Be Visible: Walk Out with a Smile

But, I’m still smiling!


People seldom notice old clothes if you wear a big smile. ~Lee Mildon

Visibility has to do with so much more than clothing or accessories. I think you can put on just about anything and if you wear it with confidence and joy, then you are going to turn heads when you walk into a room.


Joy is attractive and contagious. Your smile and your posture can say so much and demand attention! My mother used to sing to me. I believe it is one of the reasons why I walk around singing…but of her many selections, one was “Let a smile be your umbrella on a rainy, rainy day!”


It was over 100, sizzling degrees outside when I coaxed my husband into shooting these pictures yesterday, so my smile had to be the umbrella to keep the sun away! White jackets just seem to demand visibility no matter when you wear them and I love the look of a white jacket with darker colors…this green is one of my favorites because it makes my eyes pop like a firecracker!

Jacket: Stein Mart
Blouse: Old Navy


When Patti first talked about the invisibility of the over 40 woman, I had to ponder the post for a while. Most women, no matter the age, feel invisible at some point during their lifetime. In fact, I will go so far as to say that “invisibility” is a universal problem with women…but it doesn’t have to be. It only takes a jolt of confidence, a big smile, and some great accessorizing to capture the audience in a room!! We can do it every day!

Accesories give me joy!


Now, please jump over to Patti’s site Not Dead Yet Style and see the other fabulously visible chic ladies…and put your smile on before you walk out that door!!

20 Comments

  1. I am TOTALLY feeling that belt!! It's hard to stay cool in 100 degree weather, you almost just want to walk around nekkid! But you look absolutely beautiful and you're right. A smile (hopefully a sincere one) is the best accessory. And even if you're not feeling it at first, smile long enough and it WILL become genuine! Hugs Pam!!! ~Serene

  2. If you take that smile and say something nice to whoever is getting ready to make you invisible you increase your chances of turning back into a real person with them!

    There is some truth to the addage that old age and treachery will get your farther than youth and beauty — particularly if you wrap your treachery in kind words.

  3. I agree, a smile is our best accessory. Love the lighter jacket with the green shirt, very summery (at least for air-conditioned interiors).

  4. I LOVE your post today. I have been adopting the same principle myself. Like most women of a certain age, we tend to feel the world is not giving us the attention it once did. But within the last six months I have been working at countering that attitude and have found, exactly as you describe, that a big smile and a friendly attitude trumps age EVERY time. I can't tell you how many times recently that I have gotten attention just by saying "Good Morning" to someone and asking them how their day is going. And if they look up and see you, and you look pulled together and like you care about yourself, nine times out of ten, you are given the acknowledgement that you deserve.

    You look cool as a cucumber by the way and one could hardly ignore how great you look!

  5. I love your whole outfit, but the belt just adds so much to the outfit.
    My yoga teacher left us with this thought last week. A smile is a kiss for your soul" That made me smile!

  6. Hey Pam
    I still remember when I was a freshman in high school on my 2nd or 3rd and I was roaming the halls looking for a particular class. this guy I didn't know came up to me and asked me why I looked so sad. i wasn't sad, i just wasn't smiling. I smiled at what he said and he was literally taken aback when I smiled. I will never forget that or the impact the smile had.
    brett

  7. That white jacket is FANTASTIC on you. I love it!

    This makes me think of the jingle they sing in Annie on the radio – "You're never fully dressed without a smile." 🙂

  8. Hi Pam – I, too, love a white jacket! And you are right about being invisible. I think in my work environment, I don't have that problem because I hang out with the younger crowd. I just don't accept that fact that I am nearly out of my 40's. And it is all in my attitude. LOL. I have also learned that not smiling makes me look like I am frowning – in my older aged facial skin. SO – I try to smile all the time. Not a big toothy smile, but a smile that says I am not crabby! Have a great day! Cheers!xoxo

  9. Props to hubby for taking the photos and for bringing out the green in the eyes. It's true that a friendly style may make a person more approachable than the smartest look.

  10. I think if you put on a smile and use it, even if you are not so happy, you will soon feel much better. I use to be a waitress and even if I had had a bad day at home I'd have to act happy and before I knew it I'd feel much better.

  11. You know what makes you totally visible? Wearing lipstick on your teeth while giving that big smile, a la Diana Vreeland and Isabella Blow!

  12. Pam, It was great fun getting to visit with you today at Stein Mart and catching up on everything going on in College Station with our kids. Can't wait to see you model your new Jackets. – Eileen

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