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

Never, ever did I think I would be a fashion reporter, but …… When I reached a certain age, like 50+, I became very confused about what to wear.  After all, I never saw women my age in fashion reports or advertisements.  Frankly, I rarely saw any woman that looked my age on television, in the newspaper or on my computer screen.

Well, let me tell you, sister – now that I am in my 70s, the situation hasn’t gotten any better – except, maybe – since this January.  Now, I do see women my age who are in Congress.  Let me tell you these “babes” exude the latest fashion trends, as does some world leaders like England’s Theresa May, age 62, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, age 64.  Almost every night, I note what my favorite newscaster, PBS Judy Woodruff, 72, is wearing.

Further, I just did not know if some of the fashion trends were right for me. After all, I was no longer a “spring chicken” with reddish brown hair.  Now, I am definitely a crone (and proud of it!) with gray hair.

But, somehow I still cared about fashion – maybe it was because of my mother Rose and her sister Jean, who were always – it seemed – window shopping and dreaming at department stores in downtown Denver that no longer exist.

If you have read this blog for awhile, you know I am not alone in my thoughts.  Many of you have written me about your own fashion frustration.

Well, ladies, let’s get on to the purpose of this blog and what you want to read –  2019 spring fashions for ladies-of-a-certain age.  Links to my sources are given at the end.

First, let’s review some basics:

·         Support your sister – no judgment of what other ladies-of-a-certain age wear.

·         We all have a fashion personality and we naturally gravitate to certain styles.

·         We all have a color season if you will, and we look our best when we wear these colors.

·         There’s a difference between fashion trends and style. Coco Channel put it this way, “When fashion seduces you, the affair usually burns itself out before the next season.  …Style, like a good man, doesn’t let you down. (March 31, Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy)

Hot trends:

Yellow – the deeper and brighter the better

Flare pants

Chunky jewelry

Dangly pearl earrings and heart shape ones, too

Denim, denim, denim

Skinny scarves

White sneakers and clear plastic shoes

Defined eyebrows, fluffy eyelashes, “pearly” and brightly colored nail polish

Square shaped hand bags

Sharing my 2019 spring fashion choices:

1. ·         I always “shop my closet, first,” and do a little “tiding” while I am at it.  I am a huge fan of Maria Kondo and recycling.  What doesn’t bring me joy anymore, I put in my donation bag to my favorite thrift store. My closet is full of traditional casual style of clothes in “winter” colors.·         I love denim and have lots of it. I am buying a pair of “full-leg” denim crops, a denim looking stripped jacket, and a pair of white “kick-flare” ankle jeans. No longer do I wear shorts, by the way, because I have — in my opinion — too many “spider” veins.

   ·         There is no yellow in my closet, which is interesting since I love that color and several rooms in my house are painted yellow.  As a “winter,” it is not my best color.  A  40-inch square rayon floral blue and yellow scarf caught my attention that I am planning on purchasing.  I did find in my closet a Liberty of London scarf, which I purchased there in 1992. It does have many of the current fashion colors from Pantone: Blue – Princess Blue, Orange red – Fiesta and Yellow – Mango Mojito. I love this scarf and look forward to wearing it.  Also, just for the fun of it, I might buy bright yellow nail polish for my toes!

   ·         I only found one pair of knit sports Capri’s.  I definitely need to get a couple of more pairs since I wear them every day to play pickle ball or do yoga. 

   ·         Several years ago, I bought a chunky necklace at Nordstrom’s.   I’m not much of a chunky-necklace-type-person, but I will wear it this season.  I did find a pair of silver heart shape earrings I bought last fall at a museum in Virginia.  I think one pair of heart shape earrings is plenty.  I might buy a dangly pair of pearl earrings.

   ·         I don’t know how much longer I will continue to carry my black saddle bag Coach purse that I dearly love.  Black handbags are shown for spring fashion trends; but black purses and summer do not seem to go together for me.  I think I will look for a square bag with some beads and pearls.

   ·         White sneakers are not in my closet.  I think they could be practical to wear, but they always remind me of “little-old-lady-shoes.”  Even though I am little and old, I’m not sure I want to wear them. I would like to try on a pair of clear sandals.

   ·         As far as eyebrows go – well, I have noticed lately that several of my friends have “defined eyebrows.”  Frankly, I have not thought about my eyebrows in years because I have no reason to tweeze them anymore since no hair grows where I would pluck! However, I am thankful that I still have eyebrows!  As far as fluffy eyelashes go, they are not for me.  I’d rather play pickle ball than sit to get my lashes done at a salon.

List of Sources:

https://www.elle.com/beauty/makeup-skin-care/tips/g11/eyebrow-shaping-tips/

https://www.elle.com/beauty/a25622387/top-makeup-trends-2019/

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/trends/g23094452/spring-2019-jewelry-trends/

https://www.seventeen.com/beauty/nails/g2741/best-spring-nail-colors/

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/nails/g3404/best-spring-nail-polish/

https://www.marieclaire.com/fashion/g23115590/spring-2019-fashion-trends/

https://www.elle.com/spring-fashion/

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/trends/g23012499/spring-2019-shoe-trends/

https://www.marieclaire.com/fashion/a25937163/top-bag-trends-2019/

https://www.pantone.com/color-intelligence/fashion-color-trend-report/fashion-color-trend-report-new-york-spring-summer-2019

https://www.colormebeautiful.com/?gclid=CJS6g5av1McCFQiQaQodmaALNA

https://www.liveabout.com/fashion-personality-2658385

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Kondo

Copyright – Elizabeth J. Wheeler, March 6, 2019