Summer Style Ideas for Women Over 50

Give Yourself a Summer Glow like this beautiful woman whose outfit shouts SUMMER IS HERE! Do you wear all-white outfits?

Summer is the time of year when you want to:

• Relax in cool, easy fabrics -- comfort is key
• Wear bright, fun colors
• Put on a summery lipstick color with lots of glossy shimmer
• Eat light meals and enjoy longer days

It's about not overdoing it -- it's about lightening your spirit and feeling loose and lovely. There is something so welcoming about sultry summer days and nights, especially in parts of the world where winters are particularly harsh. It's a time to let yourself go wild and show a little skin! I know this is tricky when you're over fifty, yet there are ways to let some of that beautiful skin show and let the warm rays of the sunshine bring out your summer glow.

Here are some summer fashion ideas:

• Silk and cotton tunics over leggings or skinny white jeans
• Oversize linen blouse over leggings
• Colorful lightweight scarves for a put-together look
• Bright color blocking is a simple, elegant summer trend
• I love maxi dresses for summer, especially with a cap sleeve

Summer Fashion Ideas for Women Over 50 

Wear colorful tunics in silk or cotton over leggings or skinny white jeans

A long linen shirt over leggings or skinny jeans -- FabulousOver40

Lightweight, colorful scarves create a put-together look.

Color blocking creates a simple, elegant outfit.

A sequined poncho in beautiful blue hues creates a pop of color over white pants.

Bright, fun colors and lightweight comfortable fabrics always bring a smile to passersby -- AdvancedStyle.com

This maxi has cap sleeves to give you a little more arm coverage. It's the perfect summer look.

Give yourself a summer treat with one of these new fashion ideas! Lighten up your summer and enjoy the sun. What's your idea of a sultry, comfortable summer outfit? Please add your comment below.

Being Over Fifty Isn't For Sissies and Other Truths

The truth is, being over fifty requires a well-developed sense of humor. There are so many advantages to growing older -- the wisdom, experience, freedom from older children who have flown the coop, but there are an equal number of challenges. The key to growing old gracefully is keeping your sense of humor intact because body and hormonal changes continue to show up with regularity and precision, and you just have to deal with them the best you can. A sense of humor about the whole thing comes in handy:

Here are some funny truths about being over fifty that I think you'll relate to:

Truth #1: Eyeliner can’t be applied while wearing reading glasses.

They haven’t invented eyeliner application glasses yet, so many of us are applying our eyeliner and eyeshadow blindly. There are some tricks to make it work. One is to use a liquid eyeliner and instead of drawing a line, just put a series of dots along your upper eye line. Make the dots as close together as you can – from far away it looks like a continuous line. Then there is the eyeglass reader trick: buy two inexpensive readers at the drugstore, pop out the left lens on one pair and the right lens on the other. Voila! Perfect eyeliner eyesight!

Truth #2: Your search for an anti-aging face cream can feel like a quest for the Holy Grail.

The youthful skin of our twenties – soft, clear, almost translucent – starts disappearing in our late twenties. As we get older, the skin tissue starts to sag, fine lines appear, and eventually turn into “railroad ties.” Nothing to do but try to slow it down. Aging is inevitable, but some anti-aging products actually work! You might try a product and it works for a while, then it doesn’t work anymore and you swear you’re not going to waste your money – until the next one comes around. We spend billions of dollars on anti-aging products every year, as the search for the Holy Grail of translucent, youthful skin continues. Email me directly if you'd like to know more about what I think works.

Truth #3: Comfortable, sexy shoes is an oxymoron.

Let’s be honest. Our feet hurt without ANY shoes on. The thought of finding a pair of shoes that fill the bill of being both sexy AND comfortable is another search for the Holy Grail. Okay, I’m exaggerating. There are shoe designers who understand that we have a host of foot ailments, like plantar fasciitis, bunions, corns, and ingrown toenails that drive us away from high heels. We refuse to squeeze our tootsies into a pair of sexy pumps even for 10 minutes. I remember when Oprah Winfrey admitted that the sexy high heels we saw her wearing while interviewing guests were donned at the last minute right before the cameras came on while she was seated. She would walk over to her chair barefoot! The truth is, if shoe manufacturers want to sell dressy shoes to baby boomers they have to make them both comfortable and sexy. Good luck! I know many of you ladies have said the heck with sexy, the pain is just too unbearable, and life is too short to be in pain all the time. But admit it, if someone invented a drop-dead gorgeous sexy high heel that made your feet feel like they were walking on a cloud, you’d buy them, wouldn’t you?

