Today’s Featured Comment
Just a few ideas I would like to add if you wear all black all of the time (like me). An article in the January 2012 edition Real Simple magazine gave me some good ideas on how to dress your age and not like an old lady. I have given a few of them a try.
Here goes:
1.) Stop wearing “matchy-matchy” jewelry. This proved relevant for me as I tend to buy the whole set (though not wearing all of the items at once). Instead, go for similar textures, colors, etc. I realized that I always reach for the same pieces to wear together when I decide on what to wear. Do any of you feel like you do that too? Try a bold statement piece, and then pair with contrasting yet complementary items. I feel like I have twice the jewelry now that I’m mixing it up more.
2.) Stop with the enormous black purse that you could literally fit your kitchen sink into. Same with the shoes. Never having a lot of money, I always stuck with black shoes and handbags since they go with everything. Now I have a much smaller steel-blue purse with both a removable shoulder and regular strap. I usually don’t even bother with the shoulder strap because it falls down constantly anyhow. I also kept a similar purse by the same manufacturer and it is in a velvety, “not-quite-fur” material in gold to wear with my gold ”foil” gladiator shoes. I also have several different shades of brown shoes and NEVER had gold ”foil” shoes before! I know that I will never be a red-shoe kind of gal, but these small changes have really made difference in how I think and feel about the way I dress now.
3.) Stop wearing “boxy” clothing. With an apple-shaped figure, this is a tough one to apply to myself. But I stopped buying cute cardigans, and bought a jeans vest, and a darling blue jeans shrug. Its just another way for me to hide my belly and here in Florida, layering needs to be lightweight. I have to “alter” most of my clothing now at my age, but sometimes, just an inch or two taken in can make the all the difference in the world. Remember, not too loose, and not too tight-slinky, slightly form-fitting is the best fit. Properly fitting clothing is the best thing in the world and if you are fortunate enough to have had a mother who taught me you how to sew like me, its going to be a lot cheaper. But you can learn to do simple alterations with iron-on hemming tape (melts into the fabric to hold a seam), sewing on buttons, etc., you can do a bit yourself. Otherwise, you must decide if you can either afford a tailor or pay a friend to help out. (It would be much cheaper).
Well, these are the ones that I have applied. Some of the others were quite obvious (at least to me ) but here goes:
- STOP wearing “work-out’ clothes; except to well, work-out. Those matching pantsuit-type sweat-”outfits” that all of the “Housewives of Everywhere” wear. And don’t wear flip-flops except at the beach, pool, or your own backyard. Believe me, this is a biggie in Orlando. Even the locals wear “wife-beater” tanks, too-short shorts and flip-flops-disgusting!
- no head to toe pastels,
- no matching sets of any kind,
- no orthopedic-looking shoes, and lastly,
- no wide-cut capri pants. If you must wear capris (and yes, I have had to give in with the heat here), then make sure they are slim cut.
Hope this helps others out there who may be stuck in a mold when it comes to the way they dress too. And hey, I haven’t once missed my black purse!
[These recommendations were originally posted in this conversation. ~ Eds.]
Retta: The ladies represented here are beautiful women who have been through hell and learned the lessons from living in that place. If they do "have it all together" it is only because of what they have been through and the hard work they have h
Wow, didn't realize this was a site for perfect people who have it all figured out and are so well adjusted. I said nothing about denigrating my body or mind. I mentioned nothing about not liking myself or being influenced by silly magazines. My thou
Hi Thea,
I gave a book signing in Austin (LOVE Austin!)in 2009. Perhaps you came? I was also on national TV several times..so who knows..
Send me your contact info?
All best!…and thank you for the sweet invite.
I missed the book signing, but must have seen you on TV. You can reach me at thea@theawood.com, web site theawood.com. Austin Fashion Week is in May– maybe you’ll have a client who *must* see you in TX that week
Thanks Thea!
Lots of good dressing advice.
Looking your best and feeling good go hand in hand. After a long marriage, unfaithful ex and unpleasant divorce I was feeling BAD. I decided to rethink my old dressing habits. I lost a little weight so I fitted into an easier to buy clothes for size, stopped wearing all black, had a new hairstyle and colour. I experiment with clothes I’d never tried worn to see what might suit. I try new colours – black isn’t as flattering as I thought! I don’t have a lot of money so I think long and hard before buying – usually asking myself ‘Does this fit my new vision of myself?’ I feel good about myself because I don’t dress out of habit, but out of what makes me feel good. And I get LOTS of compliments. I’m 57 and people think I’m at least 10 years younger.
I really should have said, dress within reason not trying to be something you are not. like dressing like 16 but going on 70. mini skirts are out! Buit some women love them no matter the age. heavy makeup and heavy perfume are another no no.
Never wear shorts. Not ever.
If you have good,shapely calves there is no reason not to wear “city” shorts. They reach just above the knee and are a slim fit on the entire thigh. I show this look in my books.
I believe in wearing what you feel comfortable in – to heck what other people think – if you feel good, you will look good!
I would like to add that women who color their hair black look terrible! I know one who could easily be a witch at Halloween without the costume! sorry but that’s just my opinion!
Totally agree about not wearing black hair. My hair is naturally very dark with little grey but I’ve gone blond (streaked with toning foils). Lighter colours are much more flattering against older skin.
I’d add, avoid unnatural hair colours (pink, purple, green etc) UNLESS very carefully done as they can look very mutton dressed as lamb.
Totally agree about needing softness in your hair color , as you age. Less of, and more natural make-up (for a natural look) is going to take off years.
Sorry to say I don’t really believe that just wearing what you are comfortable in…will ensure looking good. Although feeling good, and what it takes to feel good, is certainly important–I think you can have both beauty and comfort. I think too many men and women cop-out at a certain age.