New Day/New Outfit: Fair-Weather Fashion

I can't remember a spring in the Northeast when the flowering trees were more spectacular than this spring. Every week, a new variety of flowering tree is bursting with rich, fragrant blooms. On Sunday, my husband and I strolled down to the waterfront for brunch. The weather was glorious and I had a strong urge to wear something, well, spring-y. In my mind, a straw hat is quintessential fair-weather fashion. So...I got up on a step-ladder and grabbed my straw hat from the closet's top shelf, where it had been hibernating since September.
On our way home, my husband and I stopped at a park to admire the flora. That's me standing under a dogwood tree above and below seated by a flower bed.
While I was set on wearing my straw hat to brunch, there was one question: How would I style it? If truth be known: I've own the hat for several years, but have never worn it anywhere other than the beach. How could I make it fashionable for brunch?
In view of my love of stylish mismatch for women over 50, I wasn't about to pair my country-looking straw hat with anything remotely rural- or peasant-like. No, no, I had to find something to wear that would look more, well, cosmopolitan. So...I chose a black lace blouse, a black camisole, a white pencil skirt and black sandals. It seemed to satisfy my need for stylish mismatch as well as my current infatuation with black and white. Did I succeed?

I'd love to know...

How do you style a straw hat?

Style Over 50: Is Orange the New Neutral?

This spring, a new purse topped my shopping list. I wasn’t locked into a particular style or color. Lately, however, I had been coveting an over 50 girlfriend’s small, very lightweight red tote bought in Paris. I love the tote's bright color, of course. But I was equally drawn to its light weight. I spend lots of time running around New York City and hate being weighed down by a heavy purse.

Much to my surprise, I fell in love with an orange B. Makowsky bag (above). In fact, orange is such an out-of-character color for me that I left the tags on the purse for a few days. I couldn’t believe I was actually going to keep it. More surprising, though, was this: During those few days of vacillating, I put the orange bag on my shoulder with each day’s outfit and found the bag looked great with every outfit. It didn’t matter what colors I wore--sapphire, grey, hot pink, white, pastel green—the purse was the perfect accessory. And it got me thinking: Is orange this spring’s new neutral color? What do you think?
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Surf's Up! What to Pack for a Beach Vacation?

Recently, a Flattering50 reader emailed and asked: "I'm looking for some ideas on what to wear for a beach vacation. Any chance you might do a post on that?" Gladly! Other than college, I've lived in homes on the water or no more than a few blocks away. I adore the seashore! Diane Vreeland called water (for drinking or sitting by) "God's tranquilizer." I couldn't agree more. How do I pack for a beach vacation? The short answer: Simply and comfortably.

A beach vacation is the ultimate rest and relaxation experience. Formality is just plain silly when you're surrounded by sand, surf and salt air. That said, the absence of formality doesn't mean I'm going to throw in the proverbial beach towel on style and just wear anything. I still want to look my best. So...for a beach vacation, I'm going to pack a handful of separates that are easy to mixed and matched, and perfect for day or night. To see what's in my beach bag, click...
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Walk This Way: A Stylish Cane Needs Our Support

Okay, I admit it: I’ve got a soft spot for entrepreneurs with limited resources, trying to get a creative idea off the ground. I also like to blog about well-designed products. So…for this post, I’m giving a little free press to the young lads at Top and Derby. They’ve designed a stylish walking cane for the young and not-so-young who need a little extra support. I love the cane’s simple, upbeat design with the necessary functionality. Yes, form and function together!

Now that they’ve created this chic cane, the entrepreneurs are trying to raise money to take it to market. They’ve got an Indiegogo campaign (a crowd-funding campaign like Kickstarter), where people like us can show support their dream. The site includes this great video, which explains the cane’s virtues…




There are only 13 days left on the fund-raising campaign, so time, as they say, is of the essence. If like me, you have an elderly parent who’s slowly losing the ability to walk unassisted, you know what a bitter pill having to use a cane can be to swallow. Or, perhaps, you or someone you know has had to use a cane after an accident or surgery. I know if it were me, I’d want to find a stylish cane like the Top and Derby walking cane. I wish the designers lots of success! If you'd like to help the stylish walking cane dream along, click HERE.

