Best Dressed? Sorry Elle, Not If You're Over 50!

I adore fashion magazines. Always have, probably always will, although I no longer pore over them endlessly the way that I did in the 1970's when I had no money at all to buy clothes or accessories or even the way I thumbed through them over and over in the 1980's when I lived in a too-small town for the clothes I really would have liked to wear.

But now that I am, ahem, over 50, (really I'm over 60), I am constantly amazed at what is considered to be "well-dressed."

I really got tickled when I was looking at my Elle magazine and saw this best dressed list that follows. 

Needless to say, I vehemently disagree, but especially if you are over 50, you need to avoid these looks like the plague.

As usual, I will tell you exactly what is wrong with each one!

Above, okay, Dakota Fanning is cute and this is a really young look.  I don't find it becoming to her though for several reasons. 

1.  Look at where the skirt stops at a most unbecoming place on her legs causing them to look stumpy instead of curvy. 
2. Then the dress looks particularly shapeless; even though it seems to have a drawstring, it hangs completely straight.  
3. This color does nothing for her either. The shoes are okay, but I don't find them flattering either. 

If you are over 50, this look is the kiss of death.  Why?  

• Are your arms completely muscular and toned?  With this sleeveless dress they will need to be.  
• If you are over 50, this length will look "old-lady" on you unless it happens to be your "g-spot" length (what I call the skirt length that hits at the most flattering place on your legs).

Only if you are a bit curvy and you pull that drawstring to show off your waist will this look the least bit okay on you. 

Gwen Stefani made Elle's best dressed also.  You won't if you are over 50 (personally I don't see how Gwen made it either).

1. If you are over 50 avoid wearing a jacket that:

• has too many zippers
• has too many additional details such as the large flaps near the hem
• is super bright neon orange

You may be able to get away with one of these, but all 3, forget it!

1. The boyfriend jeans with their loose fit will look like "mom" jeans, dowdy and unbecoming because they will likely add an extra 5 to 10 pounds to your lower half.
2. Don't wear t-shirts with lettering unless you are playing a team sport or coaching one.

 Above, there is so much wrong with this I hardly know where to begin. 

1. Remember Ralph on Green Acres? Then you are too old to ever wear over-alls unless you are repairing something.
2. Stripes are good; spaghetti straps and cut-out sleeveless tops are not.
3. Leather baseball cap? Just say no.
4. They may look cute on Miley, but if you're over 50, be careful about wearing gold shoes with casual wear.

Alessandro Ambrossio got it right.   Everything works here.  
If you're over 50? 
   Easy.  
Let the hem down, and unless you are extremely graceful and have never taken a fall in your life, get shorter heels. Otherwise, perfection. 
   Oh, but avoid the long single braid.

What To Buy Now

Ahh, January, one of the coldest months of the year (in many places in the US, certainly here in the Washington, D.C. area) when our thoughts turn to self-improvement although grey days cast a dismal light over complexions and wardrobes. But cheer up! This is a great time to go shopping, in stores and online.
One thing we can do is think ahead to next year's winter and search out good quality merchandise at low, low prices now, and also find pretty accents to cheer up our current wardrobe.
What to buy now?

Something in Orchid, this year's newest color.
 Your best bet is a purse! But even small doses of this pretty color will update your wardrobe. Try a cashmere scarf or orchid leather gloves for a great pop of color during these cold, grey days.  Orchid will add a feminine touch to anything!

 

A winter coat that you will wear for years.  

 Most stores are having sales with prices slashed to ridiculous lows. You may not find your dream coat, but it is worth a look. Best bets are cashmere and camel hair in camel or black although a bright red or crisp navy would be great, too.

Great equestrian style boots. 
There's still plenty of time to wear them this year and you may be able to score a pair on sale.  Look for flat boots with buckles or a two-toned leather so that they are chic and extremely wearable.


Shopping in February not only gives you a chance to find some great deals, but you can also scout the early Spring arrivals and decide what is going to be worth adding to your basic wardrobe in the coming season.

SALES For Summer!

I hear so many people griping about the price of clothing and accessories, and the truth is, they are expensive. But with some judicious shopping, you can find some very nice things. I love internet shopping for sales at high end stores. Of course, I have a good idea of the size that I will take, and a knowledge of what will work for me and what won't. I have also learned not to be fooled by the skinny models who look unbelievably chic and sexy and to do some simple things like look to see what material clothing is made from. Here are some things that can be found on the net right now.

At SAKS: Have you always wanted one of those unbelievably beautiful Judith Leiber jeweled bags but couldn't afford it? Try sunglasses instead. Judith Leiber makes quality products and her sunglasses are tres chic! These can be had for $139.00, and there are others. SAKS Judith Leiber

Yoana Baraschi Cap-Sleeve Dress/Red:  If you have the figure for it, this is a great dress for summer dining out. And it is still available in sizes 8, 10, and 12. The curved pockets are quite slimming (providing you don't put anything in them), and at 89.00 this is a steal! It is made of viscose which does breathe. The cap sleeves hide just enough of the underarm to be attractive.

  The next dress is also Yoana Baraschi and also is 89.00. In black with wonderfully slimming vertical blue lines, this dress is sure to be a favorite.  Both can be found here.

I love flats! These are perfect for summer since they are decoratively vented. They also come in tan and black. Pour le Victoire flats are only 69.00.

