In my late forties, I suddenly became fashion-challenged as I struggled to dress appropriately for midlife.
Honestly! Why did I even buy that top or skirt... much less put them together. I was close to my heaviest here, so wild prints and a gathered gauze skirt were the last things I should have been wearing.
This is my Queen Mum look. All that's missing is a pillbox hat.
This is another type of "What was I thinking?" That five-bedroom house and all that landscaping were way too much for me to maintain. I am so delighted I sold it earlier this year!
When Mr. Mickey and I first started dating, I was forty-nine and wanted to dress appropriately for my age and circumstance, but I had no idea what that meant. I was wearing a chartreuse green wool jacket from Talbots with a brown mock neck sweater AND a ribbed white sweater vest. What was I thinking? Green is a horrible color on me! My hair color didn't complement my skin tone either.
This was a sad attempt at casual attire gone woefully wrong. I put so many hours into my company during those years, I didn't take time to think about how I dressed anymore.
At last! I found my fashionable voice and now feel comfortable in my skin and my clothes. I learned a lot in the last decade.
I'm happy to share my experiences (even the mistakes) in hopes that it helps you.
21 comments:
Love seeing the pictures from the past; they make me smile and give me hope for others who are searching for their fashion voice.
Great Post! Thanks for sharing with us your struggle to find your fashion 'voice'. It is still a struggle for me!
It only gets better Susan! I'm 68 and while I've been a fashionista all my life I too feel I've finally arrived! I've found my style which is very much like yours. Love your posts and hearing about you journey! Hugs, Diane
You look fantastic and you're an inspiration. You glow from within and look so stylish and healthy. I hope to follow suit as I am in my 50's also.
Susan, this is a brave and amazing post. It's hard to believe you're actually older in the last picture. Added pounds can be such an age breaker. Luckily I've never had a weight problem. However something that hit me was maybe I've been too conservative with my shoe choices lately. Still wear my 3.5" stilettos but I tend to go for sling backs. The racier cut outs you wear have me thinking I need to kick up the footwear a notch.
You made me smile. Thanks for sharing. I can relate :-)
LOL - cute post. I still think you were pretty in ALL the photos. Love your style NOW, though, very inspiring. Losing weight has to help, too. (Sigh)
I've been following your blog for awhile now, and I love it! It's what I've needed. I started a more high profile (for our little town) job, and your blog is very helpful, I can look professional and stylish. Thanks for sharing your "before" pictures with us, what a difference! Motivates me to also keep on track with my weight. Question: How do I know what hair color would best compliment my complexion? Thanks so much! Debbie Ashburn
Looks like Susan got her groove back! Yay! You look marvelous. Keep up the good work. Your an inspiration.
Debbie, I highly recommend working with a professional stylist/colorist to determine the best color to complement your skin type. Just as skin has warm and cool tones so does hair color and clothing. All the colors need to be in harmony.
Thanks for showing us these pictures. I'm still locked in that time of the pictures. Maybe sometime I will become more stylish. Keep up the good work.
I will repeat the first comment : you give hope for others who are searching for their fashion and -body - voice.
Thank you for sharing the old pictures !
I think you look beautiful in all the pictures, no matter the weight. How did you lose the weight, and did you find your style by trial and error? I am in the throes of exactly that right now.
Even at your worst you still look beautiful. But, you've certainly found the right formula of fashion for you!
Very nice of you to share this Susan. I think you look great, even before. But so nice to find your current style for yourself which is so comfy chic and elegant too. Good for you!
Lana, Getting my picture taken so often helped me to hone in on just the right items for my figure. The link about "Recipes" will tell you more about how I lost the weight and what I normally eat now. Thanks!
You are such a pretty lady, even in the earlier pictures. You just look so confident and happy in your current style, which must mean it is just right for you. Does Mr Mickey weigh in with ideas?
Hi Donna, No Mr. Mickey takes some of the pictures but he never knows or suggests how they will be used. He loves that it is all a surprise when he checks the blog.
Loved this post, Susan...and very similar to my own except that at one point I was over the top LOUD with prints and too many accessories. You look so amazing now...you are a great role model for us all!
I am still struggling! Trying very hard, but have a long way to go! Trying to know what to prioritize. Lose some weight first sounds like a reasonable start. Small steps....
LOL, you were never on the verge of scaring small children. One thing I've learned from blogs like this and many examples around me in my daily life is that there is no better time to be yourself than now. I see no reason not to dress well and live well right at this moment. Too many women are waiting for something to give them permission to be fabulous. They will be fabulous when they get the guy, or when the kids are older, of when they lose weight (that's a big one)... it goes on and on. If one feels the need to make changes, then do it! Just don't put your life on hold in the meantime or think that you aren't worthy to shine just as you are today.
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