Truth #4: We wouldn't mind going back to the 40's style bathing suits.

Look how carefree these women looked in their suits. She didn't have to keep checking to make sure her buttocks was still covered, or whether she had a muffin top. Women wore the equivalent of a short dress in the water. How wonderful was that? The older I get the more I appreciate this bygone era fashion statement. On the other hand, when I go to the beach nowadays, I see women of all shapes, sizes and ages enjoying the sun and water seemingly without caring about how their bodies look. They're having too much fun!

Truth #5: Sports bras are bras, right?

The older I get, the shorter time I want to be pushed up and held in by a tight, underwire bra. In fact, I’ve given up underwires altogether because I heard the underwire isn't good for you, and this is leading me closer to the day I will wear exercise bras with all my outfits. Doesn't give you the best silhouette, but it's REALLY comfortable. Women may have been on to something in the 60's when they burned their bras.

Truth #6: We are envious of the woman whose hair turns gorgeously gray or white in her fifties.

I am so tired of coloring my hair, but alas, my hair is not turning gray/white in a beautiful, sexy way. So, I will continue to color it. I’m lucky, I suppose, because I color my hair blond so the gray doesn’t show as much. For those of you who have dark hair, you’re probably coloring your gray more often every year. I guess that’s when many women say that’s it, we’re done coloring, and whatever color it is, it is. Aren’t you so happy to see the older models sporting gray hair and looking sexy as hell?

FINAL TRUTH

You may feel invisible some days, but truly, you’re not. You’re a beautiful, talented, experienced woman who matters and who is sexy from head to toe – painful bunions and all. Let's all have a good laugh about it!

What are some of your funny truths about being over fifty? Please share in the Comments section below!

5 Tips to Find Your Style After Fifty

I know how you feel. You’re washing your face in the morning and catch your silhouette in the mirror and you shriek back – who is that person and what happened to the twenty-six-year-old? Where did the years go?  

I’ve finally come to terms with being of a certain age – I’m over the hump so to speak. Now it’s a matter of making every second count, not wasting a minute feeling badly about my body, learning to feed and take care of my body, and spending more time doing things that bring me joy. 

Style trends have come and gone over the decades (thank goodness!). I've adapted my individual style over the years, tweaking it here and there to fit my lifestyle, body and career changes.

What about style after fifty? 

I don’t believe that age has anything to do with style. If you love current trends, wear them. If you have fantastic legs, show them. If you prefer to cover up completely, you can still look stunning! Everyone can have fabulous style at any age. The joy is in discovering your style.

Make Style Your Own in Your Second Act!

 

Here are some of my Style Success Rules to Live By:

1. Know yourself. What is your coloring? Has it changed since you decided to go gray? What is your body shape? Knowledge is everything and knowing how to flatter and enhance your coloring and body shape is a great way to approach style. You don't want to walk around looking pale and tired, do you? Knowing the colors that bring radiance to your face is worth a million bucks. It gets you noticed for all the right reasons!
2. Appreciate your assets and work with what you have. I can’t tell you how many women I work with tell me about the body parts they hate. It usually takes me by surprise because that’s not the body part I expected her to criticize! I used to wish I had an hourglass shape with round, full hips. Then I discovered all the ways I could create the illusion of an hourglass shape from my rectangle shape using garment shapes, and that wish melted away.
3. Build a wardrobe of essentials. Great style is built on a foundation of good basics. Your lifestyle dictates what are essential pieces for you. When you invest wisely in essentials that fit beautifully and bring you pleasure, it boosts your confidence. For more information about essentials, download my free ebook, "Your Ten Wardrobe Essentials."
4. Create a wardrobe that allows you to Shampoo. Rinse. Repeat.  What does that mean? When something works, run with it. If you feel beautiful and powerful wearing a pair of dark-colored straight pants, a white or blush top, and a structured jacket, then your closet should have several straight-leg pants, a dozen various light-colored tops, and several structured jackets. An outfit can have many re-incarnations and some of the most stylish women I know wear the same combinations over and over. Why re-invent something that is already successful?
5. Identify someone who has a style you admire. Understand the elements of her “look” and define why it appeals to you. What are the attractive style features that reoccur in the way she dresses? You can adapt the pieces for your look if they don't work on your particular body shape. In my upcoming “30 Days to Style Success Workshop” I will have participants create a style vision board to define the looks they admire. This is so helpful in creating a reference for style when you build your wardrobe.