Don't you need a new watch for summer?  Breil square stainless steel and mother of pearl chronograph watch is fairly easy to read and looks great on your wrist with its bone-colored band and rose gold plated rim. Retail price is normally about $750.00, but it is on sale for 215.00

Uh, Oh, Fashion Faux Pas on the Celebrity Scene

Okay, we all can't look like Jennifer Lopez does here - but we can try! Great hair, sexy, but well-groomed. Revealing dress, but she has the body for it. Good make-up, but not overdone. Clear complexion, great smile...she really looks beautiful! How close could you come to having someone say the same things about you - no, not look like Jennifer, not even wear that dress, but have well-groomed hair, appropriate to the occasion, wear clothing that shows off (or reveals ) your body in a flattering way. Make-up not overdone, but applied well, sparkling complexion, clear eyes, and, oh, yes, a wonderful smile (we can all smile!)? Oddly enough many celebrities can't live up to these demands as you can see below.

Courtney Cox has gorgeous deep blue eyes, pretty make-up that emphasizes them without being too much and - what pretty hands! However, I want to scream, "Go wash your hair!" Or is it wet?
If this was a deliberate do, whoever did it needs to go off the payroll, pronto!


They were adorable once upon a time; now they are supposedly on their way to becoming fashion icons. ( I'm not sure why.) I always get them mixed up, so I'll just say to the twin on the right - you look good except for that horrible expression that makes you look as though you just got fat injections in your lips. I'm getting really tired of celebrities pursing their lips this way every time a camera comes near.
To the twin on the right - brush your hair!!! I really chose a pretty flattering picture of these two - there are far worse - mostly involving nightmare hair days.

An animal is not a fashion accessory! Nor should they cost as much as a Hermes bag. Have you heard of the Humane Society - there are plenty of animals there that really need a hug.
(But if you do try this old trick becoming new again of using an animal as a fashion accessory, do please get an animal in proportion to your size; any animal that could get lost in your chest area is not proportional).



Do I really have to say anything here?
Yes, I do.
I wore that same dress in the second grade, only it was pink.
And my mother had the good sense not to make me wear black tights with it.

fashion fashion and beauty blog Jennifer Lopez Olsen twins Britney Spears fashion trend accessories shopping hair beauty beauty problems celebrity fashion don'ts celebrity fashion hair style Sarah Silverman

Get Ready for Fall!!

Okay, if you are on vacation (as most of Europe is right now) lucky, lucky you! However, if you are like many of us in America, especially those who have children, the "Fall" semester has begun for the new school year, and that means new schedules, routines, work, and yes, new clothes!
The temperature here has reached 101 F in the last week, so despite that "Fall" semester business, we are definitely having summer weather.
So, what to do?
This is a great time of year to stay indoors and start preparing your closet for the Fall/Winter to come. How? You've read about this process before, many times, I'm sure, but the process is still tried and true, so stay under the air conditioning and get into that closet!

• Get a small notebook. You need to make a list of the clothes and accessories that you will really need for this Fall and Winter. If you don't write down that your only black cashmere cardigan has moth-holes in it, you won't remember to buy a new one, and to look for new ways to store that sweater next year so that the moths stay away.
• Clear one drawer - this is where you'll put all the summer things that you're going to be wearing before Fall really kicks in. Go through your summer pieces and put away those things like stark white pants that you can only wear another week or so anyway.
• Have one section (small) of your closet where you put the hanging summer clothes you'll be wearing for at least another month. Put away very obviously summer clothing that won't do for your workplace, if you work outside the home.
• This is a good time to throw away summer clothes that you know you won't wear again because they're stained, they shrank, they are too trendy to be in next year.
• Give away summer clothes that were from last year, yet you didn't wear them all summer because they no longer fit, you don't care for them, whatever. Pass them on to someone who will wear them. And you won't have to deal with them next April when you're getting ready for summer again.
  
• Check your summer shoes and either toss them, give them away, or reserve them for next year.
• Now, go through the clothes that some people call "seasonless" although few clothes actually fit that description. Some you may not have put away (khaki pants?), some you may have with Fall clothing (black cotton slacks?). Unless you live where there are harsh winters or in the tropics, much of your clothing will (should) fall into this "seasonless" category. (I've found that "seasonless" often means that it is wearable anytime except the hottest summer days and the most frigid winter days).
• You don't have to go through all your winter clothing right now ---the scratchy wool, the thick turtleneck sweaters. Save going through these for the end of September. But do look at all of your jackets/blazers and your cardigans because these pieces see you through non-coat weather, and then through the coldest winter days as well.
• If you colour-coordinate your wardrobe, then be sure that both tops and bottoms still fit properly and check for stains, tears, etc. , anything that would prevent your wearing it.
• Have a category that needs to go to the cleaners, a category that may need repairs or simple work before you can wear it again, and of course, if you can't wear it - get rid of it!
• Check your Fall shoes. Make notes on which colours and styles need to be replaced, what can be resoled, what needs to be thrown away, which should be given away.
• If there is anything that you didn't wear last year that you still have: throw it away or give it away!

This is just a beginning, but you should know what you have to mend (or have mended), what should be cleaned, and most valuable of all - the clothing you are going to have to purchase to wear during the next 6 months.

fashion clothes shopping accessories shopping closets organizing clothing shoes