women over 40 all in one place.

This week our host is Fab over Forty – where beauty is ageless!

Here are some of this week’s hot topics:

 

To read about these topics and more, head on over to Fab over Forty by clicking here.

Enjoy!

Read More

Color Blocking With Colored Jeans Fall 2012

It looks like colored jeans are here to stay and while many of you were terrified of them back in January, we see you sporting them everywhere now. They’re hip, modern and fun, and they don’t make you look fat, so long as you wear the right style for your body shape. And what shape is that? Let’s recap.

Pear shape- When you are bigger on your bottom half  go for pants that balance you out. This means colored jeans that are flared or have a wide-leg to help hide your thicker thighs. Straight legged jeans are also a good to make you look slim.

Boyish figure – If you are straight up an down with no curves, go skinny minny, tight at ankle, or anything you want. Cargo style with lots of pockets looks good on you.

Curvaceous hourglass – To fit your curves  choose jeans with lots of stretch and a medium rise so pant. You can wear skinny, or if you like, boot cut flared to balance curvy hips. Wide leg trousers jeans also work.

Inverted triangle-  You are bigger up top than on your narrow bottom half- Best bet are jeans that are mildly tapered to the knee and then have a slight flare at the bottom can give you more of an hourglass shape.

A long top over colored jeans looks great on JoJami

O.k., so we’ve got style out the the way. Now many of you have been asking about color. There’s no rule. You can wear any color you want. It’s more a matter of personality. For fall there are all kinds of gorgeous shades out there like mustard, paprika, grape, teal.

As for what to wear up top, wearing your jeans and top in the same color will make you look thinner because of one long unbroken line. See JoJami in this tone on tone outfit. The is tunic and jeans looks great, it’s classic and is more on the conservative side because of all one color.

New colors for fall- scrumptious!

A more dramatic way to wear colored jeans is to color block your outfit. By that we mean one color on the bottom and a contrasting color on top. Terrified you will look like a clown in some zany color combination?

Don’t let color blocking scare you. If you wear a neutral up top like, cream, gray, black etc. you can tone down the look and make it more elegant.

Here’s an example of JoJami in paprika pants and a black jacket and cream top. (Notice the jewelry to add some light and sparkle to her face as too much black can be draining after 40.)

Use a neutral up top to tone things down

Other mixes you could try this fall

Mustard Jeans and a Chocolate top

Wine jeans and a Gray or Black top

and the Hot new one – Oxblood (a brownish red)  + Camel

The look of Fall 2012

Read More

Fashion Flash Advice for over 40 Women

Our weekly Fashion Flash is here!

You are in for a treat and for some great fashion, beauty and health advice for over 40 women!

This week, our host is our menopause expert, Staness from The Menopause Makeover.  You can go there to read more on this week’s topics that we have selected for you from some of the top over 40 woman bloggers!

Here ya go:

 

Read More

Choose An Empire Waist To Hide A Tummy

Ever wonder how to dress to hide a belly? Try an Empire Waist! 

An Empire waist is a type of dress or top with a fitted bodice and a raised waistline that comes far up above the natural waistline to just under the bust. The skirt is gently gathered and flows softly over your tummy and bottom half.

The empire waist silhouette originated in Greco-Roman times when  women wore tunics with  high belts under their busts.

This popular style is universally flattering on all body types. It’s a favorite with over 40 women around the world because it hides middle age spread and generous hips.

It’s particularly fab on gals whose tummies are bigger than their busts because it acts as a great camouflage. The empire waist draws the eye “up, up and away” from any problem areas.

Even if you only have a bit of a “pooch” you’ll find the empire waist is a great relief on “fat days”.

A bonus… this style also make you look taller. How? Your legs look longer and leaner because you waist is made to look higher. And it’s so feminine too. Could it get any better?

If you are wondering what looks best worn with the Empire style- here are some suggestions:

1. Leggings or tights – Many women over 40 who feel they can’t wear leggings or tights just haven’t discovered the emprie waist top. This style is the perfect compliment. It’s loose and flowy, so works well with the skinny proportions down below, and it is long enough to cover your behind and thighs so it doesn’t look like you are wearing a leotard. 

2. The Right Neckline- The most flattering type of empire wasit top or dress is a V-neck or scoop neckline. The high waist puts a nice emphasis on your bustline and showing some d’ecolletage makes your bust look more attractive as well  as lengthen your neck and is just more all round flattering. Sometimes you’ll find am empire waist top or dress with a deep v- neckline and in this case it’s quite appropriate to wear a rounded camisole underneath and have it peeking through like the model in the black and camel top inthe photo above.

Note – There’s are some cases where the woman has a extra weight at the tummy but has a tiny bust. If you want to look bigger in the bust then your best choice would be an empire wasit top that comes higher up to a rounded neckline such as the flower print dress we are showing. That neckline and a good bra will add some fullness up top.

3. Long Necklace- An Empire waist top or dress really suits a long necklace that hangs down over your bust line. Try it. It looks very chic and has a elongating effect again making you look taller. Dangly earrings also suit this style nicely.

4. Cardigan – In the last few years cropped cardians have been popular and they look really cute with an empire waist top or dress.

So if you are looking for something to hide your stomach, without having to suck it all in with shapewear, then the the Empire waist style is one you should try. Do you look good in an Empire waist style? Send us a photos and we’ll post it!

