10 Fun Facts About...Vera Wang

Photo credit: Joyce Culver


I've admired Vera Wang, 63, for a long time. I've read about her editorial beginnings at Vogue, her work with Ralph Lauren and the opening of her first bridal shop. I’ve admired her collections, from the confectionery wedding gowns to the stream-lined women's clothing. This spring, I love her dresses in emerald and gold, her use of old-timey prints in rich China blues, and her printed tunics with matching (bicycle?) shorts. What I hadn’t realized, however, was that the over 50 designer is very affable and funny in person. Last Tuesday, I heard her speak at the 92 Street Y in New York City. During a lively conversation with fashion industry expert Fern Mallis, 64, Vera was candid and very entertaining. Click "Read More" for some fun facts about Vera Wang…
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Spring Style Over 50: Bright Colors and Playful Prints

A few days ago, I took a shopping tour of the spring 2013 collection at the Coldwater Creek store on Third Avenue in New York City. A frigid February wind was blowing down the avenue as I approached the store. It was a relief to step inside Coldwater Creek and see all the bright spring colors and playful prints on display (photo above). Could warmer days be far off? The spring collection also features draped tops and dresses, comfortable knits, and colorful jeans--styles perfect for women over 50. To see a few of my favorite pieces in Coldwater Creek 2013 spring collection, click...
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Shop Presidents' Weekend Sales for Fall 2013 Trends

Photo credit: William Werber


The Fall 2013 Fashion Week in New York has come to a close. I was encouraged by the whole affair for one big reason: Many of the designs previewed were perfect for women over 50. Is the fashion industry becoming sympathetic to our needs? Hmm. Yes, yes--there were plenty of very short skirts and even some peek-a-boo tops (heaven!) on the Big Apple's runways. But there were also skirts and dresses with longer hems as well as jackets, tops and bottoms with simple, classic lines and a bit of edge. Be still my heart!

I was also thrilled to see that many of the 2012 fall trends--winter white, fur trim, colored jeans, black and white, shades of purple and burgundy, and more--were very present in the fall 2013 collections. Happy Days! Those garments I bought in September 2012 will still be 'in vogue' next year. If you're tempted to shop some of the huge Presidents' Weekend sales, you might find a 2012 bargain or two that will add to your fall 2013 style. Click 'read more' below for a few examples.
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This Fashionista Inspires Women of All Ages and Abilities

In a recent blog post entitled “Passionate about Girls Who Eat Lunch,” Spashionista Alicia describes a trip to an upscale clothing store, where she found nothing on the racks above Size 8. “Where are the clothes for the girls who eat lunch?” she jokingly asked the salesclerk. It’s not every day I find a fashionista with a great sense of humor. At the Spashionista Report, Alicia uses both humor and heart-warming sincerity to entertain and inspire women of “all ages and abilities.” And she does it while managing her Choreoathetotic Cerebral Palsy. Recently, I had a chance to interview Alicia via email. Click “read more” below to learn about this inspiring over 50 blogger.
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New Day/New Outfit: "Burr" Protection

Sometimes, I try to visualize my favorite over 50 bloggers posting away. Are they sitting at desks, lounging on their patio, soaking up the sunshine by a waterfall? Whenever possible, I write by a window. When organizing my thoughts, I'll gaze out the window for inspiration. Today, I'm sitting at the desk in my bedroom. However, after Friday night's blizzard, the usual view is somewhat obscured (above). Ha! As you can see, the heavy snow has weighed down the branches on the evergreen in our front yard. The tree is seriously listing to one side. The branches you see are laying across the front porch's roof.

Earlier today, my husband and I explored on foot the winter wonderland around us. Our area was fortunate; we only got about 9 inches of snow, a little less in some places. (In Connecticut, where the rest of my family lives, there's three feet of the white stuff!) Click "read more" for photos from our walk and how I dressed for the "burr" factor...
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Cyber Fashion Bargains, February 9-10

Editor's Note: The weekend is over and most of the sales have ended. Sigh. However, if you're looking for bargains, take a peek at who's having sales in the left-hand margin of Flattering50.

I'm not quite ready to start digging out after our most recent snow storm. Once again, we were lucky and didn't get hit too hard--only 9 1/2 inches of snow. Still...I'd rather share the weekend bargains from some of my sponsors with you than start shoveling. For instance, Anne Klein is offering 30% on handbags like the spring-ready Anne Klein Classic Revival (Blue) (was $89, now $59). For those who are looking for online fashion bargains this weekend, February 9th and 10th, here are links to sales at...

ANNE KLEIN ~ 

ANN TAYLOR ~ 

FRESHPAIR ~

JONES NEW YORK ~ 

LOEHMANN'S ~ 

LOFT ~ 

NINA ~


NINE WEST ~ 

Designers Over 50 Show Fall 2013 Collections

Photo by William Werber

It's Fashion Week in New York--that strange week in February when all the fashion buzz is about next fall. Spring and summer 2013 haven't even begun, but they already feel passé. Very strange, indeed. Still, I do find myself drawn to the live streaming of the runway shows for a sneak preview of what's coming up. I may even use the knowledge gained from the fall 2013 shows to shop the last of the huge 2012 fall-winter fashion sales this month. I can shop for pieces that will fit in with next fall's trends.

Today, I watched the stream of BCBGMAXAZRIA and fell head over heels in love with the designers' fall collection. I loved the long, flowing tunics worn over leather leg warmers. And I loved the layering of sweaters and jackets over the tunics. I can easily see myself spinning off on this look with my skinny jeans under long tunics. It's a look that's both fashionable and comfortable for women over 50.

LIVE STREAMING: DESIGNERS OVER 50
I don't have loads of time for viewing the runway streams, but I will make time to watch the shows by some of my favorite designers over 50.  Here's the schedule...

Feb10 at 4PM EST Live Stream of Fall 2013 Fashions by DIANE VON FURSTENBERG

Feb11 at 10 AM EST Live Stream of Fall 2013 Fashions by CAROLINA HERRERA

Feb 11, 5 PM EST Live Stream of Fall 2013 Fashions by BETSEY JOHNSON

Feb 12, 11 AM EST Live Stream of Fall 2013 Fashions by VERA WANG

Word to the wise women over 50: Runway shows are notorious for starting late. When streaming, I go to the Fashion Week site, turn the volume down low, and minimize the link. Then, I do something else online. Before the show starts, you'll hear a whole lot of chatter--people mingling and finding their seats. Then, when the show is about to begin, there will be silence, followed by music. The silence is the signal to maximize the live stream's link and prepare to view.

Enjoy!

Style Over 50: Slacks and the Evening Wedding

Recently, a Flattering50 reader emailed me and wrote: “I'm going to a NY spring evening wedding. And my legs are pale, fat and blotchy. Are there fancy pants that would be appropriate? Can I still wear tights?” Thanks for the great questions! Since the first question focuses on “fancy pants,” I’m going to assume the upcoming wedding is a relatively formal affair and not, say, a clam bake wedding at the beach. And since the words "black tie optional" weren't used, I'll assume the wedding isn't one of those. With that in mind, my short answer is: Yes, you can wear fancy pants to an evening wedding.

These days, I wouldn’t say “anything goes” at an evening wedding, but there is a lot of style “wiggle room.” You’ll find guests at evening weddings in New York dressed in a wide variety of cocktail dresses, both skirt suits and pant suits, and, yes, even slacks. For a few ideas about wearing pants to a wedding, click “Read More” below. And scroll down for a thought or two on wearing tights to a wedding.
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