Vibrant Nation

Top 5 style sins to avoid this summer

The Glam Gals's avatar Posted on Friday, May 08, 2009 by The Glam Gals Deborah Boland and JoJami Tyler (aka The Glam Gals) are image and style experts specializing in helping women over 50 look and feel fabulous. They are the authors of the book, The Glam Plan: 12 Simple Steps to Take You from Frumpy to Fabulous, as well as coaches for their Tweak Your Chic™ image makeover program. For more style tips visit their website, www.fabulousafter40.com.
With the warm weather here, you're probably feeling relaxed and casual--and it's easy to get sloppy and let your summer style slide. Are you guilty of any of these top 5 summer style sins?
  1. Capri pants with socks and running shoes
    Capris are a cute sassy way to show off your lower legs. While they do tend to make your leg look a little shorter because they stop at the calf, they can be balanced out by wearing a lovely kitten heel sandal or low wedge in the same color as your capris. Beware of 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 with your capris or wear shorts instead with running shoes for sporty look.

  2. Crazy Crocs
    Comfortable, fun, but keep your Crocs at home. Crocs 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 grocery shopping or 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?

  3. 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 tackier than 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.

  4. Short shorts
    Who wears short shorts? Not women after 50, unless you’ve been digging things out of your teenage daughters 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.

  5. 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.

Are you guilty of any of these style sins? Do you have your own style tips to share? Add them in the discussion below!

responses (17)

melinda's avatar melinda
melinda said to The Glam Gals
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I have terrible veins and redness around my ankles so I am in a quandary about how to wear a dress or capris -- all that is noticed are my ugly feet!  Is there a solution?

The Glam Gals's avatar The Glam …
The Glam Gals said to melinda
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Hi Melina,

Have you tried spray tan, to make things look a little less noticable? Also, sometimes we are more critical of ourselves than we should be.

That being said, if you really do have an extreme issue, we would advise to stick with loose gauze pants instead of capris or a dress.

They will still be comfortable and you can hide any flaws you feel uncomfortable showing!

Cheers!

The Glam Gals

 

 

Dragonfly's avatar Dragonfly
Dragonfly said to The Glam Gals
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To me, the worst summer sin is colored underwear under white clothing! C'mon ladies, a nude bra and panties will work under anything. And no, the thong is not always the best alternative.

The Glam Gals's avatar The Glam …
The Glam Gals said to Dragonfly
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Hi Dragonfly,

Yes, that is a good one to add to the list. We also like nude shapewear, like a Sassybax or Spanx instead of underwear, it can really smooth you out and make you appear thinner

The Glam Gals

 

maestroq's avatar maestroq
maestroq said to The Glam Gals
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I just find Spanx so difficult to pull up and down especially in a hurry.  And the open crotch style? Please, we need the support there.

The Glam Gals's avatar The Glam …
The Glam Gals said to maestroq
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There a lots of different brands of shapewear. Spanx might be too much support for you. You might try Sculptz, by Shapely Perfection for a lighter hold.

One more tip, if you try Sassybax brand for a nice support for your arms, make sure you put it on my stepping into it, and not putting it on over your head. It will go on much easier and you won't get deoderant on the top!

maestroq's avatar maestroq
maestroq said to Dragonfly
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Please add visible bra straps of any colour to the worst summer sins and of course the thong that is visibly there.

SatorisWings's avatar SatorisWi…
SatorisWings said to The Glam Gals
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For those who like to keep up to date this works.

But I think a person should wear what they like, not what fashion dictates.  By this age we are old enough to decide for ourselves.  That's the freedom that comes with aging - being ourselves no matter what anyone else thinks.  Each decade has it's own set of realizations. We aren't really one cohesive group.

 

The Glam Gals's avatar The Glam …
The Glam Gals said to SatorisWings
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Hi Satoris Wings,

We Glam Gals are all for enjoying life and our passion is to be a resource to those who are wanting tips on ways to improve or at least be aware of ways to improve their image. In the age of 14 year old skinny models wear are the role models for women over 40? If you read our blog (www.fabulousafter40.com) you will find that our tone is one of fun and frivolity, and we do not want to come across as prudish or like an old school marm! So please take any info you like and feel free to be who you want to be!

But when you need tips to being Glam, the Glam Gals are here to cheer you up and cheer you on!

Barb's avatar Barb
Barb said to The Glam Gals
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So if you don't want to come across as prudish or judgmental, maybe you could lose the word "sin"?  I do get tired, even at 60, of being told that how I look is so offensive to others that it is a sin (not a word I use much, but the connotations are pretty moralistic, even you say you're just having fun).