 Here are some of looks that inspire my individual style:

 

 

Individual style is about re-interpretation and investment of your time and money. It is about being aware of who you are, your lifestyle and the opportunities available to you when you dress confidently.

Who inspires your individual style?

Are You Apologizing For Your Age or Body Shape?

I meet with a lot of women who comment about the physical changes that have taken place after crossing the monumental threshold of turning fifty, with a shift in weight in one direction or another. Some changes that are perceived as undesirable by those who dictate the "standard" for physical beauty are actually positive and necessary for our emotional (and physical) well-being. Some women benefit by gaining weight and only need to shift over to a different garment shape that accentuates their new curves to feel beautiful once again.

Why do women ignore (or loath) the beautiful changes that age brings on? Perhaps it's our society that celebrates youth over wisdom. Perhaps it's the fault of a fashion industry that is myopically in love with the young prepubescent body. It doesn't matter. It only matters what YOU think about your age and your body image.

A recent client wrote to me, "My body size and shape have been morphing and changing since I was sixteen years old. It was only after I met you [Linda Waldon] that I realized I had been trying to keep up with every body shift by purchasing more clothes. Clothes that often hung awkwardly or were what I considered pretty colors as opposed to the colors that were right for me. The most powerful gift I received from you was awareness. Learning how to align your outer style with your inner being creates a steadiness to one's personality that translates in the outer world as CONFIDENCE." 

The point is if you're in "body hate" mode all the time, you're sabotaging your confidence and your potential. What good can come of that? I help women rediscover, revitalize, and reinvent their beauty, body, and style so they wake up every day feeling beautiful.

Here are 4 simple ways to reconnect with your feminine beauty:

1. Acknowledge your body shape and love the skin you're in. I wrote an article several years ago called "Seeing Your Body as a Work of Art." What I discovered after marrying an artist was that artists look at the human form as a work of art. No judgment. No "body hatred." The human form has lines, curves, shadows, folds, and colors, all creating a unique presence that cries out for fabric to be draped beautifully over each fold and curve. Wear clothes that create flattering lines, don't pinch and pull, and most of all, elongate and slenderize. Learning about your body shape and how to drape it beautifully can be a transformational experience.
2. Do something every day that brings you joy. Someone commented to me the other day at my husband's artist reception that I looked beautiful and radiant. I responded with, "happiness shows." If you love what you do, the joy will permeate every cell in your body and you will radiate attractiveness.
3. Be unforgettable in your appearance. It's about time you had fun with fashion! Create your own signature look and flaunt it. See some examples of cool summer outfits below. I love colorful, figure-flattering tunic tops with leggings for a casual look. A maxi dress will take you from beach to lunch. For more outfit ideas, visit my Polyvore page.
   
4. Do a closet purge. Do not hang on to one piece of clothing that reminds you of the "old days" or the way your body used to look. Move on. Make peace. Make room for new and interesting pieces that accentuate your beautiful curves and light up your eyes.

 

I'd love to hear how you feel about your age and body shape. Do you find that it holds you back from manifesting your dreams? If you've made peace with your age and body image, I'd love to hear your advice for other women who are struggling with self-criticism.

Master the Art of Layering Necklaces

I've been a fan of Helen Anderson's jewelry for years. She has traveled the world to search out and collect the most unique pendants, precious stones, bones, and metals that she spins into masterpieces. I'm a big fan....

I wanted to show you some of Helen's beautiful pieces and also share what she has taught me about layering necklaces. There is a way to layer 2 or 3 necklaces to create an interesting, unique look that appears completely original! 

As you read on, I'll explain some of Helen's layering techniques.

First, let me point out that Helen's color palette is a True Colors COPPER, which is what many of you know as AUTUMN. She wears chartreuse with ease, as well as teal, red brick, plum, and mustard yellow. 

Here is Helen modeling three layers of copper necklaces over a chartreuse cashmere sweater and denim leggings. One layer of copper just wouldn't be enough!

Same chartreuse sweater. Three different necklaces. Torquoise and silver chunky short necklace, silver pendant on chain, and longer torquoise on chain. Helen adjusts the lengths of her necklaces specifically for layering so each piece is showcased.

If you think chunky necklaces are reserved for tall or large women, think again. Helen is a diminutive 5'3" and she ROCKS her chunky styles!

