08.01.07
More Fall Fashion for OC’s Women
Here’s a few more things to look for when you are planning your fall wardrobe:
Long Leather Gloves – I know here in Orange County, that we don’t need gloves, but if you find yourself in a cold city this fall, invest in a pair of long leather gloves. Find a pair of opera length leather gloves and pair them with shorter sleeved jackets and coats. You’ll be stylish and warm!
Piped Blazers – We’re bringing preppy back this fall with the return of the piped blazer. They are instant classics with contrasting trim that can be worn over a solid dress, with jeans, or dress pants. This blazer will add just the right amount of oomph.
Camel Time – There is nothing classier than a beautiful camel wool coat, fantastic bag, or great pair of loafers. This fall update your camel pieces and pair them with almost anything…especially the leopard prints I mention below.
07.23.07
Boxy Tops and Pencil Skirts for OC Women Over 40
Boxy tops and below the knee pencil skirts are all the rage right now for women over 40. It’s perfect for the end of summer and can be worn in or out of the office.
The skirts hem should just skim the bottom of the kneecap. To balance the longer length, pick a curve hugging cut; woven fabrics work well here.
Choose a top that’s structured, slightly roomy through the body, and hits at the hip; short or three quarter sleeves keep the proportions right.
For the most flattering look, definitely opt for heels. And since the feel of this outfit is so pared-down, go for simple, architectural jewelry, like a cuff and hoop earrings.
* from Lucky magazine August 2007
07.19.07
A note on Belts for OC Women
Buy great looking belts in the men’s department. They are often of better quality and have more interesting textures while being less expensive than belts in the women’s department. Many belt departments will cut the size down for you for no charge. Or take it to your favorite shoe repair person. (I have an amazing guy in Fullerton). You want the belt to fit you comfortably with the notch resting in the third hole of a five hole belt.
This was taken from Brenda Kinsel’s book 40 Over 40.
07.05.07
Summer Sandals in the OC
I know living in Orange County we can all get a little lazy when it comes to wearing flip flops everyday in the summer time. I am guilty of this all too often myself. This summer I am really trying not to wear them everyday. They are fine if you are going to the beach or heading to the pool or at a VERY casual occasion. But the reality is, there are so many cute, dressier, flat, comfy sandals that you could wear just as easily. Invest in a couple pair of these. Wear them with your sun dresses, skirts, linen pants, or jeans and you will look much more put together and little less beach bum.
06.28.07
Baby Boomer Beach Attire
I realize I’m talking about the beach, bathing suits, and beach attire a fair amount, but it is summer and I am in the south of France, so it just seems so appropriate. I also know that most women over 50 dread the thought of getting in a bathing suit or exposing their arms in summer dresses or tops. Fear not!
There are so many cute sundresses, skirts, and tank tops on the market right now to accomodate all body shapes and sizes. They can all be used or adapted to look fabulous on you.
I don’t know about you, but I find that a lot of sundresses and beach attire are see through. I fought it for ages trying to wear modest underwear or slips, but the reality is, when it’s hot you don’t want to be wearing a slip! My theory is just wear your bathing suit under these dresses if you are in a beach or pool environment. Then it doesn’t matter if your straps stick out or if your bathing suit can be slightly seen underneath. It actually can look a little sexy. It’s a nice solution to the battle of the slip.
This obviously doesn’t work for every situation, but for a casual beach or pool scene, it’s perfect.
06.26.07
Great Women’s Quotes
Here are a few great quotes I came across in the last book I read. Some of them apply to fashion, but many are just general quotes to apply to your life. Enjoy!
“If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun” – Katharine Hepburn
“You can have it all. You just can’t have it all at one time.” – Oprah Winfrey
“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.”
- Eleanor Roosevelt
“A good goal is like a strenuous exercise – it makes you stretch.” – Mary Kay Ash
“Thoughts are energy, and you can make your world or break your world by your thinking.”