In any event, having just spent several days trying to find shorts/tops that cover varicose veins, a bit of flab, etc. yet are suitable for 100+ degree weather and that fit me (I'm only five feet tall but rounded, not skinny)... I'm about to give up and continue to wear what I already own, though much of it was bought for a younger, more buff body.  Will clothing manufacturers ever learn that women come in all sizes, shapes, ages, and tastes?

 

Carol Orsborn - VN Strategist's avatar Carol Ors…
Carol Orsborn - VN Strategist said to SatorisWings
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From the fantasy department: I had a cathartic idea along these lines  Get together with a group of friends for A before and after party...where we come with all our make-up and fancy duds then strip it off, showing each other what we look like without makeup and also changing into what really makes us feel comfortable then eat a lot of junk food, etc..  Sort of a reverse-Bacchanal.  As a result, some may scale back some of their more extreme cover-ups, but even for those of us who enjoy being fashionable everyday might find this revealing. 

The Glam Gals's avatar The Glam …
The Glam Gals said to Carol Orsborn - VN Strategist
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Hi Carol,

Wow! That is a very creative idea. However, we find most women as we age, are really stuck in a rut. Just peeling off what they put on and revealing what is under is not that productive.

What women need is to try new things and be inspired to look beautiful. That might mean doing less or doing something different... We see so many women think they are fine, but after a good make over, feel like a new, energized person.

We know when we go out in no make up or take it off at the end of the day we feel tired and frumpy.

Trying to look updated and chic gives us more energy and a feeling of creativity and excitement!

Carol Orsborn - VN Strategist's avatar Carol Ors…
Carol Orsborn - VN Strategist said to The Glam Gals
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I'm with you!  (really)  I just had a weak moment.  (Think Bridget Jones eating ice cream from the container in her jammies.)  Actually, I jst took off ten pounds and am feeling re-energized about doing things that make me look and feel better.

I've mentioned elsewhere on the site the amazing transformation just an updated hair cut and color gave me!  Now, I only wear hats to protect my eyes from the sun, not other people's eyes from the neglected hay stack beneath.

It's helpful that I have my adult daughter home (temporarily, we think!)  as she's brought little touches that have freshened me up...like those cool cotton scarves everybody stylish is wearing in LA...plus, I love to throw a trim blue jean jacket over just about everything and away we go...

I do think it's not about spending gobs of time, but knowing the things that really make a difference and sticking to them.  In fact, I was thinking of going through my closet and getting rid of anything that isn't "amazing"...you know, dump the stuff in which I feel just okay...

The Glam Gals's avatar The Glam …
The Glam Gals said to Carol Orsborn - VN Strategist
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Hi Carol,

We are LOVING this discussion... how fun is it to bring these ideas out into the open and bat them around!!!

How wonderful that you recently lost weight...5 to 10 pounds can make such a difference on fit and what looks good on you!

Your daughter is right on track suggeting the "cotton scarves"...we think that is the most hip summer update you can make this season!

Your idea of a good closet clean out one we totally believe in!! (check out the DVD "The Ultimate Cure for the Dyfunctional Closet".

Going forward, set the bar high as you can on your next shopping trip. If you find something new, ask yourself is it AMAZING? if not, put it back!!

Cheers!

JoJami

 

 

Marilynne's avatar Marilynne
Marilynne said to The Glam Gals
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Some of us over 50's have foot problems.  Wearing thongs and sandals is not an option.   Personally, I like to wear capri pants with my athletic shoes and those short socks that barely show above the shoe.

The Glam Gals's avatar The Glam …
The Glam Gals said to Marilynne
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Hi Marilynne,

We do understand that many women have foot problems and it can certainly be challenging to dress chic when you have to wear supportive shoes. That being said, they are shoes out there that you can find that are not athletic shoes and have some style Naturalizers for one are a good choice, but you will have to be super pickey to find the right shoe for the right outfit. Tarynne Rose sells some wonderful shoes as does Arche.

We are not trying to be snobby or tell people what to wear...we are just trying to get the fashion juices going and give you other options to try so that you can look the best that you can be and still be comfortable!

Go to our site for some great pictures and examples of what to wear...www.faabulousafter40.com

 

KentuckyChickinMEM's avatar KentuckyC…
KentuckyChickinMEM said to The Glam Gals
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Folks aren't understanding. You can wear whatever you want and whatever makes you comfortable -- that is ALWAYS our perogative! What y'all are saying is that these things can make us look dated, silly or old! It's an awareness thing to point out what we may not be realizing about ourselves!

For spider veins and other imperfections, Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs is the bomb! My daughter's therapist recommended this product when my daughter was agonizing over the acne on her back before prom. This stuff works like a charm -- it is sweat-proof but comes off with soap and water!!

Pure and Natural