Over 60 Models: Fashion's "New Faces"

Well, a few of the "new faces" in fashion are over 60 years old. And the media is all agog about it. The latest clothiers to dip their toes in the “real people as models” practice are the French designer Lanvin and American Apparel. Clearly, the “real people as models” strategy is embraced because it draws media attention and not because it’s the right thing to do. Still, I see these ad campaigns as a tiny step towards getting society to wake up to the beauty found in all ages, all sizes and so forth. And a step forward is better than stagnating in a world where only skinny 14-year-old girls are considered beautiful enough to be photographed. Ugh! Click “read more” below for links with examples from these campaigns and others.
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Schiaparelli & Prada: The Art of Successful Mismatch

I finally got over to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see this year’s fashion exhibition, “Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations.” The Met’s annual fashion exhibitions have been a highlight of my summer for many years. The exhibits always give me a new perspective on fashion, and, yes, even a few tips on creating my own over 50 style. But after all the hubbub and long lines associated with last year’s “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” show, I was a bit nervous. Happily, I got to this year's exhibit before noontime and found it wasn’t jammed with visitors. To continue reading, click “read more” below…
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Former Models Discuss Careers, Beauty, and Life Now

Just a quick post to alert readers to the upcoming television program, About Face: Supermodels Then and Now. The HBO documentary, which airs this Monday, July 30th, is a collection of interviews with former supermodels, including Carol Alt, Marisa Berenson, Christie Brinkley, Carmen Dell'Orefice, Jerry Hall, Beverly Johnson, Isabella Rossellini and Cheryl Tiegs. The over 50 women discuss their modeling days, including the sex, drugs and rock and roll, as well as beauty over time. When asked about cosmetic surgery, Carmen Dell'Orefice replies, "Well, if you had the ceiling falling down in your living room, would you not go and have a repair?"

I always figured that the aging process wouldn’t affect me the way it would a beautiful woman. How disappointing it must be to suddenly notice that men aren’t falling all over you the way they once did. Or what’s it like to look at yourself in the mirror and realize your complexion is no longer flawless. Are women who were once revered for their youthful beauty able to reconcile the aging process? Are they able to accept the inevitable, appreciate other things about themselves, embrace a different kind of beauty, find new preoccupations? Perhaps, this documentary will shed some light.

Hat Days of Summer

I love hats! I’ve been wearing them and admiring them on other people's heads forever. Growing up, my sisters and I were given new Easter bonnets every spring. My childhood favorite: a straw version of a Glengarry cap with two tartan ribbons down the back. I also remember seeing men wearing boaters and seersucker suits in the summertime. I thought that was a very cool look—I’d love to see it come back. Recently, I ventured into New York City on a very hot, very sunny day and was tickled to see so many over 50 women wearing hats. Click “read more” below to see some of the hats I saw on the street as well as a sample of hats available online.
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"What's Your Swimsuit Strategy?" Giveaway Winners

In June, I asked Flattering50 readers to share their strategies for buying and wearing swimsuits. Those who left comments on the post Flattering50 Giveaway: What’s Your Swimsuit Strategy? were entered into a drawing for one of three $25 Amazon.com e-gift certificates. The post generated a bunch of great responses from women over 50--everything from "just avoid and deny" to tips on styles and colors that flatter the over 50 figure. To read all the comments, click on the original post's link above. To read the three posts that were randomly drawn and sent a $25 Amazon.com e-gift certificate, click read more below.
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$59 Dress Sale at Jones--But Hurry!

Editor's Note: This sale ended July 12, 2012.

I just wanted to let you know that Jones New York is having a fantastic dress sale right now. It's a $59 Dress Flash Sale Event, now through July 12th. For instance, the Jones New York Mock Fly-Away 2 Piece Dress above was $119. But right now it's only $59! There's a nice selection of $59 dresses and many offer all sizes up to size 16. I didn't see any plus sizes on sale, but you might want to take a peek at the JNY site. Click on the dress or hyperlink above to shop. To see a few of my other favorite JNY dresses for only $59, click "read more" below.
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July 4 Sales: Save Big on Neutral Separates

In June, I wrote a flurry of posts about my trip to Paris and Amsterdam. As mentioned, I was particularly taken by the style of over 50 French women. By and large, the best dress French women wore well-made clothes in combinations of neutral colors. Take, for instance, the French woman in the photo above. The black sheath and brown blazer are so simple and sophisticated. With July 4th almost here, we're all thinking about celebrating the red, white and blue. But the holiday is also a time for some of the biggest online sales of the year. Before you start celebrating our nation's independence, you might wish to browse the sales. I've put some links to big sales in the left-hand margin. For a few of my favorite neutral separates on sale right now, click "Read More."
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