Hot Weather Dressing

What do you wear when the temps climb into the 90's?

We rarely have hot weather like that here. For those days, I have a couple of short sleeve tops that only get worn when it is too hot for anything else. This blue cross wrapped front top is old from Chico's. The white jeans are by NYDJ last year from Dillard's end of season sale.

 

The shoes from Nordstrom.

Now for the takeaway tips for this outfit. If I show skin on top, such as bare arms or a low neckline, I cover up on the bottom. 

When I wear boot cut jeans, I never wear heels with them. The silhouette just isn't right. I always wear flats or low boots with long jeans ending in a wider leg opening such as these.

I save my trendy heeled sandals to wear with a straight leg and ankle-length pants. 

The cross wrapped style of the blouse and the half-tuck are perfect for those of us who have less than flat, smooth middles.

Here is one of my favorite cross wrapped style tops from Covered Perfectly. I also love those three-quarter length sleeves!

The Magic V

A wise woman knows how to draw attention to what she considers her best feature and away from what she isn't fond of.

Because of my round face, I always enjoy wearing a V-neck top. The straight lines of square sunglasses offset my round face, as do the straight lines of a V-Neck top. This beautiful royal blue V-Neck top is from Covered Perfectly.

You may have noticed that when I wear a scoop neck or round neck top, I almost always offset that with a long necklace that forms a V, or I wear a jacket that forms a vertical neckline. The red simple comfort top above is from Covered Perfectly.

Since it is too hot to wear a jacket here right now, this sheer cascading vest from Covered Perfectly is just the right layering piece for summer weather. It can be worn loose or tied in various creative ways to provide those all-important vertical lines that diminish the shelf effect of a large bust. 

Surprise! All the shoes in today's post are flats. Notice that they have almond-shaped or pointed toes. There is a fool the eye technique in place here as well. A more pointed toe visually elongates my short thick calves.

The picture above shows you the difference a round neck tee makes with a round face. This is the most rounded neckline I own, but it is still not the crew neck that most tees have. I would never wear those. I try to at least always show the collar bones.

Another important thing to note is the beige bra I am wearing above and the black bra I am wearing below. Whenever you wear a dark color top, always wear a black bra to don't get the headlights effect from the camera flash.

There is a magic ratio in the depth of a V-neck. The distance between the red lines below is about the same. That equal distance would be the lowest plunge I could ever wear comfortably.

While we are on the subject of subtle things you can do to draw the eye up to your face, let's talk about lip color. I am often guilty of wearing an almost nude lipstick, which does nothing for me, so I switch to a brighter, more intense lip color so that my face doesn't fade away. As we age, our coloring becomes softer and more muted. I also fill in my brows and wear upper lid eyeliner smudged with a thin dark line of shadow to have a softer smokey effect. Everything should be blended and blotted well so that your features are enhanced softly.

You can find more fabulous tops created for us gals over 50 at Covered Perfectly. Fifty, not Frumpy followers can get a 20% discount on up to two items! Use the discount code FNF20 when you check out at Covered Perfectly. There are several styles to choose from, and the discount will apply on up to two items; after that, you can take advantage of the buy 2 get 1 FREE special!

I hope these tips help you to achieve a look that is flattering for you as well.

What Do You Eat?

That question comes my way so often, I decided to share more information about nutrition with you today.

The items I am wearing here are all from Chico's, including the necklace.

The Cynthia Rowley shoes were old from Belk last year.

I was also unsure what to eat before reading the book "Eat to Live" by Doctor Joel Fuhrman. After I started making better choices at every meal, it took me about six months to lose forty pounds. Better health was my goal, but weight loss was certainly a plus.

I drink more than a gallon of filtered water each day. Sometimes I add lemon, lime, or cucumber.

Breakfast is usually this hot cereal recipe, topped with whatever fresh fruits are in season.

I try to eat all these items daily.

At least an ounce of raw seeds and nuts.

At least three fresh fruits.

A large bowl of green salad.

A large serving of steamed greens.

A cup of dried beans cooked in water only. (Add the spices and herbs of your choice afterward.)

I also eat tomatoes, peppers, onions, mushrooms, herbs, and garlic on most days.

I normally have only two meals a day. If I am very active on certain days, I will have another salad or some fruit or some raw almonds later in the day. I eat breakfast at about 6 every morning. My lunchtime is around 2 on most days.

It is important to let your body rest by sleeping well for about seven or eight hours and not eating all the time. If you graze or snack often, your body is constantly working to digest food.

I take a brisk walk around my neighborhood each morning for about three miles. I move around a lot during the day as well. I do not watch TV but rather read a book to unwind before bed.

 

Never eat in front of any kind of screen! You will likely eat a lot more than you think you have. Use your good china and set a place for yourself. Enjoy your food and take your time eating it. Stop to chew well and breath deeply as you eat. 

In the photos above, Mr. Mickey and I are on our way to dinner. We eat out a couple of times each week. I normally order a salad with dressing on the side, a glass of wine, and if I am starving, once a week, I will have a fish entrée such as grilled wild-caught salmon with vegetables. We sometimes also share a dessert.

Fifty, not Frumpy Anniversary!

The Facebook page Fifty, not Frumpy, began four years ago today, and the blog followed shortly thereafter.

I hope that I have inspired you to dress well, go out on dates, enjoy more fruits and vegetables, and enjoy the little things in life even more than you did before you found my blog.