Read More

What to Wear over 40 When You Travel To Europe, or Wherever

What do you pack when you are going to Europe or any other chic vacation desitnation? You want to be casual, but you don’t want to look like a tourist in sloppy jeans, a boring top and tennis shoes.What should you take that’s casual and modern? Here’s one great outfit idea for you.

The Pants

Colored jeans are the hottest thing going at the moment and are a great way to look casual, but up to date and youthful too. Every color under the sun seems to be in style so you can’t go wrong no matter what shade you pick. Since it’s summer we chose this sunny yellow pair because they are relaxed and playful.

Now the skinny leg type of colored jeans that hug the ankles are the most “in”, but for gals who feel too self conscious to wear them so fitted, were showing a cropped slim bootcut. That little bit of flare balances out your figure more. If you don’t like cropped then go for a boot cut flared colored jean. Jeans with stretch are best as they help hold you in and make your figure look better.

 

The Top
Love this top. Lace is a popular trend and if have a tummy that’s fairly flat you can get away with a shorter top like this. If you have belly or weight at the hips or thighs, then we’d suggest a longer top that comes down and covers your bottom or even hits at mid-thigh.

Back to the lace. Now we were all brought up that lace is soft and pretty and we should pair it with something soft and pretty like a light flowing skirt or something “girly”, but this is how times have changed. There’s this ying and yang thing that’s been going on  in fashion where the trend call for you to pair something “hard”, or sort of sporty or masculine, with something really “soft”, more dainty, fragile or feminine. ie: There have been a lots of pretty flowery/ silky dresses shown with edgy leather jackets etc.

It’s the same idea that we’re showing here. These jeans are crisp, bold, sporty. The top is light, feminine, lacy. Marry them and you have a modern combination. A lot of us 40+ gals don’t realize is that it’s the way we combine pieces that makes us look modern. It’s not good enough to buy a lace top and wear it in an old way. It’s about styling your outfit so you look current.

Color- Let’s take a moment to talk about the color combination here – yellow pants and cream top. With today’s color blocking trend going on there are really not set rules about what color to wear with what. Women are putting all kinds of wild colors together and pulling it off, but in the end it comes down to two things: 1) Age- Some of these wild color combos can be too harsh against aging skin and hair and will make you look like a clown 2) You have to have the personality to carry off mixing bold colors in a big way. If you do great. It can work.

However, for the average gal over 40 who wants to try colored jeans but is afraid of all that brightness, here’s what you do. Pair your  colored jeans with a neutral top or jacket- cream, black, brown, taupe, white, gray, navy etc. The neutral tones things down  and makes you look more elegant, rather than loud and wild.

The Shoes

We’ve all got aching feet, right, but we don’t want to give up a bit of  a heel. God knows we’re shrinking and who wants to look short and stumpy? These 2″ wedge espadrilles are a great option. Sure you may not wear them trapsing around rocky historic hillside sites -( wear your ballet flats then or chic runners then), but these are great for when you want to step out of your hotel for lunch, or do a little Tourist shopping at the local market etc.  Also gold is a great color becasue it is cosidered a neutral and goes with everything. plus they look super with a bit of a summer tan!

The Bag

A tote is perfect for bopping around on vacation. Being big and unconstructed, it’s relaxed and the perfect bag to carry all those things like sunglasses, maps, a sweater, souvenirs and everything else you carry with you when you travel.

The Sunglasses

Sunglasses are your best summer accessory. Big is chic, but that doesn’t mean they have to be expensive. Shop around and find a pair that makes you feel like a movie star!

Wondering how this style recipe looks in real life? Here’s me ( Deborah) in a similar outfit on a trip to L.A. with JoJami.  My lace top is from Banana Republic. The orange jeans are Rag and Bone.

Have you worn a similar look? Send us a photo and we’ll post it.

 

Read More

What to Wear Over 40- The Maxi Dress, Perfect for Casual Outings like Shopping or a BB-Q

When it comes to making the most out of your wardrobe and having to transition from one season to the next, there’s a little trick you can try that can be easy to implement.  But first you have to have the right ingredients.  We Glam Gals like to create new outfits the same way you would look up a recipe for cooking.  You look in the “pantry” (aka your closet) and check to see if you have the right ingredients.  If so, you can put together a yummy outfit!

Today we are going to take this summer’s blockbuster trend, the maxi dress and see how to wear it when you are over 40, for a casual outing, like shopping or a poolside BBQ:

 

Here we go…this maxi has a lot going for it.  First off, most of these types of long dresses usually have spaghetti straps that bare too much arm but here the 3/4 sleeve is perfect for cooler evenings and you won’t need a wrap.

Try layering , turning your maxi dress into a maxi skirt:

If you already have a maxi but it doesn’t have sleeves, you can still wear it now that we are coming into fall.  It’s easy; you just add a layer.  Do you have a thin, long v neck sweater or a jean jacket?   You can layer one or both of these pieces to create a new look.  Just throw the sweater over your shoulders or wear it with a stretchy hip belt.  This will make it look like you’re wearing a maxi skirt instead of a dress. Then if you like, you can add the jean jacket over that.  Voila, now you have created an entire new look and no one will know you are wearing the same dress twice!

Keep the shoe casual:

The wonderful thing about a maxi dress is that it can be worn with a flat or low wedge shoe so you can feel comfortable but still look classy.  For many of us that are of shorter height, it can be hard to dress casual when you like to wear a heel.  The maxi with it’s long vertical lines will give you the illusion that you are tall and lean, even when wearing a flat.  You can have fun with a sparkly sandal or just keep it simple with a flip flop.  But don’t be tempted to wear a kitten heel or pumps; it will look too dressy for a casual outing.

