fall fashions, life after 50, over 50, boomer fashions, Ann Taylor Loft

boomer beauty, life after 50, makeup for 50+ women, over 50Last week, while fashionistas were viewing spring 2015 styles at New York City Fashion Week, I was reading my September magazines (6 pubs equaling 2000+ pages) to get a lowdown on what’s on trend for fall 2014. It’s time for my fabulous fall fashions roundup. I’m here to share the colors, fabrics, styles, accessories, and shoes you will want to be wearing as the weather cools.

Can you feel my excitement? While I don’t need as many clothes as when I was working full-time, I always leave room in my closet for a few new items. Plus, it’s been fun to help my daughter A and son D build their working wardrobes as they each establish their own executive presence.

Prep Your Wardrobe
Are you sitting down? Do you have a pen? Do you know what colors look good on you? Do you know what styles are flattering to your mature figure? Most of all, have you gone through your closet and discarded any old clothes that don’t fit anymore or are just plain worn to the threads? If you need help, contact my stylist Elizabeth at Styling By Elizabeth and she can provide great guidance.

Pick A Palette of Pretty Colors and Fabrics
I do like the fall colors. Designers know how to tint shades just enough to make you want to buy more. Some call it sangria others call it maroon, wine, eggplant – all berry tones are popular. Indigo, navy, bright cobalt, and denim are the blues in demand. Apple red, chocolate brown, cognac and mustard gold, and grape purple will make you think of food and drink as you shop. Bring the outdoors in with greens in moss, kelly, forest, and earthy green. Winter white and pastels are always available. Gray is the new black per Oprah magazine while orange is the new black according to Vogue. Which is it? You decide what looks best on your body.

fall fashions, life after 50, over 50, boomer fashions, Ann Taylor Loft

Gray is the new black. Berry and navy are popular colors too. Two dresses from Ann Taylor Loft.

So much to select from when it comes to fabrics. Glitter and metallic, sheer, quilted, faux fur, houndstooth, bold graphics, plaid, animal and southwestern prints and more. Can’t forget the florals on dark backgrounds which almost look gothic.

Shop Tops, Bottoms, and Wraps
Pop on a turtleneck or crew sweater, an oversized menswear blazer or bomber, a cozy knit or bejeweled sweatshirt. Cover it with a jacket that suits your shape – bomber, puffy, anorax, aviator, shearling – any will do. Want to look like Olivia Pope from Scandal? Wrap yourself in a wrap coat. Bring out your capes and ponchos too – seems like they never go out of style. (So glad I can wear my Burberry cape again this season. The saleswoman was right, it’s always a classic.)

What will you wear on your bottom? Skirts in midi (too long for my petite figure) and mini (not for mature woman but I had to include so you are totally up on the trends), side slit and a-line (nice, nice). Pants are cropped and long, wide leg and baggy. Best of all – drawstring pants and activewear are now everyday chic for outings beyond the gym. (Ooh, ooh, ooh – my favorite trend. See below how I plan to rock it with colorful Zella leggings.) Remember that denim is always trending. Best for boomer girl figures is DL1961 Women’s Florence Instasculpt Skinny Jean which provides a perfect high-waisted fit.*

Zella activewear, life after 50, over 50, boomer fashions, fall fashions, boomer women

I'm going to rock my activewear with trendy yoga pants and a cobalt jacket.

Accessorize With Handbags, Belts, Jewelry and Shoes
Monograms are back in vogue as are narrow belts, long scarves, oversized clutches, gold tone watches, bold color necklaces.  Need a bigger handbag – try a backpack, top handle, bucket or tote to carry your endless stash of stuff. (I prefer the tote variety since I have so many pairs of eyewear to carry including my huge sunglass case which takes up half of my purse.)

Kate Spade, fall fashions, scarves, life after 50

Treated myself to this stylish Kate Spade gray wool scarf. It's a map of NYC - a great conversation accessory.

Are you tired of shopping yet? Wait, wait wait – don’t forget to cover your feet in something fantastic. Shoes are important to finish off your outfit. This season aim for menswear flats with lace-ups or penny loafers, wedges, and t-straps. If you want more coverage try ankle or over-the-knee boots. 

I leave you with a wonderful quote about aging from designer Diane von Furstenberg’s memoir, The Woman I Wanted To Be. Although I never owned one of her wrap dresses, I admired them from afar as I admire Diane. She has continually reinvented herself. Diane says, “In a sense I feel more beautiful than I have ever felt because my life is full, my children and grandchildren are my pride, and so is the body of my work. I cannot pretend that I am younger than I am, and truly I feel that I have lived so fully that I should be twice my age.”

Judi

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