Design Your Own Colorblock Pumps

Earlier in the month, I wrote a post about this spring’s show-stopping sandals, focusing on color-blocked and embellished styles. While I was researching my sponsors for product shots I could use to illustrate the trends, I noticed that Nina shoes features Design your own shoe on Ninashoes.com- Endless style, color and sole combinations! Recently, I’ve been looking for the perfect combination of hues in a colorblock style sandal and haven't had any luck. I’ve also noticed that a lot of the colorblock sandals and shoes have crazy 4” or higher heels, which are too high for me. So...when I saw the Design Your Own (D.Y.O.) feature at Nina's, I thought: wow--maybe I could D.Y.O. a pair of colorblock pumps for a summer wedding I'm attending. The D.Y.O. feature is really easy to use and shows you instantly what your design looks like. My first design was the Paladin style above. Once I got started, however, I couldn't stop. To see more of my colorblock designs, click…
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Wedding Guest Attire: Hold the Hosiery?

I'm sure you're aware that nylon hosiery went out of style sometime last year and is showing no sign of coming back into fashion favor. If you wore opaque tights all winter, you were still a hip old lady. But now that spring is here (officially, though not physically around here!), women over 50 are supposed to resist the temptation to pull on nylon hose. So...I wasn't surprised when a Flattering50 reader emailed me and wrote:

I have an evening wedding to go to the last day of May. Now let me ask a question that definitely separates my generation from my kids': What about hose? Is it totally 70s to wear hose? I'm quite fair and pretty sure my legs were never intended to be seen. What to do that doesn't date me? My husband and I are very close to the same height, so I don't usually do much of a heel. If I go with a longer length and a lower heel, then that feels frumpy to me and I prefer to feel "dressed" for such an occasion. I want to look sharp because there will be family pictures.

First off, sweet reader, you're not alone! My over 50 girlfriends and I are grappling with the very same question this spring. Recently, a friend reminded me of a Hercule Poirot Mystery Classic in which the detective solved the crime by looking at the bare knees of the criminal and realizing she wasn't the young thing she pretended to be. "Ouch!!!" said my friend. Ouch, indeed. That said, I'm a big believer that one of the perks of being over 50 is that I don't have to be a fashion slave, if I don't want to. I have options. I've come up with a few, but would love to hear what other over 50 women are doing these days. For a few leg options, click...
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March Giveaway: Coldwater Creek Jewelry

Editor's Note: The March 2013 Giveaway has ended. Thanks to all those who entered!

Jewelry is a great way to brighten your spirits and your look! This month, I’m offering Flattering50 readers a chance to win three lovely pieces of jewelry with emerald-colored accents--one of this spring's hot colors--from Coldwater Creek. Click “Read More” below to enter for a March Giveaway, to view more photos of the jewelry set…
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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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Favorites Over 50: 10 Gifts Under $100

For those of you who celebrate Hanukkah, happy holiday!! For those of you who celebrate Christmas, are you still shopping? I’m pretty much done. But this weekend, my husband asked: “What do you want for Christmas?” I’m so busy at holiday time, I don't given "me" much thought. But my husband really appreciates some gift ideas. So yesterday, I starting making a list of gifts under $100. When it comes to buying gifts for me, my husband likes it “when I draw him a map,” so I went online to see if I could find photo examples. Naturally, there's lots online and much of it on sale. Below is a sample of my favorite gifts under $100. For instance, I'm crazy about belts this season and would love to get a fun belt like the Exotic Leather Skinny Belt ($34) above.

What are you hoping "Santa" will leave under the tree? I'd love to know.