Large Accessories will balance out the look:

Your accessories need to be a little bolder with a maxi, because of the long billowing fabric.  Tiny little earrings or a dainty necklace will get lost so make sure you go with accessories that will stand out.

This book will save you oodles of money and save you from picking the wrong things.

So, if you have a summer maxi dress in your closet, get it out and have fun trying to layer it for a casual look that you can wear shopping, out to dinner or to the movies this weekend.

Make sure to comment below, we want to hear your thoughts and if you would wear this look.

If you’d like to have more tips like these, check out our popular e-book,Chic on the Cheap!

Read More

Timeless Styles for Your Over 40 Wardrobe Irving and Fine

Sponsored Post

For all their cool and hip elegance, designers Carolina Irving and Lisa Fine’s new line of  clothes, Irving and Fine, are just the type of clothes we pine for.

As seen in Town and Country & Vogue, textile designers Carolina Irving and Lisa Fine bring their taste for travel and textiles into your closet!

We have forever been chatting about the importance of collecting  timeless pieces to add to your wardrobe and we were so excited when we came across this gorgeous line of colorful tops and jackets. These are pieces that are going to get you the “Wow” factor. When you step out the door, be prepared to get complements.

Here are some tips for choosing a classic item:

1) Choose a color that will look best on you.  An animal print like this one will look best on those who have warm tones in their skin and hair.

2) Keep what you wear underneath simple.  The wonderful thing about wearing a print is that it will take center stage and you can easily put all black or white underneath, so you don’t have to buy anything new to go with it.

3) Make sure to keep your shoe simple.  Black or nude will work best.  Don’t be tempted to put a colorful one with it, you will spoil the outfit and it will look clownish.

We think any of these pieces are special and would spice up a wardrobe since they are so versatile and can go from casual to dressy with just a change of accessories.  They are also perfect travel pieces, so you can pack less since you can create several outfits with just a few pieces.

Never a victim of fashion, Irving & Fine tunics, blouses and coats are timeless and have become a must for even the trendiest.  They are worldly and  exotic without being ethnic, a perfect combination of quality  and incredibly well priced with the 50% off sale going on now.

Known for flattering colors, original embroidery and embellishments and shapes that flatter, these unique pieces are ones that will certainly be worth the splurge!

Amanda Ross in a Kutch Coat for LIpstick Jungle

This Seville tunic in silk are flattering and can be dressed up or down:

We love how you can play with these tops…it can be worn in the summer with shorts or jeans and move into fall with leather pants!

 

Cotton Tunics can be worn into fall:

Lucknow Tunic: on the left is playful and versital.

Irving & Fine caftans, tunics, peasant blouses and coats have been featured in Vogue, Town & Country, Departures and Elle, among others.

 

Read More

The Best Over 40 Foundation and How to Get Full Lips

Happy Monday and welcome to the Fashion Flash, our weekly update of the hottest over 40 fashion, beauty and health tips.

This week our host is Fit and Fabulous Over Forty.

Here are some of the topics we are discussing:

Read More

What to Wear Over 40 Summer BBQ or Labor Day Party

 

Read More

How to Dress Casual in the Mountains

Glam Gal JoJami has been on the go for the last year, traveling around the USA spotting fashionistas from all over the country.  Today she is reporting from Breckenridge, Colorado.

“Sometimes you have to think small and simplify life!“     

That’s what our latest lady on the street, Becky Johnson of Hays, Kansas had to say when we asked her what her secret was to looking casual.

With the drama of the mountains, the rugged terrain, spectacular wildflowers, the sheer grandeur of nature all around you, dressing for the mountains has to be simple.

Breckenridge, CO has the cozy, unhurried feel of a quaint Alpine village.  It’s a place that beckons you back to the simple things in life that don’t involve a hand held device.

Here is an easy style recipe that you can try whether you are vacationing or just running out to the grocery store.

This simple vest and stripe came from Chicos.

 

 

The Simple Little Vest:

If you can find a casual, lightweight vest it will serve you well in your wardrobe.  It’s just perfect for layering for the upcoming transition into fall.  A vest can be worn with straight or boot-cut jeans or with matching capri pants.

The Striped T-Shirt:

The boat neck style of this t-shirt is what makes it work with the vest.  It peeks underneath just perfectly.  The 3/4 sleeve also keeps things looking cool but can hide your arms if need be.

Comfy Pants and Flat Shoes:  Go with an easy care fabric that does not wrinkle and you have a recipe for comfort that will stay looking fresh.  The style of these pants is really flattering.  They have the look of a straight legged pant but are still roomy enough to facilitate your active lifestyle.  Her flat run-around shoes are oh so cute!  Not too clunky and very practical.

Sparkle, Sparkle:  We like the way she has added a little bit of color and bling to her casual style with this chunky crystal necklace.  Your choice of jewelry is where you can really let your personality shine.  If you like to keep things simple, there is no need for a necklace but it can be a nice touch if you like to accessorize.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stylish Sunglasses:  These Tyra glasses are nice quality and look updated with her outfit.

 

Do you live in the mountains and have a favorite casual outfit for looking fabulous after 40 or beyond?  Please comment below and tell us about it! 

Read More

Fashion Flash 10 Best Hair Products, Fall beauty looks and more

Attention dear Fabulous After 40 readers, if you have never read the Fashion Flash you are in for a treat!  What’s the Fashion Flash you might ask?  It’s our weekly round up of fashion tips from the top over 40 fashion and  beauty bloggers!

