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I came across the great blog called Advance Style where an artist called Debra takes photographs of women on the street with a great sense of style. What do you think? Which is your favourite look? Take a look at Advanced Style and read the great interviews that Debra has with the women she photographs. These women definately are not afraid of colour, which is great mantra to have for spring! Put on your brightest cardi or bright pink lipstick and be happy in the knowledge that you are at your most stylish.
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HOW TO DRESS LIKE YOUR DAUGHTER AND GET AWAY WITH IT
New York fashion week in February kicked off the spring and summer trends, but some of the season’s hottest looks can be daunting. Neon brights, graphic prints – they look fabulous on supermodels on the catwalk, but they’d look ridiculous on you, right? Wrong. You can wear those tricky trends at any age, just make a few tweaks and you’ll be fine:
LEGGINGS:
For daughters: stick with solid colors and pair it with a flirty top, a’la Sienna Miller style. Don’t forget to add sky-high wedges to add to your leg length.
For Moms: Forget the sky-high wedges, you don’t want to look like a lady of the evening. Grab yourself some cute flats (animal print maybe) and find yourself some of those new black Lycra leggings (the ones that don’t SHINE and show off every ripple) and top it off with a longer style knit tunic top in a solid color. The idea is to cover the bum.
BOLD PRINTS
For Daughters: Avoid tight Lycra tops and dresses that always look cheap in any kind of print. Keep the tops drapey. This season, A-line mini dresses are a must-have. Wear with chunky, statement jewelery. Just remember: when choosing your mini, it’s still important to wear lengths that flatter.
For Moms: Opt for subtle prints rather than big and bold… you don’t want to look like a tourist. A simple shift dress looks great in a graphic print, or if you are not so brave, just pick some fabulous bold accessories to wear with neutrals. For older Moms skirt lengths should be kept just above the knee. If you feel confident about your waist line, belt it with one of the wider styles.
JEANS
For Daughters: Skinny jeans are still the rage, topped with a long tunic for a slimming effect. All jeans are hitting higher at the waist, but slightly below the belly button is still a hipper look.
For Moms: Choose a “skinny” fit, but with a boot cut for balance. The real skinny jeans make mid sections appear larger. Look for a stretch jean with stomach and rear support for a “skinnier” look. Long tunics are great for Moms too. This is one item you can share!
MAKEUP
For Daughters: Lips are nude, skin looks clean and eyes pop with all over shimmer and shine. The drama in spring’s makeup is with shadow and liner that make eyes pop.
For Moms: Moms need a little more color on their lips, but the light covering of foundation with just a little blush works well too. You can still add some shimmer on the eyelids, but don’t go overboard. Place it on the brow bone or on the inside corners of eyelid.
SHOES
For Daughters and Moms: Ballet flats are back and none too soon. They’re adorable on daughters and a bunion-saver for Moms. Either of you can wear them in bright colors with casual short pants, or in metallic with light, flowy skirts just below the knee.
Overall, Moms should keep an eye on what’s hot for their daughters this spring, then temper it down for themselves, keeping in mind how their coloring and body shape has changed over the years. Copy your daughter’s freshness and creativity – just tone it down for a more refined look.
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MAKING DRESSING A LITTLE EASIER
One of the easiest outfits you can wear is a dress. Throw a dress on and all you have to worry about is what shoes go with it…unlike a trouser/top combo which causes me many stresses in the morning before I even have time to have my decaf coffee.
Marks and Spencer are a fail safe option when it comes to choosing clothes these days. Although I like to internet shop and order the odd catalogue item, I love a good Saturday afternoon shopping in town. These gorgeous dresses can be found by clicking here. Happy shopping!
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Control it
You all know the feeling, when the festive season has taken hold of your waistline and you have more muffin top than the corner shop bakery. We try to stay away from carbs and then the bread basket arrives and all goes to pot. Well, this year instead of wasting my time beating myself up about my expanding wasit line, I’m going to take control. Literally, with Trinny and Susannah’s new control pants. Of course, I’ll be aiming to shed the excess pounds that I gained over Christmas but with this contraption it allows me to take my time and not worry about lumps and bumps under the surface. It’s not like I have to snap back into shape straight away. Thank god I’m not Heidi Clum that’s all I can say. I have no idea how these women get back into such great shape, espeically when most of them have just given birth. I thought I’d add some pictures of some of our favourite stars in control pants, showing that we’re basically all trying to control something, in our case, it’s the width of our behind!
