OUTIFIT + BEAUTY DETAILS:

BODYSUIT: asos (size 10) This is a high-cut thong. You will need to make sure that you are wearing a high-waisted jean, pant or skirt
STRAPLESS BRA: Wacoal Red Carpet (tts)
BLACK SKINNIES: Mother more affordable options: H & M / H & M / H & M (order up 2 sizes for H & M pants) / Articles of Society / Plus Size
SHOES: Nordstrom
HANDBAG: Old, similar at TJ Maxx / Target
EARRINGS:  Target / Baublebar
GOLD BRACELET: Nordstrom (also comes in Silver)
TURQUOISE / COLORED BRACELET: old, similar: Nordstrom / Nordstrom  / Charming Charlie / Charming Charlie
RING: Nordstrom (sold out), similar here
BLUSH: BH Cosmetics Glamorous 10 Color Blush Palette at Amazon wearing the purple shade
LIP PENCIL: Bite Beauty #014 at Sephora
LIPSTICK:  Maybelline in Perpetual Peoney from Ulta
LIP GLOSS: YSL Gloss Volupte’ #19 at Sephora
FRAGRANCE: MAC Cosmetics Turquatic at Nordstrom and Macy’s

Do you sometimes wonder if your outfit is appropriate for your age? If so, you’re not alone. As we get older, especially after the age of 35-40, we really start to question this. In all honesty ladies, ‘Great Style Has No Age’, with experience comes expertise. A commonly held belief is that in your teens and 20s you can get away with wearing anything, but by the time you hit 40, it’s time to cover up and hide your body. However, while you may have a wider choice of styles that work for you, if you are young and slim, the truth is that no-one looks good in everything, regardless of their age.

The secret to dressing well from your teens to your 60s, 70s and beyond, is that the same steps apply whatever your age: dress in contemporary styles that fit and flatter YOUR body shape, coloring, personality and lifestyle. There are no concrete ‘rules’ when it comes to fashion. Don’t be led into believing the misconception of fashion ‘rules’, it will only create animosity and anxiety with you and your wardrobe. Make your wardrobe, makeup, and accessories your friend …not enemy!

These 6 elements of style show you how to dress well and look great at any age …

1.   Great Grooming  Personal hygiene is a given. But look after maintaining your clothes. If it needs ironing, do it. There is nothing attractive about wrinkled pieces, stains, holes (unless intended to be there), clothes that are too baggy or tight. This also applies to hairstyle. Always have a go-to hairstyle for those times where you slept in too long and are running late. Ponytails can be very chic. As for makeup, try to stay a little up with the trends. Stick with me and I will keep you up to date. Watch anything with shimmer, you older ladies, as well as going too nude on the lips. As we get older, we need a little more color on the lips, as well as the cheeks.

2.  Understanding and Wearing your BEST Colors  The wrong colors can make you look older, heavier, tired, and even ill (of course you could use this as an advantage if you wanted to take a sickie!). Wearing the wrong colors, often ‘wear’ you. This causes people to see your clothes, before they see you. Your goal should always be to choose pieces that make YOU stand out, not what you are wearing … this applies not only to clothing choices, but hair and makeup. Not only do the correct colors make you LOOK healthier, younger, slimmer and brighter, they make you FEEL all those qualities. These are generally the days you will find yourself hearing, “YOU look GREAT!” by the people you interact with on a daily basis. Color also affects our mood and emotions. So always wear your best colors! One of the best things I have done is a color swatch consultation. I will be happy to do a future blog post, or video on this experience, it’s benefits and the tool I take with me when I shop. I ALWAYS know when I am wearing one of my flattering colors. I look healthier, younger, slimmer, and brighter. A great resource on finding your suitable colors is a book I have and HIGHLY recommend. It’s called Color Me Beautiful – 4 Seasons of color, makeup and Style and it covers everything you need to know on choosing and confidently wearing your most flattering colors.

3.  Having a ‘Realistic’ Understanding of your Body Shape  Dress to flatter your ‘current’ shape. We’re not talking about the one you ‘used’ to have. Get over that one, it’s not currently in your life, and you have to work with what you have now! Even if they are thin, not many of us have all the ‘ideal’ proportions. Since we have pear-shaped, short-waisted, long-waisted, short, boyish, full-bosomed and everything else in between … hourglass, rectangle, apple, I’m not going to go into a lot of detail in this post. If you REALLY want to study and understand your body shape and learn how to use clothing to your body’s advantage, this book by Bradley Bayou called, The Science of Sexy / Paperback is a MUST-HAVE, Fashion Bible. I reference back to it all the time! I like the fact that this particular book breaks it down, not only to your body-type but your size. You could have two people that are both inverted triangles, but because one might be overweight and one might be a bean pole, they would still have to dress differently.

4. Developing your Personal Style  This element is where you can have fun. Like anything worth doing, this whole style thing does take a bit of effort. But once you have it, it’s yours to own. Since we have to clothe ourselves anyway, why not choose to buy clothes that present you in a way that makes you feel good, reflects your personality, and lets others see you in a way you’d like to be seen? Pay attention to what you like, not necessarily what everyone else is wearing. The women you see with a great sense of style generally aren’t sporting what everyone else is. That’s what gives them that ‘sense of style’ label.

5.  Plan your Wardrobe  Create an inspiration board. Make a habit of ripping out pages from magazines with looks you want to recreate from your own wardrobe. Pin on Pinterest, or screenshot Instagram photos and make a folder on your smartphone titled ‘Fashion Inspiration’. Edit your wardrobe – before you step foot in a store, force yourself to try on clothes from last season, to see what still fits and looks current. Some clothes may just need to be altered to fit you properly. Do some styling – Pull out your best pieces and assess what you’re missing. Do you need a print blouse to break up your sea of solids? Are you missing basic black pants, that fit properly? Speaking of black, is everything in your closet BLACK? Refer back to #2, incorporate flattering colors.

6. Shopping to your Plan  Make a wish list. Your notepad section is on your phone for a reason, use it. Write down or type in what you NEED and what you WANT. There is a difference. Keep your list with you to avoid impulse splurges, and shop for the key items before you add in the fun stuff. It’s easier to work off of basic pieces than it is trendy items. When you stop IMPULSE buying and last minute, panic buying for special occasions, you’ll find you’ll make fewer mistakes and get better value out of your purchases.

If you would like to see parts of this outfit on Youtube, click the link below the picture

Hair Tutorial (YOUTUBE)

I hope you found this post to be motivating and inspiring. Let me know if any of these style tips make a difference for you. Also, If you would like me to elaborate in a future blog post, or video on any of these steps mentioned above, please comment below. While writing this post, many times I had to take a step back and say, “Tracy, that is a whole blog post in itself!” “Leave it where it’s at!” That being said, your feedback is a ‘useful’ tool for me when I consider the content I am going to create in future publishings.