Hit Your Style Sweet Spot: Spring Shopping Wear for Fashion over 50

Welcome to a fun collaboration with Jennifer of A Well Styled Life and Pam of over50feeling40.  We desire for all of us… the fabulous women over 50 …to look and feel our best each and every day.  After years of blogging for this audience, we have heard from so many of you about your discouragement and despondency when you look in the mirror every morning.  But, we both know just how transformative style can be, and hope to encourage you right here each week.  We want to see all of us empowered with strength, joy, and confidence.

Spring is in full bloom, and some of you are thinking “retail therapy” is needed!  One of our readers asked what Jennifer and I wear for spring shopping.  Of course, there are reasons behind these decisions!

These three things are always true for me:
1. I dress well to shop.  I want to feel my best and have sales associates take me seriously and give good assistance wherever I  happen to spend my shopping dollar.
2. I rarely walk up and down a mall waiting to see what hits me.  I prepare online and go looking for specific items…then there are times while doing that…something will hit me.
3. I make sure I have the time to shop because to do it properly, I must try on every garment and spend quality time with it before a three way mirror. (Otherwise, I make mistakes)

Now, about what I wore:
1. I like to go early..when the stores open…and beat the crowds.  That means I will layer because sometimes it is cooler in the morning.  Here is my favorite black, boyfriend jacket by MICHAEL KORS.  It was purchased on sale a couple of years ago from MACYS.
2. This button down with the leopard detail is from CHICOS.  It also has leopard on the collar, and cuff.  I like to wear a button down for trying on clothes, so my hair is not getting tossed all over the place.

3.  The black pants are lightweight and actually more comfortable than jeans.  I bought them last year at ELIZABETH’S BOUTIQUE in San Antonio.
4. I usually do not wear bracelets shopping, but this one went so nicely with the outfit and it is an easy bracelet to snap on and off when in the dressing room.  It is from SOFT SURROUNDINGS. But, usually I do not wear much jewelry when shopping.  I do not want to lose it or deal with it.

5.  I like to have a nice sized bag for shopping to carry whatever I need and perhaps a small package or two. This beautiful red leather Ellen Tracy handbag and the DVF scarf were found at separate yard sales at different times of the year…but I love them together!

6. Finally, comfortable shoes are a must.  And there are some fun sneakers I have worn for shopping …particularly in colder weather months.  These Gianni Bini flats from DILLARDS are perfect for when I shop…then I do not have to spend too long with my feet up when I get home…

I know it is wrong and sometimes costly for sales associates to judge how women look when shopping, but I also know from working in retail that it happens.  I want them to give me their best service and I believe they will when I look put together.

Now, let’s go see how JENNIFER OF A WELL STYLED LIFE dressed for her shopping trip!  

How do you like to dress when shopping…do you have any personal rules you like to follow?

Thanks for stopping by and commenting.  Again, welcome to all of the new subscribers!  So glad you are here!

Have a great start to your week!


**DILLARD’S Just Put up this link THE COMFORT SHOP FOR SHOES

Linking up to VISIBLE MONDAYMONDAY MINGLETURNING HEADS LINK UP

34 Comments

  1. I have a trip planned for May, annual shopping trip to Columbus. Always dress in easy to remove clothing, keeping in mind that I want to look polished and chic. Usually a maxi skirt with a cute top and flats, it's two days on our feet all day! A tote is a must, but has to meet the polished criteria! The skirt takes me from shopping to dinner. Can't wait!

  2. Have fun, Karen! Great thoughts about wearing a skirt and going from shopping to dinner. Also, some of my favorite places to eat are in the malls!

  3. I tried to find them on their site and I guess they are no longer available, but you might search the brand and see if you could find them somewhere…I do like them a lot…comfy and cute! Thanks for stopping by!