If you prefer a more delicate look, try layering necklaces such as pearls and gold chain necklaces to create an elegant, simple look.

 The background of Helen's black tunic shows off two beautiful torquoise necklaces.

Same black tunic, different necklaces made of chunky amber, Bakelite, bone, wood and ebony. See how the colors complement Helen's skin tone and hair, and pop off the black top. It's no accident that her neckline opening and the amber pendant meet at the same location.

Another way to break up a basic black outfit is by adding layers of pearls, as Canadian singer, Nelly Furtado does below.

If you're wondering how to determine what length your necklaces should be, you have two ways to figure it out. 

1. The first way is to use a tape measure and literally wrap it around your neck and stretch it down to the different points you want your necklaces to fall. Write down the lengths and take the measurements with you when you buy necklaces. 
2. The second way is to locate three locations on your body: Your collar bone (ideal for choker styles), your sternum (just above your point of cleavage -- ideal for pendants), and your belly button or just above (for long chains). For small-breasted women, a location just below your sternum works well, too. But, if you have larger breasts, your necklace will not lay smoothly at this location, so it's better to keep necklaces above your bust line. 

I love Helen's teal-colored tunic paired with quartz crystal, fresh water pearl, gold tone agate, and vintage metal beads below. Simple and elegant.

Helen Anderson (pictured above) is a jewelry designer and local San Luis Obispo resident. She designs original necklaces and earrings, but she will also take a treasured piece of jewelry and completely redesign it into something you'll enjoy wearing every day. I've given her several old pieces that I never wore, and Helen re-purposed them into beautiful necklaces. 

Helen always says that a beautiful necklace will transform a t-shirt and jeans outfit into something special! If you'd like to get in touch with Helen, you can send her an email at oakmede@aol.com.  

I hope this article inspires you to rediscover all the necklaces you've been saving for a special occasion, and layer them over everyday outfits to create a special, original look that brings you JOY!  

What's the Hot Accessory This Spring?

Springtime is finally here this week! Time to celebrate with colorful, weightless, silk kimonos and scarves. These are two accessories you can wear with just about everything. They're hand painted, gorgeously lightweight, effortlessly chic.

The best way to enjoy your life journey is to travel light!

Check out these beautiful local ladies modeling springtime accessories from Finders Keepers:

Debi Basile looks gorgeous and dramatic in a black and gray Kavita painted silk kimono.

The thing I love about these kimonos is they're so versatile and flattering on women of every size and shape. Throw a kimono over a sweater and equestrian leggings and voila! you're ready to go dancing. 

Patty Andreen wears an emerald green flowered kimono over a Ralph Lauren cashmere sweater and Ralph Lauren equestrian leggings with a pearlescent circle necklace.

Softly demure kimono in mauve and robin's egg blue, below. Throw on a multi-strand necklace, some lip gloss and strong eye makeup, and you've got a date night outfit.

Switching to another spring accessory, THE SILK SCARF. 

Let me ask you a question: "Can you own too many scarves?" I say no, because a scarf is the finishing touch, the artistic flair to an outfit representing an expression of you.

  
Wearing a beautiful gold and blue scarf finishes this comfortably chic outfit for a day of shopping.

SLO resident, Dixie Cliff, is wearing a blue tunic top with Yost leggings, a silk hand painted scarf, and faux leather handbag (available at Finders Keepers).

Dixie looks like she stepped out of a Monet painting in her light blue tunic blouse with a brightly colored floral silk scarf.

Look what happens when Dixie ties the scarf around her waist! There's no explanation other than spring fever... 

Patty is smartly outfitted in a Ralph Lauren equestrian ensemble, with a silk scarf that ties everything together.

Patty Andreen wears a creamy white Ralph Lauren cashmere sweater, Ralph Lauren equestrian leggings, brown leather belt, and Alberto Fermani boots. The silk scarf ties everything together.

Helen Anderson is ready for a fun day in her Crazy Jays tunic top, Ralph Lauren leggings, her own necklace creation, and a gorgeous hand painted silk scarf.

I'm curious to know what your hot accessory item is this spring. Please leave a comment and tell us what you're going to buy! Enjoy the Spring Equinox this week!

Belted and Beautiful!

Belts are sometimes a forgotten accessory, so I thought it was time to resurrect the belt's status as a treasured piece that can transform an ordinary outfit into something special.