Meet your host, Jodell from Black Cat Fashion, a plus size fashion blog.  Her blog is one of the best out there with inspirational stories on how to dress when you are a curvy girl.  She recently wrote about the challenges of a plus size olympic athlete in London and how she found 2 designers to help her dress for her international debut!  To read more about the following topics just click on the blue link above.

Here are some of the topics we are chatting about today:

JoJami and Deborah speaking at the 2011 Beauty Bash.

Don’t want to forget to share with you an upcoming event you might enjoy!  Fab Over 50 is hosting the second annual Beauty Bash on Sept 29 at the Metropolitan Pavillion in NYC .  

Last year Deborah and I spoke at this unique event and boy did we have a great time!  This event is special because it is geared to the mature woman where you can meet and chat with  skin care experts, cosmetic surgeons and fashion gurus. There will be plenty of fashion and accessory pop-up shops and even a fashion show.  Best of all you will go home with a big goodie bag full of new products to take home and try.

For  more information and ticket purchase go to the Fab Over Fifty.

 

Read More

Style Over 40 Would You Wear A Jumpsuit?

When you don’t feel like wearing  a dress and pants feel too casual a jumpsuit is a great option.

Now, before you put the brakes on and tell us, “ I wore a jumpsuit in the 80′s, but would look hideous in one today”, please keep an open mind. We have a few tips for how to wear a jumpsuit over 40 and look Fabulous.

1. Define Your Waist

It’s all about having shape, right? You worry you are going to look like a giant blob in a jumpsuit. The trick is to get a jumpsuit that defines your waist. You want to make sure you jumpsuit nips in at your waist with a belt, sash, some elastic..something so you don’t look like a big tree trunk.

2. Make Sure you Look Balanced

Proportion is especially important when it comes to looking fabulous after 40 in a jumpsuit. If you have long legs then you can wear a jumpsuit with wide, flowing elephant pant legs. If you are short and petite, you’ll be swallowed up by a ton of material, so go for a slimmer leg and watch the length of the jumpsuit doesn’t overwhelm your small frame.

Big busted?-Then you’ll  want to go wider on the bottom to balance you out. Skinny leg jumpsuits will make you look like an ice cream cone about to topple over.

Do you have a small chest and shoulders, but have wider hips? Then for your pear shape you need to choose a jumpsuit with a top that is more blousy up top, or has more shoulder detail. This will balance your lower half so you don’t look like you are all hips.

3. Try a Jumpsuit with a Jacket

Some of us avoid jumpsuits because they many styles are a little bare up top- ie halter or strapless. The solution to this is to wear a jacket with your jumpsuit. It will keep you warm, hide your arms and looks very sporty, and chic. For example a black strapless jumpsuit with a bright coral jacket would look striking. Make sure  to hike up ” the girls” with a good bra and great shapewear works wonders too.

4. Think about  Color 

All one color is more slimming than one color on top and a different color on the bottom. Solids are more slimming than prints.

5. Choose the Right Shoes

You can wear flats – gladiator sandals look stylish,  or you can wear heels – peep toe or strappy are cute. The right shoe can make all the difference to looking fabulous in a jumpsuit. Nothing clunky or masculine. Keep it feminine, pretty and fun.

Do you own a jumpsuit? How do you wear it? Send a photo to info@fabulousafter40.com. We’d love to post it!

Read More

What to Wear to a Fundraiser When Youre Over 40

“I’ve been working on a fundraiser for the last 6 months and now it’s almost here…but now what am I going to wear?  I just don’t have time to think about it!”
Among the many questions we receive from our Fabulous After 40 readers is how to step up your look and present a polished appearance at a special event.  We understand that it can certainly be stressful.  Just the thought of having to go out and shop for that perfect dress can be down right daunting!  Fortunately, there are ways to make your shopping trip more bearable.  Just follow these tips to have a plan in place before you leave for the stores:

 

Keep it Classic:  Don’t get caught up in trying to find something that is overdone.  Remember, classic is always classy.  Look for a dress or jacket that has simple lines and that is the highest quality you can afford.

Stiff Fabric Looks Richer:  The fabric of a dress can send a message that you have quality taste.  A dress made of crisp cotton like this one or that is lined will make you feel so special!

Look for a good fit:  The dress above is a great example of a flattering style that would look good on most body types. (Note: if you are a pear shape, you would want to find a style that will show off your waist, for example one that nips in at your waist.)  See how it’s not boxy and has a nice shape to it?  That is what you want to look for!

Simple Bold Print:  A fun print with no more than 2 colors can be dramatic and say “Wow” when you enter a room.  If you have never been one to wear a print, it might be worth it to try on a few and see how you feel in one.  Why not get out of your comfort zone and give it a go?

Keep Your Accessories Simple:  Once again, if you are going to go for a print you will want to keep all accessories simple.  The attention should be on the dress and you don’t want to over accessorize and confuse the eye.  One more tip is that your shoes and handbag do not have to match.  In this outfit, the bright yellow shoe is so festive and the black handbag does not compete for attention. You would not want to  have a matching yellow handbag, it would just be too much!

Don’t try to be too sexy:  A fundraiser is not the time to try to show off your sexy side.  This dress’s high neckline does give off a vibe of being prim and proper but the wild print and fitted style still shows off your legs and figure.  You could find a dress with a nice “v” neck that would work just fine but make sure that the fabric is not too flimsy.

