50 & Fab....using Google and thrifting to make better sense of your wardrobe...

 

 Look, not all of us are natural Fashion Divas, are we.

 

I was fairly accomplished at looking good when I was younger and a size 8-10 (that's a 2-4 U.S.), but I've bemoaned  here and here, as I've grown older, I've found it more difficult to find what suits me and makes me look up-to-date and trendy. This wouldn't matter so much if I didn't still have a teen daughter at school, who constantly urges me not to look 'old'. Ummmm. Thanks Honey.

 

Quite often, I have the basics on hand as my wardrobe is primarily black, white, neutrals and denim, but I'm at a bit of a loss as to how to put it all together. You too?   I know how I'd like to look though. Just neat, and maybe a little edgy, but not ridiculously so. It doesn't help that at 163cms tall I am a petite Plus size though, so therein is the rub. How to find things that are photographed on slender people, that also suit little, cuddly me.    So I tend to Google. Even admiring things on Polyvore or Net-A-Porter, isn't necessarily helpful, as I actually need to see the components on a human, to decide if they're worth a try for me.   At the top of my post here, is an image I found on Google, that utilises pieces very similar to those I already have on hand. Yes the models are younger, and slender, but I could tell straight away, that even these looks, can translate suitably to short, cuddly, 50-ish me.   Here are my versions...  

Outfit one:

Distressed jeans from Big W $30

White T-shirt Big W $15

Quilted black sateen jacket Lifeline $25

Prada belt Lifeline $12

Vintage beaded clutch with chain - my own - needs repair...waaaahhh! It's about forty years old!

 

 

Outfit two:

Same distressed jeans

Soft denim coat with interesting details Target $80 (a splurge last year)

Black t-shirt Big W $15

Silver Cuff Lifeline $2

Prada sunglasses - a gift

 

Outfit three:

Black Ponti knit pencil skirt Lifeline $25

White T-shirt Big W $15

Black and White polka dotted double georgette scarf Lifeline $4

Black sateen vest with quilted collar and interesting details Lifeline $25

Vintage leatherette clutch - my own

 

  Outfit four, just to show the difference accessories can make:   Same as above, but with...   H & M scarf in Spring tones Lifeline $4 (brand new still had the tags on it) Pearlised Baby Pink Louis Vuitton look-a-like tote, purchased in Turkey on our cruise last year for 45 Euros   There's really nothing hard there, is there? It's just a matter of looking at how the elements are combined to yield a certain look. You then of course, keep your eyes peeled at the sales and the thrift shops, to find similar components.   Yesterday I Googled 'over 50 fashion', and found the images above of some 50-ish ladies at London Fashion Week. They sported the sort of look I like. Not too much frou-frou, comfortable, and just a little unusual.                                                                                                                                                         

  Note the first lady with her hat, tweedy jacket, cross-body bag, and lounge slippers, the second one with a tunic top and a fringed skirt with ankle booties, and the third with my favourite look of cigar thin pants, loose top and great accessories. I even have those shoes, albeit they're not the real deal and they're bright orange (see, I do like orange...just not close to my face!). None of these ideas is difficult for me to replicate.   Over the next few weeks, I'll be returning to my favourite Op Shops, to find what I need to achieve these looks. Here's my list:   Black felt fedora Grey tweed like jacket Something with a fringe that I can cut off and use to stitch to a skirt I already have Black silky blouse with white trim (dang...I had one just like this and recently returned it to Lifeline as I hadn't found a way to wear it!)   That is actually all I need. I have all the other elements.   And next time, I promise I'll ask my daughter to photograph me IN the clothes. That's a difficult task when you're in the house alone...hahaha!   Have fun!   Read more on this topic here.   Remember that Five Star Frou-Frou is now a never ending linkup with a feature each time I post.   Todays feature is this lush Summer Salad from Fabi at Fabi-Fabu, just right for the gently warming temperatures in my part of the world. Thanks for linking Fabi!  

    Love ya, Mimi xxx