Ladies of a Certain Age ~ for those invisible powerful, dynamic, vital women

Ladies, I have died and gone to heaven! Yes, some of my absolutely favoritest things are in fashion this season—mainly, jeans and my favorite c colors. In this report, I will give you a snapshot of what’s in style, the fashion color palette, tips on where to buy certain items, what’s in my closet,  and—special for this issue:  Two of the most fashionably dressed ladies-of-a-certain-age I know reveal how they do it! 

Looks that are hot:

Jeans!  I have never seen so many jeans in fashion articles, ads and web sites.  The cut of many of these jeans are “kind” for us:  Yes, slender legs, but not too slender and not too tight; the waist band is at the waist or close to it; and the fabric has a little stretch for a better, more forgiving fit.  Here’s a special fashion tip: No matter where I looked, I noticed the “hip” thing to do is not to tuck your shirt in all the way.  Tuck it in the front, leaving the sides out.  This is great for hiding “love handles,” or tuck in just one side of the shirt. Thrift stores and consignment stores are great places to buy jeans because they have lots of selections at reasonable prices.

Jackets.  If you have not given away your suit jackets you wore when you worked, you can get them out and where them with your jeans—for the cool 2014 look.  Jackets of any style are in.  What’s really new, though, is the moto jacket.  A real moto jacket, like Foncy wore, was made out of leather. Today, the faux leather, made out of polyester, looks fabulous, washes, and is reasonably priced!  You can wear it zipped or not zipped. Again, thrift stores and consignment shops are tremendous for jacket selections.

Prep.  White shirts, plaid flannel or cotton shirts, crew neck cable sweaters, cardigans, and trench coats are all hip, this 2014 fall.  (Now, my mother probably would not approve of the shirt bottom sticking out of the cable sweater on top.)  A great place to shop for these items may be your very own closet!

Purses, shoes and accessories.   As far as purses go, the big tote is still in.  I am seeing some clutch purses and “structured” purses—you know a regular ol’ purse, kinda square with a handle. As far as shoes go, I am happy to report as a lady-of-a-certain-age that flats are still in along with low heeled boots. Bangles are in for accessories as well as geometric shaped necklaces and earrings. 

Colors.  Black and white is still very chic!  (I think Ann Taylor, though, has gone too far in promoting just summer white.  Really, Ann!) My more common names for the official Pantone colors this year include: Deep orchid, light orchid, raspberry, royal blue, cobalt blue,  gray, “orangeish” red, mustard yellow, gray-brown, and pine green.

What’s in my Closet:

I have three pairs of jeans I dearly love: One pair is from Lands’ End, another – my “boyfriend jeans” I bought at Target a couple of years ago and my “best jeans,” from Banana Republic I bought at Mercer Place, a Resale Boutique.  My most exciting purchase for this season is a Jaclyn Smith faux leather moto jacket from Kmart.  Also, from Kmart is a Jaclyn Smith patterned and pleated “dress blouse,” in my favorite red and purple tone colors, that looks like silk, which I plan on wearing to “dress up” occasions with black ankle pants from Ann Taylor.  I was delighted to find from “my suit days” a gray wool cropped jacket and my “old standby,” a black Pendleton jacket.  Also, in my closet is a white cable crew sweater, short black boots and my beloved Monsac handbag, a “structured purse.” Three white blouses, hang in my closet like soldiers standing at attention. To get them super white again, they are all going to get a dunk in “Oxygen Orange” before I wash them, and then –holy cow—iron them.  My Christopher Poly necklace I bought at the Denver Art Museum will get a lot of wear.  Forget bangles – they drive me crazy dangling from my wrist. Also, at Kmart, I saw a purple-plaid flannel shirt that I am planning on buying. 

Fashionably Dressed Ladies-of-a-Certain-Age Reveal Their Secrets

Debbi Strong, 61, is a tall slender blond with cropped curly hair that I have known for about a year, and Maria, “Mary” Pedzick, 75, one of my yoga buddies, is petite with a gray pixie hair cut.  Both friends have “that something special fashion style.”  I don’t know how to describe it other than I always notice how well-dressed they are without looking like their clothes and hair came from “Seventeen” magazine.  I asked both of them to answer five fashion questions for this report.  The number one tip I got from reading their answers is that they contentiously look for styles and they really enjoy doing it. Here are the questions I asked:

-How do  you figure out what is in style this season?

-How you figure out what to buy—budget–other pieces in your closet–items in style now that work with your sensibilities—etc.?

-Do you center your wardrobe around a certain color or colors?

-Where do you buy your clothes?

-How often do you shop?

-Anything else you would like to tell me?

Here is a summary of what I found:

Figure out what’s in style—

Debbi—I always have watched for trends and decided if I could pull it off or something that’s just not for me. Television, movies, magazines all give new ideas for the season.

Mary—I look at street style for older women on Pinterest, Bloglovin and at Nordstrom, Sundance, Eileen Fisher (style way too $) and in fashion videos–Bill Cunningham’s videos show latest style– in the “New York Times.” That isn’t to say I like or buy, just enjoy.

Figure out what to buy—

Debbi— I am very price conscious, but will splurge once in awhile for an outfit, shoes or handbag. I am not one to go out on a mission of shopping but I will “run” into Nordstrom Rack, Wish boutique or other stores to look. Being a woman of a certain age, I have staples in my closet that I mix with new. I love scarves, especially in the fall and winter. They can change on outfit!

Mary— I shop two or three times a month, more at the beginning of a new season.  My awareness of style is a daily enjoyment, noticing style around the city.  A periodic video called “Intersections” (“New York Times”) features street style around the world.  Even though many of the featured people are young, it is fun!

Do you center your wardrobe around a certain color or colors?

Debbi— I have always liked the colors that look good on me. Orange, greens, browns and off- whites are my best colors. A lot of my main pieces are those colors and I can add others in like turquoise and purple.

Mary— I have my own classic street style. I wear black, grey and white with color splashes in accessories such at necklaces, earrings, and scarves.

Where do you buy your clothes?

Debbi—I buy my clothes everywhere. I have bought things at Target that I love. I shop at the Rack, sometimes Macy’s. I shop boutiques on South Gaylord and Park Meadows occasionally.

Mary— I buy at Assistance League and other next-to-new shops. I sometimes buy classic clothes such as black pants or my North Face boots ( 3 Years ago) at Nordstrom.  I also have lunch there when I shop. Delicious!  The whole experience…

Anything else you would like to tell me

Debbi—I think it’s wonderful to be my age. I feel free to wear what looks good and is comfortable and my style is my own.

Mary— At 75, I don’t worry too much about shoes except to have my own style–boots, clogs and discomfort only for very special times. Actually though I look, I seldom buy.  Zella or Patagonia yoga pants are wonderful and have style.   With a $7.00 on colorful on sale t-shirt from J Crew.  Wow!  Street style is what you see and how you wear yours.  Of course, it all looks better with a fit body.  So…

So—that’s it, Ladies, the 2014 Fall Fashion Report—pretty, nothing drastic.

On another note:  Please join me for a hike (walk, really) at a Jefferson County Mountain Park and then for soup, bread and dessert at “my cottage” the second Sunday of September, October, and November.  I will be sending out more details in another blog tomorrow.  Briefly, email me if you plan on attending.  We will not go if there is bad or wet weather, The hikes—subject to change—include: Flying J Ranch Park, Elk Meadow Park, and Mount Falcon Park.