The Proper Shoe Can Make or Break Your Outfit:  The biggest mistake in creating the perfect look can be choosing the wrong shoe.  This simple closed toe pump echoes the Jackie O style of the dress and the little platform keeps it modern.  An open toed or strapy sandal would just be too busy.  If you are doing a black and white theme, a pop of color can really jazz up an outfit!  Just remember the style and vibe of the dress needs to blend with the style and vibe of the shoe.

The best advice we can give you is not to leave this task to the last minute.  If you do, you’ll feel too pressured and most likely end up spending money on something that you might not wear that often.  Plan ahead and use these tips and let us know how it goes!

Please comment below:  

Read More

Casual Fashion For Women Over 40 White Pants

When you are stuck for what to wear nothing says summer like white pants! They’re the perfect casual fashion for women over 40 because they look fresh, sporty, youthful, and they go with most anything.

If you worry, “Will white make me look fat?”, put this out of your mind. It’s all about choosing the right white pants and knwoing what to wear with them. We talked about how to do that in our “Are white pants in style for 2012″ post, but here are a few more tips:

1. Don’t buy white pants that are too tight

Black recedes, white advances, so while it is true that white is more likely to show off lumps and bumps, there’s an easy fix for this. Make sure your white pants skim your body, but are not tight. I (Deborah) just bought a pair of white cropped pants and went up a size sow very little crease wouldn’t show.

Deb looks fresh in white

2. Make sure your white pants are not see through

We tend to like thicker white pants, like white jeans, because then you can hide any rolls or bulges, and also you don’t have the problem of unsightly pocket linings or zipper reinforments showing through.  If you really want to wear  lighter white pants, like a pair of lightweight linen ones, then you may want to cut out the pockets and also wear shapewear underneath if you think others might be able to see through to your behind.

3. Check your white pants in a full length mirror

A side note on see through… I swear to God this happened. A woman came to my garage sale wearing thin white pants. You could see her maxi pad throught her pants from the rear view. I had to gently inform her. Not good.

4. Stay away from white pants with a lof of “stuff” on them

What we mean by this is that if you want to look slim wear a pair of white, flat front pants with no detail around your problem area which for most women over 40 is the tummy. Belt loops, zippers,pockets all add bulk where you don’t need it.

5. Wear a colorful top with white pants. If you wear a colorful print or solid top with your plain white pants your pants will be much like an artist’s easal – a simple backdrop for a colorful focal point. Everyone will look at your top. Jewelry works to draw the eye up towards your face too.

6. Use tanner with caution when you wear white pants

White always looks better with a tan. If you are using tanning lotion be sure to apply well ahead of time. If it is not dry enough it will rub against  your pants and leave tacky stains.

7. Don’t spend a lot on white pants

Have you ever noticed that if you have had white pants for more than one season they tend to yellow slightly? Best to get them on sale if you can and wear the heck out of them for a season or two. Then it’s time to donate them.

Did you buy white pants this season? Send us a photo and let us see how you rocked this look. We love great examples of Casual fashion for women over 40. Email us at info@fabulousafter40.com and we will post your photo.

Read More

Headbands for Women Over 40 and other AccessoriesYay or Nay?

This bow headband is cute on this young girl, however after 40 it can look silly!

Hi Ladies,
I am over forty and have recently considered wearing headbands or other hair accessories because my hair is so short.   A little history on me; I cut my relaxed hair off and decided to go natural and not chemically straighten my hair anymore.   However, this process is proving to be difficult because I am currently at an awkward growth stage and really want to use some type of hair accessories.  I have been following your blog and saw one post in particular where you talked about headbands for women over 40 and said we should not wear headbands or flower bows.  Mind you, I am not talking about huge hair accessories, just something to wear to get me through the current awkward stage.  So, if not headbands or flowers, what would you suggest?

Thanks,

Lisa Q.

Hi Lisa,

We are glad that you brought up this question since a headband can certainly be one of those hair accessories that help a gal get through transitioning from one style to another or just might be one of those things that defines your style.  Please note that we did not say “never wear headbands.”  On the contrary, we said ,

“While a simple headband can be fine no matter what your age, when you start trying to add all sorts of flowers, bows and large do-dads, then you are treading in some risky waters!”

That’s right a headband or scarf can be just the thing you need so we say YES, to a headband but you don’t want to goop it up with sparkles or do dads.

However, here are some things to think about when wearing a headband or hair accessory:

 

We  posted your question on our Fabulous After 40 Facebook page so check there for more tips!

 

Read More

Fashion Flash Top 5 Makeup Mistakes Women Make and more

Another Monday and we are ready to help you kick-start your week with the Fashion Flash. This week our host is Prime Beauty Blog and that’s where you can find the full story on these topics specifically:  beauty and health tips for those that are 40, 50 and beyond.

Here is a sampling of topics:

Read More

Style Over 40 What To Wear To The Movies

We love going to the movies. Even if you have a home theatre nothing beats getting out of the house, grabbing a bite with your honey or  friend and going to “the show”. The popcorn, the crowds, the big screen, but what to wear? You want to have style over 40, and you want to be comfy, so what do you throw on?  Here’s a style recipe for what to wear to the movies.

 

 

You can’t go wrong with classic and crisp. That’s the look here.

