Maxi for My Age?

Hi Pres, is there an age cut-off for maxi-dresses? I am 58 and wear a size 10. Am I too old for this cute style?
Thanks, G

Heck, no! It's an absolutely great style for all ages. Especially at the perfect length, and with perfect shoes. I would avoid a ruffled top&bottom, in a large floral print, paired with a no-waist style and wide strap flat white sandals. And, I wouldn't wear one to more serious events. But for casual wear, or outdoor evening parties, go for it.

Sophisticated Maxi

Very Sophisticated Maxi

Add a short, tiny cardi if you need arm coverage.

Neo Hippie

I see that Neo Hippie is in! Hooray! I can wear all my Thrift shop finds!
Hippie


No. Look carefully. That's not the old stuff. Note how the colors are modern, and the shapes are much, much trimmer than the Hippie dresses of the first time around. Even with these items, add modern accessories, like strappy shoes (not Hippie clogs) and a nice tote in an icy-pastel leather. If you find some vintage items, add one as a single accessory to a modern outfit, only.
Peace.

Florals and Prints

I have a lot of clothes. I just learned that the florals in my wardrobe are all outdated.
How do I shop for florals that are new and will last a long time?


Florals and other print items are very easy to date. If you are building a new set of perfect outfits, it's best to avoid prints for outerwear, suits, and other items that you hope will last for a while. If you can't tell by looking at a print whether it's old or new, keep your print items to small accessories, like scarves, bangles, and inexpensive belts. Don't plan on having them in your closet forever; plan on wearing them tomorrow.
Hot prints now include high contrast colors, like Black&White. "Painterly" prints in multi-colors, which look like paint brush strokes, are current. B&W florals are on their way to becoming classics, especially for Summer, but even classics require updating.
Here's another tip: Never wear a print to an event that will result in archived photos, like a wedding or graduation. Stick to solids for the family portraits.

Keep or Toss?

Here's a technique to help you decide whether to keep or toss:

You: Should I keep this?
Pres: Toss. How come you are not asking me about that smashing sweater over there?
You: I'm not so sure. Once, about 7 years ago, I tossed a sweater, and I think it may be back in style, and could fit, if my shape were the same.
Pres: Toss!
You: No.
Pres: Then Wear It.
You: Wear it? When?
Pres: Today!
You: But I have to go to out.
Pres: Yes, for the whole day.
You: OK.
Pres: How did the day go?
You: Well, I didn't exactly shine, and the hem kept riding up. I ran into my old boyfriend from High School on the street, too. His wife looked beautiful.
Pres: Ouch. Toss.
You: OK!

Button Stance

Here's some of the SOS Gang, working on a problem:

Judy: I was looking for a lightweight sweater today, and thinking of getting an
off white one, but saw this and since I've never had anything with an
animal print, I thought I'd try it. Now I'm not sure if it makes me look fat or if I'm just not used to anything like this. What do you think? I want something
that could be worn with a lot of my summer tops.

My sweater is not nearly as shapely as the one Pres wears: Pres' Zebra
but then I don't have a waist. It's much more casual as well.


Judy in Zebra



Min: Is is black and white or grey and white? It's looks more grey than
black to me but that could be my monitor. Maybe the color is throwing me
off but I don't think the sweater is as flattering as it should be.
It might be where the buttons are hitting you.


Pres: Actually, I do like it with the black shirt, and, I love the pants and
shoes. The prob, as Min says, is that the buttons are under stress.

Either they aren't sewn on in the proper place/correctly (very common
these days) or, the area where they button (the torso) is too tight on
the sweater, or your vertical torso area is too short for the
sweater's vertical torso (the area between the bosom and the
abdomen.) This is what you call ''having no waist."

BTW, it's not the print, but the fit of that sweater that is the
issue. Of course, re the print, I didn't see it from the back.
If I have a questionable print, or very bright color, myself, I
usually keep it to the center column (learn these terms, LOL) and put
a solid sweater (usually black, but other colors can work, too) over
and outside, to create the two vees in the front, and minimize the
unbroken expanse.


Siepres: First off, love the zebra print. I love Animal Prints in
general, ask anyone! Secondly, I think the built-in double V of
the sweater is very flattering and looks great with the black. But, I
think those buttons are definitely off. I think the buttons are
suppose to sit at the natural waist of the wearer, but because of your
sizable chest, they're sitting at the bottom of the girls instead. It
actually looks like the buttons are suppose to sit even higher than
you're wearing them since there is a lot of pulling right underneath
the girls that's actually making them kind of squarish. You're
wearing your most supportive bra right? I don't think you can move
the buttons since it looks like the top V and bottom V are
approximately equal in overall length. If you move the buttons lower,
it may throw off the silhouette of the shirt.

How about trying something like this:

Snake Cardi
It's a more traditional cardigan style, but slightly longer to
accommodate your shirts. The top buttons will probably sit a little
higher on your chest to "lock and load" the girls a little too. You
can open the bottom buttons to create the double V, and as you can see
from the pic, the b/w animal print will work with a variety of colors/
styles. Not to mention, you can throw a belt around this cardi to
further emphasize/create a waist. Both of my cardigans are from New
York & Co, and I have been extremely satisfied with the quality and
breathability of the fabric.

Joanne: S, I LOVE THAT SWEATER!!!!

Judy, you may not want a snake print, but check the button
placement on that sweater vs your zebra sweater.
It has a higher stance, meaning the button is placed higher, at about
the fullest part of the chest. And it buttons all the way down, which
allows you to camouflage any tummy issues you feel you have. The zebra
sweater is too open and billowy below the button and that makes your
tummy look big. You can do better.

Judy: Thanks for the feedback. Yep, the sweater goes back. I think you are
right, it's the buttons. If I have a cardigan with more buttons I can
button the ones where the waist looks best and even belt it if I
want. The search goes on. I think it hit me that
there is no way the zebra sweater will ever sing!

Siepre: Thanks ladies! I saw that sweater and thought it looked fabulous,
especially for Judy's body shape.

Judy, I couldn't find a similar sweater in zebra or leopard, but at
least you have a general idea of what to look for. Snake print is
very "in" this spring, so I'm sure we'll be seeing lots of it.