Sunday, April 27, 2014

Feminine, Comfortable Sandals for Women Over 50

Nine West Yeelied T-strap Sandals - Size 8, Orange

A Flattering50 reader recently asked if I could share some pretty sandals. It sounded like a simple  request until I started look around the Web. When I think of pretty sandals, I think of thin straps and narrow heels. This spring, however, thick ankle straps and chunky heels or wedges prevail. After a little bit of digging, I did find plenty of feminine sandals...with 5" heels. Since, I don't know too many over 50 women who have the stamina for that kind of torture, I continued to dig. With a little additional perseverance, I did find some pretty sandals with reasonable heels (3" or less) and moderate price tags. I've collected a handful of styles for this post that represent some of this spring's hottest trends. All of the sandals are less than $150 and most are less than $100. For example, bright colored sandals, like this orange Nine West Yeelied T-strap Sandals (was $79, but right now it's $59), are everywhere. These sandals have a 2" heel. If you're shopping for sandals right now, you might want to take a peek at the $20 Off Select Sandals at Nine West. Ends 4/29

Monday, April 21, 2014

Easter Parade 2014: New York's Mad Hatters

Easter parade 2014

Yesterday, I was "on the avenue...Fifth Avenue..." for the Easter Parade. Unlike the city's Thanksgiving Parade or the St. Patrick's Day Parade or even the Halloween Parade, the Easter Parade is a loosey-goosey affair. Basically, it's an opportunity for New Yorkers to do what they love to do: Dress up and stroll. They don their Easter bonnets and parade along Fifth Avenue  between 47 Street and Central Park South. My family was gathering for Easter dinner on Central Park South, so I walked over to Fifth Avenue to snap a few photos of this year's mad hatters.

EASTER BONNETS WITH FRILLS UPON IT
Oh, I could "write a sonnet about [the] Easter bonnet," but instead, I'll let my photos speak for themselves...

2014 Easter Parade





2014 Easter Parade




2014 Easter Parade




2014 Easter Parade at the Plaza




2014 Easter Parade




2014 Easter Parade



Of course, it wouldn't be an Easter Parade without a bunny or two...




2014 Easter Parade




2014 Easter Parade
 


.    HAPPY EASTER!

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Style Over 50: Mother of the Bride Dresses



An over 50 girlfriend just found out her son is engaged. The wedding is not for another year, but already she's fretting about what she'll wear. I told her I'd do a little preliminary mother-of-groom dress hunting to put her mind at ease. A few nights ago, I went online and found a number of dresses at Nordstrom that I thought might be perfect. I decided to share some of dress styles on Flattering50, in case anyone else is looking for mother-of-the-bride or -the-groom dress ideas.

The funniest part of shopping online for mother-of-the-bride or of-the-groom dresses is the models. Even though I clicked on the "mother of the bride" link at Nordstroms, all the dresses are modeled by splinter-thin girls who don't look like they've graduated high school yet. How silly is that?!? Still, if you can ignore the teeny-bop faces and pencil figures, I think there are some flattering dresses, such as the Alex Evenings Tiered Dress & Bolero (Petite) ($195) above.

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Fashion Over 50 Takes A Hit: Coldwater Creek to Close



I suspect most everyone has heard that Coldwater Creek has filed for Chapter 11 protection. I was running around the city all day on Friday and kept getting texts about it from friends--even my husband wrote me! They knew I'm a Creek shopper and wanted to make sure I knew about the company's "going out of business" sale. Right now, Coldwater Creek is offering 40% off its entire site, including its 2014 spring-summer collection. For example, the Coldwater Creek Classic Shaping Bootcut White Jeans (above), originally $79.99, are now $24.99. It’s a great time to replenish your wardrobe. I also like to think by shopping at the Creek, you're showing support for a clothing company that has offered stylish, flattering clothes for women over 50 for many years.

Friday, April 11, 2014

Spring Coats Over 50: Now That's a Print!

Banana Republic Gingham Trench - Preppy navy

Editor's Note: Before I start this post, I just want to congratulate Deborah S. Deborah's name was randomly selected as the winner of the recent Flattering50 Sweater Giveaway. She has won a cardigan by designer Ronen Chen. Meanwhile, there is still time to enter the Flattering50 Topaz Necklace Giveaway. For details, click HERE.

In my last post, I modeled my bright-colored spring coats and shared some online shopping sources. This spring, I'm also mad about rain coats with prints. Talk about energizing! A printed spring coat is a great way to shake off old man winter once and for all. Also, prints hide all those little lumps and bumps, making them a flattering choice for women over 50. If a printed spring coat appeals to you, I don't think you'll have any trouble finding one--they're everywhere! There are raincoats with geometric prints like the Banana Republic Gingham Trench - Preppy navy (above) as well as fun, floral print and animal print coats. This post features one or two of each.

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Upbeat Outwear for April Showers or...Sunshine

Bright color rain coats for women over 50


My waking thought this morning was: "If I have to wear my black puffy down winter coat to the city today, I think I'll scream." I'm happy to report it was a beautiful day, warm enough to wear a spring coat (above). No other garment in my closet says "spring has arrived!" quite like my colorful rain-or-shine spring coats. Whether I'm visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as I did today, or running errands around town, I feel energized and happy in a bright-colored spring coat. It's an upbeat look that's always flattering for women over 50.

Midnight Promise: A Sophisticated Fragrance


"A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future," said Coco Channel. Spoken like a perfume designer, yes? Nevertheless, I love perfume. It's been part of my daily styling for 30+ years. I don't feel completely dressed without a splash of something. However, since turning 50, my tastes in perfume has changed. For years, my two favorite fragrances were Opium and Fendi. I wore them constantly. Then, suddenly, I turned 50 and those lovely perfumes were overwhelming. Instead of feeling like I was wearing a hint of an exotic fragrance, I felt submerged. It didn't matter how sparingly I applied them. Hence, I began a quest to find one or two new sophisticated, but subtle fragrances. During the past several years, I have tried countless new perfumes, but haven't found one I'm ready to call my signature perfume. Recently, the folks at Bellegance Perfumes asked if I'd like to try their new fragrance, Midnight Promise. Naturally, I said yes. The fragrance arrived in the mail a week ago and I've been wearing it every day. Here's my review...

Friday, April 4, 2014

Calvin Klein Underwear Sale

Calvin Klein Underwear Calvin Klein Concept Camisole

Is it time to spring clean your lingerie drawer? If so and you need to freshen up your lingerie with a new bra, camisole and/or panties, I highly recommend you take a peek at the Calvin Klein underwear sale at Shopbob. (Through 4/6/2014) Shopbop SALE: 25% Off Calvin Klein Underwear!. For example, the Calvin Klein Underwear Calvin Klein Concept Camisole (above), regularly $28, is now $21 at checkout.