Let’s start with the Pants

Yes, they are black, and if you know us you’re probably thinking, ” Black, they always say to stay away from Black”,  but alas Glam Gal, you have not been hearing us quite right. Here’s our take on black. It’s slimming, it’s versatile, it’s chic, but don’t wear a lot of black, such as a solid black top up by your face. as it drains you after 40. The only time a grown-up gal can possibly get away with a ton of black up top is if she wears some colored jewelry or a scarf with the black. Otherwise it is too harsh. You need that bit of color, or sparkle up top near mature skin and hair. So,  black leggings are great and work really well with this shirtdress.  You could also wear black skinny jeans instead.

The Top

Color up at the top, see! This shirt is a smashing shade and the style is a little generous through the waist, perfect if you are noticing some middle age spread. We suggest you unbutton the shirt, and show some skin (more youthful). Then tweak the collar up a tad to frame your face and knock off a few years too. Next, loosely belt the shirt. You can get a belt like the above, or one of those Suzie Roher type Belts we’ve mentioned before, that sit kind of just below the waist on an angle towards one hip.  We’ve chosen long sleeves because we find it can get chilly at the movies. They keep those theatres so cool sometimes! For a sportier, more youthful look you could roll those up to 3/4 length and that would look very chic.

One note – If you do go with this look and wear leggings be sure your shirt/top covers your fanny. Nothing worse than seeing women over 40 trying to wear flimsy leggings/tights as pants. I think the only Glam Gal we can think of who really rocked this look was Olivia Newton John in Grease. But she was a young thing then!

The Earrings

We kept them simple and classic, but you could go with anything you want. Jewelry is really an expression of your personality. The only thing we would suggest is that you match your metals to look more polished. So if you have gold earring, go for a gold belt buckle as we have her, not a silver one. If you had silver earrings then go for a silver belt buckle or silver hardware on your purse or shoes etc.

The Purse

You might not show up at corporate headquarters carrying this but for the movies it is light and fun and a great accent. It will give you Style over 40 and a youthful vibe.

The Sandals

Simple, Chic, easy to walk up and down stairs in a dark theatre. You could also wear a ballet flat or a small wedge shoe if you prefer.We like the balck as with the balck pants it ielongates your leg. If you tried to be matchy matchy and wear pink sandals it would be too much… too loud with the pink shirt and purse and just not as elegant. Plus, it would break the nice lean line of your leg and make you look shorter.

Do you have a movie date night outfit? Tell us what you would wear for a casual night grabbing dinner and a show.

Read More

Post 4 Final Update, What did you think?

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Système 41 for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Well, we are on week 8 of our product trial for Système 41 and both Deborah and I have been just loving these products!

You know we have been testing products for years and both of us agree that this is one that we would continue buying even after we are finished this trial.

Deb:  The main thing this line has done for my skin is keep it well hydrated. Even the cleanser, which you know how much I’ve enjoyed, has help keep my skin soft and plumped up. I love that the creams are rich, but not greasy, and I’ve felt good about using a line that is botanically based. I’m not much for eye creams, but I liked this one which was light and hydrating.

JoJami says: After 8 weeks I can definitely say that my face has cleared up. I was actually a little shocked when I took my before photo to see how red and blotchy my skin was. (Nothing like a reality check!) Anyway, I have seen a difference in that my skin is now much smoother and feels so much more moisturized.

My favorite product has been the cleanser and both the day and night creams. Especially the cleanser, it has cut down on the time I spend taking off my make-up. I used to use both  a make-up remover and a cleanser but with Systeme41′s cleanser it does it all in one and does not sting my eyes! It is made of 100% natural ingrediants so the scent is light and fresh. Both the day and night creams are wonderful too. I read that the night cream features rare apple stem cells. It’s not greasy at all and I wake up in the morning and my skin still feel plump and hydradted..

This product is similar to one that First Lady Obama uses that costs $500.00 per jar.

Systeme 41 have given us a special promotion code. They are offering our Fabulous After 40 readers, 10% off any purchase of 2 or more items and free shipping!

The best part is that they even have a 100% money back guarantee for any reason… even if you return the jar empty!  So why not check it out for yourself!

Système 41 special promotion

 

 

 

Read More

How to Wear Capri Pants and Cropped Trousers

Many of you have written to ask, “Are Capris still in Style in 2012?” Yes, they absolutely are. They are great casual fashion for women over 40, but there are ways you need to wear them to look “Fabulous after 40.” Our guest Blogger Image Consultant Imogen Lamport, AICI CIP, has these Top Tips for How to Wear Capri Pants and Cropped Trousers.

Imogen: Capris and cropped pants are one of the hardest garments to get right in your wardrobe. As they are present they are everywhere in stores, and are one of the current big fashion trends, so they can easily become frumpy and make you look lumpy and stumpy. A short pant can make your legs look shorter, yet so many women love to wear them, particularly in the warmer months. So how can you wear capris and look long, lean and stylish?

1. Keep them slim – wide leg openings make your legs look shorter, so keep them slim for a leg lengthening effect. Avoid all cropped pants with flared or bootleg openings (or alter them to a slim fit if they're already in your wardrobe). That’s how you wear Capri Pants and Cropped Trousers!

 

2. Keep the colour close to that of your skin – just like a nude shoe elongates your leg, a cropped trouser in a colour similar to your skin tone – stone, beige, browns and tans, depending on your skin colour, will not make the demarcation line between where the trousers end and your legs begin so obvious.

3. What shoes to wear with Capris? A wedge or flat-form sandal or heel will make up for the length lost by the cropping of the pant. Make that shoe either a low vamp shoe too, or in a nude colour so that you don't further foreshorten your legs.

