Hit Your Style Sweet Spot: Chic Over 60…Leave Frumpy Behind!

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

Are we still worthy of the runway after age 60?  You bet we are! When I hit the big 6-0 three years ago, friends immediately asked, “Are you going to change the name of your blog?”  Well, no, I am still over 50 and still feeling great…no need to change.  The messaging is the same.

What Jennifer and I have witnessed is many believe there is a difference in the way women in their fifties and sixties dress.  Somehow, when we hit 60 the norm says we are suddenly expected to dress “old lady” or like a “grandma.”  I always cringe when frumpy clothing is called grandma clothing….I respect grandmothers more than that!

Well, I am in my sixties and very much a grandmother, and there is no frumpy here! I have worked hard through my reinvention to throw the frumpy out.  I want to be the strong, intelligent, chic woman who enters the room…and not the frumpy sad one. 

Recently I discovered the old WHAT NOT TO WEAR episodes are on at the same time I am on the treadmill three mornings a week.  After this discovery, I told you I would re-visit some of those important guidelines.  Last week, a graphic designer who was tagged with bad fashion wrote a content strategy for her makeover, which said this,


 “I want to end this journey (a week with the show) with a cross seasonal wardrobe which communicates strength and professionalism with a spirit of fun.”

 I loved it!  Since I am very much in the professional world and also love to show some fun in my style, this was a great content strategy for my own wardrobe!  I also live in a warm climate where we use very few cold weather clothes, so a cross seasonal wardrobe just makes good financial sense.  Making sure my clothing sends the messages I desire, means I will walk in confidence and leave frumpy behind. 
One of my wardrobe goals has been to add more dresses and skirts for the warmer weather.  All signs look for this to be a very humid spring and summer, so I need ways to stay cool and chic.  For work, I lean toward classic styling with fun accessories.  This sheath dress is a great find at Dressbarn and I have it featured below.  I really like black and blue together…très chic!

I am 63…not old…not dead…not out of the game…but feeling confident and joyful… and still walking my own runway every day!

Now, let’s go see what my over 60 friend, JENNIFER OF A WELL STYLED LIFE, has to say on the topic

Linking to VISIBLE MONDAY..
CELEBRATING STYLE LINK UPFUN FRIDAY LINKUP

Then, Go Out With A Smile!

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33 Comments

  1. You always look great and certainly never frumpy, Pam! I love that style statement from Not What to Wear.

    It really is an insult to call frumpy clothing "grandma clothing." Being frumpy really has nothing to do with age. You, and you so many others, are a great example that style is ageless.

    Have a wonderful Sunday!

    Andrea
    Andrea’s Wellness Notes

  2. Thanks, Andrea! It does have nothing to do with age. I was frumpy in my forties before my wake up call and reinvention! Some of the most fabulous style icons I know are 60+! Hope your day is wonderful as well1

  3. You always look great! The word frumpy is wielded like a sword by many and can be a painful if we let it! Grandmothers are not automatically frumpy, that's insulting.

  4. You have great legs! My over 60 legs are full of veins so I don't wear dresses and skirts in summer. But lately I have been drawn to term, and am wondering if I just embrace the legs.

  5. You are so kind, but I understand the struggle to embrace them! I am wearing hose in this picture and feel more confident in hose. I just came in from sitting in the sun for 15 min. I only do it 15 min at a time as per doctor's recommendation, but when they have a tad bit more color I will feel more confident. But I do embrace so much about my age and just go with what looks the best. If you feel more confident in pants, then don't worry about dresses…But I think hose might help you!!

  6. Hi Pam! You look very professional and chic! A regal shade of blue and I love your coat draped over your shoulders – very New York style! Nice to meet another fashionable lady over 60! I had the same question asked. I started my blog when I was 58 and after I turned 60, some asked if I was going to change the name. I said I'm still over 50. 🙂

    Have a fashionable week dear!
    ❤️carmen

    https://fashionableover50.wordpress.com

  7. Pam, I would love to add more skirts and dresses to my wardrobe, but it is so hard. I am about a size 12 on top and 14 on the bottom. That combined with a big tummy makes a dress that fits well and is flattering hard. What brands do you find fit you well?

  8. I know it's hard, Cathy…one of the reasons I do not wear them often. Really the only thing I purchase at Dress Barn is Dresses. That is the best place I have found to fit my curves in a flattering way. That is why I put Dress Barn dresses below. For skirts, my favorites are pencil skirts and I have purchased them in several places. The favorites in my closet are from Talbots. Many fit options. I do not really wear maxi skirts…I own two and they are flattering, but i relly feel older in them. Pencil skirts are magic. Thanks for the question.

  9. I have thought about this a bunch as I edge toward 50. I don't think I will change as I careen towards 60. People may not love my style now – – but it's my style 🙂

  10. Hail to my style new hero! I love your look, your blog and your spirit. 🙂

    "I am 63…not old…not dead…not out of the game" Very inspiring to this 40 something. I'll be back. I'm subbing!

  11. You are so right…it is YOUR style! And when you feel strong and confident wearing it…then you will be youthful. And, I love how you wear your smile, Carla!

  12. Honestly, the second half of my life has been the most fun! I am so glad that statement inspired you…it is true that you have much to look forward to.

  13. "Throw the frumpy out!" That's going to be my rallying cry when I tackle reorganizing my closet this spring. Thanks for your always-encouraging and -affirming words, Pam!

  14. Very nice post, and interesting to me in particular because my birthday is coming up when I think about appearances vs attitudes. Your style reminds me that at 20 or 60, you can pull off a variety of looks when you just appear to be really ok with yourself.

  15. Confidence is huge…but my confidence did not return until I learned how to dress and what I wanted to communicate with my style at age 50. Once I began to take care of me, I have soared with confidence! Thanks Susan..

  16. I love this outfit! I'm not working in an environment where I need to dress professionally often, but you have shown me how it should be done.

    I'm hypnotized by your necklace. Wherever did you get it?

    Kath

  17. I use a spray leg makeup that covers imperfections. I believe it's by Sally Hansen? Looks way better than completely bare!

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