Over 50 Style: Lowdown on Beach Cover Ups

The weather report for Memorial Day weekend in the New York area is iffy at best—chance of rain on Saturday and Sunday. Not great weather for the beach weekend I’ve got planned. However, Monday is supposed to sunny and in the 80s. In anticipation of my seaside weekend, I went online looking for a swimwear cover up last week. I was tickled to see how many of the current designs embrace 2011 fashion trends. Case in point: the lovely V-neck Jen Kao Drifter Slip Dress ($495) at the top of this post. I love its feminine draped sides and handkerchief hem. It covers, but in a light, breezy way, making it a perfect choice for steamy summer days at the beach or by the pool. Below is a sample of other current trends popping up in cover up designs. I've chosen cover ups for women over 50 from the collection at Shopbop, but you'll find trendy cover ups at all the online major department stores.

ROMPER ROOM AND MORE
Rompers and jumpsuits are in the fashion magazines, but I’ve yet to see them on the street. I'm more than a tad skeptical about rompers on over 50 women for everyday styling. But I like it as a comfortable beach or poolside cover up. Here's one from my idol Diane von Furstenberg. What do you think?



Diane von Furstenberg Cori Cover Up Romper (was $210, now $147).



Or how about a trendy long, flowing cover up?




Thayer Sophisticate Cover Up (was $207, now $144.90)


WHITE WONDERS
White is everywhere, including swimwear, this season. Here are two all-white cover ups...




Diane von Furstenberg Mya Cover Up (was $195, now $136.50)



I saw an over 50 woman in a lace top last weekend and she looked smashing. Here's a lovely Milly Vallarta Crochet Cover Up (was $258, now $180.60). Sorry, only sizes Petite and Small are available.





TUNIC TURNS
Tunics are a classic cover up style. However, tunics are also a trendy street look for 2011. Here's a couple of the latest tunic cover ups...




Diane von Furstenberg Zuza Cover Up ($195.00)






Joie Joie a La Plage Embroidered Bahamas Tunic ($198)

Style over 50: Summer Tops for Capris

As promised in my last post, Fashion over 50: Capris, mon ami?, the topic for this post is finding great tops for women over 50 to wear with Capri and cropped pants. I’m always in need of a few new tops at this time of year and this week is the perfect time to shop—lots of online sites are having Memorial Day Sales all week! (A few sales are linked in left-hand margin.) Below is just a sample of tops available online that will flatter your Capris or cropped pants. Several tops are on sale, but in limited sizes. Click on any of the photos, if you'd like to go to the clothing site to find tops in your size.

NO BOXY TOPS, PLEASE
The very first blog post I ever wrote was about over 50 women wearing a boxy camp- or Hawaiian-style shirt over their Capris or cropped pants. In the summer of 2009, this look was everywhere. It reminded me of the cartoon character stranded on a desert island, his man-tailored shirt and long pants cut short and tattered, minus the tatters. Boxy shirts are never a good look for women over 50 because they are too masculine and bulky. Add a pair of short pants, which tend to be a little boxy-looking (unless they're "slim" or "skinny" cut), to a boxy top and, wow, very unflattering! The combination makes a woman look square all over. I held my breath as summer 2010 rolled around, terrified that women would repeat this look. Fortunately, they didn’t. Instead, they paired their Capris with feminine T-shirts and tailored blouses. Phew!

Since women over 50 may have a few lumps and bumps they wish to hide, a skin-tight tee may not be a good choice. However, a blouse with lovely feminine styling like the Nanette Lepore Tuckered Out Top ($278) at the top of this post may be perfect. Citrus colors--especially orange--and white outfits are a hot trend for summer 2011. Or take a peek at these other lovely tops with their feminine textures, pleats, draping, and more.






Jones New York Scoop Neck Shell ($49)



I love this pretty 3/4 T-shirt with a twisted scoop neck from Pure Collection...



3/4 Sleeve Silk Trim T-Shirt (was $44, now $33)




This next Anne Klein Pleated Blouse has been drastically reduced from $245 to $97.99. However, right now with AK's Memorial Day Sale, you get an extra 25% off at checkout. Unfortunately, the garment is only available in sizes 2-8. Click on the photo to go to the AK site to check out other tops.









For instance, there's this Anne Klein Tribal Pleated Shell, Ships 6/15 (Brown), which is $225 before 25% off at checkout.








V-necks and boat-neck shirts are a good look for over 50 women, especially those who have a shorter neck.



Jones New York Boat Neck Knit With Belt ($74)


I also love the asymmetrical, draped styling of this Ella Moss Infinity Tee ($87). Also available in soft grey.





And here's a trendy striped top...




Jones New York Sleeveless Tie Front Shirt, ($69)



BASIC Ts
Pretty T-shirts will take you from work to the backyard barbecue. Right now, Jones New York is offering selected T-shirts for two for $30. Pick any two T-shirts below for $30. Or chick on any of the photo and go to the Jones site to see the full selection of basic tees on sale.





Jones New York Floral Print Tee






Jones New York Short Sleeve V-Neck Tee






Jones New York Scoop Neck Shell


Happy Memorial Day Weekend!