need help with clothes!

Verity · 10-27-2009, 12:30 PM

I will be attending my niece's baby shower in a couple of weeks, and I have NO idea what to wear. Other than the grandmother, I will be, by at least 15 years, the oldest woman there. I don't want to look like the frumpy old aunt, but I also don't want to look as if I'm trying too hard to look young. Help!!!

2poodles · 10-27-2009, 03:01 PM

How dressy? Is the shower in someone's home or a restaurant? And do you live in an area where it's getting cooler? Since I rarely wear dresses/skirts, I'd probably wear dressy jeans or black slacks, plus a crisp white blouse and a jacket - or a sweater. And I'd probably wear ankle boots. But I'm not one for real trendy clothes....

caramix3a · 10-27-2009, 06:25 PM

2poodles has good points here. I'll add a couple of my own - whatever you wear, something that FITS and in flattering color for you will go a long way. I know this all depends on your body type, but it will make the difference between either looking frumpy, or "trying too hard". If the shower is in someone's home, then a nice pair of pants in a solid color, or even one's best jeans(again, good fit, a dark wash to give a more elegant look) with a nice top. Another unfussy layer could be added if it's chilly. There are a lot of nice tunic tops that on can wear loose, or belted, whichever suits you best. A pair of nice flats anchors this look. If the shower is out at a fancier place, then a pretty dress that fits you will do it, along with tights and nice shoes. The dress doesn't have to be fussy either - something simple like a shift dress with a cardigan(ala Michelle Obama) will go far and you can wear these things at other times too.

Verity · 10-28-2009, 08:29 AM

I realized that I didn't give enough information. The shower is at someone's home, so nice jeans would be ok? I rarely wear pants other than jeans, so I was wondering if jeans would be ok. It's in San Diego, so it won't be too cold, but it won't be hot, either--I think I'll need a jacket. Some sort of nice jacket over a shirt?

I tend to avoid prints because I think there's a fine line between "cool shirt" (or jacket) and "old lady." How do you wear only solid colors and still look put together? I can't wear white--it washes me out.

Thanks for the help!

bethk · 10-28-2009, 02:22 PM

I tend to stick to solid colors, too, but my new favorite thing is a scarf! This is a "trend" that I think looks great at any age. I would probably wear dark jeans with ankle boots or flats (depending on the jeans), a simple v-neck or scoop neck top with long sleeves and a scarf in a print that picks up a color in the top. You could add a jacket or a long cardigan sweater (also a "trend" that looks good on us over 40s!) if you thought you'd get chilly.

One of my favorite sites for "real life" fashion advice is youlookfab.com. There are lots of women that frequent that site who have great style and are in our age group.

And I'm SURE you won't look like a frumpy old aunt!

Verity · 10-29-2009, 09:16 AM

"Depending on the jeans," meaning, flats with skinnier jeans and boots with bootcut?

I used to wear scarves, but now I'm convinced they make me look old. I am such a fashion chicken!

bethk · 10-29-2009, 10:17 AM

Yes, I would wear cute flats (loafers, ballet flats) with skinnier jeans and boots with bootcuts. Unless you have some boots that would look good with skinnier jeans tucked in (either shorter, "slouchy" boots or higher boots with a low heel).

And EVERYONE is wearing scarves now! You see this look on all the celebrities, and it's been popular in Europe for several years (we've been to Italy and Germany in the past couple of years and you see scarves everywhere). Just make sure the scarf isn't an "old lady" scarf. LOL! If you search for ways to tie scarves you'll get a good idea of what won't look "frumpy"!

Good luck!

Verity · 10-29-2009, 11:34 AM

I see scarves on other people (even people my age or older) and I sometimes think they look good, but I don't trust myself to choose a non-old lady scarf. It's the same reason I don't wear prints.

Can anyone suggest good stores for clothes that aren't too young or too old for people my age (late 40s)? I abhor department store shopping because of the overwhelming amount of stuff (I am not a born shopper and I get sensory overload very easily!), so I'd prefer smaller stores.

Verity · 10-29-2009, 02:50 PM

I tried on this jacket today:

http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog...Color=Midnight Navy&defaultSizeType=Regular#

Can't decide if the burgundy color (closer to eggplant in real life) looks good on me. If I go with this, with jeans, what should I wear under it? A turtleneck would be too hot. (Shoe choice will depend on whether the skinnyish jeans I just ordered fit me.)

2poodles · 10-29-2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Verity

I tried on this jacket today:

http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog...Color=Midnight Navy&defaultSizeType=Regular#

Can't decide if the burgundy color (closer to eggplant in real life) looks good on me. If I go with this, with jeans, what should I wear under it? A turtleneck wout be too hot. (Shoe choice will depend on whether the skinnyish jeans I just ordered fit me.)

I love the jacket! I think you could just wear a scoop-neck long or short sleeved tee under it. And a cute necklace and/or earrings!

Verity · 10-29-2009, 03:17 PM

What kind of earrings? I generally don't wear them, and my hair is sort of short, so nothing too big.

I was thinking about a scoopneck shirt (in black)--maybe short-sleeved so I'd be less tempted to take off the jacket. Black definitely isn't my best color. If the dark blue skinny jeans work out, would these and black flats look ok? Or with this sort of jacket, should I go with regular jeans (still in a dark wash) and black ankle boots?

Thanks SO much for all your help!

bethk · 10-29-2009, 03:24 PM

LOVE that jacket!! That is SO not frumpy!

I agree with 2poodles...I'd wear a scoop neck tee under it. I'd probably wear some medium size hoop earrings, maybe a little decorative (I have some hammered hoops that would look cool). Either style of jeans would work. That jacket is the "statement" of the outfit. I may have to get one for myself!

winifred · 10-30-2009, 09:56 AM

Love the jacket! A scoop neck T would work well under it. Add dark wash jeans, a scarf, cute flats or boots, and you're good to go.

Any rectangular scarf that hangs down in the front would work. Just put it around your neck and leave it alone. Definitely not old lady. Avoid a square scarf made into a triangle with the point centered in the back and tied in the front--that's an aging look.

Verity · 10-30-2009, 04:20 PM

Thanks so much for all the advice! I am glad to hear that you guys like that jacket. (I went back and bought it yesterday.) Maybe my fashion instincts aren't dead, after all!

Would you put the scarf just around your neck, or under the collar of the jacket?

2poodles · 10-31-2009, 08:45 AM

Personally, I feel that adding a scarf would distract from the details of the jacket. I'd probably just wear a chunky necklace and hoop earrings.

Verity · 11-03-2009, 06:27 AM

I'm still not comfortable with the scarf idea, so that's good to hear, 2poodles.

Still trying to figure out how to survive the plane and not look a wrinkled mess when I get there. Packing the jacket would be worse than wearing it, I fear.

I can't seem to find any dark blue jeans that fit (thanks, Gap, for having such a crummy selection--I can't find pants to fit me anywhere else), so it's going to have to be regular jeans. Oh, well.