Fall Wardrobe Help for the 40 and over crowd.

Fall Wardrobe Woes: There is help!

Working for a national retail chain puts me in touch with many women over 40 who are completely confused about clothes shopping. I can spot them as soon as they walk into the store. They have this completely confused look and they wander around the store grabbing random non-related garments and then trudge reluctantly to the fitting room. Once there, they try on a pile of clothing and then get frustrated because nothing fits properly and no outfits have miraculously put themselves together on the hangers. Ladies, there is help for you.

The first step toward shopping for the coming season begins in your own closet. Start by putting away everything that is out of season and donate anything that you know you will never wear again (no, those expensive leather pants from the 90's that are two sizes too small are not exempt). Try everything on and give each item a critical eye to make sure that it still fits. The next step is to look at your basics and make sure that they are in good repair and still in style. Hint: sweaters and jackets with moth holes or anything double breasted is out. Basics include blazers, dress pants, skinny jeans, blouses, scarfs, and simple dresses.The basics are the canvas on which you will add a few trends to create a polished and chic look that will be your own masterpiece.

What trends can we find in this runway look from Alexander McQueen? Lace, peplum top,  large jewelry, and sheer black.

So, what are the trends and how can our age group make them work for us? The secrets are in  Fashion Week photos. No, I don't expect you to don a beekeepers hat a la Alexander McQueen  and parade into Costco or your next board meeting. The runway looks are an artist's expression and they are exaggerated version of what we will eventually see on the racks of our local TJ Maxx store. The fall trends that we will be exploring in the next few posts are lace, mixing prints, skinny pants, colorful flats, chunky retro jewelry, and boho chic.    All wonderful looks that can be incorporated into a wardrobe of basics. So, while I am working on your next lesson, your homework assignment is to purge your closet. Get started and remember, if you haven't worn it in a year, it has to go!

Julie Borshak