DOUBLE KNIT STYLING
I was strolling through H&M the other day when I came across this fantastic knit dress and cardigan. At first glance, I didn’t think it would work on me for a number of reasons. Firstly, knit dresses have a reputation for being quite unforgiving, and I carry my weight around my middle. The other issue I had with this outfit, was the fact that the dress was sleeveless. I don’t bare my arms anymore…but it had a coordinating cardigan, so I decided to try it on anyway. Imagine my surprise when it actually turned out to be rather slimming. I think we often automatically dismiss certain styles because we have it in our heads that they won’t work. Either we’re too short, or the wrong body type, or the wrong something else.
This mindset is how mature women get stuck in style ruts. It sucks the joy out of fashion. So, if you love it, try it on. There are so many ways to make a look work. Maybe that dress that’s a bit shorter than you would normally wear, simply needs to be paired with tights. Maybe those skinny jeans will look great paired with an oversized top. Perhaps the pretty cropped sweater can be worn layered over a longer t-shirt. Don’t be afraid to try styles that younger, taller, slimmer women wear. With small tweaks, those same pieces can work on bold and beautiful mature fashionistas as well.
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Love the combination of soft colours and the drape.
That’s an excellent lesson I learned shopping just a couple years ago! We do gravitate towards the same styles/colors over time, but I think it’s so much more fun to mix it up!! This outfit is absolutely wonderful on you. And can I say how much I covet those booties? Love it all!! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks so much, Jodie! My daughter, who is also a Jodi, has been quite instrumental in encouraging me to step outside of my comfort zone and try new looks. So it’s always a wonderful surprise when it all comes together and looks great. The boots were a great find at Nordstrom Rack.
great outfit, and brilliant styling – as always, love it
Thanks Eimear! Inexpesive styling is possible, it just takes patience and the desire to look through an incredible amount of merchandise to find the real gems.
A wonderful look, I love it.
Thank you kindly, Sir!! Your lovely compliments are always so appreciated. ~ Dorrie
Looking so forward to cooler weather. YES, try it on! Tights, leggings, belts scarfs, rope jewelry,accessories are friend’s! Loving the look! And always remember good shoes !
Hi Joyce. After a summer of 115 degree heat in Las Vegas, I’m rather excited about Fall fashion as well! My taste in shoes tends to lean towards the expensive side, so I always try to keep an eye out for the end of season sales and Ebay for great deals on designer brands. I found these boots at Nordstrom Rack.
I’m so glad that I’ve found your blog! I’ll turn 60 next year, and was apprehensive that my skinny-jean license might somehow get magically revoked during the next decade. You definitely show me that that doesn’t have to happen! You also showcase clothes from some stores where I can actually afford to shop — thank you!
Footwear is a big style challenge for me. I can’t wear any height in my heels without suffering excruciating knee pain. Plus I have long, extremely skinny feet — unless it’s a super-slim or has some kind of strap (Mary Janes, some T-straps) or ties (sneakers, oxfords, boots) a shoe will literally fall off my foot. And size 9.5 4AAAAs are hard to find, especially at lower price-points. The shoes you wear in the posts are fantastic, but I would love to see someone take on the challenge of how to make “practical”, “comfortable” shoes look stylish. Since my own style is casual, I often wear them with brightly-colored hand-knit socks (which also help the shoes stay on the feet), but that doesn’t work with everything.
Hi Fran! Welcome. I also suffer from very thin feet, so I can relate to your frustration. Steve Madden did a great flat leather slide this season that was very snug, even on me. It looks like a wide elastic band bit in leather. Have a look on their sale/clearance part of their website. It was there last week for around $45. Have you written to your favorite shoe rands to ask if the specifically design for thin feet. They may produce thinner sizes for The Asian market. It’s worth some investigation. xx ~ Dorrie
Thank you for your kind reply, Dorrie! I saw some very cute shoes at the sale/clearance part of the Steve Madden website, at good prices, so I’m inspired to at least try some on in stores and see if the brand has at least some shoes that fit me well, there are some stores near me that carry them, when I get some confidence with the brand I’ll try ordering sale items online. You’ve inspired me to try on other shoes that I like, too, even if they’re not marked as narrow, because you never know. Of brands that make slims and super-slims, Walking Cradles fit me best (they’ve come out with a 14″ boot in low heel heights that comes in slim this year, which is very unusual — the styling is very plain, but at least they’re leather), but Munro American all seem to be the wrong shape for my foot no matter what size I try on. Writing to the brands that have styles I like to ask for narrow sizes sounds like a good idea, too.
Anyway, I enjoy your blog very much, check it daily now 🙂
You are very right in your observations. We do get in a style rut because of not trying. With every new fashion there are other dimensions on the items which creates a whole new ballgame.
Love this outfit. It looks a million dollar. You would never suspect it comes from H&M. Your gorgeous boots do help with that.
Man what a footwear you have.
Greetje
Thanks for your lovely comment, Greetje. It’s a constant challenge to find affordable. stylish clothing for the mature woman, so when I come across an outfit like this, it feels like a small victory for women. xx ~ Dorrie
Those boots were a great find …cost $59.00 at Nordstrom Rack!
So elegant!
Thanks …..not my usual style but fun
Milion $$$$$$
This entire outfit including the boots and jewelry cost about $200.00
You can get some great looks at bargain prices if you take your time shopping in these stores
I very much enjoy your common sense and relate to you in having to accommodate a softer middle section while enjoying clothing but wanting style. You are transparent which is helpful and inviting. I would love to be directed to two topics if you have covered them. Seeing this blissful knit pairing I am curious how you would ‘undergarment’ as a rule. I can just see this in an overcrowded room and you have to take the outer layer off to survive. But this produces a dilemma of bra and panty lines/bumps. How do you accommodate? The other topic I’d love your input on is a discussion on how to wear heels? I love them. They slow me down when I’m with my family and so I often resort to a flat bootie but would love to grow into wearing heels more often. What’s your headspace on this. I will be sixty next year and realize it’s never too late to aim for my goals. Wearing heels is one of them.