Fashion mistake number 3...

Fashion mistake number 3...not dressing for your age!  Your teenage daughter may look hip and cute, and you may miss that feeling and want it back, but that's where the problem starts ladies!  There's an expression in England, "mutton dressed as lamb", and unfortunately I've seen way too many 40-something ladies look like this! 

Cute and hip is not how a grown up woman should look.  Do you really want to be seen as that middle aged mum who thinks she looks totally cool, but in reality looks inappropriate & silly? Do you really want to be that person?  I don't think so!

Your 16 year old may be experimenting with whatever fashion trend comes along, and that's all part of the fun of growing up, but as a grown woman many of the trends will make you look tacky, old and desperate!  If you want to look fabulous after 40, you have to show some restraint!

There's nothing wrong with staying on top of the latest looks and being on trend (I love being on trend with my fashion choices, but also tasteful!).  Incorporating new trends into your wardrobe is what keeps you looking fashionable and modern.  But the key to doing it right is to be selective about what trends you incorporate and how you incorporate them.

Being selective means taking a good look at what the fashion world is currently offering and only incorporating trends that genuinely enhance your body and don't make you look like a silly teenager!  For example, if the following trends were all in : stripes, metallics, purple, lime green and orange,
lace details, 5 inch platforms, jumpsuits & metal chokers....a teenager might wear several of these trends together, or a couple combined in an exaggerated or oversized way - partly to look like she's in style, partly for shock effect!

We need to weed out what we like, what suits our body now as compared to 20 years ago, and what we can wear in a refined, sophisticated & age appropriate way.  A striped lime green jumpsuit worn with a two inch metallic choker and 5 inch platform heels may look hip on your daughter, or on a skinny young magazine model. But on a 40+ woman, not so much!   A more subtle way of interpreting the trends for you may be to opt for a jumpsuit in a more reserved color or pattern (I have several), and a metallic sandal.  Still on trend, but less loud and brash, and more appropriate for your age!  In other words, you're wearing the trend, the trend isn't wearing you!

That's the secret to looking fabulous, not foolosh, after 40!

If you look like any of the images below, you need to starting dressing for your age!




This is so much better ladies...

Fashion mistake number 2...

Continuing with my 5 biggest fashion mistakes, the number 2 mistake is not wearing your WOW colors!  Who doesn't love black?  It's chic and sexy, it makes you look thin, and you can wear it anywhere.  But - are you stuck in a "black" hole?

I like to call this the 'Abundant Black Disorder', ABD!  It can occur anytime in a woman's life, but usually peaks around midlife!  The symptoms: a closet full of black clothing and accessories, the irresistable urge to  "buy it in black", no matter what other colors it comes in, and the feeling of being too fat or too visible if you wear anything other than black, black, black!

Unfortunately what women don't realize is that too much black, especially after a certain age, can make you look old. How?  Black is a strong color that absorbs light.  It is notorious for draining the color from fragile, aging skin and hair.  Worn close to a mature face, black can often look harsh, emphasizing every wrinkle, line and dark shadow.  The message you're sending is "I'm old.  Don't notice me".  That's sad!

So, how can you start looking and feeling more vibrant and youthful?  If you're serious about perking up your looks then start adding color into your current wardrobe!

Going from black (or dark dreary shades) to an endless rainbow of colors can be scary because wearing color takes confidence.  The easiest way to get comfortable with color is to start adding a dash here or there to your existing wardrobe.  For example, try a fuchsia silk blouse with an elegant
black pencil skirt.  Cobalt blue shoes or a stylish red clutch will make a dark suit pop, and bright festive jewelry against a simple black neckline will perk up your face and make you appear more energetic and youthful.

If you haven't already, it's time to discover your personal "WOW" colors!  We all have certain shades that are more flattering on us than others, depending on our skin tone, hair and eye color.  This is the basis of color analysis and it's something I cover in most of the packages of services I offer.  And trust me, this is invaluable, as knowing and wearing the right colors can completely change your look.  Once you know your colors (or season), you can make them the anchor of your personal style.

Why is wearing the right colors important?  Wearing the wrong colors, particularly up by your face, will highlight dark circles and shadows, make your skin look pale and pasty, make your eyes and hair look dull, and make your jaw look loose and jowly!  The wrong colors can make you look tired and old.  Who wants that?  Wearing the right colors will make your skin look smooth, evenly toned and bright, it will make your eyes sparkle and your hair look shiny, giving you a fresher more youthful look.

Banish the black and bring on the color to look happy, healthy and younger!





If the images above reflect you, then it's time for a change.....get some color in your closet!!

Five fashion mistakes...starting with number 1

Over the next few day's I'm going to address the 5 massive fashion mistakes that make you look too old (or too young!) and how to get it just right!  The 5 mistakes are ones that are common, but unfortunately most ladies who are guilty of making these mistakes aren't even aware that they're making them most of the time!  So keep checking in over the next week to find out more about the most common fashion mistakes made!

Fashion Mistake # 1....Wearing big, baggy clothes!

Okay, so none of us 40-somethings have the body we used to have.  That's natural.  You've gained some weight and it's really hard to shed those extra pounds, especially with all the crazy midlife hormones kicking in!  You feel heavy and frumpy, but hiding your body under big, loose, baggy clothing will only make things worse.

I know you know what I'm talking about!  We've all had those days when we've felt so fed up with how we look that we just throw our hands up in the air, reach into our closet and grab the nearest sloppy sweatshirt or baggy t-shirt, and pull on a pair of oversized baggy pants.  We schlep around figuring who cares, right?  But here's the thing.....you should care!  Because when you hide behind the baggy clothing the message you're sending is "I've given up on myself". 

Hiding behind the big clothing is not the answer ladies!  All you're doing is accentuating it by making yourself look bigger than you really are.  If you want to look fabulous after 40 (or any age for that matter!), then you must pay attention to the fit of your clothing.

Instead of walking around wearing a tent, you need to accept your body the way it is at the moment and give yourself a break!  Don't let an extra few pounds rob you of ever looking fabulous again!

The weight you can work on slowly, but in the meantime you need to start wearing clothes that will showcase your body at its best.  Regardless of your size, you can look slimmer by wearing clothes that flatter the figure you have!  When you wear fitted clothes, you look slimmer and leaner.

Now, notice I'm not saying tighter clothing.  I'm saying wear more fitted clothing.  There's a big difference.  I'm talking tops and dresses that skim your body and follow your natural silhouette, shirts with darts, jackets that nip in at the waist and clothing with some stretch and shape.  Pants (which are always tricky) need to fit well in the waist and fall straight down from your hips for the most flattering look.  And remember that if you're wearing something fitted on your bottom half like a fitted pant, skinny jean or pencil skirt, you can wear something a little bigger on your top half because it will give the illusion of being slimmer.

Buying clothes that fit well may feel odd at first because you're so used to wearing oversized garments,  however, after a couple of days I promise you you'll feel comfy, especially when the compliments start rolling in.  I always say there's nothing more valuable than a good seamstress, so if you haven't got one, start looking as this will prove to be a huge benefit down the road.  Don't get stuck in a rut ladies and give up on yourselves...I promise you if you take note of the tips this coming week you'll feel better about yourself and start enjoying going out again and feeling good!

If you look like the image above could be you, then it's time to make a change....to this!  See below how fabulous you can look with a great fit at any size!