- Susan Taylor
06.18.07
The Importance of Having Basics in Your Wardrobe for Baby Boomers
One of the best pieces of advice I could give any baby boomer woman, or any woman for that matter, who is looking to update her wardrobe is to make sure you have lots of basic tops and tanks. Make sure you own black, white, cream, and beige short sleeve tees and tanks. You should have at least two of each color and style. I cannot tell you how much you will wear these.
Layering solid colored tees and tanks under lower cut tops or dresses allows you to look on trend, but keeps your cleavage or arms covered to make you feel more comfortable. You can also layer these under funky blazers and jackets to look instantly updated. When you wear something that is more modern or trendy, pair it with one of your solid colored tops so that they are not competing and so you don’t look like you are trying too hard to be young! I want you to look chic and modern without looking like you are trying to compete with every 18 year old out there.
Find solid tops that fit you well and buy lots of them! Most are cotton, so they need to be replaced every season or so, as they get fadded or worn out easily. Keep a constant rotation of these in your closet. When winter rolls around, substitue long sleeved tops in place of the tanks.
06.14.07
Prints Charming – The Trick to Putting Prints Together
I’m often asked by my clients if it is possible to wear two different prints together at the same time. The answer is yes, but there are a couple rules that you need to follow.
1) There needs to be a common color base. You don’t want to wear a red, white, and blue stars and stripes with an army green, beige, and brown floral skirt. Stay in the same families or tones of a color.
2) The scale of the patterns can’t be the same. One pattern needs to be more dominant. Giant orange and white checks with a bold orange and pumpkin paisley wouldn’t work. However, the orange and pumpkin paisley could work well with a cream scarf that has a faint orange pin stripe. The paisley would not have to compete with the scarf and the look would work.
More tips next time!
06.11.07
Packing for a Vacation
I’m leaving for a month long vacation on Friday and I was starting to think about what I would bring. I have travelled a lot, so I have got this packing thing down pretty well. I’m not the type that plans for weeks what I’ll bring.
The key to not over packing is to make sure that every piece of clothing you bring serves more than one purpose. Don’t pack an entire outfit that doesn’t match anything else you are bringing…it limits your choices. I tend to like skirts and tops for warm places because skirts can be dressed up or down. You can wear the same skirt to the beach with a tank top and flip flops that you can wear out to dinner with a nicer top, blazer, and strappy sandals. The tops that you bring for your skirts can also be worn with your jeans, linen pants, and other skirts of the same color combinations.
Here’s an example of what I’ll be bringing with me…keep in mind we will be at the beach for a month:
1 pair of jeans
4 skirts
8 tops
3 sundresses that can be dressed up or down
2 cardigan sweaters
3 bathing suits
2 pair of pajamas
2 work out outfits
1 pair of beach flip flops
1 pair of dressier sandals
1 pair of running shoes
All of the clothes that I’m bringing can be mixed and matched with each other to give me countless outfits. Packing like this will mean I will be covered for any type of situation. I can’t wait to get there!
06.09.07
Women Helping Women
I had the great pleasure of sitting next to Jeanne Flint, the executive director of Women Helping Women at an event last week. She truly is an amazing person and the work that her non profit does to help women reenter the work force is phenomenal.
After a follow up meeting, I have decided to incorporate her organization into my business by donating all of the clothing that my clients get rid of to her group. I will also be giving a few workshops throughout the year to her staff and her clients about dressing for success.
I urge you to donate your clothes as well instead of taking them to the Good Will yourself. Even if the clothes you are tossing are not in good shape and you think no one will be able to wear them to an interview, give them to Women Helping Women anyways. They have a system set up with the Good Will where they get Good Will vouchers for all clothing that they donate. They can then “buy” clothes that their women will be able to use.
Not only do they help women find professional clothes, they offer career advice, computer training, a computer lab, etc. I strongly suggest you check out what this amazing woman and her organization are doing to help our society. I wish we could all be more like them.