Click "Read More" below to view nine more favorite gifts under $100...
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Shopping the Holiday Market for Over 50 Girlfriend Gifts

I love the holiday season in Manhattan so much that I don’t even mind the crush of holiday shoppers. I’m particularly fond of the holiday markets that pop up around town; they often solve my gift-buying needs for girlfriends, female relatives and acquaintances. Yesterday, I stopped by the Union Square Market and was quite surprised to see that skull fashions had taken over the holiday gift market. Originally seen as edgy “skater fashion,” clothing and accessories adorned with skulls seems to have become as mainstream (at least in NYC) as skinny jeans tucked in tall boots.

I don’t know any skater girls over 50, so I was glad to find some more age-appropriate girlfriend gifts among the maze of vendor stalls. Click “Read More” to see what I found. I've included web links when available. Also, if you have a second, please leave me a comment and let me know: Are skull fashions all the rage where you are? And what are you giving your girlfriends this year? I love hearing other women’s gift ideas...
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Holiday Gift Ideas: Japanese Kimono Necklaces

Over the weekend, I had brunch with a long-time friend. She’d moved away from New York City several years, but was back in the area making a presentation at a quilters’ conference. My friend, Susan Faeder, has an expertise in Japanese fabrics and leads shopping/cultural tours of Japan. I admired the necklace (above) she was wearing when we met. She told me it was a handmade Japanese Vintage Kimono Silk necklace. She’d fallen in love with the necklace during a recent trip to Japan and brought a bunch of the necklaces in different color schemes back home to sell online. With the holidays nearing, I thought the unique necklace would make a nice gift. Click “read more” to learn more about this necklace.
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15 Cyber Sales for Holiday Shoppers

Editor's Note: Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Holiday shopping has come and gone, but the sales continue. For current bargains or "flash sales," take a peek at the left-hand margin of Flattering50.

It seems like a lifetime ago that I stood at the school bus stop with my boys after the December vacation and listened to a couple of moms bemoan what a lousy job a certain mega toy store had done the first year it offered shopping online. At the time, I was awed that these mothers had tried shopping online--it seemed so high tech. Now, of course, the thought of shopping any other way on the big sales weekends--like Thanksgiving weekend---seems insane. I much rather shop on the couch in my pajamas. Here's a rundown of some of the sales this weekend as well as a few holiday gift ideas, like the Fownes Cashmere Lined Leather Glove (was $75, now $49.99)...


Ann Taylor ~ 








Anne Klein ~ 


Brooks Brothers ~ 


Hessnatur - 

Jones New York -




Land's End ~ 

Loehmann's ~

LOFT ~

Max Studio ~  

Michael Stars ~  

Nina Shoes ~ 


Nine West ~


Old Navy ~ 


Pure Collection ~




Shabby Apple - 


Shopbop ~ 




Soft Surroundings ~


SwimSuitsForAll ~ 


Happy Shopping!!

Holiday Gift Ideas: Jewelry to Match Your Style

There are few things more rewarding in life than having a business that reflects a lifelong passion or dream. Jewelry designer Linda Hollen knows this first hand. She began learning to make jewelry when she was a child. According to her website, Linda's grandmother taught her. That experience turned into a passion. For years, Linda gave her beautiful creations to friends and family. Eventually, they convinced her to share her pieces with the world and LJ’s Distractions, Linda’s jewelry design business, was started. Today, with over 30 years of experience, Linda has created a wonderful collection of unique necklaces, earrings and bracelets. To learn more about Linda’s jewelry, click “Read More” below…
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Holiday Gift Ideas: Wearable Art

“I believe jewelry is wearable art and an expression of our inner essence,” says Anita Fernandez-Velazquez, the creative force behind Embellished Essence Gemstone Design. Consequently, each of Anita’s jewelry designs is one of a kind. Anita responded to my recent invitation to artists to share their holiday gift ideas. However, her designs are so lovely you might want to give yourself a gift as well. Click “Read More” to learn more about Anita’s jewelry and see a few other designs...
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Wedding Style: What to Wear to “Black Tie Optional”?

