The first step to understanding the art of dressing, is to view your clothes as accessories, to your total look. They should be chosen much as you choose your hair style/cut/color, and your cosmetics. Your clothes should be a part of your total package, not worn merely for their sake. You want your wardrobe to be an extension of you. You don’t want to get lost, when wearing an outfit. How many times have you spotted a certain piece of clothing, and allowed the latest fashion trend to persuade you to choose it? How many times have you tried on a piece of clothing, and stepped before the provided mirror, only to find your main focus of attention is on that one particular item, and not on your total look? Do you ever notice how the piece affects the color of your hair, your eyes, the look of your complexion? Does the piece age your look? Do you ever take note of whether or not the piece best accentuates your individual body-shape? Do you choose clothing you look good in, or do you choose clothing you wish you looked good wearing?

I know that latter temptation! I have always been a long, lean gal, with a long, slim neck, and I know, simple, tailored pieces suit me. I also know I’m a sucker for the ultra-feminine, ruffled blouse…Oh, how I wish I could get away with wearing one! But I can’t. I couldn’t in my youth, and I still can’t carry it off. Put me in one, and I look ridiculous! Far from gifting me with a certain look I’m seeking to achieve, I get lost in the blouse! I once purchased a very expensive knit outfit, top and skirt. Not only did it not do a thing for me, in any way, but, it was a prime example of allowing the fashion gurus to dictate what I should wear! These suits were so IN at the time. The few times I wore it, I received more compliments than I could believe! Why? Simply because it was a beautiful suit. In other words, the compliments were for the suit, only, not for how I looked, wearing the suit. It would have received the same oohs! and ahhs! if it had been seen, displayed on a hanger!

Body Shape Considered
When choosing any piece of clothing, women should consider their body shape. I think too many times, 'size' seems to be a woman's hang-up, distorting her over-all sense of her body. All size ten, or fourteen, or six, or whatever size, women, each have an individual body shape. This means not every blouse, or skirt, or dress etc., will look right on you, just because it has the right size-tag hanging on it. There are four very basic body types, ladies.

1. Long legs, short body
2. Short legs, long body
3. Smaller above the waistline, larger below
4. Larger above the waistline, smaller below

No. 1 gals can wear pieces like fitted jackets, that help to lengthen the look of the upper body. No. 2 gals should try to dress in such a way that places an emphasis on their upper body. For No. 3 gals, try to avoid any clothing styles that draw attention to the hip area. And, for No. 4 gals, try to keep all your tops very sleek. Fitted blouses, shirts, etc., look very good. Stay away from bulky, heavy knits.
Building a Basic Wardrobe
We all find ourselves in the position of updating our wardrobes, periodically. This act usually requires us to concentrate first, on replacing the basics. Basic pieces are those classic ones that never go out of style. Classic pieces are usually those in the ‘tailored’ style category. A tailored style is one of clean and simple, line or design. These pieces are usually the staples of any woman’s wardrobe, and include skirts, shorts, slacks, tops, blouses, jackets, and even sweaters. Color choices for the basics include white, cream, black, the browns, the dark blues, and gray color shades, for slacks, jackets, blazers, skirts, shorts. Blouses and sweaters are chosen in shades to complement these basic colors. If this sounds restrictive, remember, I’m speaking here of the bare-bones ‘basics’ of a wardrobe. And though one might consider these ‘boring’ pieces, they’re always in style.
Today, we have the freedom to choose our individual style. We mature women have the advantage of having a good deal of experience, when it comes to honing our fashion sense. Color is what the mature woman need consider, when choosing fashions. Bright, bold, 'neon' shades should be avoided. Pastels appear 'washed-out' next to a mature complexion. Try your favorite colors in' muted' shades. Try on a rose colored sweater, after that 'bubble-gum' pink one, and see if you don't notice a pleasant difference!
Muted Colors Explained
I’ve received quite a few letters from Ladies asking just what I mean by, muted colors. Allow me to explain, as simply as possible. Take a primary color, add a dash of gray, and you have a smoky, or muted shade. The muted color shades are the ones in which we mature women look our best.

De-Frump Your Wardrobe!
Ladies, I’ve mentioned previously that fashion scarves and fashion shawls should be avoided, as two of the top frump clothing articles. I’d like to add the fashion poncho to this list. Worn by a seven-year-old girl, the poncho looks adorable. Hanging from a mature woman’s shoulders, the look is anything but cute! I have also mentioned that the over-sized fashion pins are best avoided. Pins in the shapes of large flower blooms, big insects, etc., I shudder when I think of them! Let’s add another jewelry style to the frump list. Avoid large pieces with brightly colored settings, especially earrings and necklaces. I’ve read that court Ladies in 16th. Century England were fond of wearing brightly colored, fresh flowers pinned in their hair, close to their faces, regardless of their age. Many of their contemporaries scoffed at them, for adopting this practice, stating the colorful flowers merely emphasized the age, of the faces of the mature women. What was true then is true now! While I’m on the subject of jewelry, let me give another time-tested tip, Less is Best. We all have our favorite jewelry pieces, but wearing them all, at the same time, is a prime example of over-gilding the lily! Have a special pair of earrings that you love? Want them to be noticed when you wear them? Chances are, they won’t receive their proper due, if competing for attention with necklace, pins, rings, bracelets, and watch.

BEST FASHION TIP
Don't be AGE conscious!
Wear whatever looks good,
and fits well on your body type.


Fashion Gal images courtesy of Lady Timeless

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