<p>One more thing. I’m looking for a “practical but hip” fashion mag to use for guidance. Vogue is too edgy for me. I think InStyle is the closest I can think of but even that can seem pretty unrealistic for me sometimes. Is there a magazine out there that caters more to the average American women?</p>
<p>I like Lucky magazine. Also InStyle.</p>
<p>OK, here’s my shot at a top 10 list (for summer):</p>
<ol>
<li><p>a floaty dress like this: [Banded</a> Knit Dress - Garnet Hill](<a href=“http://www.garnethill.com/banded-knit-dress/144444]Banded”>http://www.garnethill.com/banded-knit-dress/144444)
could be dressed up or down, depending on jewelry and shoes.</p></li>
<li><p>tank tops – experiment with which cut is most flattering</p></li>
<li><p>lightweight cardigan to wear over tank tops, not too long, slim fitting especially in the arms but in a drapey knit so it doesn’t cling.</p></li>
<li><p>jersey skirt, about knee length, maybe A-line or tulip shape, no gathers at waist</p></li>
<li><p>“boyfriend” jeans, I love them – but not with all the fake distressed look. Just straightforward, comfortable yet flattering</p></li>
<li><p>Platform sandals, chunky wedge type</p></li>
<li><p>Ballet flats or converse sneakers in a bright color</p></li>
<li><p>A really great hippie necklace to wear with #1! I’m thinking chunks of coral or turquoise.</p></li>
<li><p>A shawl for when you want a change from the ol’ cardigan. Would also work with #1 because it would be hard with those sleeves to wear a cardigan gracefully.</p></li>
<li><p>A really cute hat: maybe one of those straw hats with the narrow brim and a striped ribbon?</p></li>
<li><p>(Why stop at 10?) A pair of linen pants – high waisted (or not) and loose and long. I found a pair of “sailor pants” in a stone linen – very flattering, esp with those wedge sandals!</p></li>
<li><p>(Why stop at 11?) A very thin cotton white long-sleeved button shirt to wear over a tank, tied at the waist, with #11. I guarantee if you find a simple one you love, you will wear it constantly. You want a plain one in the softest material – harder to find than you’d think. I like it soft rather than “crisp”, but go with your taste.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>These will definitely make you feel young (in comparison, I mean)!</p>
<p>[Oldest</a> leather shoe steps out after 5,500 years - Yahoo! News](<a href=“http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100609/ap_on_sc/us_sci_old_shoe]Oldest”>http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100609/ap_on_sc/us_sci_old_shoe)</p>
<p>I just got an incredible buy at a local boutique on this Elizabeth and James three quarter ruched sleeve blazer - it’s perfect for spring but will go straight through summer and into fall. It fit off the rack perfectly, which is unusual for me in a blazer. Goes with everything. </p>
<p>[Elizabeth</a> and James - Resort Blazer - Saks.com](<a href=“http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446243249&afsrc=1&site_refer=GGLBASE001&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=ParentItem0478508337971]Elizabeth”>http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524446243249&afsrc=1&site_refer=GGLBASE001&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=ParentItem0478508337971)</p>
<p>Gourmetmom, . I have the Nordstrom Classiques Entier blouses you linked ( in a different pattern) and the J. Crew crop pants. Both are very practical pieces that go with everything. </p>
<p>For fashion advice check out Style Evolution by Kendall Farr. I’ve recommended it here before - a great guide for women over 40 who want to look young but not like they stepped out of their teenager’s closet. It’s a great resource and she gives advice and names of brands and styles to suit various figure types.</p>
<p>mousegray, Now that is retro!</p>
<p>It’s all about your shape. Please, please do not buy skinny jeans if you carry extra weight in your thighs. Looser fitting pants will be way more flattering! Floaty and the popular maxi dresses look good on the longer and slimmer. Fitted can look much better on the more curvy. There is no one list for all.</p>
<p>mathmom: here is the link to the knit blazer I have in gray. It’s by DKNY Jeans and I got it at Nordstrom Rack. It is so comfortable and flattering; I’ve been wearing it a lot. It’s still available and is on sale. I think this will also look good in the fall.</p>
<p>[DKNY.com:</a> Blazer w/ Rolled Cuffs](<a href=“http://www.dkny.com/nshop/product.php?view=detail&productid=DY-KCMUT044&startColor=079§ion=jeans&category=womens&subcategory=womens&groupName=DKNYJeansWJacketsOuterwear]DKNY.com:”>http://www.dkny.com/nshop/product.php?view=detail&productid=DY-KCMUT044&startColor=079§ion=jeans&category=womens&subcategory=womens&groupName=DKNYJeansWJacketsOuterwear)</p>
<p>I apologize if this has been covered but i just can’t go back and read the whole thread. I keep seeing the cutest combinations of ankle or mid calf length leggings with a long, blousy top or dress. How do we feel about this look for those of us in our late forties. I went to JJIll one day and the sales lady was all over that look for me. When I mentioned it to my two Ds they said “No, mom!” Some of the other teachers at my school wear it but they are a few years younger. I’m attracted to the comfort.</p>
