Fashion Over 50: This Week’s Favorites

As you might imagine, I look at a lot of garments to prepare each of my Flattering50 posts. Often, I see great designs at great prices that don’t fall into a particular theme I’m working on. Take, for instance, the Jones New York Long Sleeve Crew Neck, (was $49.00, now $35.99) above for all you animal print lovers. Now through January 23th, JNY is giving an extra 30% off on this top at checkout. I hate to pass a fashion sighting like that by without giving it a mention. So…here are a few of the other garments and footwear I spotted this week that are flattering designs for women over 50 and on sale. But hurry, some of the sales end in the next few days. Details below.

Here are two skirts on sale at Beall's online department store. In my mind, a black lace skirt is like a little black dress. It's indispensable for times when I want to dress up a little bit. I love this one's tiered styling.



Larry Levine Tiered Lace Skirt (was $42, now $29.40)


A textured black skirt like this Evan Picone Hyde Park Metallic Bouclé Skirt (was $64, now $44.80) is a very versatile skirt for work. It works with any color sweater.








I depend on sleeveless shells under suit jackets to keep me cool(ish) when I'm making a presentation for work. Here's a gorgeous one from Jones New York. And if you are shopping right now, you can take advantage of JNY's extra savings.




Jones New York Sleeveless Cowl Neck Shell, (was $89.00, now $71.20 plus additional 30% off through 1/23)



BOOTS AND SHOE NEWS
I'm a big fan of bows on shoes. Here are two styles...



Anne Klein Haleigh Dress Detailed (Black) ($79 with 25% off through January 24th). The heel is 2 1/2" and is also available in black or brown suede, and animal print.



Anne Klein Pansy Dress Detailed (Black) ($69 with 25% off through January 24th) This shoe has a 2" heel.



Looking for short boots to wear with dresses over leggings? I'm loving these next two.





Nine West Dawn pull on bootie (Brown) (was $119, now $43.60). The heel is 2". The boot is also available in black. Most sizes still available.



Aerosoles Women's Play Date Boot ($99.98 with 25% off through Jan. 24th when you use code BOOTS25) The style has a 2" heel and comes in brown as well.

Soft Separates on Sale

I’m writing to share my latest clothing discovery—Soft Surroundings. I found the fashion site over the recent three-day weekend. Perhaps, it was the harsh New York weather or the fact that life can be, well, a little harsh, but the name, Soft Surroundings, just sounded so nice and cozy. As the name suggests, there are lots of tops and bottoms in soft fabrics, like the Antigua Sweater - Blue (was $79.95, now $21.99) above (also available in balsam and orchid). I love tops with deep draping worn with a camisole. So feminine!

But what I’m really thrilled about is the large selection of unique, boutique-like styles. There are about three dozen different tunics alone on the site! And most of them look finger-tip length (that is, mid-thigh), which tends to be a great length for women over 50. There are also some great sweater designs like the Women's Paris Pullover - Brown ($98.95) below, which would look great with leggings. In general, the unique designs are moderately price. However, until January 30, many styles are on sale. Click either of the photos to go directly to the site or click on Shop Out Winter Sale Catalog! Find many wonderful items at discounted prices. Hurry, Sale Ends January 30.

Fashion Over 50: Coat Sale

I thought you'd like to know that Jones New York is having some wild and crazy sales right now. Fashions on sale, like this Jones New York Classic Coat, are getting additional mark downs at check out. At posting time, most of the styles are available in all sizes, S-XL. I'm posting a couple of the coat styles that caught my eye, but click on any of the photos to go directly to Jones New York and see all the flattering fashions on sale.

I can vouch for this next coat because I bought it in November. I've worn it with or without the hood--I love it both ways. I like the fact that it is somewhat fitted (if you click the photo you'll see the belt element in the back), but is still roomy enough for sweaters underneath. It's a great length when I wear long sweaters. And it keeps me cozy warm when I wear skirts and tall boots. I bought the black, but I love, love the cream!