4. Keep proportions between pants and top balanced – We expect legs to look longer than our body, sadly cropped pants shorten legs, so you want to ensure that you don't further make your body look boxy by wearing a top that is a similar length to your pants. If you have a slim long waist, tuck your top into your trousers and look for a higher waist. If you have a shorter body or wider waist, then end your tops either at your hip bone or go for a longer mid-thigh tunic length top with a very slim pant. If you don't know your proportions and want to, click this link to discover how to measure your body proportions

 

5. Capris need to end at the slimmest part of your calves – if you're tall, that will be below your calf muscle, if you're petite this may be just below your knee, above the calf muscle.

6. Keep them pocket free – or at most a slit pocket or jeans style pocket at the waist. Style with slash pockets, cargo pockets or patch pockets will widen your hips and thighs.
7. Avoid cuffs – cuffs create extra and unnecessary horizontal lines, which will shorten your legs further already. Particularly if you cuff denim, where you see a very different colour (the inside of the denim being lighter than the outside).
8. Know your body shape – capris and cropped pants are much easier to wear if you are slim through the hips and thighs.
9. The rise matters – if you have shorter legs proportionally already – then you want to wear trousers with a higher rise and avoid those that sit low on your hips.
10. If you have a curvier bottom half, but shorter legs and worry that a lighter trouser will make it look larger and more obvious, ensure that your top is even lighter or brighter than your capris as this will draw attention up to your face.

 

About the author:
Imogen Lamport AICI CIP is a leading Australian Image Consultant and writes the popular blog  Inside Out Style . She has spoken on stages around the world and has authored 4 books on image related topics as she is passionate about empowering women to look and feel their very best and believes style is achievable for everyone.

Read More

Organize Your Closet and Save Money!

Is your closet as organized it could be?

Stepping into a messy, unorganized closet can make you feel like you don’t have anything to wear.

What happens next is typical: you pull out the same old thing over and over.

Or worse, you buy things that you already have!

Does this sound familiar?

How does your closet look?  Are the clothes all jumbled, the shoes a mess on the floor?  What about your belts, scarves and dirty clothes?

Its time to roll up your sleeves and get motivated to learn how to organize your closet and we have the cure for you!

Our DVD, The Ultimate Cure for the Dysfunctional Closet is here to save the day!

This DVD will put the “fun” into get your closet organized!

We are almost out of stock of our popular DVD, The Ultimate Cure for the Dysfunctional Closet and only have 5o of them left!

(Regular price: $20.00 ,plus shipping)

Here is what you will learn:

Once you watch this video you will be jumping to get started!

Get your copy now and one for a friend!  We only have 50 left, so when they are gone they are gone!

Order now and here is some homework to do to get ready for when your DVD comes in:

This DVD has been proven to save those who have watched it  hundreds of dollars!  And of course afterwards having a sparkling clean closet is a bonus, too!

 

Read More

Over 40 Beauty Advice from Dr. Downie

Sponsored  post

Meet beauty expert, Dr. Jeanine B. Downie sharing beauty tips on how to look fabulous after 40!

A few weeks ago we hosted a Facebook chat with Dr. Jeanine Downie, a leading board certified dermatologist and Director of Image Dermatology in Montclair, NJ.  She answered many of your beauty questions which we have summarized for those who missed the chat. Here’s what you asked and the advice Dr. Downie gave.

Q1. Why do we start to see fine lines and wrinkles?

Dr. Downie: ”Genetics as well as a multitude of natural changes contribute to the onset of fine lines and wrinkles. Fluctuations in hormone levels, particularly estrogen, can reduce collagen production in your skin. Cell regeneration and circulation also become sluggish as you age. Elastin decreases and hyaluronic acid, a natural moisturizer in the skin, also declines. These changes compromise skin's elasticity, firmness,structure and moisture thus contributing to areas of collapse and irregularity that ultimately manifest as fine lines and wrinkles. I recommend using the Olay Professional Pro-X Intensive Wrinkle Protocol. It’s a skin care set containing a 3-part daily professional regimen clinically proven to be as effective as the leading prescription brand – for half the price when you include the cost of one dermatology visit. External factors play a role too. The most obvious is UV exposure. I recommend applying sunscreen rain or shine, regardless of your ethnicity. Make sure you apply at least an SPF 30 with broad-spectrum coverage. Whether you start using it at 15, 60 or even 70, you're still doing better than not using it at all. I suggest keeping your sunscreen by your toothpaste and deodorant so you don't forget to apply in the morning.”

Q2  What causes skin tone irregularities? 
“A major cause of uneven skin tone is excessive sun exposure and if younger-looking

skin is on your mind, skin tone should be too. To address existing skin tone damage, I recommend a chemical peel and using an anti-aging foundation that serves multiple purposes like COVERGIRL & Olay Tone Rehab 2-in-1 Foundation, which leaves behind flawless coverage and improves skin tone over time.”

Q3. I'm over 45 and still have acne. Is this common and how can I combat?
"According to the American Academy of Dermatology, over half of women in the U.S. between the ages of 25 and 58 have some form of acne. The following changes can contribute to clogged pores and breakouts: Slower skin turnover, hormonal fluctuations caused by menopause or stress and a decrease in the skin's elasticity. I recommend using the Olay Professional Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System. It’s clinically proven to cleanse 6X better than basic cleansing alone and gently exfoliates to help maximize the immediate hydrating effectiveness of anti-aging moisturizer usage.”

