Q&A: Summer Chic for Women in their 40s
June 14th, 2007
Q: I’m an attractive 49 year old with a cute figure - I’m 5′3", size 6 and I wondered what you would recommend for casual summer clothes. Empire waist and loose tops make me look pregnant, and yet walking shorts and polo shirts seem so dull! Any suggestions on age appropriate attractive outfits?
A: We have four easy-to-wear fashion formulas for you for casual summer days:
(1) Sleeved Shirtdress
(2) Printed Dress
(3) White Blouse + Belt + City Shorts
(4) Cropped Jacket + Knit Top + City Shorts.
Perhaps more importantly, to turn ordinary outfits into ones that are likely to turn heads, it’s all in the details–and the colors you choose. Instead of a plain polo, for example, try a knit top with delicate pleating–such as this Featherweight Cotton Peasant Top ($42 at J Crew), pictured at left. Or instead of a regular pair of shorts, try a pair with a rolled cuff–or a pair in a different fabric blend. We like these Roll Up Shorts from Generra ($196 at Shopbop).
Pictured: J Crew Featherweight Cotton Peasant Top | $42 at J Crew.
Style question? We’ve got answers. E-mail us at tips at omiru dot com, or leave us a comment with your question.
2 Comments
1. Q&A | June 20th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
I’m in my twenties, and in the process of losing weight. I’m down to a 12 now, and working on getting a size or two slimmer (my ultimate goal is a 8 or a 10, depending on which feels more comfortable at the time).
At the moment, I definitely have an hourglass figure working, which is ok, but kinda hinders my clothes-shopping ability in that I really don’t know how to dress for my size! I’m used to dressing in basic t-shirts and jeans, but I’m now at a point where I’d like to try wearing something else. I’ve tried the empire shirts, but they make me look pregnant. And I’m not a fan of short-shorts. Another issue I’m coming up against is that I feel too old for the mega trendy stuff going on right now, but I feel like a 40 year old soccer mom when I stick with the basics (no offense to 40 year old soccer moms out there). So, can you help me pick out some stuff to wear that will show off my new figure, and will make me look like I’m in my 20’s (not a teen or a 40 something)?
2. Maria Lopez | July 2nd, 2007 at 6:01 pm
I am I woman in my late thirties. I have a problem, I look way too young for my age. I am 5’2″ and only way 110 pounds. I don’t know how to dress on formal occasions because I look like a child in almost every dress I wear. I would like to know what type of dresses would be appropriate for a woman my age.