Over 50 Style: The Feminine Pants Suit

 



A Flattering50 reader recently emailed me because she was looking for a ruffled pants suit I had posted about a year ago. I know exactly which the one she meant. It was lovely, perfect for the over 50 woman going to a wedding or other special spring event. But fast-forward to the present and I’m just not seeing the same selection of feminine skirt and pant suits. In fact, I only found a few ruffle pants suits, like the Anne Klein Melange Twill Cropped Jacket ($189) above, during a recent online search. (The jacket has matching Anne Klein Melange Twill Wide Leg Pant (was $109). Read on for links to those suits and some alternative feminine suit ideas…
Read more »

Eco-Fashion and Beauty: What's New?

The celebration of our earth is actually a month-long event. I recently went online to see what others are doing to honor and protect our precious planet. This post includes a few sighting. Also, I’ve updated a blog I wrote last April, entitled Eco-Fashions: It's Getting Easier to be Green, which gives links to a bunch of eco-friendly clothing companies. But for news on Earth Month 2012, read on…
Read more »

Fashion Over 50: Getting Your Spring Skirt's Worth

The skirt and I have a history. The first garment I ever sewed (for a Girl Scout badge) was an A-line skirt in fourth grade (though, I suspect my mom helped a lot). Later, I moved on to the hip-hugging mini skirt, which I could whip up from a quarter-yard remnant. Over the years, I've worn just about every skirt style, from the kilt, dirndl and maxi to the pencil, button down, wraparound and jean skirt. This spring, I'm happy to report that over 50 women don't have to settle for anything too tight or too mini (unless they want to). Many of the season's skirts are fuller and have longer hemlines--at or below the knee--a nod, apparently, to 1950s. Large flower prints and knife pleats, like the BB Dakota Farfield Skirt ($65) above, are popular. A few designers, like Prada (see below), are showing skirts paired with bandeaus. At 20-something, I would have loved the playful look. Now, however, I'd no sooner bare my midriff than I would slip into hot pants (yes--their back, too!) But I do love the Prada skirts as well as those by other designers. For a sample of this spring's skirts, read on...
Read more »

Prada on Women of a Certain Age

The opening of the 2012 Costume Institute Exhibition's “Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations” is just weeks away. A recent New York Times Style article entitled “The Edge Goes to the Women” looks at the careers of Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada . The article's author wonders whether women are better designers than men. I’ve always liked Prada, especially her handbags and shoes. Unfortunately, my clothing budget only allows me to admire her creations from afar. The NY Times article includes several quotes by Prada, age 62 (her birthday is the same day as the exhibit’s opening—May 10th), which made me want to learn more about her. This post includes some of those quotes as well as ones I found elsewhere…

Read more »

On Sale: Snakeskin Handbags

Flattering50 readers have made it clear: They're wild about fun animal prints. This weekend (thru April 16th!), Nine West is giving Up to 30% off Select Nine West Snake & Python Print Styles. Take, for instance, the Nine West Rackett Clutch Python clutch (was $69, now $59) above. Don't you love the color? The clutch also comes in a gray and a turquoise-color mix. Just click on the photo to see. There are also larger snakeskin handbags in other colors and with greater savings. Keep reading to view the selection.
Read more »

Spring Forecast: Bright Blue Dresses

In my neck of the woods, people were astounded last month when it was evident that winter had passed with little more than a dusting of snow. Even so, months of the same drab color scheme--every shade of brown and grey--outdoors made me long for spring's bright colors. Bright blue is one of my favorite hues, so I was thrilled to find many bright blue garments in a recent web search. I've collected a few well-price blue dresses, like the Anne Klein Cowl Neck & Asymmetrical Hem Dress ($124) above, to show you some of the possibilities.
Read more »

Statement Necklaces From Across the Pond

Every now and then I stumble upon a talented woman over 50 who is pursuing her passion for fashion or accessory designs…or sometimes, she stumbles upon me. Recently, Neena Shilvock wrote me about her passion for jewelry making. Neeva is a physician in England and says jewelry making "takes my mind off the rigors of the day job.” She sent me a few photos of her lovely well-priced statement necklaces, which I've included in this post. As you can, Neena uses many different materials, such as gem stones, wire, metal and polymer clays and much more, to create her unique designs.
Read more »