Help guys and gals!!!

I haven't had a "style" in about 20 years!
I've been wearing clothes to cover up and hide out in but I'm trying to do better. I'm 50 with a youngish personality and I need everyday clothes for my current weight and also for my goal weight. I also need dresses/skirts for when I hit goal.

I won't wear sleeveless anything and prefer elbow or 3/4 sleeves ... it's a hang up. I'm a pair shape.

Anyone care to post ideas? I'd appreciate the help and I'm sure I'm not the only 50+ with this issue.

Honey, where whatever you want! I too purchased clothes for years that were about covering the required areas (long tunics anyone?). I am still not down to a weight I like, but wearing things that I just plain like is a great lift to my spirits. I wouldn't buy too much yet for your goal weight, not that you won't there, but the trying on before buying will be much fun, imo.
This spring (I shop online) there were all these tops that were similar to what I wore in high school, and yep, and I bought some. I too don't show much of my arms, don't know if I ever will again, and find that in the hot months, linen tops are the least uncomfortable in the heat. I also am not buying anything too expensive, have found in the past that attachment to clothes feeds into my not losing mentality, silly, I know. I only wear jeans these days, (am in school) and have a stack that are a few years old I still can't get into, so I can't help you with pants choices. Congrats and good luck!

I like Harper's Bazaar fashion at every age 30s and upwards. I'm sure you can pull off the 20s, but they "miss the mark" for 20s fashion - its not nearly as cute as the fashion for ages 30s+. I would look at it for inspiration and find slightly cheaper alternatives (maybe banana republic, anthropologie, ann taylor, bcbg).
http://www.harpersbazaar.com/archive...us-fashion/0/5

I put this in another thread, but it fits here...how to dress well at any age.



http://www.style-makeover-hq.com/how-to-dress.html

First of all.. what style do you like the look of on other people/celebrities? I think that's a good starting point. Then looking at your body shape and finding the right fit.

Have you gone shopping yet?

I think it is helpful to find a few "uniforms" and then do variations on that theme. You wind up with lots of stuff you like, and hopefully, very little you wind up giving away in disgust.
Also, go ahead and pick a palette and then everything matches and you don't drive yourself bananas looking for shoes on a Friday afternoon for your date that night.

So, for example, I like the way I look in:

Pencil skirt/ blouse /skyhigh heels

Maxi dress/ flats or wedges

Pedal pushers/ fitted tee/ flats or wedges

Circle skirt/ tank top/ jacket/ flats or wedges

Bootcut or trouser jean/ cardigan/ wedges or skyhigh heels

So I own those items in abundance. I must have about 20 pencil skirts. Mainly blacks and greys, with a few colors thrown in. The blouses are usually jewel tones with some kind of sleeve detail. So when I shopped for work clothes, it was nice and easy - if I saw a pencil skirt in black or grey, or a bright color I really liked, I tried it on. If it fit, I grabbed it. All my blouses already matched it, and I could retire a pencil skirt that was getting a trifle "used".

You'll think you're being "boring", but really, you're developing a signature.
And take pictures of yourself in outfits. I thought I looked really cute in this one blouse until I took the picture... oh dear. It was tits in parade. I nixed it. Glad I found out!

Edited to add: Have fun with it! Be prepared to shop A LOT. And, if it matters, I'm in my 30s. I think when I'm in my 50s everything but the maxi-dress will still work. The maxi-dress might still work, but I'm thinking I'll have to be a lot more careful. Something about yards of fabric is... difficult.

gonnadoitthistime,
I got a chuckle out of your "wear whatever you want." I can't argue with that.

pixelllate,
Thanks for the suggestion. It's helpful to see what looks good on older models.

stillmeadow
Thanks for the link. I poked around the site and found some great ideas!!

LeilaJey,
I grabbed a buddy I went clothes shopping yesterday.

I picked up a few items that fit and a few that almost fit. My favorite find was a new Ann Taylor knee-length, a-line skirt for $3 from a secondhand store. I haven't worn a skirt that short in years, and the thought terrifies me a just a little, but my friend said that length is more flattering than skirts that hit mid-calf on my meaty calves. Anyway, A-line is supposedly more flattering for a pear figure.

thundahthighs,
I loved your suggestions!! Creating a signature style for myself is an interesting concept that I intend to work on. Perhaps by the time I get to maintenance weight I'll know what I'm doing.

Wear your confidence and a smile!!! That really is the only thing that matters. Break the fashion rules and wear what makes you feel good about yourself. Highlight your assets to the nth degree

I am soon to be 48 years old. I wear short skirts, go sleeveless and wear heels and form fitting clothes that accent my small waist. I refuse to buy into the old lady mindset that so many people want to pigeon hole women into. In return I get a lot of compliments from people young and old....yes, some stares from other women who do not approve but seriously if you can rock it, wear it and never surrender CONFIDENCE!!!!!!!

I think you are on the right track. Figure out your shape (you said you are a pear) and find things to accentuate your assets. That is the best way to look good at any age.

Go to the book store, get some coffee and look through some fashion rules books or check out a show like TLC what not to wear. This will help you figure out your style while sticking to your own unique set of rules. Don't forget to try stuff on...try a lot on.

I'm a pear as well (actually, a spoon, according to that site someone linked to in another thread) and am 54. I found some great Empire waist dresses at JC Penney that came with shrugs that cover my flabby arms. I love them.

There are a lot of good suggestions here. I, too, love the TLC show "What Not to Wear". They give such good guidelines that can make anyone, any size look good, while creating your own style. I now know their guidelines by heart and try to follow them when clothes shopping. One of the main rules I learned from Clinton and Stacy is not to buy something just because it is your size and is on sale. Don't buy it unless you really love it and it is what you were looking for. One great thing about losing weight is needing new clothes and having a good reason to go shopping. Have fun!

So happy to hear that .. your friend is right too, if it's too long and flowy you'd wonder what you're hiding under there :P also you can just wear some dark tights under at first if you're feeling nervous. Delighted you got some stuff though, keep going. You can look fantastic at any weight!

Cardigans go nicely over almost everything and are perfect if you're shy about exposing your arms!

I'm a pear as well. I'm most comfortable in a-line skits, curvy fit trousers and capris, cardigans with camis or solid color tops with a v- or scoop neck, and dresses with an empire waist and some flare.
http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=50262318
http://www.polyvore.com/for_pear/set?id=50261374

I think you got some really good advice. I think getting a "look" is a matter of taste. The older I get the more I rely on classics, with a few little surprises thrown in. I want better made clothes that last and look good. You can find some great things on sale. I like the suggestion to take a picture of yourself in an outfit. Somtimes our precept is off. I really like the sites that Mahtha posted. Some really great looking clothes.

buy according to what you need. I buy few dress clothes because I wear uniforms to work. I have a pair of black, grey, and brown dress pants. a few pairs of really good jeans. tops can be more creative. I like certain brands of clothes that i've found that fit me and have better fabrics. Nothing really expensive. Jones New York always have things I like.

Be realistic. I just bought a long flowey white skirt that I loved. Tried it with so many different tops. Finally realized it wasn't the skirt, it was me. I'm just too short and don't have the figure for that look.