Fashion Over Forty

I’ve always been a lover of style. Clothes, shoes, accessories—you name it. I distinctly recall, in my teens and early twenties, spending what little money I had on magazines that featured beautiful clothes. I flipped through the pages, tore out pictures of outfits for inspiration (the Pinterest of the 1990’s) and taped them up on my closet wall. I window shopped at Anthropologie, Urban Outfitter, JCrew, and countless other stores that were way out of my price range. I watched Cindy Crawford on MTV’s House of Style and imagined what it would be like to have a model’s closet. I just knew I could pull off those trends if only I had the extra cash after my rent had been paid.

Fast forward to today. I’m over forty, married, and finally able to afford a few splurges here and there. I still page through magazines, now mostly online, and look for items I can wear for work, play and relaxing at home. Typically, my patient husband gets to listen to me chatter about my new “super cute” jeans going perfectly with a sweater I’ve been wearing for years. Oh, and the booties! So many pairs of booties this man has to try to distinguish from one pair to the next. Now I have an outlet for my enthusiasm—you! I’ll be sharing tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way, new items I’ve discovered I just can’t live without, my major fashion fails, friends who have amazing “over forty” style, and, well, just about anything else that comes to mind.

Today, I wanted to share my love for all things Rachel Zoe. I learned (from Instagram) that she was recently in my hometown and I had no idea! I would have LOVED to at least see her in person—if not hug her awkwardly and likely make her feel uncomfortable. I’ve been a subscriber to her Box of Style for some time now. Quarterly shipments of fashion goodies, all curated by Team Zoe. I’m still loving an item from summer of 2015. It’s a Mara Hoffman Sarong, designed exclusively for this Box of Style. It may have been a summer item, but I’ve enjoyed it year round—especially in transition months, like fall. It’s nice and large--I can drape it like a poncho or wrap when I’m walking outside on chilly evenings. I can wrap it around my neck to combat the crazy air conditioning in my office. I’ve even used it to cover my hair when dealing with an insanely windy walk downtown. It’s so versatile and I find the bright tropical print somewhat comforting on a dreary, overcast day. If you are looking for a thrifty way to get your fall sarong on, check out your local TJ Maxx. This time of year (and year round, really) they have a huge stock of large scarves and wraps available. They make great gifts and typically run from $13.00 - $20.00. You might even find a high end label at a steal, if it’s a piece from last season. Check it out!