Pick of the Day: Evan Picone Blazers Under $100

Every so often I see a garment (or two) on sale that I’m desperate to tell you about. Minutes ago, I was on the Bealls Department Store site and saw these two Evan Picone blazers. Many years ago, I had a beautiful Evan Picone suit that I adored. These jackets look like great buys. The Evan Picone Basket Weave Jacket above is regularly $129, but has been reduced to $90.30. I love the round collar and the bits of color in the weave. And the Evan Picone Herringbone Lapel Suit Jacket below usually sells for $119, but is on sale for $83.30. What I love best about these jackets is that they have classic styling, which means you'll be able to wear them for a long time. Click on the photos for details. Enough said.

Poncho Power: The Cozy, Warm Alternative for Fall

Quick! What’s the difference between a poncho and a cape? And which do you think the garment above is? When I think of a poncho, I picture a large piece of fabric with an opening in the center for the head. I also think of it as a garment traditionally worn Native North and South Americans. Whereas, a cape is a garment that wraps around the body, opens down the front and fastens at the neck. I equate the cape with European culture (think: Musketeers and Matadors). So which is the outer garment above? It has an opening for the head like a poncho, but the side slits and even hem remind me of a cape. The clothing company calls it a cashmere cape. Is that what you guessed? Apparently, the fashion world is less concerned with the finer points of ponchos vs. capes, and more concerned with creating unique outwear. The result is often a lovely hybrid of the two garments.

WHY A PONCHO OR CAPE?
Ponchos and capes are great choice for true fall weather--those not-too-hot-and-not-too-cold days, when you need something cozy warm, but aren't ready for a heavy winter coat. The right poncho or cape gives the over 50 woman loads of style without a lot of effort. You can throw a poncho or cape over just about anything, and be out the door. Who knows what lurks beneath that poncho. A ratty T-shirt? A pajama top, perhaps?

Here's another garment that defies the traditional definition of a poncho. I love the cowl neck.



DKNY Pure DKNY Turtleneck Poncho ($525)

STYLING THE PONCHO OR CAPE
The last thing I want is a poncho that looks like a tent or mushroom cap. Instead, I like the knitted ponchos and capes that drape over the body, hanging close to the frame. I also gravitate towards a garment with a pointy hem rather than a straight hem all around. A long hem point in front makes my silhouette look longer, slimmer. A stylish fall poncho or cape like the one below can take you from the Saturday afternoon football game to dinner with friends at a nice restaurant.



Cape ($329)


And don’t forget the bulk distribution rule: If the garment you wear on top is bulky or loose, keep your bottom-half structured. In other words, a loose poncho or cape should be paired with a straight skirt, straight pants or jeans, or leggings.



Madewell Aimee Striped Poncho ($278)


PONCHO SHAWLS
Not convinced that a poncho or cape is right for you? You might want to experiment with a reasonably-priced, pretty shawl first. Unlike a poncho and cape, which are hands-free, you might have to adjust the shawl now and then to keep it from falling off your shoulders. Still, it's a cozy, stylish alternative.



Spun Scarves Plaid Poncho Scarf ($95)





Spun Scarves Stripe Arizona Poncho Shawl ($60)

Holiday Tops: Marvelous Metallics

This weekend I started phoning family members, immediate and extended, to find out their plans for the holidays--Thanksgiving and Christmas. "But it's only Columbus Day!" you wisely point out. I know, I know. Like most families, ours keeps growing. These years, it takes till mid-November to get everyone to declare their holiday plans. I made a few phone calls to get the process started. If I didn't know better, I'd say the phone calls have put me in a holiday mood, because I'm suddenly noticing lots of lovely party tops online, like the Anne Klein Sleeveless Cross Drape Blouse, Ships 11/11 (Blue) ($275) at the top of this post. Low draped blouses are some of my favorite tops for women over 50. They're so sexy and sophisticated. I'm also loving the tops, tunics and jackets with trendy metallic styling this season. I don't have anything metallic in my closet. I'm thinking a metallic top, like the Jones New York Sleeveless Cowl Neck Shell, ($89) below, might look great with my black lace skirt. I'm all for saving money by building on what's already in my wardrobe--especially at this high-spending time of year.






Are you a tunic lover? Take a peek at this Jones New York Long Sleeve Embellished Tunic Blouse, ($109).






And here's an absolutely gorgeous metallic jacket. I love the way it's styled with the black top and slacks--so slimming.