On this celebratory evening, I am wearing items from ShopMyFairLady. The IC Collection semi-sheer blouse can be found here. The reversible neckline white tank is from Clara Sunwoo, and it can be found here. The ankle-length Mesmerize pants can be found here.

The shoes are from Dillard's last spring. The necklace, bag, and jewelry are all old.

I also hope I have inspired you to get pedicures, manicures and get your hair styled in a great easy-care look that works well for your face shape.

I am sending you love and light. I hope we have many more fun years together!

The Engagement Party!

Our dearest friends' son is getting married! The fabulous engagement party was held on the patio at the Blackthorn Club last evening.

The dress code was casual for this outdoor party, so I wore the lightest weight white jeans I own with a sheer watercolor print top over a slim-fitting cotton tank.

The top is from Chico's. The tank is by NikiBiki from the Charlemont. The perfect white lightweight jeans are from Fabrizio Gianni. The shoes are by Kenneth Cole from Dillard's.

The flowers at the Club are always spectacular!

I love my sweet friends! 

Aren't they beautiful?!

With me are Mitzi, Nita, Jen, Dottie, and Rose.

And here is my sweet friend Nancy with her husband, Bryan. She is a beautiful bundle of energy that never stops. She danced all night!

Here is Mitzi, the gorgeous mother of the groom, dancing with one of his lifelong friends.

We wish Kerry and Wes a very long and happy life together!

Out On The Town

When I wear red, I feel powerful and radiant.

Have you noticed a cold shoulder trend in tops this summer?

I have several of these tops, and they are surprisingly cool and comfortable on warm summer nights.

This elegant top is by Clara Sunwoo from ShopMyFairLady. It is made in the USA from the most comfortable and flattering knit fabric.

These great-fitting pants are by Mesmerize, and they are also from ShopMyFairLady. You will love these pants! They have a perfectly smooth fitting waistband so that there are no loops or button closures to show under tees and tunics. The fabric is perfect for dressy or casual, unlike leggings, which are often more casual and rather hot in the summer months.

The shoes are from Macy's by BCBGeneration. The bag is from T.J.Maxx. The necklace is old from Chico's.

Both the top and the pants are made in the USA! You can find these and many more great pieces online at ShopMyFairLady.

Basic Wardrobe Checklist

I received a great question this week. "Hello! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your site. It is classically fashionable for mature women. I was wondering if you have a "basic wardrobe checklist" for beginners. I love what I see but am still overwhelmed as to where to begin. Thanks so much!" Vicki S.

The answer is unique to every woman, but I will share some tips with you today. 

Your core wardrobe will be determined by your lifestyle, where you live, and what looks good on your body.

As always, I will use myself as an example.

My core wardrobe includes white jeans, classic blue jeans, black pants, tank tops in white, gray, and black, as well as red and blue tunics. A black blazer, a white blazer, and a leather jacket round out my clothing necessities. 

A nude pair of shoes, a strappy black pair, and a pair of black boots are the basic footwear options for me. Add a touch of animal print in a small clutch and a great looking gray bag, and some square dark sunglasses and I could travel through Europe for the next month and always look appropriate. 

These colors, shapes, and textures work for my body shape and my personal comfort level. All the pieces work together and can be combined to create a look appropriate for anything from a walk in the park to an evening on the town.

Accessories add personality and flair. I enjoy long cardigans and consider them an accessory since they can be tied around your shoulders or draped across them if you need them later. You can always wear them with a tank and jeans to finish your look in style.

The secret to being able to walk into your closet and pull out two or three great pieces and being ready to go anywhere in five minutes is knowing what works for you. Appropriate for the weather and or the event is your next consideration.

Classic doesn't have to be boring.

My lifestyle is casual, with a few special functions each week. So these cornerstones of my wardrobe get a lot of wear.

If my work life were more structured, there might be dresses and skirts in my wardrobe. I do not enjoy wearing them, so I rarely buy a dress.

I hope these tips have been helpful in your efforts to build a workable wardrobe for your lifestyle.

Thick Waistline?

Even when I was young and thin, I had a thick waistline. Dieting and exercise can not change your body's basic shape, but it certainly can make you look and feel your best.

In addition to being in your best physical shape, you can use fashion to look more balanced. One of the magical things about fashion and being aware of your body is that you can camouflage or obscure the bits you aren't pleased with.

The pale aqua poncho above is by J.Jill. This one is light and airy, so it can be worn even in summer. Wear it with a slim fitting pair of slacks and a pretty pair of wedge sandals.

A low slung belt worn below the natural waistline can also elongate and disguise a thick waistline.

One of the reasons I love Covered Perfectly so much is that many tummies hiding very comfortable tops, and cascading vests are offered in the line.

The simple comfort tunic from Covered Perfectly looks fabulous alone or with a jacket or vest. The black vest below is old from Chico's. Wear an animal print belt a little below your natural waistline, and it will appear you have an hourglass shape.

Tunics have always been one of my favorite items of clothing. A high-low hemline makes me really happy, but I must wear them with heels.

Loose-fitting cotton tanks such as this one from J.Jill worn with a long duster from Chico's last year, along with slim-fitting pants and a long necklace, make a great combination. 

A Dress!

When the temperatures climb into the 90's, a nice cool linen sundress is the perfect look for a visit to the Farmer's Market.

This beautiful hibiscus linen sundress is one of my favorites. It is from J.Jill, and it is on sale now!

The wedge sandals are old from DV Dolce Vita. The necklace is also old. It is from Chico's. The tote bag is from T.J.Maxx.

J.Jill is one of my favorite sources for high-quality, comfortable casual clothes that last for years.