  4. I know how it feels. I have lost jewelry before as well. This bracelet is big and easy on, easy off…so far I have always seen it and remembered to put it back on in the dressing room! But I really do not wear any others any more. Thanks for stopping by, Patti1

  5. Great shopping outfit! I love the details – the leopard on the shirt, the scarf on the bag, the cute flats, and the bracelet.

  6. Great shopping tips and outfit! Love the handbag – I have one similar in cobalt blue. I usually shop spur of the moment when I'm in the mood for it and wearing something I feel really good in… and having a good hair day LOL.

  7. Great shopping outfit! I usually shop after work so whatever I wore that day. If I plan a trip I like to wear easy to remove items. I have lost more than one earring while shopping. I like the French wire type and they are easy to lose. I love the leopard trim on your blouse! I do think you get treated better almost everywhere when you are dressed nicely.

  8. I usually wear my athletic shoes if I know I will be out for a while. My feet are so funky at the moment so I know I will pay later if my shoes are not comfortable for a day out . I usually wear a nice pair of jeans with a tee and jacket. Love your shoes from Dillard's.

  9. Comfort and easy on and off are paramount when shopping for clothes as are good walking shoes. I prefer a pullover top, rather than having a lot of buttons to deal with, but I might feel differently if my hair was long. Like you, I also find that I get more attention and better service from sales people when I dress up a bit.

  10. I am impressed you have the energy to shop after work…work often wipes me out to much to shop then. I have to be able to focus. Thanks so much for stopping by and for your comments!

  11. Thanks Susan. I like to wear athletic shoes for shopping, but then I have to worry about taking them on and off to try things on. These flats and my sandals are easy on easy off. But, I know the comfort in the other shoes means a lot. Thanks for stopping by and sharing!

  12. I think if my hair were shorter I would for sure feel differently about the blouse, Elaine. This blouse has easy buttons…but some don't and I would not want to mess with them in a dressing room. So i understand. Thanks so much for stopping by.

  13. When I dress to shop I put easy on/easy off clothes on. Pullovers, flats that don't tie or buckle, easy pants. I have to admit fashion is not high on my list when I choose that outfit. I've never not been taken seriously by sales associates, but maybe that's because I usually batch my shopping and buy a big pile of things at once. Like a BIG pile LOL

  14. I am so glad there are so many cute flats out there now. I mostly wear them now, so I know what you mean when you say you could not survive without them…nor could I! Thanks for stopping by.

  15. Unfortunately, I have been back when I did not take care with the way I look. And after working retail the last few months I have seen it happen with others..but that is encouraging to know you haven't been treated badly. Thanks for coming by and commenting, Carol!

  16. Dress to shop! That is smart! I am going to remind myself of these tips. Wearing the right shoes…sometimes I forget that one! Not only does it help with comfort, but the clothes you try on look better.

  17. I was born to shop but never to pay retail! I prefer going to upscale consignment shops that carry designer brands at ridiculous prices. When I need something trendy, I go to H&M or Target for what I call "disposable" fashion.

  18. When I was a young person, I was offended when salespeople didn't take me seriously. I refused to dress "for them," thinking "how snotty and elitist!" But then one day in my late 20s, I realized we humans have nothing but visual signals with which to assess strangers. Once people get closer, there are other things, but visual is big initially. Thus if I wanted to be treated as a legitimate shopper, I needed to dress the part. I felt like such a goober when I realized this.

  19. Dressed fabulously Pam, as always…love the Michael Kors jacket! I like to shop on a Monday morning, so quiet, I always get so much more accomplished. Great advice and I agree with you, sad but true, the sales staff to judge the shoppers, I know that all too well from my days working in Harrods…we judge too much! Have a great week…I'm going to hop over to Jennifer now 🙂 xx

  20. Great post, very sensible outfit. And… looking stylish in it.
    I have another reason for dressing well, even extremely well when I go shopping. If I try something on and I am hesitating, I put on my own clothes and when I feel I look better in them, then obviously the new clothes are rejected.
    Lovely ballet shoes. I so like the studs and that fun nose.
    Greetje

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