Read More

Fashion Flash: Fall color trends, Affordable Beauty Products and more

Happy Monday to you!  We are here today to help inspire you with the latest, greatest, hot off the press fashion, beauty and health tips!  Yes, it’s our weekly Fashion Flash and you are invited to dive in and splash around with this week’s host, Deborah Chase from No Nonsense Beauty.

Here are some of the topics that are featured:

Read More

How to Wear Shorts After 40

Dear Glam Gals,

Living in Texas can get super duper hot in the summer.  It’s just not practical to wear jeans.  Can you help with some ideas on how to wear shorts that still look o.k. and not silly?

Thanks!

Gretta H.

Hi Gretta,

Yes you can wear shorts at any age, you just have to think about a few things.  Here are some tips to make sure you’re looking fabulous after 40 on these hot summer days!

 

 

Read More

How to Dress Comfortable and Stylish When Youre Over 40 and Beyond

It wouldn’t be too outrageous to say that dressing casual is a daily head scratching dilemma.  Between trying to be comfortable and still look classy  and updated  sometimes it just seems easier to stick with the same old “uniform” you always pull out to wear.

While recently visiting my family  in LA, I (JoJami) took my mother (JoBee) and sister Janeen out to see the Herb Ritts exhibit at the beautiful Getty museum.  We knew it was going to be an afternoon filled with lots of walking so we all opted to wear flats.  However, the big trick is how to throw some pizzazz into the mix.  Here’s a breakdown of  dressing ideas you can try the next time you are off for a casual day out:

 

Start with a cute flat loafer

Start with a cute flat loafer

Read More

Post 3-Second Update, Hows it going?

This is a Sponsored post written by us on behalf of Système 41 for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% ours.

We are on week 3 of the Glam Gal’s testing the all natural skin new care program called Système 41.

A few weeks ago Deborah and I  decided to try out a new beauty product that claimed to help restore the skin’s moisture balance and we have been using it twice daily now for the past 3 weeks.

The Systeme 41 Skin Care Essentials Beauty Kit helps plump the skin and get rid of fine lines.

 

Here is an upate on our findings:

JoJami:

So far so good. I’m really loving the entire product line. We mentioned last post how lovely and fresh it smells and now I’m totally hooked on it!  Really look forward to my cleansing ritual. Best of all, I’ve seen a difference in my skin on my face and neck. The redness that I was having is gone and I’m definately seeing improvement. It feels so much smoother and not as dry.

Here is a photo I took this morning after washing my face with the Gentle Purifying Cleanser.

 

Deborah:  I am really happy with this system. My skin can feel a little dry in the summer and since using the Systeme 41 Skin Care Essentials Kit, I have not had any dryness at all. Plus, it is not heavy.

JoJami: You know Deborah, I’m enjoying the Rejuvenating Masque. I like to clean my face and then put on the masque and then get in the tub. When I get out, wash it off and my face is feeling radiant!

Deborah: Yes, the masque is nice. It’s different than most, because it does not harden and dry on your face . It has a bit of a chalky feel with gentle granules. I feel like I am gently polishing away the bad stuff.

This is a natural product that contains 100% natural ingredients.

Système 41 special promotion

Read More

Meet the Fashion Flash! Over 40 Fashion, Beauty and Health Experts

Every week we share with you our Fashion Flash tips and today we wanted to introduce each of them to you.  The Fashion Flash is our select group of top over 40 Fashion and Beauty Bloggers that share their tips to inspire and keep  you up with hot products, tips and news.    We think that you’ll enjoy each of these blogs.  Have fun looking around and make sure you leave a comment!

 

 

This shocking news just in!  Several influential beauty bloggers have been at war!  The latest skirmish in the Makeup Wars is The Battle of the Summer Lippie.  Prime Beauty’s soldier in this battle is YSL’s Rouge Pur Couture Vernis A Levres Glossy Stain in #15-Rose Vinyl.  Find out how she fared and check out the other warriors entries.

 

 

Once a year Nordstrom has a sale in which you can get the best beauty bargains on department store beauty.  Fab Over 40 shares her favorites from this year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.

 

 

 

 

 

It’s a good sign that plus size designers such as Ming Wang and Jill Alexander are giving clothes to Olympian weightlifter, Sarah Robles.

 

 

Processing protein requires the greatest expenditure of energy, all calories are not equal!  Eating protein can speed up your metabolism, a good thing once you hit 40.  Check out a favorite Menopause Makeover high protein salad that is easy to make and yummy!

 

 

Deb of No-Nonsense Beauty Blog  looks at anti-aging claims of moisturizers.

 

Find out why Fab Over Fifty founder Geri Brin changed her mind about having plastic surgery.

 

 

Female Fat Loss Over 40 expert, Shawna K provides some surprising tips to look younger.  Is working out less really one of them?  Check it out.

 

Tottering around on high heel shoes doesn't have to be agony. Jackie Silver from AgingBackwards introduces you to a company that scans your feet to make custom high heel shoes just for your individual fit and style.

 

 

Stay Cool In The Pool With Two Free Aqua Video-shorts from Moving Free With Mirabai Holland

 

In case you missed it, make sure to check out our post here at Fabulous After 40 on how to hide your tummy!  It’s one of our most popular questions that we get!

Have a great day and if you haven’t entered our July contest make sure you do!  You could win a $200.00 bathing suit shopping spree from Sequins and Sand!  They specialize in swimsuits that flatter the body and come in styles that actually are designed with shape wear in them.

Read More