Jones New York Metallic Collarless Jacket, ($239)



Even man-tailored shirts are appearing in metallic fabrics, like this Elizabeth and James Lauren Metallic Blouse ($295)





And here's a beautiful purple silk tunic from Pure Collection. You're probably wondering why I've included the Longline-Silk-Tunic ($118) in a blog on metallic tops. Well, the top is available in Pewter--a silky-shiny metallic gray.

Huff Post Launches Over 50 Site

Have you heard about the Huffington Post’s latest microsite, HuffPost/50? It’s directed at us—the over 50 set—and has Rita Wilson, 54, as its editor-at-large. Currently, the site has posts on a variety of over 50 issues, from news on health and lifestyle to over 50 celebrities and finance news. Post titles include:

• “Our Bodies, Our Selves” turns 40

• Arianna, Rita Wilson and Joy Behar Talk Sex After 50

• 10 Tips for Bloggers Over 50

• Are You Next In Line for Alzheimer’s Disease?

• To Thine Own Self be True—And other Eternal Truths

• How do You Make 90 a Better 90 for Our parents?

I’ve only had time to read a few of the posts. In her predictably upbeat welcoming post, Rita Wilson suggests that “our parents were winding down at middle age; we are winding up” and “for us, there's so much to do, so little time.” It looks like she’s drawn some criticism in the post’s comments from people who are over 50 and having a tough time. My feeling: Life is tough—we all have stories. But if you let it defeat you, what’s left?

I also checked out To Thine Own Self be True—And other Eternal Truths because it’s written by Christiane Amanpour. I saw Christiane speak at the More Magazine “Reinvention Convention” last fall and thought she was fabulous—smart, good humored, realistic. I like her rambling post, especially when she says, “Make sure to maintain the purpose and sense of mission. That is an eternal truth, but the older I get, the more urgent it becomes.” She's talking about her career, but it’s the philosophy that guides everything in my life. These days, an important mission for me is to slow down the “hands of time” by trying to make each day somehow a little unique. It’s usually not huge—the week before last, my parents and I took wine and cheese to the beach and watched the sunset; I can’t tell you the last time I did that—just something that will make that day a little more memorable, different from the day before.

Finally, I had to check out 10 Tips for Bloggers Over 50 by Carolyn Esply-Miller. Carolyn writes a lifestyle blog called Slim Paley. It has gorgeous photography—check it out. Unfortunately, if you’re an over 50 blogger looking for sage advice, you won’t find it in this “10 Tips” post. The post is very cute, but not particularly informative.

Anyway.

It's always nice to see new interest in over 50 women. I plan to bookmark this site and check in every so often to see what’s up.

Style Over 50: Revved on Reptile Belts and Scarves

I got this picture message from my husband this weekend. He bumped into this handsome fellow (madame?) while communing with Nature. I had to laugh; I hadn't told my husband I was blogging about reptile prints in a big way lately. This is the fourth (and final, I promise) installment of my animal prints for women over 50. In case you're just tuning in, I've covered animal tops, shoes and handbags already. This post focuses on online belts and scarves. If you've been on the fence about animal prints, belts and scarves are a great way to try this fun trend.

But before I start in with the belts and scarves, I had to share these Nine West® Zebra Temple Sunglasses (was $40, now $28) with you. Aren't they fabulous!?! They make me want to grab a head scarf and hop into a convertible for a ride in the countryside.




SNAKES ON A BELT
Here's a sample of the online animal print belts. I'm loving all the thin reptile belts.



Mock-Reptile-Leather-Belt (was $68, now $54.40)



W-SLITHR - NATURAL MULTI ($28)



WLEOTWO - LEOPARD MULTI ($28)



AK Anne Klein Faux Animal Print Skinny Belt (was $45.00, now $29.99) in Sizes S and M.


SCARVES
This weekend turned chilly and I pulled all my scarves out of storage. I've worn a long scarf everyday for the past 4 days. A long, thin scarf gives the illusion of a little extra length and thinness to your silhouette. It may only make a slight difference, but I'll take it.



Ultrafine-Printed-Stole (was $138, now $110.40) in 100% cashmere.





Treska Fall Leopard Oblong Scarf (was $30, now $21)





Bay Studio Swirl Zebra Gauze Scarf (was $20, now $14)





Bay Studio Giraffe Print Gauze Scarf (was $20, now $14)





Bay Studio Ombre Leopard Print Gauze Scarf (was $20, now $14)






And I'll leave those of you who can't get enough animal print accessories with this:



Old Navy Women's Printed Umbrellas ($10)