Style Over 50: Great Lace Tops and Skirts

Every year, around the 15th of December, I start wondering what I'm going to wear for New Year's Eve. It's like clockwork. My gift buying is more or less complete, except for one or two things for my boys, who I have to beg to give me gift ideas (as opposed to long ago when they were little and gleefully presented their lists for Santa right after Halloween!). Coincidentally, I'm usually bombarded with store and online savings coupons the week before Christmas. It's not hard to find something special--glittery or sequined or velvety--for the final party of the year. However, these garments tend to be expensive. I don't mind splurging on something I will wear a lot, but other than New Year's Eve, I don't have much occasion for glittery. Plus, glitter after 50 can be a little tricky. I love a bit of sparkle, but too much can make any women (old or young) look like a tinseled homecoming float. (Well, maybe that's a slight exaggeration.) My easy solution for women over 50: Lovely, subtle, versatile lace tops and skirts.

Lace hits all my over 50 style goals: it's elegant, sophisticated, feminine, and flattering. With so many lace choices--tops, bottoms, dresses, scarves and more--it's hard to imagine what woman wouldn't be flattered by a little lace in her wardrobe. Moreover, lace is extremely versatile. I've had the lace skirt (above) for years and am still finding new ways to style it for special occasions. For example, I've styled my lace skirt with a Chinese-style embroidered silk top (below) from Anne Taylor for a winter evening wedding or a long charcoal sweater and leather booties for dinner with friends. My latest styling obsession is lace and leather--a lace top with a leather skirt or a leather jacket with a lace skirt. Like glitter and sequined garments, quality lace tops and bottoms can be expensive. But as the following sample shows, you'll find a range of prices online, especially if you catch them on sale.




LACE TOPS
Aren't a big fan of your upper arms? Don't feel comfortable with a plunging neckline? Lace to the rescue! A lace top like this Anne Klein Long Sleeve Crew Neck Lace Top, Ships 10/11 (Black) ($89, now $43) is a wonderful solution. It offers concealment, but is still feminine and dressy.








Anne Klein Lace Top with Mesh Backing, Ships 10/11 (White) (was $69, now $33.99). Also available in black.






Juicy Couture Lottie Lace Top ($198)



A lace top is also a great choice for casual New Year's Eve plans. Try pairing a lace top like the one below with jeans for a relaxed ring-in-the-new-year look.





Meghan Los Angeles Faith Cardigan in Ivory Lace Women ($198)



LACE SKIRT
I was pretty excited to find the next two skirts from Beall's Department store. Check out the great prices!




Larry Levine Tiered Lace Skirt ($42)





Sag Harbor Solid Gored Lace Skirt (was $48, now $24)



Or how about a skirt with a simple lace accent? I'm mad about black and navy together, so I love this next skirt.





Rachel Roy Lace Inset Skirt ($325)



Lace skirt styling isn't all black and white. Here's a gorgeous gold one. I'm picturing this skirt with a gold cashmere cardigan, open neck with a camisole. What do you think?





Anne Klein Gold Foil Lace Skirt (was $295, now $99.99)

Blazing Blazers

In my last post, Dressy Tops for the Holidays, I showed a bunch of pretty, but rather clingy, party tops. Personally, I gravitate to fitted tops because the upper half of my figure is my best bit. Other over 50 women I know shy away from anything too form-fitting. These women want to draw attention to other things, like a beautiful face or long legs. That's fine as long as they don't pitch a tent over their torsos. It makes me so sad to see women over 50 opting for really baggy, shapeless clothes. I've said it before, so forgive me for saying it again: Baggy clothes just make women look heavier. So what top is flattering for women with an apple-shaped or womanly figure? I think the structured jacket is a great solution. Take, for instance, the Anne Klein Velvet Jacket, Ships 11/5 (Poppy) ($179) above. The cut is simple and the color is gorgeous. It covers without consuming. And it celebrates a woman's curves, yet is sophisticated. It would look smashing with black dress slacks or a black lace straight skirt. Not surprisingly, there are show-stopping blazers available online right now. Here's a sample...


I'm a huge fan of suede jackets. Yes, they're an investment. But with a minimal amount of care, a suede jacket will last you for years and years. I have a navy suede jacket from Ann Taylor. The first 4 or 5 years, I stored it professionally in the summertime. Then, I decided to store it in a closet it in the basement. And guess what--it still looks great. These next two jackets I love. I think peplum styling is very flattering for women over 50. I also love the one below it in green. These have been reduced because only a couple of sizes are left. This weekend you can take an additional 30% at checkout. A very good price for a quality suede jacket. (Click on the photos, if you want to see NYJ's full selection of jackets on sale.)



Jones New York Suede Jacket (was $399, now $299.25) in Sizes S and M only.




Jones New York Suede Zip Front Jacket (was $399, now $299.25) in Size M only.



Here's another jacket with peplum styling is a gorgeous color, also on sale with an additional 30% off at checkout...




Jones New York Jewel Neck Peplum Jacket (was $239, now $179.25)



Metallic fashions are very hip this season--hence metallic jackets like the next two. I think their rather festive. What you say?









Anne Klein Shawl Collar Jacket, Ships 11/11 (Blue) ($525)





Jones New York Metallic Collarless Jacket, ($239) plus 30% off at checkout before Dec. 5th.




There are also plenty of jackets out there with tuxedo styling. Here are a couple of examples...




Anne Klein Satin Tuxedo Jacket, Ships 11/11 (Black) ($495). I love the way the glittery top peeks through.



Doesn't this blazer from Diane von Furstenberg look fabulous with a simple two-tone shell?



Diane von Furstenberg Meyer Tuxedo Blazer ($465)