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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Still Learning: Lace in the Workplace?

Last August, I bought a lace skirt at Ann Taylor (above). I'd just been to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to see the "Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations” exhibit and was in the mood for a new fall skirt. (I'm always in the mood for a new skirt when I look at Prada clothing!) I loved the Ann Taylor skirt's beige lining, which made the lace stand out, and its fun flounce (see below). The thing is, as I perused my closet last weekend, looking for something to wear, I came upon the lace skirt and realized--to my dismay--that I had only worn it three times since August. I'd worn it on Thanksgiving and to a couple of December parties--that's all. The skirt seemed too dressy for most casual activities. Saturday night, I wore it out to dinner and to the theater. And I'm determined to wear it a few more times before I put it away till next fall. So...I've been wondering: Can I wear a lace skirt to work?



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Skirt Alert: Dare to Flare

A while back, a Flattering50 reader commented: "I'd like to see more skirts that aren't pencil, full or maxi-length." She noted that she liked one of my flared skirts in the post because it was "nice without being voluminous." I was thrilled to get the comment because I've been thinking the same way. I'm under 5'5" and find a typical "full skirt" overwhelms me with too much volume. And while I'm very fond of my pencil skirts, they shout "office work" to me. A flared or A-lined skirt is a comfortable and fun style for casual activities. (Though, most flared skirts can be styled for work as well.)

I've been reading that the flared skirt is a trend this spring. So...I poked around the web to see what I could find. I'm happy to report I found a nice assortment of flared and A-lined skirts hemmed around the knee or just above--perfect for women over 50. Take, for instance, the Jones New York Graphic Print Pleated Skirt (Green, Size 14) ($119) above. Click "Read More" below to see the other skirts I found.
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