<p>That’s a pretty good guide that’s inclusive of both work and casual wear, though it totally ignores the issue of dressing for one’s shape. A lot of women should not wear cropped anything. For me, I’d add a white button down or wrap blouse, pull over sweaters in cashmere or merino wool, scarves to accessorize and boots tall and short. Otherwise it pretty much sizes up how most people I know dress these days.</p>
<p>I have the jeans, but don’t like the white jeans for various reasons and rarely wear them. I keep messing up with the black pants - I have one pair that’s too short and another that’s too low rise. Still need a better pair. Don’t have a short black jacket - I’d like to see a picture of what they have in mind. Don’t own a pencil skirt - rarely wear skirts. I have a lot of cardigans - the tight ones were bought this summer, but you can’t really wear them over longer sleeved tees and I get cold with a tank top + sweater. (I pay for my heat and I am not turning it up!) I have a bunch in more jacket-y styles. Don’t own a black leather jacket - my Mom did give me a brown belted jacket (not cropped) for my birthday though. I wear tank tops in the summer, but not in winter (see above). Dresses? Who wears dresses? I have a black dress I wear to fancy parties and a brown one with sparkles that’s gone to a couple of weddings and grad school parties.</p>
<p>I am lusting after something new to wear to my brother’s New Years Eve dance. Needs to have a good swirly skirt. The invitation states “medals shall be worn” which apparently is diplomat speak for get out your fanciest togs, but this being NH you get everything - including plenty of people digging out their running medals! Ideally I’d just get a new top I have a black taffeta flared skirt with laser cutouts and black beading that is great for dancing. Maybe a red sparkly top? Any ideas? Not too pricey! Remember I’m a cheapskate. :)</p>
<p>Gufferman’s guidelines contain too much black for me. I find in my fifties that I do better with richer colors. Black feels harsh and also shows all of my jack russell’s white hairs!</p>
<p>Mathmom, I want to come to the dance party with medals!! Looking forward to what Bunsen and Gourmet and Alumother come up with for you.</p>
<p>Interesting on the black, sewhappy. I was about to post to mathmom that I, personally, prefer a white or black top with a black skirt. Mathmom: that skirt sounds beautiful! I am interested in the other opinions, too!</p>
<p>I used to not wear black. Now I pretty much only wear black, charcoal, gray, ivory, white. The difference = hair color. I am now getting very close to white 
and like the contrast.</p>
<p>We have had a couple of very dressy parties, a couple of more casual open houses, and now I am trying to pick out the appropriate outfit for a holiday pig picking. If I owned the items on that list, I would be good to go. :)</p>
<p>my vote with the beautiful black taffeta skirt = short and fitted black velvet top
:)</p>
<p>That sounds good alh & some swingy sparkly earrings,</p>
<p>and a hat?
<a href=“http://www.flashingblinkylights.com/shinysilverfedorahatswithflashinglights-p-2517.html?osCsid=5557qd54fjjh0fupuvgkvtf8q1[/url]”>http://www.flashingblinkylights.com/shinysilverfedorahatswithflashinglights-p-2517.html?osCsid=5557qd54fjjh0fupuvgkvtf8q1</a></p>
<p>[Montaigne</a> Market | Alexander McQueen black velvet officers jacket](<a href=“http://www.montaignemarket.com/EN_2593_Clothing_Jacket_Alexander-McQueen_Alexander-McQueen-black-velvet-officers-jacket.html]Montaigne”>http://www.montaignemarket.com/EN_2593_Clothing_Jacket_Alexander-McQueen_Alexander-McQueen-black-velvet-officers-jacket.html)</p>
<p>[Rick</a> Owens|Velvet jacket|NET-A-PORTER.COM](<a href=“http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/165311?cm_mmc=LinkshareUS-_-Custom-_-Link-_-Builder&siteID=Hy3bqNL2jtQ-Pwr66V5YD77nNFwJmxRA6w]Rick”>http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/165311?cm_mmc=LinkshareUS-_-Custom-_-Link-_-Builder&siteID=Hy3bqNL2jtQ-Pwr66V5YD77nNFwJmxRA6w)</p>
<p>[Women’s</a> apparel, accessories, and footwear from J. Jill](<a href=“http://www.jjill.com/jjillonline/product/itempage.aspx?BID=127070382&item=JO057G&h=M&sk=M&ac=search]Women’s”>http://www.jjill.com/jjillonline/product/itempage.aspx?BID=127070382&item=JO057G&h=M&sk=M&ac=search)</p>
<p>[Lauren</a> by Ralph Lauren Velvet Ruffle Jacket | Dillards.com](<a href=“Access Denied”>Access Denied)</p>
<p>I can’t find something very plain :(</p>