How many belts do you own? If you're like me, I've been collecting belts for many years. Belts stand the test of time, although, I don't have my fringed belt from the 70's any longer -- darn! There are wide belts, skinny, leather, suede, bangled, beaded, metal, the worn look, shiny patent leather, and more.

Belts give your body shape more definition, and when used around your waist gives you an hourglass look. Belts can make a bulky sweater or blouse look fitted. I wear a skinny belt with my jeans to help them stay put.

Helen Anderson is wearing a Chico's satin trench coat, silver conch belt, Lysse denim leggings, and her own jewelry creations.

In the photo above, Helen removed the satin belt that comes with the trench coat, and replaced it with a beautiful silver conch belt.

Below, Lu Shepard is wearing one outfit and changing it up three ways:

Lu Shepard is wearing a cashmere shawl over a Vince long-sleeve top, wide brown leather belt with brass hardware, denim leggings, silver chains, and Sam Edelman boots.

Same outfit without the cashmere shawl.

Lu removed the brown leather belt and added a silver studded belt over her shawl for a completely different look.

Next, Helen Anderson uses a belt to amp up a cardigan sweater, giving it a figure-hugging silhouette and a pop of color.

Helen Anderson is wearing an H & M animal print cardigan with a carmel-colored leather belt, denim leggings, and her own jewelry creations.

Below, I'm joking around with Helen, but we're both looking seriously stylish.

I'm wearing a BCBG dress with cutout sleeves, black woven leather belt, Diane Von Furstenberg boots, and brass chain necklace.

Below is my artistic, thoughtful pose. Adding a jeweled accessory belt to a simple blue sheath dress provides a finishing touch.

Linda is wearing a Banana Republic sheath dress, bejeweled belt, copper bracelet, Max Mara purse, and Pelle Moda boots.

Many of the clothes we model are available for purchase right now at Finders Keepers. If you're not a San Luis Obispo resident, you can have the item shipped to you. If you live in SLO, I highly recommend a visit to the store. There are always treasures to be found!

What are your favorite ways to use a belt (fashion only, ladies!)? What is your favorite belt? Please take a picture wearing your belt and add it to the Comments below.

How to Wear Leggings Like a Lady

Do you have a desire to wear leggings, but you're unsure how to style them?

 

"Fashion is about dressing according to what's fashionable. Style is more about being yourself." -- Coco Chanel

Let's talk about how women "of a certain age" can wear leggings in a sophisticated, stylish way and still be themselves. Leggings have a place in our lives because they're versatile, comfortable, and fit into a busy lifestyle. I've seen controversial articles about how older women shouldn't attempt to wear leggings -- nonsense! My advice? Go for quality legging fabrics and use layering techniques to reduce the chance of looking like a student wearing an over-sized sweater.

Here are some examples of how to wear leggings like a lady:

I am wearing TART leggings with a beautiful goldenrod Equipment Femme blouse, silk scarf and chunky gold necklace. Badgley Mischka handbag and Diane Von Furstenberg boots.

While setting up the photo shoot, our good friend, Ruby Raymond, stepped into Finders Keepers, looking absolutely gorgeous in her Ralph Lauren skinny  jeans (which could easily be leggings), Alberto Fermani boots, and Johnny Was blouse. I asked her if she'd let us include her in this style post, and she said yes!

Leggings take on elegance with a crisp, tailored Chicos blouse, relaxed linen jacket with sleeves pushed up, and a silk scarf serving as an artsy belt. Add an Arcadia Italian handbag, Diane Von Furstenberg boots, multi-strand silver and pearl necklace, and I'm ready for a day of shopping in SLO or lunch with the CEO.

Look who I'm going to lunch with! My good friend, Helen Anderson (jewelry designer extraordinaire). Helen is the perfect woman to model leggings because she wears them almost daily in different ways, always looking beautiful and put-together. Here she's wearing Renaur leggings with a teal Free People tunic and her own jewelry creations.

As you've seen, leggings can look elegantly French chic when styling with a crisp blouse and jacket. They can be casually classy with a relaxed tunic top in a great color, fabulous necklace or two, and flat loafers or strappy sandals.

Where can you find leggings? Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

• Finders Keepers is bringing in a special line of leggings that offer structure.
• Lysse has different legging styles for all sorts of body shapes.
• Spanx has a line of leggings that offer structure and control.

Do you wear leggings? How do you style leggings? Please share your thoughts below.