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<p>That’s a depressing development in the latter stages of mom-ism: You no longer attend functions requiring a little black dress. The functions are more likely to require some sort of team spirit-wear.</p>
<p>I also go almost nowhere where I need a little black dress. Around the holidays there may be an occasion, but I freeze at that time of year and usually resort to some sort of tuxedo-type outfit which keeps me warm and allows for more comfortable shoes.</p>
<p>LOL, MOWC. A few years ago a friend had a Christmas party. The day of the party there was a major cold snap. I actually made an excuse and skipped the party because I had no dressy holiday attire that would keep me warm!</p>
<ol>
<li>A great handbag!</li>
</ol>
<p>Yes, definitely! For years I carried a huge black MICROFIBER bag with everything. What was I thinking?!</p>
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<p>This is when hot flashes come in handy. ;)</p>
<p>Dark wash jeans, check. Sleeveless dress, or at least shirtdress or wrap dress, check. Fitted non-tees, check. (here if you want to update, florals are good. Think Liberty of London, they are staging a resurgence.) Jackets, check. (Over 50, I have found that cardigans start to make me look sausage-ish unless they have a waist tie or something). I think good basic jackets include leather, if you are OK with it. Little black dress equivalent, can be dark pants and a bare, embellished top, can be pencil skirt and dramatic white silk blouse. A trench coat. Shorts that you are comfortable in. Something to work out in - whatever your preferred form of movement is.</p>
<p>Over all, look to do shades of similar colors, vs. bright, contrasting colors. Again, only if you care about trends…otherwise just wear whatever the heck makes you feel pretty.</p>
<p>Then we enter the world of accessories. I am unimaginative when it comes to jewelry and scarves and will leave that to someone else. For shoes, a pair of ornamented sandals, and if you want to update for this year, oxfords. Ballet flats. And one pair of sexy pumps for dates. (Wedges are optional, but compelling:)). For a bag, again, I’m boring. I get one really good one in a color that can go with black or brown or pink and I carry it every. day. until. it. dies.</p>
<p>cbug -</p>
<p>Can you give us an idea of your taste in clothing? Is there anything about your figure that you would like to accentuate or minimize? What colors look best on you? </p>
<p>With a bit more information, we can give you lots of good advice!</p>
<p>And thanks for the wedge hints. Definitely pulled by cork or rope wedges. Must be channeling the 70s.</p>
<p>It’s so hard to give advice without any idea about what she likes or what she looks like - fashion is certainly not one size fits all. She said that she’s lost weight, so she may need advice on specific looks that enhance her new figure.</p>
<p>Dark wash jeans are an essential, but most styles are not for everyone because they can add weight to curvier figures. I’d be careful about the cut and fit - try lots of sizes and styles. Missypie suggested skinny jeans - I’m 5’7"/size six and I never wear them - they make my thighs look chunky. I like a bootcut because it balances out the thigh. So, it really depends on your particular figure and the only way to tell is to try them on.</p>
<p>Sleeveless dresses and tops will only be flattering if your arms are toned - otherwise go for a 3/4 sleeve or loose short sleeve. Lots of good fitting khakis and nice t-shirts and blouses go a long way towards a pulled together everyday, comfortable wardrobe. It’s kind of a uniform, but what’s wrong with that?</p>
<p>Generally, I suggest investing in the best neutral handbag you can afford - it will be the most important thing you buy. A well-maintained pedicure in a pretty pair of sandals can also make a big difference.</p>
<p>My J Crew shorts arrived. I like both lengths and I feel like the 5" is okay on my almost 50 yr old body. I don’t love the colors this summer.
BunsenBurner- I ordered the petite Joe’s. I want to be able to wear them with flat sandals. I was not sure if I was making a mistake. I know from my girls that the regular length high end jeans are super long. I ordered the same style that you purchased.</p>
<p>cbug: I had to completely redo my wardrobe due to weight loss. It’s kind of a hard thing to do, to get rid of all your old clothes, but that’s what you have to do. You need clothes that F-I-T. Look at Target even if you don’t normally shop there for clothes. They have a lot of cute clothes, not expensive, and it’s good to get the wardrobe revamped.</p>
<p>top 10 for your new summer wardrobe:
- cool handbag (larger size and current shape)
- white skinny jeans
- comfy black flats
- lightweight knit jacket (blazer type) with three-quarter length sleeves in neutral color
- sleeveless dress
- short-sleeved cardigan sweater (can be fitted or the kind with the drapey front)
- cute black or dark-wash denim skirt (pencil skirt shape if that looks good on you)
- knit yoga-style pants that fit and flatter you in black or dark gray
- silver jewelry (larger earrings and some necklaces that coordinate so you can wear them together)
- gladiator-style sandals or more dressy flip-flop style sandals in black, neutral beige, or muted metallic</p>
<ol>
<li>shorts that fit if you wear them</li>
<li>knit tops with U-shaped neck with little gathers or some other detailing, print or bright colors</li>
<li>white or black long cardigan sweater, lightweight</li>
</ol>
<p>Looking ahead to fall, dark-wash jeans, comfortable boots, long cardigan sweaters in warmer weight. New coats and jackets that fit.</p>
<p>Gourmet mom – Thanks for the inquiry. Here’s a little more info. I’m 5’3" and currently wear an 8 petite. I’ve lost ten lbs and hope to lose another 10. Still carrying too much weight in stomach and hips for my taste. My current dark wash jeans are quite baggy so getting ready to trade them in but unsure that the skinny jeans will work. My current ones still have a slight flare.</p>