<p>These may be too girly for you</p>
<p>I think you can usually find this look at the discount stores</p>
<p>edit: or a plain white gap tee, with your beautiful jewelry (Sharon Stone)</p>
<p>edit: I love this dress for the holidays</p>
<p><a href=“HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. and World News | HuffPost”>HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. and World News | HuffPost;
<p>okay - now I will let someone else have a turn. :)</p>
<p>I like those Jackets (well not the J Jill which seems too shapeless), I tend to get hot though, so I think I need something with shorter sleeves.</p>
<p>EK, LOVE the hat! I am sooo tempted!</p>
<p>Have been noodling over Mathmom’s dance party. I could see three different looks. Full skirt and fun top with sparkly flats probably. Or a dress with full skirt. Or a body hugging sheath dress with lycra to give you room to own the dance floor.</p>
<p>Maybe start with what shoes and build from there?</p>
<p>I’m going to neighborhood open house this weekend. Ladies I walk with said sparkly tops and black pants are the usual. I hate black pants and sparkles . . .</p>
<p>When I go to something dressy I have found of late that I don’t like to be sleeveless (arms are think but always pale and just nothing to write home about) and I don’t like it too short (that’s for the young folk) and not too plunging in the neckline. I also like to be comfortable. So this grabs me, Mathmom. I think it would cool on the dance floor!
<a href=“http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/bcbgmaxazria-stretch-sequin-dress?ID=569093&CategoryID=21683&LinkType=#fn=DRESS_OCCASION%3DParty%26spp%3D58%26ppp%3D96%26sp%3D5%26rid%3D37[/url]”>http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/bcbgmaxazria-stretch-sequin-dress?ID=569093&CategoryID=21683&LinkType=#fn=DRESS_OCCASION%3DParty%26spp%3D58%26ppp%3D96%26sp%3D5%26rid%3D37</a></p>
<p>Some more holiday looks</p>
<p>[Cynthia</a> Ashby - Collections - Holiday2011](<a href=“http://www.cynthiaashby.com/collections/holiday-2011/]Cynthia”>http://www.cynthiaashby.com/collections/holiday-2011/)</p>
<p>I wore something like this to dance, but the dress in black silk, the under pieces in striped silk</p>
<p>[Full</a> Dress](<a href=“http://www.bluepolly.com/catalog/popup_image.php?pID=205]Full”>http://www.bluepolly.com/catalog/popup_image.php?pID=205)</p>
<p>Interesting list @5399. </p>
<p>It is easy for them to suggest buying a cardi a size or two smaller than usual, but what is one to do if one’s normal size is S or XS? I’m more of a jacket/blazer person anyway. . . </p>
<p>I’m looking for suggestions on where to buy Petite-sized short/cropped fitted jackets in a true size 4P or a 2P if sizing is inflated. Long jackets make my short legs look even shorter, esp. if the jacket is worn with a skirt or dress, not that I ever wear those things.</p>
<p>I keep reading that wrap dresses are so wonderful and flattering – but they have always looked terrible on me, even when I was in my twenties. Is it because I have narrowish non-square shoulders? They have always made me look dumpy. Sheath dresses and anything structured have generally been much more flattering – so jackets instead of cardigans.</p>
<p>I’ve started to wear my vintage (purchased 30+ yr ago) short, fitted, black leather jacket. The lining is in shreds, however. I think I will try to repair it, and if that doesn’t hold up, then I will try to replace it with fabric of higher quality, maybe purple or red instead of boring black.</p>
<p>I am going to a holiday party tonight with a real dressing young crowd.
I am not really looking forward to it.
I am not 100% sure what I am wearing but it will probably be these jeans
[Citizens</a> of Humanity ‘Amber’ Mid-Rise Boot-Cut Jeans (Faith Wash) | Nordstrom](<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/citizens-of-humanity-amber-mid-rise-boot-cut-jeans-faith-wash/3229754?origin=related-3229754-0-0-1-1]Citizens”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/citizens-of-humanity-amber-mid-rise-boot-cut-jeans-faith-wash/3229754?origin=related-3229754-0-0-1-1)
with these boots
[Stuart</a> Weitzman Inlet - Zappos.com Free Shipping BOTH Ways](<a href=“Stuart weitzman inlet stuart + FREE SHIPPING | Zappos.com”>No results for Stuart weitzman inlet | Zappos.com)
Not sure what top I will wear yet. Considering a deep burgandy red cashmere hoodie I got at Costco or my sheer sleeveless top I bought last week at Macys.
