Ooh, ooh, ooh! The weather is warming up on the east coast and that means that spring has finally sprung. Time for this 50+ fashionista to go shopping for some new clothes.
I’ve read my March and April mags – Vogue, InStyle, “T” New York Times Style Magazine, “O” Oprah Magazine. I’ve made my way through Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic and Denim Habit. I may no longer have a full time job or need new business attire for work, but my passion for fashion has not waned. It’s just taken on a more casual style.
I’ve emptied my closet of any corporate remnants. Out with formal suits, skirts, and dresses. Next, out with any old jackets and coats that I haven’t worn in a year or two. My body is shrinking and my 10 year old tan leather jacket (once the love of my life) must go, go, go — off to consignment. There’s no room for an ill-fitting jacket that reflects the past when I’m 100% ready to live in the present.
My shoulders have narrowed, my height is 5’2″, and my legs and arms are quite muscular since I’ve been spending much more time at the gym working out now that I don’t work at a desk all day. The new me is trimmer and slimmer.
Thanks to my stylist, Elizabeth, who helped update my look last fall, my spring shopping trip with my daughter A was quite fabulous and fun. Elizabeth showed me how to shop for color, shape and outfits. She showed me how to mix and match and spend wisely.
Photo Credit: Pantone
During my day, or rather weekend, of shopping, I found myself radiating for orchid, PANTONE color of the year, in all its shades with bright and bold pinks. I added navy and white, plus some blush pastels to round out my wardrobe.
Stephanie Solomon, VP and Fashion Director at Lord & Taylor, says that “spring 2014 is shaping up to be the season of strength and femininity.” Her “It List” includes “sporty aviator shades, clutch purses in new neutrals, painterly print scarves, full skirts, punchy pastel sweaters, pointy toe flats, modern pearls, and a pop of pink.” (Stephanie, I’ll skip the full skirts. Full skirts do not look good on my petite pear-shaped body. However, I’ll definitely be popping pink during my life after 50.)
Per the Nordstrom catalog, soft pants, graphic tops, caged sandals and statement necklaces” are also popular items for spring. Denim chambray, lace, eyelet, and peek-a-boo knits seem to be trending in many stores as well. Plus, denim jeans are all the rage – short, cropped, narrow, and boyfriend baggy.
Mom gets a new pair of jeans
“Mom, it’s time you bought a proper pair of jeans,” said my daughter A as we arrived at Denim Habit on Saturday. I had been complaining that the spandex in my jeans was so stretched out that my pants were literally falling down when I walked.
“DLX makes the best jeans,” said A. “They are the only jeans I wear. They will never stretch out.” “These jeans are flying off the shelf,” said the nice saleswomen. “I’ve sold so many pairs and I just got them in a few days ago.”
Pull, tug, zip, tight. Whew, I got the DLX jeans over my hips and thought I would never get them off. They did make my butt look lifted as the saleswoman said they would. The tag did say that “they are made with DLX denim, a revolutionary 4-way stretch technology that adapts to unique body shapes to give custom fit and comfort.” Since these jeans were guaranteed to never “sag, bag or lose shape,” I handed the nice saleswoman my credit card and I am pleased to say that I am now the proud owner of a proper pair of jeans!
Can’t wait to show off my new jeans and the rest of my runway fashions and how I am accessorizing this spring. Here’s a sneak peek:
From Nordstrom: Hinge cotton sweaters and some colorful scarves. From Ann Taylor Loft: Denim leggings with a longer striped denim top can be worn in multiple ways with different accessories.
From Banana Republic: Pink jacket. From Denim Habit: DLX jeans. From Ann Taylor Loft: Blush lace accented top, coral ruffle blouse.
From Nordstrom: Zella exercise clothes for my weekly yoga wear go perfectly with my pink Nike sneakers. Don’t you love my pink sneakers!
From Nordstrom: Navy striped khaki pants and Hinge white sweater. From Ann Taylor Loft: Print scarf and pink tank. From Denim Habit: DLX jeans. From Judi’s closet: Isn’t it great that I already have shoes and sandals from last year’s spring shopping that I can wear with my new outfits?
Have I inspired you to do some spring shopping? What is on your “to buy list” for this season? Be sure to leave a comment and enter the giveaway below to win a gorgeous pink cash scarf from designer Camilla Olson. Camilla says there are a few key trends which you can follow and appear to be au courant. She recommends:
♦ wearing black and white together as a graphic statement;
♦ the sheer trend, wearing a lighter color shirt over a bandeau;
♦ and the athletic look which you can easily accomplish by wearing a slim pant, square neck top and/or a pea jacket.
