All The World's A Stage...Except for Real Life!

My young friend, Ashley, asked if I could blog about wearing vintage clothes and doing so without looking costumey.

I told her it would be fun, so here goes!

Vintage clothing is very "in" and fun to wear and Ashley's correct....you don't want to look like you're going to a costume party or auditioning for a period play.

My favorite period of clothing is the `40s and `50s.  Sadly, so many others do too, that finding those clothes without paying a ton of money is a challenge. Katherine Hepburn, Lauren Bacall, Lucille Ball....those girls wore great clothes!






The trick to wear vintage is not to wear all the pieces together.  Don't try the hat, gloves, bag and shoes with a dress or pants.  Wear the outfit with contemporary accessories so it is obvious that you know what is current style and appreciate the older styles.



Do not wear your hair or make up in vintage style when you dress in vintage clothing. It will look exceedingly contrived, if you do.





Recognizing that whatever period of fashion you like, you can wear it appropriately by mixing it with modern accessories, contemporary hair styles and muted make up.

There is a young Dutch woman on Instagram (anneliesvanoverbeek) who does bear a striking resemblance to Audrey Hepburn and dresses in Audrey's style, as well as Edwardian styles. She buys vintage style hats, tops, coats and dresses.

     She's first, Audrey is the 2nd photo.

Check her out and see how vintage can get you a lot of followers if you use the looks appropriately.

It doesn't matter what age you are, vintage pieces can be fun, stylish and express the inner you.




Fashion is fun and wearing clothes from another period is really great. But ladies, there is a fashion rule:  If you wore something when you were young, you should not wear it when you're older. That means big billowy bell bottom pants, tie dye shirts, mini skirts, go-go boots.  You know what I'm talking about. Unless you're going to a costume party or starring in your own Instagram feed!

Ashley, I hope this helps a bit.  I loved looking at the all photos to do this blog post!!




So in two weeks, I'll be back. In the meantime, I remain,

Stylistically yours,

Sooz

A Whole New World!

Well, I am now fully retired....not temping any more.  I have become a "lady who lunches"!

But that doesn't mean that the shopping, make up experimentation and fear of looking frumpy and dowdy ends.  Far from it.

So here goes, with updates:

1.  It Bag for the Year:
I still get a LOT of fashion magazines, blogs and emails and the number one "it" bag, started by Celine, is the saddle bag. This style is actually based on the bags that were attached to actual saddles by cowboys, pony express riders, etc.


         

Other designers caught on to this trend quickly and these are their designs...

    

So I found a really cute one on sale in ballerina pink at....wait for it......Old Navy!  $24.
     Don't you love it?  I do and being a style trend, that's about all I would spend on a transitory bag. And the tassel is also on trend.

2.  Cover up for bathing suit, over sleeveless shirts, bathrobe:

Kimonos are very popular. You can wear them everywhere (depending on where you go, of course).
So I bought one early in the Spring but, even though it is lightweight, the polyester blend makes me sooooo hot and sweaty, I just can't wear it.  But....I found one that feels like a baby's nighty with the prettiest embroidery work on the front and back for $24 at Target.




3.  New Mascara Concept

I have seen TV and magazine print ads for a new Maybelline brand mascara, Colossal Spider Effect mascara, so I went to the drugstore and bought a tube for $6.99.  It is supposed to give you big, full spikey lashes.




Don't bother buying this....it gets clumpy on your lashes and they don't look any better than other mascaras make them look.  I even went to YouTube to see what the make up bloggers thought, and they agree with me (should have done this BEFORE I bought it).

4.  Boy Short Underwear

I thought I'd give this style of undies a try....
   

And I must say, I am NOT a fan.  They roll up at the legs (even though the package says they don't) and they roll down under my tummy, making me look and feel like a beer bellied yokel.  I have a friend who only wears them, so if you do buy them, buy one inexpensive pair to try before investing $14 on four pair that you don't like wearing.  And nobody wants your used underwear.


