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Don’t let the title worry you, Ladies. I am not going to drop you high and dry. I’m still going to give you the scoop on the latest fall fashions and colors. I will also tell you how I feel these fashions work or don’t work for ladies-of-a-certain-age. Then, I am going to give you some things to think about that may just change entirely how you think about fashion and shopping! Wow.

I do want to share with you three statements made at our spring fashion workshop that I found important and,maybe, you will, too. To begin with, I am not sure where I have been, but, I learned that there are camisoles with lots of spandex in them that are great for controlling bulges and can even become part of the whole outfit look. I went out and bought a black one and a white one. I feel much better wearing them because they help conceal the big bulge on my right waist caused by the scoliosis I developed as a lady-of-a-certain-age.

Second,   if you find a designer or brand you love, stick with that person or brand. Well, I did many years ago for my casual clothes, which I now wear 99.9 percent of the time. She is Jaclyn Smith at Kmart.

Finally, our presenter wasn’t keen on color swatches from a seasonal color analysis because she said colors change every season. That certainly is true, but having my colors analyzed in 1986 has been the biggest – absolute biggest – help to me in coordinating my wardrobe and make-up. With today’s technology, I can get the current “exact colors” off the internet. I am a Winter in case you want to know. You can easily find out what Season you are on their site and even order current swatches.

First – 2015 Fall Fashion Trends

 1. A Duster Coat

A fairly loose, light-weight, and long, mid-calf length coat, it comes with a variety of collars. Originally, they were used to protect horseback riders and early motor-coach (car) riders from dust.( My grandmother made us duster coats to cover our Easter dresses because the holiday was often cool back then when my sister and I grew up in Denver. ) Well, I actually have one of these duster coats in my closet! I am not sure if it counts because of the material it is made from.  It is a navy-blue cashmere coat that I bought at a consignment store years ago. It is my favorite cold-weather coat. The length just covers the top of my boots. The collar is simple. What I love most is the cashmere.

2. Fringe –

Leather fringe, long fringe is everywhere. It is shown on dresses purses, vests, scarves, shoes, blouses, pants. If you love fringe, have at it girl!

3. Slip Dress –

That’s right, a dress that looks like a slip. I do know a handful of ladies-of-a-certain-age that have the figures of 30-year old women, but only a handful. I am not sure even they want to wear these dresses. I am not adding one to my closet.

4. The Pant Suit –

I loved it “when and always had one in my closet. If I went to more formal affairs these days, I might go out and buy one similar to what I used to have. Made from casual or sporty material with relaxed tailoring, I feel a paint suit would now be a nice addition for my closet.

5. Shoes – Short, blocked heels

I was about ready to get rid of my last pair. I dug them out of the donation sack. Even at “our age,” I think most of us can wear these heels. You can wear them not only with dresses and skirts, but jeans and pants these days as well! Sure glad I did not throw mine away. Looking through Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Lands’ End web sites, I noticed loafers are back, mocks, ballet slippers and statement canvas shoes are still in.

6. Ribbed knits

Pull out any sweaters, dresses and jackets with ribbed knits you have in the back of your closet to the front. This ol’ staple is on the top-10 chart!

7. White Blouse

It seems the white blouse is always mentioned in fall trends. This year the white blouse “look” is the look of the 1970s – big bows, long wrist bands, baby-doll ruffles. I remember wearing them with bell-bottom pants.   At JJ Jill and other retailers I see your standard white blouse used as a jacket over a t-shirt. Remember your mom telling you to tuck your shirt in? Well that phrase is so blasé in 2015 This is good because any side bulges are not as noticeable unless the blouse is really tight. Another blouse style is made from very thin material. Some women wear colored bras underneath. I think this is pretty tasteless at any age.

8. Jewelry Fall Fashion

If you saved your jewelry from the 1970s, haul it out and wear it again, baby. I wonder if I still have my appleseed necklace? I did like that one. Statement necklaces and pearls are definitely in. I do enjoy my Christophe Poly necklace and ring I bought at the Denver Art Museum. I adore pearls and have a strand or two that were my mother’s, making them extra special. Also, colored crystal necklaces are in vogue now. I have a pink one that was my Grandmother Elizabeth’s.

9. Purses

“Structured,” square and rectangular purses are in. The tote is still with us, but it seems more formal this fall. Clutch purses are big as well as purses with handles. Oh, yes, fringe is cool on purses in 2015! My beloved Monsac handbag is definitely in as well as my dearly-loved classic black Coach satchel. I’m tossing my straw tote bag today. We have battled all summer because things get lost in it no matter how many little containers I have in it stuffed with essentials.

10. Nail color

Nothing too wild here. I did not see any sparkles or pearls or totally weird colors. They seem to match the colors talked about below. They include: gray, dark teal, wine, olive green, muted orange, brown and cream. I have gray and wine and cream polish now, so I won’t be hopping out to buy more.

Second- 2015 Fall Fashion Colors

“Juxtaposition of color from opposite sides of the spectrum emphasizes poise and confidence on the runway. The Fall 2015 palette is rooted in multi-faceted, androgynous colors that can be worn to portray effortless sophistication across men’s and women’s fashion; it is the first time we are seeing a truly unisex color palette.” Leatrice Eiseman Executive Director, Pantone Color Institute®

 The good news is that they are pretty and no matter what “season” you are several of the colors will be just perfect for you. This is a fascinating web site to visit. In parenthesis, I have added my broad interpretation of the color.

Dried Herb (olive green)

Desert Sage (green gray)

Stormy Weather (dark blue gray)

Oak Buff (golden)

Marsala (wine)

Bisque Bay (teal)

Reflecting Pond (forest blue green)

Cadmium Orange (soft orange)

Cashmere Rose (soft rose)

Amethyst Orchid (medium purple)

Third – A Surprising Twist –

The past couple of weeks I have been thinking very differently about fashion. I have been thinking about  what a huge misuse of resources it is, super skinny and very young models, fires in clothing manufacturing plants, messaging to young girls and no communication to ladies-of-a-certain-age.

Last week I read a book about people not-so-long-ago making clothes out of flour sacks and re-tailoring clothes of older children or mothers for younger members of the family.

I talked with my good friend Mary – the most fashionable woman I know – 10 years my senior. (see the 2014 Fall Fashion Report for more information about her.) She told me her clothes consume like one-foot! of closet space.

Another friend Linda asked me if I had read “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing” by Marie Kondo. A good portion of the book is dedicated to discussing clothes.

Finally, I decided to move where I have always wanted to live – Grand Junction, Colorado. I will move there next spring, and yes, I will continue to write this blog when I am there. In the meantime, I have to get rid of things and clothes I don’t want to pay to have moved.

This week so far I donated 87 articles of clothing. Yes, over the years I have gone through my closet on a seasonal basis and made donations or thrown away very worn pieces of clothing. But, this time, as Marie Kondo suggests , I went though each piece of clothing (including purses and shoes), and realized I often don’t wear nor like most of them. Of course, it is all in good repair and clean. I learned well how to care for clothes from my depression-era parents, who have both been dead for many, many years. I still have my dresses to go through. I don’t think I need all 14 of them. Mary told me she has one nice dress. My goal is to get all of my clothes in my Honda next spring as I ”head on over the hill.”

Fashion will always be important to me. I love its creativity, colors, style. But, I am at a stage in my life where I do not need to replenish my wardrobe each fashion season. I’ll still be a cool chick. Finally, my kids won’t have to clean out jam-packed clothes closets when I am gone.

 

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