Most of all, as Camilla says, “Enjoy this wonderful time of year.”
Judi
P.S. – Stay tuned this spring and summer for my upcoming blog posts where I’ll share the ways I’ve been reinventing my life this past year since retiring from my 30 year corporate career. I’m going to tell you all about “Life Reimagined” and how I’m planning on “discovering new life possibilities” during my life after 50 and how you can too.
I think if I could find some great clothes like you got above, I would be less stressed about my wardrobe. I’m going to look for some of the items you bought.
Jennifer, you definitely don’t want to be stressed about your dress. Go treat yourself to a few new colorful pieces for spring and see what makes you feel good and fits best on your figure. Then buy a few accessories that you can wear with all the outfits. I found Ann Taylor Loft to be very reasonably priced and I think they have a good designer now. I hadn’t shopped there in a few years because their clothes had gotten too juvenile. Much better now.
Judy, I adore your new pink jacket! Tell me more about the DLX jeans. I am even a tiny bit shorter than you, and I hate having to pay to get jeans shortened. Do they have Petite sizes (almost no brands do anymore), or did you have to shorten yours? I’ll have to see if we have Denim Habit stores here in New England.
Allison, thanks for the compliments. The jacket was from Banana Republic. I just am in love with pink this season. As for the DLX jeans, I don’t know if they come in petite. I did not shorten them yet, but may have to, although they are not very long. I agree, some jeans are for giants – you almost have to cut off about a foot of fabric. Denim Habit is only located in NJ, NYC, and PA. However, they may ship jeans to customers all over the country. They specialize in jeans. My daughter A used to work there when she was in high school and on winter break during college. She still goes back there to buy her jeans.
I just bought a new spring jacket myself but I may need to swing by BR to look at your pink one. I’ll google DLX and see if they’re sold anywhere near Boston. Thanks for the info and enjoy your new purchases 🙂
Allison, so glad you bought a new spring jacket. Denim Habit is on Facebook and Instagram if you want to follow or contact them. They do ship the jeans. They were almost sold out of all their pairs of the ones I purchased. Amazing – women and their jeans!
Now you’ve really got me ready to go out and shop. I’ve worn so much black and khaki this brutal winter. I love the orchid with navy!
Jennifer, absolutely go shopping! I know what you mean about this winter, it was the pits! Yes, orchid and navy complement each other.
I don’t normally do a lot of skirts and dresses but I’m looking to change that up this spring with bright colors too.
Gina, go for it. Wear the bright colors.
Your new jeans sound fabulous! All of your new clothes sound great. I am excited for you! : )
Thanks Kaishon. I’m excited for the warmer weather so I can wear my new clothes.
I think spring is the best time to clean out the old and bring in the new. You made some beautiful combinations and inspired me!
Haralee, glad I inspired you. Bring in the new, I agree!
I’d love some cute new jeans, but I’m a plus sized woman, so I think I’ll need to do a little searching. This is my year for scarves. I can’t wait to see what I can find!!
Jennifer, I read that Lane Bryant has some new designs. You should check them out. Yes, buy some scarves to brighten up your spring outfits.
They are all so lovely. Especially like the Nike sneakers! Nicely done. Now … come on over to my closet!
Tammy, thanks for your compliments. If I was closer would love to help you rework your spring wardrobe. I love clothes!
I am the world’s worst shopper. I hate it. Then when I am getting dressed to go out I curse myself for not being a better shopper. I need someone to say hey, buy this for yourself, and put an outfit together for me.
You have done this for me through your post. Wow. Although I can’t get all of the items, you’ve certainly inspired me.
Thanks, Judy!
Cathy, so glad I inspired you. I’m here to tell you to go buy yourself a new spring outfit!
Honestly, I’ve been talking about how I want to incorporate more scarves into my wardrobe!
Carrie, scarves can add color. Also add a few accents with jewelry, just don’t overdo the accessories, per my stylist Elizabeth.
Cute stuff, and that scarf just rocks! I hope I win! I’m not a big fan of orchid, but I do like deeper shades of purple.
Carol, I like purple too. There are so many shades of pinks and purples and orchids this year.
Maxi dress {with scarves} that will make breastfeeding easier.
Sarah, my daughter loves maxi dresses. Good luck with your new baby.
Scarves are a 60+ woman’s best friend! With a nice scarf and a great pair of earrings, I am good to go.
Sue, sounds like you know how to accessorize well!
I absolutely love all of the outfits you featured! The bright colors make me so ready for summer and sunshine!
Megan, glad you like the bright colors. Hope you are wearing some this season.