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. 

A Favorite Boomer Fashion Site

Just when I thought boomer fashion was in the dumps, I got a comment on my blog from Sherrie, Mathieson, style consultant for all ages.  

I studied both her site and her blog and ladies, get your _____ over there right now.  Listen to the podcast on timeless fashion for tough times and aim for simple, well-made classics.  Can you tell I am very excited about this site????  

In her new book (which I'm going to buy today!), Forever Cool; How to Achieve Ageless, Youthful and Modern Personal Style, she rehabilitates the fashion-challenged (like me) with:

What will always last?  What will always be cool?  What is never cool?

Here are a few of her suggestions:

1. Besides the crisp white shirt, the little black dress, leopard prints, black tights, and a pencil black shirt, look for bootcut pants (tapers into the knee and flares out) joining classic styles.

2. Don't go for the extreme in shoes either.  The moderate budget is wise to stick with black and brown.

3. Furs are always in vogue.   Go for fake furs that really look real.

4. Men's pin-stripe suits for women (remember Annie Hall?) are always in but watch for a fitted cut.  

5. Shawls make wise investments; they never go out of style, they give you a chance to be inventive, and they take your simple black dress to alot of occasions.  

6. Learn to accessorize well.

I emailed Sherrie for names of fashion designers and fashion departments who target boomers and seniors.  Here's her invaluable list (however, you'll find gobs more on her blog):

1. Ralph Lauren and JCrew are excellent for larger sizes.

2. Michael Kors!

3. If your body shape is round, go to Eileen Fisher and please, stay away from constructed tailoring.

3. Saks and Bloomingdale's have good large size departments.

Learn to "see" fashion, Ms. Mathieson further asserts.  And keep the phone number of your trusty tailor close at hand.  He/she can work miracles.

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!

 

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

Bob and I were starving married students. He worked at the UCLA Student Union. I frequented the want-ad board and took odd jobs. After 4 years of dating we married as undergrads, mere kids when I look back at our photos. The chances of our surviving together were slim to none.

A constant problem for us was--you guessed it--money. We joined parents for meals as often as our schedules would permit. We were both scrawny in those days so our food budget wasn't much.

But (and this is a big BUT) I always liked clothes. Occasionally, I'd purchase something from K-Mart or its equivalent. Then there were birthday (remember the days when they couldn't come fast enough?).

I'd play a game with myself. If there are any shrinks analyzing this blog, I realize I am in big trouble.

Anyhow, I'd buy clothes but I'd leave the tags on. When I got the "wanting thing" out of my mind, I'd return the items. I felt like I owned the garment but once "needing it" passed, I reclaimed my money.

It's not much different now.

You retailers must despise people like me.

On a slimmed down retirement income I find myself reverting back clothes-wise to my 20's. If I see something that I "must have," I'll buy it. Hold it. Think about it. Until I become indifferent about it.

Then off I go back to the store.

Mama Knows Best: Clothes for the Older Woman

Mom says I'm in the wrong business.

Mom: Do you realize how hard it is for women my age to buy clothes? When will a good designer produce clothes which have 3/4 length sleeves, fullness around the middle, and a round neckline? We don't want trendy. We want simplicity, comfort, and good fabrics.

Me: But Mom, what do you want me to do about it?

Mom: Become a clothing manufacturer. Cater to seniors. They'll flock to your stores.

Me: Yeah, Mom, I could do that...provided I have a couple of million bucks, some knowledge of the clothing business, plus a lot of chutzpah (defined by Wikipedia as "the quality of audacity, for good or for bad"), all of which I'm sorely lacking. But, Mom, I can supply people with links to websites which might help out. Would that make you happy?

Mom: Give it a try. I'll let you know.

Here goes...

If this works, you have my mom to thank. If this stinks, blame it on me. Either way, I'd like to hear from you.

The NY Times agrees that older women are harder to dress.

I've watched enough of those what to wear and not to wear shows that I know that a good bra-fit is essential.

When in doubt, ask an expert.

Or study wardrobe videos for the baby boomer.

Lola and Gigi will help you request the right size from different designers.

For reasonable prices, check out J.C. Penneys,, Macy's, and Chicos.

But I think you're best bet is to find a style (and pattern) that looks good on you and have the clothes made to fit. Spend more on fewer items.  Check out different fabrics (maybe you can find them on sale!).   Adorn or accessorize your clothes differently. And should you be able to sew (good for you!) but have vision difficulties, there's help for you.

Ebay to the Rescue: Ladies Clothes at Great Prices

Omigosh. I forgot about ebay.

A week or so ago I purchased a great but pricey dress at Nordstrom's, one that would get me through 3 weddings (and possibly a funeral!), two on the coasts and the last in the middle. It's one of those dresses which can be suitable for a lot of occasions depending on the way it's accessorized.

Granted I enjoy clothes like most ladies. But my itty bitty closet doesn't allow for much. So I have to be selective.

I don't often buy dresses (period) but when I do, I rarely exceed a reasonable pricetag. This one, however, was more than my usual budget for a couple of months.

I tried to justify the expense (for at least 2 1/2 minutes) and then thought...Ebay! Could I duplicate the dress at a discount?

I entered the designer name and my size. Voila. There it was at half the price. The dress still had its tags. The seller had received almost 100% positive response. The bidding was in progress and I was determined to get it.

Bob reviewed ebay dynamics with me. I waited by the computer until the last moment and plugged in my bid. "You have won the item" felt like nirvana to me.

Now for shoes. Pretty doesn't work for someone who has bunions...but I wanted to give it my best try.

I went back to Nordy's, returned the dress, and checked out the shoe department. The perfect shoes (good-looking and comfortable) beckoned me and since I had the cash burning a hole in my pocket, I purchased them on the spot.

Not an exciting story. Kind of boring, I suppose. But I shall live happily until after the weddings.

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!