Vibrant Nation

My daughter has taught me that a dynamic smile is the most elegant thing I can ever put on!

My artsy college student daughter taught me to stop wearing big, loose tops to camouflage my weight. When she stopped wearing over-sized sweaters and hoodies, it transformed her style -- and she had nothing to hide to begin with! For me, it's a long-standing habit to break, going for comfort and not paying attention to style, especially when so many women around me in this small, rural community dress similarly. But I'm amazed at the difference some structure can make in how I look, not to mention how great I feel when my mirror shows me a little bit of class instead of a lot of frumpiness. LOL Deb G. from Ohio

ACCESSORIES!!!!Size makes little difference with accessories,it's one area that 10 extra pounds doesn't affect the fit. Cute,stylish shoes and a focal pair of earrings or a great necklace can totally bring your look right into today's fashion.

I am 51. My daughter is 22. She teases me often about my "80s" wardrobe. I'll say "but it's designer!" and she'll retort that "Mom, it's still almost 30 years old!" and she's right! One look she really helped me with was ditching the waist-high thin-legged jeans and going for tastefully below the waist (which, by the way, are MUCH more comfortable), no back pockets, dark-dye, boot-cut jeans. Paired with a looser-cut yet defined knit blouse and a pair of heels, it is a dashing look!

Accessories and a little more fit - YES. Flip-flops - NO.

My daughter taught me to spend extra money on a really nice bag. I always carried cheap purses, that I thought looked nice. A beautiful quality bag really makes the outfit! It's amazing how good it feels to carry a nice purse. I feel like a modern, classy lady!

One of the most important fashion tips my daughter taught me is how to accessorize. She has the distinctive ability to take a purse, belt or piece of jewelry and make it completely change the way an outfit looks. Just this weekend, we were doing some housecleaning and a box of her purses fell on the floor. I picked the box up and discovered a cute little turquoise purse that works really well with my new cute little black dress.

I must admit, I don't have a daughter, but I do have a son, and a few nieces. My son likes to keep himself looking together (and smelling nice). I've checked with my son, before leaving out several times. He'll give me a reluctant head shake, when it's a no; when it's a possible, a shrug of the shoulders, and when it's a yes, an ok, with longer eye contact. It's all good to me. I'm going back to school with a very limited wardrobe, and his input from time to time really helps. I have a few nieces and a slightly younger sister-in-law that I also plan to ask about how to put things together. I like to feel good about what I'm doing, and for me dressing is part of the mix.

I have learned not to try not to make everything match. Sometimes a scarf, necklace or handbag can pull together a couple of colors that seemingly should never work together!

Although I don't have a daughter, I'm a professor at a local college and 'study' the styles of the young women in my classes. At 56, it's my goal to look current without looking too youthful or arty.

The best tip I received was to never tuck my t-shirt or shirt in my pants or skirt, also never buy jeans that sit just below the waist.

Don't be too fussy with everything matching. Sometimes plain solid colors are best with just a little jewelry. All one color is good with just a splash of color.

I thought comfortably loose clothes would hide my sins. But my daughters taught me that a little more shape in my clothing really did add a little more shape to me!

Do not be afraid of color! You can mix silver and gold ....DO not wear clothes too big...wear them to fit.

I watch my daughters and daughters-in-law, and wish I could attempt things they do. I try to remain current, but no matter what I do, I end up with sneakers or equally dull and boring shoes because of arthritis, multiple joint replacements, back surgeries and other health issues that started attacking when I was in my late 40s. Any suggestions for shoes that can hold a small lift and provide cushioning for painful feet without looking like lifeboats? WJ

I have taken my daughters spanx, what a difference they can make!!

Less is more. When you have finished dressing, take something off. Usually this is jewellery. And play up your eyes or your mouth, but not both at this age. Elegance is understated.

Working with one's daughter to "update" our closets is a very cool thing, in theory. I guess it would truely depend on the daughter's fashion. Right?

My daughters staged a "jean intervention" as a Christmas gift a couple of years ago. They took me shopping and convinced me to go from too short, straight leg "Mom" jeans to lower riding, longer, boot cut jeans. A much better look.

I guess I am too late to get the free copy of your book, but who cares! One of the best compliments I got recently was from my 26 year old daughter....She said, Mom, You have got more stylish clothes than I do! And More accessories! I told her, Honey, when you get older , you aren't as afraid to try new things, and just go for it! Plus I have the time to really follow the trends and pick and choose what will look good on me and not look like I am trying to look younger...which I am not! I love the freedom of my age...I love comfortable shoes that have style.... and versatile basic clothes that I mix and match with a variety of accessories that my daughter often wants to borrow....fun, fun, fun,!!

Yay! I just received my own copy of your book, Steal This Style! Love it! It has great before and after pictures. I also like all the examples of handbags, shoes and accessories. So far, I have only looked at all the pictures, but, I can't wait to start reading it soon...Thankyou!

Well, it is sometimes the other way around, but what "style tip" I learned from my daughter is to not wear so much black! Of course, I am part of the generation who believed that black would take off 30 lbs visually! LOL! (Like tucking 10 lbs of potatoes into a 5 lb black sack, huh?) Now, I owned a lot of black clothing items due to my participation in many music groups and bands. Black and white was a basic foundation for them. But now as I am getting a little older, I am learning that black doesn't have to be the only neutral. I've always loved bright colors, but didn't wear much besides red. I've been substituting my former blacks with navy blue, and find they are much more flattering to me. I can't wear heels anymore after a knee injury, so also finding cute flats by shopping with her has been fun.

I didn't steal it - she gave it to me: ear cuffs! When I turned 40 my daughter gave me the first one and now I wear them all the time ... to me they are a reminder that my daughter thinks I'm a "cool mom" (her words 16 years ago... she is now 30 and the teens at church think we're both pretty cool)