Dresses for Women Over 50: Obsolete or Wearable
Do you wear dresses? I remember my Granny wearing dresses all the time. She always wore a housedress when she was home, then changed to something nicer when she went out to run her errands. I never saw my Granny in pants. My Mom wore dresses when I was little but the older she got the more she relied on pants. I seldom wore dresses when I was a young woman but the older I get, the more dresses I wear. I appreciate their comfort and how easy it is to look polished with just one garment.
Welcome to Hit Your Style Sweet Spot. Pam Lutrell and I began this series to help inspire women who are struggling with their appearance. Each week we choose a scenario to show how we dress to reach our style sweet spot. Your style sweet spot is when you feel confident about your appearance and know you’re sending the message you want people to see. Last week we shared how we dressed for a new stage of life.  This week we’re dressing… in dresses.
Dresses are all over the stores but I see so few women wearing them. I admit that pants seem more comfortable, but there’s something about a dress that is so simple and easy. You don’t need to coordinate a top with bottom and they usually bypass that trouble spot, our waistline.
During the winter I like to wear black tights or fishnets with them. In the summer I don’t like to wear any hose. Having flourescent white legs is a bit of a problem that I solve with a little self tanner.
I have spider veins and a few varicose veins so self tanner helps camouflage them. The skin on my legs has also become crepey…like on the rest of my body. Having a touch of color on them helps.
I’d like to say the days of orangey self tanners are over…but they’re not. I’ve tested many but always come back to this one. I like this
Jergen’s Natural Glow in Fair to Medium. I use it on my legs every other day to keep a little color going all Spring and Summer. On the alternate days I use my regular moisturizer.
A few tips for using. If you have dry skin, use a scrub first. Concentrate most of it on your shins and thin it out toward your knees and ankles.
Now lets pop over to see how Pam at Over 50 Feeling 40 wears a dress.
Have a fabulous week!
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I would love to hear more about your knitting. Are your projects on Ravelry?
I stopped posting to Ravelry when I got so busy on my blog. There’s just so many hours I want to spend on my computer!
Well we are now going to have to search out the dresses from the back of the closet. You look so good.
The dress is nice but the strap around the ankle cuts the shape of your leg. Unless you are very tall with thin legs,ankle strap shoes should be worn with pants, just my opinion.
I agree ankle straps stop the eye. I’ve always loved them because I have nice ankles so I’m willing to risk it. Personal choice 🙂
You look wonderful! I LOVE the sweater you knit! Could you share the pattern and yarn you used? It is exactly what I have been looking for…thanks!
Thanks Leslie! I used a pattern called Amiga. Here’s the link. http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEss11/PATTamiga.php
I just made it much longer and skipped the buttons. I used a cotton slub by Tahki. It took me a long time but it was worth it. Good luck, let me know if you knit it.
Honestly, I really want to unleash my inner Helen Roper. Caftan housedress, baby, yeah!
I’m loving my first caftan!! I hear you!!
So many comments! I love dresses. I wear shear Sponks or similar undergarment because I don’t like the feel of a chair or bench against my bare legs.
I use leg make up, rather than tanner. It stays on, even in a heavy rain shower. I get it in a nude shade and a suntan shade so I can adjust the amount of color based on how much sun I get over the course of the summer. It’s great for covering crepe-skin, varicose veins, or any other blemishes.
I’ve never heard of that. It sounds wonderful. Thanks for the tip!~
Another one who wears dresses. They’re cooler than shorts, the breezes flow around you. No burning your legs on hot chairs. It’s easy to make a dress casual or more dressy just by changing your shoes.
All this time I’ve been self conscious about my white legs. I add a tiny bit of tanner to my body lotion. It’s just enough to take the glare off.
Great points about dresses! And that’s what my legs have, a glare!!
I’m with you- self-tanner does wondersssss for me in the summer! 🙂 This dress is so pretty- love that bright print!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Thanks Ashley!
Love this dress. the pattern is so fun and modern. I love Jergens too! I agree it’s the only self tanner that doesn’t leave that fake orange color, and its light enough for us fair gals!
The outfit looks great on you. I’m not a big dress fan having been forced to wear them to school every day until the dress code changed. I do like to wear long skirts in summer, but I can’t really say why the long skirt over the dress.
I think skirts feel less dressy. At least they do to me. Maybe that’s why.
Great dress, Jennifer, and fab cardigan! I wear dresses almost exclusively from April to September. They are just so comfy and much cooler in the heat. I have ghostly white legs and I’ve just learned to embrace my paleness.