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The Best of Next
Every season when I get the Next catalogue, I find it physically difficult to lift it with just one pair of hands! It gets bigger and must I say better each year. I like the fact that I sit in my arm-chair and pick an outfit, get it delivered to my door and try on in the comfort of my own home. Shopping at the time of year is murder so the next way is definitely the best way. I’ve picked out my favourite outfits from Autumn/Winter 2009-2010. Prices are at the bottom of the page and if you need any more inspiration log onto Next and pick up a bargain, especially when the sale hits on boxing day, the queues are renowned in Leeds for being the longest, with people even getting out of bed at 6.30pm for when the store opens early!
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Kaftan Cover Up
I remember when the news hit that David Beckham had been wearing a Kaftan, styled by his Queen WAG, Victoria Jackson. I giggled as I thought about what a strange beach item for a man to wear. The next thing we’d know he’d be turning up in a sequin bikini, topped off with statement jewellery!
Nothing covers up better than a kaftan, and why should we let the weather or season for that matter, dictate when we can wear our favourite cover up?
With this sumptuously soft, fresh and flattering chenille kaftan, which has been designed in every way to combine comfort with style, night times can be as snug and as flattering as you want.
The design details include generous, wide lifting arms and a V-neck so it slips easily over the head. The chenille is wide rib, which while keeping the wearer warm while looking great.
I think this kaftan is perfect after a shower, by the pool or for lounging through the day, casual Sundays I like to call them.
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Throw on a bed jacket
With vintage being my main passion, whether it is an ornate vintage necklace found in my grandmother’s dresser or a framed Vogue cover from 1960, the thrill of finding something old yet beautifully in tact is why I am officially hooked on vintage.
One of my idols, regardless if she is a fictional character, is Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City.
Although it was the creation of stylist Patricia Fields, Carrie had that style that many tried to emulate, with few actually succeeding.
It was Carries look in, I think, season 3, when she strutted around 5th Ave with knee high socks, skirt, vintage camisole and a bed jacket. A Chanel bed jacket I might add, but a bed jacket at that. It was a style high, simple as that, striking the trend for nightwear as outwear.
The trend for this is gaining popularity right now and with the trend for vintage never been as strong, I think I may have to snap up a cosy, little bed jacket to throw over my slip dress and tough biker boots, to balance the look over all. Keeping me warm and stylish all in one buy!
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Time for the Sales to begin
With the recession hitting the UK hard this year the high street has seen sense, bringing the January sales forward to before Christmas, just in time for the festive shopping.
But when the weathers as horrible and dreary as this, who wants to be trudging the pavements with the Xmas shoppers, all pushing and grabbing for a bargain? Not me, that’s for certain. Now I’ve grasped the art of Internet shopping I need never leave my own front room!
Not only do I get my books, music, groceries and clothes online, I can now search the sales without my toes getting trodden on and my hair turning frizzy in the fine rain, the sort that soaks you through to the bone.
At Kinnaird Ireland, if I’m looking for a new nightie or a new dressing gown, I can just scroll down the page and see the fantastic reductions we have.
At the risk of sounding like some over enthusiastic sales man, some items have been reduced by a whopping 80%. Some things just don’t get any better than this, and fellow shoppers you have to agree with me when I say, who doesn’t just love the feeling of a bargain. Especially if that bargain is 100% cheneille and feel fabulously toasty in this drab, winter weather.
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Fab Fashion at Fifty
Im a massive fan of fifty plus, the website dedicated to the fab at fifty woman, fiftyplus has a large range of clothing that suits the older woman.
The high street, I feel, has let down the woman over fifty with even shops that I could rely on in the past such as Next slowly catering for a younger audience and forgettin about their loyal customer base! Not evenyone can wear one shouldered dresses and sequins, as much as I’d like to.
Dont get me wrong, I love fashion and I try as many of you do to keep up to date with the latest trends but I find it increasingly difficult to get trendy, older based clothing now apart from the internet. Some of us still enjoy Saturday shopping, even if our knees are giving way!
Here are a few little pieces from FiftyPlus which I love for the coming party season that is, thats right, Christmas!
