Boomers Unite: It's Time to Raid Your Daughter's Closet

Ladies, it's time to raid your daughter's closet, according to 40+ style consultant and costumer to the stars Sherrie Mathieson. Borrow the denim jacket, cashmere cardigan or cool, chunky necklace.

Sure you should purchase the classic wardrobe pieces. But spruce them up (and make yourself look more hip) by borrowing the best of your daughter's look in age-appropriate ways.

Mathieson recommends staying out of stores that cater to boomers. Instead add a twist to age-old classic styles.

"Sporty (not sloppy) makes you look younger...(but you) need to learn how to get sporty right." Accessorize well by wearing more prominent jewelry rather than delicate chains. Choose nice quality fabrics. Don't overdo anything and check out ageless collections at J. Crew and Ralph Lauren.

I bought Sherrie Mathieson's book, Forever Cool, and got great ideas to create a more youthful and modern personal style.

Check out the other blogs I've written concerning ladies fashion and start having fun:

Modern, Youthful Fashion

A Favorite Boomer Fashion Site

Buying Clothes When You're Over 50

Affording Clothes when You Don't Have the $$$$

Mama Knows Best: Clothes for the Older Woman

eBay to the Rescue: Ladies Clothes at Great Prices

You Can Find Clothes That Suit You--Honestly!

Modern, Youthful Fashion

Some of us learn by seeing (me, for instance!). Others do better listening.  3 consultants discuss how to look modern and youthful. Sherrie Matthieson helps her clients pick the simple staples for their wardrobe to make each of them look genuine and ageless. 

   

Deborah, JoJami and guests discuss accessories and color (you have to be very careful how you use certain colors so that they don't make you look hard). Sometimes a charcoal gray may be a better choice than black because black soaks in color and depletes you. 

Have fun with color. Sherrie is partial to orange and plays on orange.  She also suggests mixing your greens (apple, hunter, and lime) with white jeans during the summer.  Stay away from mauve or peach with gray.  Check out men's departments for scarves (imagine a turquoise scarf next to your face).  And while you're there, pick out a men's watch and add your own band.

Look for high-end workout clothes and match with flats or boots and a great purse.  The more ladylike you look as you age, the older you look, according to Mathieson.  Stay clear of all knit suits (and that well-known brand), she advises.  

Clothes should skim your figure.  Collect the classics and then add the special pieces. 

 

Think sleek and simple for shoes (no bling).

A non-ornamental jean jacket goes a long way in your wardrobe. 

Mathieson suggests an over-the-shoulder good-sized (not huge) weather-resistant patent leather bag which may be adorned with zippers.    Think patent beyond dressy--it can really be sporty.  Try shoes with a patent stripe.   

Replace your heavy Coach bag with a more modern version.  You can find inexpensive eco-friendly bags that can be used everyday.  

Other Mathieson suggestions:

Use a scarf with a v-neck sweater.

Don't go for tight turtlenecks; cowl necks are better.

Replace some of your dainty necklaces with substantial ones--your eye goes to the necklace and not to your neck.

 

JCrew, Ralph Lauren, and MaxMara consistently carry classic clothes.  You can also find garments sometimes at Target, Banana Republic, and Ann Taylor. However, stay away from Chicos--don't confuse their glitz with fashion. 

Buying Clothes When You're Over 50

Granted, I don't have Diane Keaton's budget.

But I am so frustrated.  I've been surfing the web for an hour now.  I can't believe the lack of clothing options for the over-50 lady.  

Common on, clothing manufacturers.  What do we have to do to rouse you from your coma?

We don't need polyester--it was never and still isn't breathable.  You can do better.  Granted, denim provides style and comfort but Levi Strauss put his name on the fabric 1 1/2 centuries ago.     

I'm tired of looking at scrawny young women in tight-fitting clothes.  I'm tired of having to sift through wardrobe sites only to find abysmal plus sizes or unimaginative women's clothes.

 

We're a huge audience.  We're busy.  We want to be fashionable.  Many of us have the disposable income.  Gosh, if a designer just gave us what we wanted in fabrics, colors, and styles, he/she'd be laughing all the way to the bank.   

Clothing manufacturers:  Take the 50something challenge-- Create a clothing line dedicated to our age.  Then maybe more of us could look like Diane Keaton!

 

You Can Find Clothes That Suit You--Honestly!

Hey, ladies. Fabulous After 40 gives some of the most valuable fashion and beauty advice I've found on the web. The Glam Gals, Deborah Boland and JoJami Tyler, who co-author the site are well-regarded professional image and style experts. They've appeared frequently on television and radio programs and have also contributed to various publications regarding style tips and advice.

Here are two sites they recommend:

1. MyShape

Former Fashion Director of Saks Fifth Avenue Patty Fox now divides her time as fashion coordinator for the Academy Awards, a consultant on Oprah, Entertainment Tonight, CNN, and other popular shows, and the Chief Creative Officer for MyShape.

Launched in September, 2006, MyShape helps you create your own personal profile based on your measurements, your body shape (one of 7 shapes), and your favorite designers.

Then ShapeMatch not only recommends clothes for you but it also guides you to your correct size (manufacturers sizes can vary greatly).

Finally, should you have any problem, simply chat with a professional on Live Chat.

Read the testimonials. Some women were skeptical at first. Some claimed they were hard to fit. All congratulated MyShape on its service and its advice.

Standard shipping is free for orders and for returns. New members get $25. off their first order if it exceeds $50.

2. SavvyCircle

SavvyCircle goes one step further. This site records the fashion and other products you like from a generous range of stores. When the product goes on sale, you receive an email with the sale price.

To me, ladies, you have much to gain and little to lose by utilizing these sites. Have fun!