<p>I know several women (40-50) who wear cropped leggings and tunics or short dresses, and they all put a great deal of effort into their clothes. This is a look one either loves or hates. </p>
<p>When I spot someone dressed this way, I always notice that as my eye moves up their body, I expect to see a young face, and when I see an older face, it’s rather disconcerting. </p>
<p>Remember the old adage, if you’re old enough to have worn it the first time, you’re probably too old to wear it the second time.</p>
<p>EPTR, my opinion would be depending on where you are planning to wear it. At work? Maybe not so much. Casually out shopping or someplace light and fun - why not if you like the look and can carry it off the rest of the way (age appropriate shoes, up to date high style, accessories, etc.)</p>
<p>I agree with Gourmetmom. I only know one mom who wears that look successfully, and she is petite and has a very slim, boyish body. The outfit makes her look younger (she also has a youthful face for her age) whereas on most people I find it aging.</p>
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<p>Ha, roshke, I was thinking the same thing myself! Even the platform sandals are from the same company from the 70’s – I think they’re making a comeback. Actually, clothes today are pretty similar in cut and silhouette to 70’s fashion, think of the wrap dress. A lot of it is pretty flattering for all types of bodies. For example: pants. I was walking behind two women my age, one had on a pair of pants that were from 5-10 years ago. You know, pleats, baggy through the thigh, narrowing to the ankles. It immediately dated and aged her, not to mention how frumpy they made her look. If that look ever comes back, I’m not gonna buy it!</p>
<p>Re leggings and top, you might be able to get away with it if the top has no gathering or smock-type shape. If it’s a clean narrow tunic, it could look elegant. But I agree, it’s best for the lean, narrow body type. Or girls, the younger the better. I remember dressing my 3 year old like that.</p>
<p>I think it also depends on what kind of work you do. My friend is a pre-K teacher and she has worn the legging and top look. It allows her to get down on the floor with the kids.
I also have a friend who is 55 with speckled grey curly hair and tall,lean and very long legs. She tends to dress young but the look works well for her.
Standing in front of me yesterday in line was a petite woman with white leggings, gold flat sandals, longer white tunic T with a wide leather belt at the hips. It looked great from behind. When she turned and she was over 50 it no longer looked as good. I think if the whole outfit was black it might have been more age appropriate. She had the body but the face was old.</p>
<p>I was just at an event where there were lots of moms of HS aged girls. It seemed like 3/4 of them had very sad looking bustlines. I want to amended the list to add as Number One a shapely, supportive, well-fitting bra. The sad bustlines I saw were not just among the ladies with larger girls…the ladies were all shapes and sizes…they just were all in the wrong bra.</p>
<p>mousegray - LOL, I was really referring to the 5500 year old shoes, but I agree about the 70s comeback!</p>
<p>I don’t wear leggings, but I think women our age can wear them in some situations. Here’s a quote I just found from an interview done last year with the style maven I just mentioned ( I googled Kendall Farr, leggings) -and she’s known for being pretty tough minded on what looks inappropriately “young.” </p>
<p>BTW she has a very nice fashion blog for anyone who is interested. I can’t link to it here, but it’s easy to find. </p>
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</p>
<p>OK…it’s off topic because she’s 33…but did anyone see this story of the banker fired because she was voluptuous and didn’t dress to hide it? Wow, I saw some of the pics in the original Village Voice article and they’re crazy… I think she’s trying to launch a modeling career. Anyway, surely an example of how NOT to dress at work…no matter what age you are.
[?Too</a> Hot? Banker No Match for Sex-Suit Pioneers: Susan Antilla - Bloomberg.com](<a href=“Bloomberg - Are you a robot?”>Bloomberg - Are you a robot?)</p>
<p>I have a client that dresses a lot like the Citibank employee. (It must have happened around here because she’s been on our local news.) No matter what I wear I always look like a Pilgrim compared to this client.</p>
<p>^^^ A pilgrim is better than a red-hot siren in the workplace!
BTW, the women worked in the Chrysler Building in NY.</p>
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<p>I’ll accept my role and she can accept hers. As the lawyer, yes, pilgrim works better. But my curvy client is an office leasing agent, and the red-hot siren look works well for her in the male dominated world of real estate!</p>
<p>Okay, if she was in NYC, what was our local news crew doing interviewing her? Did the guys in the newsroom hear “woman who dresses too sexy” and hop the next plane for New York?!</p>