A Flattering50 reader recently emailed and wrote: "I’m going to a wedding in December and the invitation says ‘black tie optional.' How should I dress?” There's no getting around it: ‘Black tie optional’ signals that a formal affair is planned and that family, friends and honored guests are encouraged to dress up. For women, appropriate formal attire consists of either an evening gown or a fancy cocktail-length dress or glamorous suit. If you occasionally attend black tie affairs, such as fund raisers, you may have an evening gown or two already in your closet. For the rest of us, a dressy suit or cocktail dress may be the more reasonable choice.

Still, the question remains: How do you know if your outfit is “dressy” enough for a black tie optional or BTO affair? Lucky for me, an over 50 girlfriend recently attended a 'BTO' wedding and agreed to let me share the dress (above) and accessories she wore with Flattering50 readers.  Click "Read More" to continue...
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Holiday Gift Idea: Mix Media Jewelry

Editor’s note: In October, I invited artists specializing in fashion and accessory design to contact me. With the holiday season approaching, I thought it would be nice to share some creative gift ideas with Flattering50 readers. Over the next few Wednesdays, I'll feature one of the artists who responded to my invitation. I hope you'll visit these artists’ websites to view more of their lovely creations.

If Caprilicious Jewellery sounds familiar, it might be because I featured Neena and her jewelry in a post entitled Statement Necklaces From Across the Pond last April. Neena is a doctor and passionate jewelry designer living in the United Kingdom (hence, the British spelling of jewelry). She creates jewelry from a wide range of materials, such as gemstones, beads, crystals, wire, and clays. Her collection of moderately-priced pieces includes statement necklaces, earrings, bracelets, pendants, hair combs, and more. To continue reading, click "Read More" below...
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An Evening Wrap: Elegant Solution for Aging Arms

What do you do when your arms are aging, but you're not ready to stop wearing sleeveless dresses or tops, especially to evening weddings or holiday parties? That's been one of my fashion over 50 dilemmas lately. I find  plenty of good-looking long-sleeve dresses and tops for daytime, but they're not stylish and sophisticated enough for evening. For once, I'm happy to say there's an elegant solution: the evening wrap. An evening wrap is dressier than everyday shawls. They're made with luxurious materials--chiffon, satin, velvet, to name a few--and often have a little shimmer from sequins or metallic embroidery.  Because they're so many choices in evening wraps, it's easy for the woman over 50 to find one to match her personal style. Click "read more" for more on evening wraps and where to shop.
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Scarf Season: Styling Tips 2

Since writing my post titled Scarf Season: Are You Ready to Wrap?, I discovered a few scarf tying video clips from Eileen Fisher. While some of the tying techniques are repeats of those I posted earlier, there are new ones. And, besides, I actually like seeing some of the techniques repeated. Here's one...

Click "read more" below  to continue. 
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Style Over 50: The Mix Bag

"The thing I love about this bag is that it goes with practically everything!" bubbled a tennis friend when I admired her Coach bag (above) yesterday. Since turning 50, she said she's playing a lot more with color and prints in her accessories, while keeping her tops and bottoms in solids or simple prints (polka dots, stripes). "I no longer wear busy-looking clothes," she explained. "I want to look like I'm wearing the clothes, not like the clothes are wearing me!" An accessory with a mix of color and/or a pattern can add a little "pop" to a outfit in neutral or muted hues. It's also likely to put a smile on your face. For a few other examples of bags with a mix of colors and/or prints, click "read more" below...

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Scarf Season is Coming: Are You Ready to Wrap?

I've missed my scarves this summer. When I was in Paris in May (I still love saying that!), women wore small silk scarves in white and muted colors. Very stylish! In a few more weeks, cooler days will begin to mix in with the hot ones. And once again, I'll step out in one of my favorite scarves, or, perhaps, a new one. Are you a scarf lady? Click "read more" below for 8 reasons to love scarves, for a videoclip showing 24 ways to tie a scarf, and for a few reasonable priced scarves like the Jones New York Animal Paisley Scarf - Size , Red ($49) above. .
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