My friend Deanna and I were chatting the other morning and we both agreed that it is so much more challenging dressing ourselves now in our (clear my throat) late (yikes!) 30’s than it ever was before.
Yes, we are more settled and we know ourselves better than before but, when it comes to staying true to who we are as individuals and trying to stay fashionable (ON a budget), it is WAY harder!
After shopping in the same stores (like Urban Outfitters for example) for decades, as much as I love the store still, when I go in there now, I can no longer easily find items like I used to.
Why you might ask!?
My body has changed and so has my lifestyle.
Most of the stores I was used to shop in, have not grown with me.
They are still catering to late teens and twenty somethings and well, I am no longer either one of those.
The short dresses for one, are too short. (I don’t feel like wearing long maxi dresses all the time)
Did I mention that I’m 38 and I have a child?
If I bend over to pick Lily up, I don’t want to pull a Britney. (even though i wear underwear)
So, where does this leave us ladies in our late 30’s still wanting to remain fashionable?
I have had waves of struggling with this these past years. (ask Will. poor Will)
I’m faithful to Zara (for bottoms, tops, dresses and footwear, I think they do a great job at catering to many ages), Gap (basics), French Connection (dresses, tops and footwear), Free People (sweaters, jackets and footwear), Anthropologie (lounge wear and jewelry) and I can still find some things at Forever 21 (or Forever 31 as I like to call it).
My best advice is: go out and try (and try and try) things on.
Don’t be afraid to try things you haven’t tried before.
If you know you are not so good at shopping, ask a friend to go with you to help.
It is always good to have someone (hopefully with somewhat of a style sense) to give you a new perspective on things and new suggestions.
Also, don’t be afraid to shop online or to buy something you are not so sure about.
Take it (or receive it) home and try it on with other things in your wardrobe in the comfort of your own home (mirrors and lights).
Just make sure the retailer you are buying from has a full refund policy.
Have fun with fashion, whatever you do, stay true to who YOU are! (otherwise you won’t wear it, and then what’s the point?)
P.S.- I know that age is how you feel in your heart and blah, blah, blah but really, who wants to see a 70 year old woman in a mini skirt even if she still feels 18 in her heart?
Have a great (and fashionable 😉 ) weekend everyone!!
Another grey, cold and rainy day here in Beja, Portugal. (it’s ok really, we have had beautiful weather up until now)
We are going to Lisboa to pick Will up at the airport in a little while and we are super excited!!! (we have never been apart for this long)
My inspiration today is the painter Gustav Klimt. He is one of my favorite artists and when he painted he always wore a long smock.
My tunic isn’t necessarily long 😉 but, it reminds me of the painting smocks I used to wear in pre-school.
What I’m wearing: Knitted hat by Urban Outfitters, Earrings by Anthropologie, Tunic by some random Portuguese label, Shirt underneath by Forever 21 (31 😉 ), Tights by some other random Portuguese label, Bag by Zara, Booties by French Connection (they’re baaaaack!!!)
Jacket/coat by Anthropologie (gift from Will), Dress by Forever 21 (or Forever 31 as I like to call it), Shirt worn underneath by French Connection, Tights by H&M, Boots by Matisse (surprise! I wore different ones today 😉 )
You get no stripes and no jeans/leggings from me today.
The temperature dropped a bit this morning so it was nice putting on warmer clothes.
You are getting a profile shot from me (it’s better than frontal anyway) because Lily slept horribly last night (she’s sick). Which meant that I slept horribly last night and have a tired face once again. (I don’t know about you winning Allie)
What I’m wearing: Knitted hat by Gap, Earrings (same as yesterday) are vintage, Long sweater cardigan by Zara, Dress/tunic by French Connection (it’s probably 6 years old but I still always wear it and love it), Tights (my faves, I love how they are cable knit and have colored specks) by Steve Madden and…. Booties by French Connection (yes, it’s the 4th day in a row that I’m wearing them. I might wear them the whole week! 😉 )
Sorry, stripes 2 days in row. I guess I’m liking stripes a lot this season also. Both for me and for Lily. 😉
To change the scenery a bit (sorry, no terrace pics yet this morning), I took these in the bedroom as we got ready.
What I’m wearing: Striped sweater by Scoop NYC, Layering tank underneath by Gapbody, The Kiss Jeans by AG, Knitted cap by Urban Outfitters, Earrings are vintage, and Booties (yes, again!) by French Connection.
What Lily is wearing: Striped shirt by Old Navy, Denim overalls by babyGap, Socks by Old Navy, Shoes/Booties by Pablosky Kids.
Ok, I’m back from trying to update my Portuguese ID card and passport.
Drama!!
Will be harder than I thought.
Anyway, it is such a beautiful (and warm) day here it hardly feels like fall.
I just realized after taking the pictures that I’m big time into navy and gray this fall.
Striped shirt by Zara (I love Zara!), White tank by Gapbody, Corduroy legging/pants by Anthropologie (seriously, I have to try really hard to not put these on every day, I bought them in gray and olive green. they are awesome!!), Bag by Urban Outfitters (also functions as a diaper bag), Headband by CVS (6 colors for like $5.00. hello!), Sunglasses by Marc Jacobs (old but LOVE!), Traditional Portuguese gold earrings that were a gift from my dad, Booties by French Connection (you will seriously see these on my feet almost every day because i LOVE them!!)
Is everyone else having as much fun as me doing this?
I had so much fun going to see Hole with my girls!
It was pouring while I was getting ready which made the decision of “what to wear?” a little hard but, I chose to go with one of my favorite looks, a dress with boots.
I always like the contrast of a dress (soft) and boots (hard). (I often wonder why I live in Miami since it’s hot most of the year and I don’t get to wear my boots often enough.)
As far as accessories, I borrowed Will’s bag (his murse :)) and what else does a mommy and wife need other than her engagement/wedding ring? (I usually wear earrings but since I knew there was going to be some head banging, I decided to skip them.)
Cardigan- Zara (when you pack light, you get to wear the same cardigan 4 days in a row)
