5 Shopping Do's & Donts to find your style after 40

Ever gone shopping, tried something on and wondered, “Does this look awful, or am I just not hip?” How do you really know if a new trend looks bad on you or whether you’re just stuck in a serious style rut? Here are 5 shopping Do’s and Dont’s to get you off the fashion fence and help you look fabulous after 40!

1. DON’T Blindly Listen to Sales People We’ve all fallen into the trap of letting a salesperson talk us into buying something, we’re not really crazy about. After 40, we are easy prey. While there are some good salespeople out there, most are on commission and want you to buy. Best to listen to your gut about an outfit or develop a long term relationship with a particular salesperson that you like and trust. Also, be sure to take a good look at how the sales person has put herself together. If she doesn’t look chic, how can you expect her to help you look chic?

2. DO Take it Home to Test Drive Most shopa have excellent return policies, so if you’re not sure how you feel about something, take it home and try it out. It can look very different when you are more rested or if you are in a different light. Maybe you’ll even notice how well it works with something else in your wardrobe or start to feel differently about it when you slip it on and get all kinds of compliments from your family. Or perhaps, you’ll realise that your instincts were right after all, and return it.

3. DON’T say No to your First Encounter with a New Style When a new style arrives in the store it can seem so foreign that even though it looks fabulous on you, it feels strange. This is particularly true after 40. For example, if you try on a pair of new high waisted trousers, and you like them, but are just not sure, then try on several versions of the same look from different designers. Sometimes a slightly different cut or a small detail change can make all the difference and suddenly you are sold.

4. DO check out what other Women are pulling off If you are not sure if a style is age appropriate, then take a look at what other fashionable gals your age are wearing. If you are 40+ and worried that chunky platform shoes may look too young, but you notice stylish 40 somethings’ wearing them who look great, then go for it. Also notice what clothes, hair and accessories these women are wearing with the chunky platforms. It’s important to co-ordinate a total look.

5. DO Be Prepared to make Mistakes
If you’ve fallen off the style track since you’ve turned 40 it’s going to take a while to get back on board. Be prepared to make a few mistakes and forgive yourself. So you thought it looked great, gave it a chance and a month later hated it. This will happen. Don’t beat yourself up. Getting Your Style Groove back is a process. 5. DON’T Buy Clothes you are not in Love With In the end, the best way to determine whether a new style is right for you is to be in love with it. That’s the bottom line. If you don’t feel confident in what you are wearing you will never look fabulous no matter what anyone says. Remember you have to feel fabulous to look fabulous.!

Rita Mylett
www.rmibranding.com

What's your Style?

Are you a classic beauty? A dramatic diva? Or perhaps sporty chic? How we dress gives viewers a hint (or in some cases a full statement) of our personality. So what's your style profile? Most women are a combination of a several, but there are a few dominant traits in every woman that makes her distinct. Check out the below profiles and connect with your inner style goddess.
Classic. Classic women have timeless looks that never go out of style. They prefer to dress in silhouettes that create a clean, smooth line. Being the antithesis of trendy, they pick up 'fashions of the moment' in the details of the accessories.
Dramatic. Dramatic women prefer vivid colours and patterns that catch the eye. They love to dress in cuts and silhouettes that flatter the figure for a striking appearance. Creativity is their anthem and is reflected in their makeup and hair styles.
Elegant. Elegant women enjoy creating looks that are polished and classic. Quality fabrics and clean lines play a key role in their style choice. Subtle ruffles and feminine details can be found in their wardrobe, but nothing too extravagant or over the top.
Natural. For the natural woman, comfort reigns supreme when selecting clothing. Fabrics that move freely with the body, in carefree colours and earthy prints give a bohemian air to her look. Simple hair and makeup characterise her, highlighting her natural beauty.
Romantic.. Romantic women create looks that are soft and feminine. Satins, lace, and flirty trims are sprinkled throughout their wardrobe. Soft makeup and pastel colours contribute to their ambiance of romance and love.
Sporty Chic. Smart trainers, cropped trousers, and vintage tees. Whether dressed up or down, sporty women prove that it is possible to dress comfortably and still look great. Simple hairstyles, whether cropped or pulled back compliment their look and makeup is usually minimal.
``How we dress sends a message about who we are, or at least how we want the world to perceive us. ... So as you face your wardrobe and prepare to dress for the day, project yourself onto a billboard in a City Shopping Centre.. How will people respond to that image of you and what assumptions will they make about who you are’. Take this as a wake-up call for people who never think about what they are wearing.
And always remember Italian Actress Sophia Loren's words: ``nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful.''

Article by Rita Mylett
www.rmibranding.com