Balancing Act

Do you have an inverted triangle body type? Pictured here are two versions of the wrap top which always makes me feel a little slimmer when the heat requires that I not wear a jacket or sweater as a third element. I have an inverted triangle figure which means my top is larger than my bottom half. To balance this, I often wear darker colors on top and lighter colors on the bottom. I also avoid bulky materials of any type in tops as well as breast pockets on shirts or ruffles on blouses.

  
When wearing long pants, a maxi dress or long skirt I often wear low flat shoes. When I wear a shorter skirt or cropped pants I always wear at least a low heel. I prefer wedges or thicker heels since my calves are short and thick compared to my thighs. If I wore thin stiletto heels the contrast would make my calves and ankles look even larger. 

Thanks for reading! I hope my tips are helpful to you. 

Resources for the items shown here can be found on my Polyvore site at the link below. Click on the set you like and then hover your mouse over the item to see options for finding the site that sells the item. 

FiftynotFrumpy

Tank Tops to the Rescue!

One item of clothing shows up in my closet in multiples for every season. The essential white tank top is always there in a variety of shapes, textures and fabrics. It is the first layer in many of my outfits. It provides a smoothing effect under shirts worn unbuttoned a bit for a lighter weight casual third element, cardigan sweaters and all sorts of jackets. After my fiftieth birthday I found that three layers in an outfit was very comfortable and appropriate in almost every situation.

Tank tops come in all shapes and types of fabrics. Knit ones with a bit of spandex are great for the smooth line they allow. If the tank top is made from a soft tee shirt knit the next layer will almost always drag across it rather than flow smoothly so they are better worn with heavier fabrics like denim.

 

Tank #1 has tiny straps that can be adjusted to allow you to move the neckline lower or higher. This is a great tank to serve as a modesty layer simply for cleavage control and a foundation to give you a smooth back under jackets and cardigans. 

Tank #2 has wider straps and a rouching detail at the neckline for a bit of softness. It can be used as a relief layer when your top layer becomes too warm. It covers enough to still be attractive when worn alone while your "private summer" passes.

Tank #3 is a lace number which should be made from silk or rayon or nylon so that it is soft and smooth under dressy jackets and knit cardigans with ornate buttons (think Chanel style knits.) This one has the warm glow of cream white which looks soft and feminine in candlelight.

Tank #4 is a soft tee shirt material which can be worn under denim shirts or sporty knit jackets.

Tank #5 hugs you close and gives you a smoother body under thin jackets and sweaters when you want hold it all in just a bit.

Tank #6 is my necessary cream color tank when white is just too bright as in the photo below. (I now make sure I pack my cream tank when I take this sweater for a weekend get-away.)

 

 I'm wearing a thin knit cardigan with fringe detail and a silky smooth tank (which should have been cream colored) underneath.

 This is an Austin Reed navy blazer which has a low V-front closure. I always wear it with a white tank and either a scarf or an interesting necklace when we are going out to dinner in the fall.

 Here's another outfit including a silky white tank and the navy Austin Reed blazer.

 This is a black and white jacket that needs just a bit of modesty at the neckline

 so I'm wearing tank #1 here.

 There is a white silky tank #5 underneath this thin gray bomber style jacket.

Tank #4 is under this quilted knit casual jacket worn with dark wash denim and comfy luggage tan booties for a recent trip to the mountains.

Thank you for reading! I hope these tips help you expand your wardrobe and have fun creating different layered outfits with the essential white tank top.

Sources: I find a variety of tank tops in different shapes and fabrics at most department stores including Dillard's, Belk ,Target,  Macy's and Stein Mart.

Enjoy the Journey!

My page 'Fifty, not Frumpy' on Facebook has been a huge hit, with as many as 8,500 views per week. My sets on Polyvore geared to women of a certain age had more than 40,000 views in the first six months of being a member. The feedback and interest shown have inspired me to create a web site and devote my blog to the very popular conversations and pictures we share for those of us who are having fun with fashion later in life. Let's celebrate who we are now and make the most of our assets and have fun with fashion.

The fastest growing demographic on Facebook is women over fifty-five, but style and fashion tips geared toward us are still very few. My goal is to share a variety of outfits with links to similar items if you wish to buy them. I'll provide tips and tricks I've learned to use in making today's looks work for me as a more mature woman.

My outfit for the Tour of Homes in Blowing Rock, North Carolina had to be cool and comfortable for the heat of the late July day but also allow me to keep warm when the cool evening air settled onto the mountains. My option included a very soft knit black maxi dress with wider straps which allowed me to wear a black bra for proper support. I wore a soft knit raspberry colored cardigan with bronze bead trim as a coverup. When I bought it and the clutch bag I'm wearing as a cross-body bag, I thought I would be using them for evening wear, however, they seemed perfect for this daytime dress.

I kept all my accessories simple since I was wearing a hat and sunglasses otherwise my look would have been too cluttered.

The sandals are comfortable and low with embellishments that complement the details on the hat and the bag.

Later in the day when the heat was high and everyone was sporting their wet hair and looking wilted in their damp clothes I still felt comfortable and confident. I was flattered that so many people gave me compliments. One guy even whistled at me! That hasn't happened in many years.

This is my sweet wonderful gentleman friend and partner in adventure, Mickey.

Thank you for reading! I hope the tips and ideas I share with you give you inspiration for making fashion fun again.

Star Style

Meryl Streep has always had great style and grace. Her feminine yet powerful attire is always appropriate for her and seems so effortless. She is my inspiration for today's post.

 

Tone on Tone Dressing

 

Wearing the same color in different tones from head to toe is lengthening and slimming as well as projecting elegance and great style. Always wear a tunic over leggings. The hemline should reach mid-thigh (well below your bottom). A bit of heel is better than a totally flat shoe. Wedges rather than thin heels are easier to walk in and also more attractive with leggings. Open your collar and add a silk scarf or an interesting necklace inside the neckline. Turn up your sleeves to just below your elbows to look taller and thinner as well as being cooler. Fabrics that flow and move easily across your body are more comfortable and attractive. Tight clingy fabrics will never make you feel confident.

Handbags

 

A handbag or a clutch are usually more attractive since they do not alter the line of your clothes as a shoulder bag does. The proportion of a bag should complement your size. A large woman carrying a tiny handbag looks a little silly don't you think?

Jewelry

Button earrings with a dangle or a drop are infinitely more attractive on almost all women. If you are wearing a bold statement necklace the earrings should not compete with it. Either don't wear earrings with it or wear only small studs or hoop earrings.

Sunglasses

 

Sunglasses should fit your face shape and size. For example square sunglasses frames will look better on you if you have a round face. The color of the frame and the tint of the lens should complement the color of your hair and your skin tone.


Thank you for reading. I hope my tips are helpful to you.