<p>As far as my taste goes – hmmm? I used to be on top of the latest of everything. In the last 20 years – not so much. Maybe that’s the problem I don’t seem to have a particular style. I either wear my dark wash flared jeans or black trousers and a floral or patterned top. Sometimes I add a jacket. That’s it. Boring. However I did make a really fun purchase recently – a really fun pair of wedge sandals. Does this give you the info you were looking for?</p>
<p>Boots? I’ve seen quite a few mentions. I know these would be for fall but what type of boots are you referring to?</p>
<p>cbug, do you think of yourself as formal? Practical? Arty? Or, with another approach, do any of those words align with how you want to look? Are there three adjectives you could give us for the image/external and feeling/internal you’re going for?</p>
<p>so: I’m reading advice here to avoid prints. This after made myself nudge the edge of my comfort zone and bought a print sundress with a black cropped cardigan! Oh, well, I like it!</p>
<p>I add to the list: A fresh, white, button front shirt: woven (not knit). I like them to be slightly fitted and open at the neck so they have a shape. 3/4 sleeve is good for summer. When worn with jeans and shoes with some height (a canvas or linen wedge is good now; boots later), this easy combination will make many women will look pulled together. Add some jewelry, and even better.</p>
<p>LBD: I still like to have one of these. I’m glad that black isn’t forbidden for weddings anymore!</p>
<p>It sounds like the dark wash flare jeans work for you, so I’d just buy one pair in your new size to get by for now. You may need another size for fall if you continue to lose weight. Since you’re a graphic designer, perhaps a few artistic or creative accents?</p>
<p>A top like this very flattering. The mesh fabric is lightweight and comfortable. The ruched centerline makes it incredibly forgiving around the middle. You can pair it with the blue or white jeans, and black slacks. Most Nordstrom stores usually carries a variety of tops like this in a multiple colors and sleeve lengths:</p>
<p>[Classiques</a> Entier® Ruffled Tie Mesh Top - Tops - Nordstrom](<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3076881/0~2376780~6009391~6014865~6014869~6014877?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014877&P=1]Classiques”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3076881/0~2376780~6009391~6014865~6014869~6014877?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014877&P=1)</p>
<p>Milly makes lovely dresses that especially suit petites. An empire waist will glide over the stomach area. This is a pretty print:</p>
<p>[Milly</a> - Silk Paisley Sundress - Saks.com](<a href=“http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446358460&FOLDER<>folder_id=282574492708015&bmUID=1276133785159&ev19=1:32]Milly”>http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446358460&FOLDER<>folder_id=282574492708015&bmUID=1276133785159&ev19=1:32)</p>
<p>This is a cute and flattering look with white jeans or pants:</p>
<p>[Milly</a> - Floral Print Silk Blouse - Saks.com](<a href=“http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446358463&FOLDER<>folder_id=282574492708021&bmUID=1276134471099&RVL=true]Milly”>http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446358463&FOLDER<>folder_id=282574492708021&bmUID=1276134471099&RVL=true)</p>
<p>A nice neutral pant - good paired with a pastel t-shirt and a little cardigan:</p>
<p>[Women’s</a> pants - cotton & chino - Cropped seersucker zipper pant - J.Crew](<a href=“http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/pants/cottonchino/PRDOVR~25574/25574.jsp]Women’s”>http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/pants/cottonchino/PRDOVR~25574/25574.jsp)</p>
<p>I like this pant for summer because it’s not really a capri, but actually a cropped pant, which is more flattering:</p>
<p>[Women’s</a> pants - cotton & chino - Café capri - J.Crew](<a href=“http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/pants/cottonchino/PRDOVR~19962/19962.jsp]Women’s”>http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/pants/cottonchino/PRDOVR~19962/19962.jsp)</p>
<p>Mafool - I don’t avoid prints. It really depends on the print - anything garish or distracting is obviously not flattering, but if the pattern draws you in and you like it, why not?</p>
<p>I always love a crisp white shirt with jeans - look for a warm white - much more flattering for most skin tones. Again, the right shoes and handbag can really make this basic outfit pop.</p>
<p>Thank you all for the wealth of info. Alumother you asked about what I want my style to be. Definitely NOT formal. If I have to pin myself down I’d say I’m going for practical but hip with a few surprises thrown in with color and accessories.</p>
<p>bookiemom, apparently I need to go shopping! All I have from your list is:
2.White jeans (brand new, a little too long, not super skinny)
3.Black flats, a little too big, the size smaller were way too small.
5. Sleeveless dress (I got two new ones, like them both - one inspired by all the black and white dresses on this thread.)
6. Just got a short sleeved cardigan sweater, not in love with the color though! (Too pink)</p>
<p>I’d love a 3/4 sleeve blazer though - any links!? </p>
<p>I also need more tops, I have a few scoop necked plain ones. Or perhaps another one I love that is woven, but the weave is on the diagonal so its shawl neck drapes really well. I need things that are business casual, but that I can crawl under a deck or in an attic without worrying about.</p>
<p>It took me so long to post this that someone else said a nice crisp white shirt is a must. I agree. I have one from Travelsmith that I love. It looks great with jeans or chinos.</p>