This is a very young dressing crowd. No christmas sweaters will be found.</p>
<p>Very nice jeans and boots, mom60. I love Stuart Weitzman shoes. Maybe instead of a hoodie something three quarter length in the sleeves with a bracelet or pretty watch?</p>
<p>CCsiteObsessed, I wasn’t going to post this but I found the big urging to load up on cardigans kind of off. Women who are getting some age under their belt are, in general, not hugely big on their throat area. Also the upper chest can have sun damage (raises hand). Most cardigans tend to be worn with tees or camis, meaning this whole zone of our anatomy is laid out there. Now if you pair the cardigan with a silky, ruffly blouse then that can be great, lots of soft color and lines around the jawline and neck.</p>
<p>I think the cardigan is very much a 20-something or 30-something item in general, personally.</p>
<p>Think of Diane Keaton. She has long favored turtlenecks and high necked blouses and jackets. That’s because they are flattering on older women.</p>
<p>Some of us have long necks and look like giraffes in turtlenecks. Really, this boils down to each woman’s particular shape, etc. I’m very pale and have always stayed out of the sun, so my neck/upper chest is actually one of my best features. Unlike Nora Ephron, I feel good about my neck. :)</p>
<p>This is a very young dressing crowd. No christmas sweaters will be found.
I actually think thats who wears those sweaters/</p>
<p>[Holiday</a> Sweaters: The Search for Hipster Santa - YouTube](<a href=“Holiday Sweaters: The Search for Hipster Santa - YouTube”>Holiday Sweaters: The Search for Hipster Santa - YouTube)</p>
<p>Sewhappy, I like that dress, but I really like to have my skirt whip around when I jitterbug. I need something more 50s in shape if I get a new dress. I like the idea of a velvet top but the designer discount store in town is closing shop - checked it out today and the pickings were slim. I got a stretchy off white lace top that would do in a pinch. They had velvet shrugs but I hated them. So will keep looking. Maybe a trip to Lord and Taylor’s tomorrow to see what’s in the party section.</p>
<p>mathmom: I like that 50s shape/look very much, but don’t think it is easy to find. :(</p>
<p>[Metallic</a> Jacket Dress](<a href=“http://www.lordandtaylor.com/eng/womensapparel-dresses-shortcocktail-Metallic_Jacket_Dress-lordandtaylor/174865]Metallic”>http://www.lordandtaylor.com/eng/womensapparel-dresses-shortcocktail-Metallic_Jacket_Dress-lordandtaylor/174865)</p>
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<hr>
<p>I emphatically agree with everyone who has pointed out the same clothing rules don’t work for all women :)</p>
<p>CCSiteobsessed: Do you try shopping in the girls dept? Or the boys dept?</p>
<p>Mathmom,</p>
<p>I’m living vicariously – would SO like to go to a holiday gig with dancing.</p>
<p>Anyway, this Lauren dress is really nice. I tried it on just for fun the other day. Currently 30 percent off and of course no need for jacket or blouse. I really liked the back on it.</p>
<p>[Lauren</a> by Ralph Lauren Dress V Neck Wrap Dress - Lauren by Ralph Lauren - Designer Shops - Women’s - Bloomingdale’s](<a href=“http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/lauren-by-ralph-lauren-dress-v-neck-wrap-dress?ID=574906&CategoryID=21683&LinkType=#fn%3Dspp%3D4]Lauren”>http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/lauren-by-ralph-lauren-dress-v-neck-wrap-dress?ID=574906&CategoryID=21683&LinkType=#fn%3Dspp%3D4)</p>
<p>Sewhappy, get dressed and you and I can go together to our vicarious party. I mentioned on weight loss thread that I am otherwise occupied, so my entertainment will be this forum. </p>
<p>Mathmom - love the description of your skirt. I would end up buying some kind of white blouse, fitted, taffeta with great crisp collar and multi-strand pearls. Nice textured stockings and heels. But then I do love black and white. </p>
<p>This was yesterday’s go to informal but important business lunch + take mom to doctor’s look:</p>
<p>dark wash jeans, black boots, black turtleneck, pearl stretch bracelets, jacket</p>
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<p>So - disregard my advice if black and white is not your thing :)</p>