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Mother of the Bride
As a soon to be mother-of-the-bride I’m having a bit of trouble finding the right jewellery for the occassion. Having found the perfect dress and the even more perfect fasinator, all I need now is the right statement necklace. Something not too bling but powerful enough to make an impact. Im the sort of mother that needs to be seen as well as heard!
Ive trawled the high street and the net to find something with diamante with black beading and so far my search has been unsuccessful. Ive yet to fall in love with the right necklace and hope that you ladies can help me with my plight.
Take a look at my current choices and let me know what you think.
Beverely Y necklace Coast – £35.00
Jon Richards Necklace – £30.00
Jasper Conran Necklace – £35.00
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I recently joined a site named Third Age, a website dedicated to issues and news for women like me yourself. I thought I’d add some of their fashion tips for women who are fab and fifty, that might just need some help in the wardrobe department.
Let me know what you think and if you’ve got any proven tips of your own drop me a line…
The biological clock doesn’t stop today’s fashion-forward woman from wearing the latest trends.
“There’s no age limit for looking stylish,” said Suzanne Bishop, owner of Frankie and Julian’s, a fashion boutique in Chattanooga, Tenn.
“Women of all ages want to wear stylish fashions,” she said. “You just have to know what looks good on you and what doesn’t.”
Ms. Bishop said her customers range in ages from 18 to 65 and over. Many older women tend to have a few physical issues they want to hide, Ms. Bishop said, noting that most look for fashions that hide arms, knees and the neck.
She has some tips for mature customers.
“Select dresses/skirts that hit just below the knee, get tops with short or long sleeves and wrap a scarf around the neck (or wear turtlenecks) when the weather gets cooler,” she said.
Ms. Bishop’s mother, Julian O’Neal, 60, said that even though she likes wearing stylish clothes, she draws the line on some fashion trends.
“Many of the clothes that are trendy today are fashions I wore back in the ’60s and ’70s — miniskirts, hip-hugger pants, wide-legged jeans,” Ms. O’Neal said. “I wouldn’t wear a miniskirt, but I’d definitely wear jeans and wide-legged pants.
“It’s hard to put your finger on what is too young to wear and what’s not. Jumpers, for example, are adorable on younger women but not for me. It’s an individual decision.”
Ms. O’Neal said that though she does own leggings, she’s not comfortable wearing them.
“I know ladies older than I am who wear leggings under skirts, and they look really good,” she said. “But I feel it’s a too young look for me.”
What you wear has a lot to do with attitude, she said.
“I feel young, I dress relatively young, and I think it makes me look younger,” she said. “I have fun with fashions, and I like looking at all the exciting new styles coming out.”
“Sixty is the new 40,” Ms. Bishop said. “So many women in their 60s look 20 years younger because they are health conscious and in good shape. They’re in a stage where they don’t want to look old but not too young.”
Cynthia Nellis said on www.fashion.about.com that keeping up with trends can be even more difficult for older women, because many fashion magazines ignore them.
“And even when the glossies try to address the issue, they tend to forget that mature women can be just as fashionable as young girls,” she said.
“A 60-year-old can look just as chic as anyone half her age,” Ms. Bishop said. “Just don’t overdo it. Pass up the miniskirt for one that is knee-length. If you have issues with the neck, wear a scarf. And don’t wear too much jewelry.”
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As Winter Draws Closer…
As winter draws closer I think its about time I started looking for a new dressing gown, as my old one is a grubby shade of pink and got enough stains to beat the powers of vanish! So I looked on one of my favourite sites, Kinnaird Ireland, a website dedicated to chenille bedtime wear, with robes and jackets in a lush pile to keep me super warm when winter arrives.
What a better time to shop with their sale on right now, with up to 80% off their chenille ranges. And with superstars such as Courtney cox wearing their range I think I better snap one up sharpish.
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Nothing Better…
Called me old fashion but for me theres nothing better than climbing into fresh sheets on a cold winters night, sipping my coco and reading a dam good book (very into Terry Pritchard right now). To add to this delight I love to wrap myself up warm in some luxurious nightwear.
Whilst browsing for a head piece for my daughters up and coming winter wedding I drifted onto one of regualr haunts, Kinnaird Ireland and came across this gorgeous, comfy chenille kaftan. Like I’ve mentioned before the thing I like about chenille is that it manages to keep me warm but manages to let my skin through the night. So, I begrudgingly took out the credit card and purchased some MORE nightwear and NO wedding head piece.