So, that's my latest.  I stepped away from the blog for blogging for a few months but plan to blog every two weeks.  Please let me know if you have any concerns, questions or ideas. I'd love to hear from you.

And thank you for following me. I appreciate your interest and loyalty.



Until next time, I remain,

Stylistically yours,

Sooz

Wrinkles, Lines and Spiderwebs! Yuck!

I do love to eat a crepe -- as a dinner item or as a dessert item.

But that crepey look of skin is a nightmare. I look at the back of my hands, my arms, even my legs and see "old lady skin."

 

Those fine lines that seem to form an unending web of "crinkles" are a natural process of ageing but they sure look awful and make you a bit sad.

So you need to know that the culprit of this look is primarily due to a lack of estrogen in your body.

From the International Dermal Institute:

"Estrogens play a major role in the collagen and elastin network of the skin. Losing estrogens means losing dermal collagen production. So skin thins out, loses elasticity and sets the stage for wrinkle formation."

The next thing we then do is figure out is how to improve the quality of our skin without taking hormone replacements. But you must have your thyroid checked because that can influence how your skin grows and ages. So assuming you're in good health, here are some tips:

1.  First and foremost you should increase your hydration. We don't drink as much water as we should as we get older but we absolutely must. Coffee, tea, soft drinks, juices do not count as hydration. The only true hydration is water....eight or so glasses per day.  If you're like me, water is boring. So infuse it with fresh fruit or cucumber.  Just drink it all day, every day. Doing this will stimulate collagen production and re-energizing the skin.

2. And this is very simple and available no matter where you are: use invigorating essential oils to also provide hydration, nourish and heal your skin. Using oils like Rosewood and Jasmine to provide intense hydration and Carrot Seed, Argan and Rosehip Oils to boost antioxidants, improve elasticity and reinforce the epidermal lipid barrier as great treatment options with the added bonus of providing aromatherapy throughout your day and/or night. 

 3..Exfoliation is a key step in rejuvenating aging skin with slowed cell renewal. Deep moisturizers are appropriate for an aging skin, so be prepared to use rich emollients that hydrate and protect chronically dry skin.  

 4. A diet rich in healthy fats, like Omega-3 is found in salmon and nuts, and will help nourish skin from the inside. Eat up!

 5. Extrinsic aging is practically inescapable, so daily use of sun protection is a must in everyone’s skin care regimen. This is particularly important in aged skin, as it is thinner and allows even more penetration by damaging UV rays.

 Yes, crepey skin is inevitable but you can postpone the problem by doing all of the above. And pray you have good genes!






With that in mind, take good care of yourself.....you're all you have.

Until next time, I remain,
Stylistically yours,

Sooz

Fringe Benefits!

If you are like me, you are "on the fence" about whether to cut bangs (called fringe in Great Britain) or not.

I have worn bangs for a million years (yes, I'm that old!) and only recall two times that I let them grow out.

So today's post is a discussion of whether bangs are appropriate for women "of a certain age" or too cute.

Here's why I still wear them:

1. They hide a multitude of issues....wrinkles, lines, and fading roots.
2. I don't have the patience to let them grow out.
3. They suit my face and my hair style

Here's why I often want to let them grow out:

1. They would make my bob cut look amazing (I think)
2. They would allow my eyes to "pop" more....especially if I make them up well
3. My hair would swing and sway nicer if all one length (I believe)

There is a belief that bangs are a great beautifier for older women. Here's a few examples:

As I stated in a much earlier post, women "of a certain age" just cannot wear hair barrettes, head bands or clips (except to pull your hair up). They are too "precious" and make us look silly.

So to make a case for bangs, whether they are full and cover your forehead or brushed to the side as an accent to your style, I submit to you that they are simply acceptable to wear, if you choose 

They can, indeed, work for you and you can try them if you want....or not. This is one of the great hair options that we CAN wear and decide on our own.

Therefore, I think I'm keeping mine.  You?

Until next time,



I remain,

Stylistically yours,


Sooz