Jones New York Quilted Puffer Coat, (was $249, now $186.75)





How about a wool coat that isn't black!?! I love the collar and double-breasted styling of this Jones New York Trench Coat (was $360, now $270)







If there is one coat that always seems to look smashing on older women, it's the quilted jacket. I don't know why, but it's true. I'm loving the wine color of this next Jones New York Quilted Double Breasted Zip Front Coat (was $189, now $141.74)








I laughed when I saw that toggle coats had made a comeback this fall. It took me back a few years, to say the least. On the other hand, I don't remember a winter season without shearling coats.



Jones New York Toggle Faux Fur Coat (was $295, now $222)

Urban Outfitters: Well-priced, Unstuffy Fashions

As I approached age 50, I began to hear my inner voice frequently lament: “You can’t wear that sort of thing anymore!” A lot of styles suddenly seemed off limits because I was getting older. Now that I’m well into my 50s, I’m happy to report I’m saying “Yes, I can” a lot more than I expected.

Sure, I want to avoid clothes that don’t flatter my body shape--but that’s always been a fashion rule. And it's a limitation that seems miniscule compared with the peer pressure that some 20-something women have to cope with. When I see a gaggle of girls dressed identically on the street, I think, “Thank goodness, I’m too old to let my friends dictate what I wear!”

Instead, I’m enjoying the challenge of creating my own personal style, trying to put together outfits that are sophisticated, yet not stuffy. Believe it or not, one store that has been a big help in achieving this goal has been Urban Outfitters. I’m not kidding. I’ve found some great, reasonably priced (if not steals!) tops and accessories that add a little edge to an outfit. Generally speaking, the clothing isn't super high quality, but it is good quality for the price. And that works for me. I like to mix higher and lower end clothing together to create my look. I think it exudes a little unpredictability. And the last thing I want to feel is pigeon-holed. My husband knows I’m an Urban Outfitter fan and bought me the sweater above for Christmas. So far, I’ve worn it belted with a straight skirt or a flirty skirt and long or ankle boots.



I got this leather backpack a few years ago. I had been looking for a bag I could use when I went into the city. I wanted something roomy enough to carry a magazine for the train, wallet, sunglasses, iPod and, perhaps, a few small purchases. But I didn't want a knapsack or a ho-hum tote bag. I saw this bag on a sales table in Urban Outfitters, marked down to…wait for it…$9. I fell in love with the price and the biker styling. Recently, I was invited to lunch at a 3-star restaurant in Manhattan. In the ladies room, a very chic-looking woman admired my bag. Too funny! Perhaps, she'd seen the ultra-thin, soft leather jackets and skirts that the high end designers were showing last fall and thought my bag was stylish. Ha!

So next time you’re in the mall and you see an Urban Outfitter, take a peek inside. You’ll probably have to hunt a little--there’s a lot that's clearly designed for nubile young things. But you might uncover a little fashion treasure to liven up an outfit. And if a sales person approaches, you can always say you’re shopping for a daughter or your son’s girlfriend (who happens to be about your size). Just don’t tell your children you like Urban Outfitters. They will be horrified, much like they are when you tell them you like one of their favorite bands.

Old Navy Dresses + Leggings = Comfortable Styling

I'm always on the lookout for dresses that can be worn over leggings or cropped pants. It's just such a fun, comfortable look. Today, I found some very reasonably-priced dresses online at Old Navy that I think would look great on over 50 women. The Old Navy Women's Dolman Top Dresses ($32.99) above has received lots of positive customer feedback, including reports that it works well with leggings. I'd love to see it styled with a long patterned scarf, leggings or cropped pants, and ankle boots. Below are a couple more Old Navy dresses that caught my eye. Right now, they're marked down from the prices shown here. If you're lucky, you'll find them still on sale.


Unfortunately, I can't show you a photo of my favorite Old Navy design, a Women's Cowl-Neck Dresses ($29.94) in grey or black, for leggings. But I've linked the dress's page, so you can take a peek.

Here are two other cowl-neck designs that caught my eye...




Old Navy Women's Cowlneck Sweater Dresses ($46.94)




Old Navy Women's Plus Cowlneck Sweater Dresses ($44.99)


Looking for more ideas? You might want to check out Dresses Over Leggings