Wearable Spring Fashion Trends: 9 Ways to Add Color
by Tina Boomerina (Christina Gregoire)
I’ve read all about the “must-have” trends for spring 2014, and most of the styles are best for skinny 20-somethings and society matrons. My job is to interpret this stuff and help you (and all real-life women over 40, 50, 60, or 70) find the fashion trends that are wearable for spring transition, spring, summer… and beyond. And, this article focuses on color.
Well, I don’t know exactly what it is, but when it’s dark and wintry in Seattle, I become extremely conscious of color… and the lack thereof. I know that pale pastels are supposed to be big for spring, and I’ll do an article about that later, but right now I’m obsessed with color. I like to add deep, rich, bright colors to my outfits, because that’s what looks best on me, so this article is for those of you who want to add a pop of color…or more… to your wardrobes.
As for trends, this article is going a bit more on street trends (what chic women really wear) and a bit less on fashion-house trends, but if you’re getting sick and tired of wearing all black, here are my favorite ways for women over 40 to add a bit of color to their outfits:
1. Colored Hats: Let’s start with my favorite accessory - hats. Hats are one of the best ways for an older woman to bring light and color to her face. And, with the obvious exceptions of snow hats (which will make you sweat in summer) and big straw hats (which will look weird when it’s snowing), you can wear almost all hats pretty much year round. So, in my opinion, finding the right, flattering color is more important than anything else when buying any chapeau.
2. Short Gloves: I’m thinking back to 60’s Mod, when we wore short, colorful, leather driving gloves with sleeveless or short-sleeved dresses… even when it was warm out. Get some red or orange or pink or cobalt leather gloves to wear as a fashion statement... and to cover your wrinkled hands.
3. Printed Jackets: Look for biker or bomber jackets in Asian or floral prints. You can wear these over dresses or jeans. They’re great for springtime color, for cool summer evenings, and for wearing over sweaters in fall.
Note: I hope you know that you should only wear one or two (or so) of these trends at a time. I don’t want you to look like a crazy bag lady in 50 different colors “with a circus mind that’s running round”… to quote a famous Hendrix song. Unfortunately, we can’t go as wild at 50 as we could at 15. (article continues)
Keep reading about wearable spring fashion for women over 50, 60 on page two.
kay kerns
Great article I want to do all these things just not all at the same time! I feel weird weaing a hat tho but color on my lower half balances my 'big top' !
Tina-Boomerina
Kay,
I just saw your comment. I could find a cute hat for you, but not everyone is into hats. I need them for color because I'm so pale.
Best,
Tina
Chan
Great read! Thank you for the wonderful insight. Would you kindly tell me where I can find the red oriental bomber jacket? It's gorgeous. Many thanks! And keep up the awesome work!
Cheers
Tina-Boomerina
Chan,
The bomber jacket is from M&S in the UK but they deliver to most countries. I hope they still stock it because I believe it might have been a limited edition item.
Best,
Tina Boomerina
Nancy Olson
I would love to see models who are over 60. I am tall and thin, but I still feel odd wearing anything that might bring attention to myself. If I could see it on someone older, I think it would make all the difference.
Tina-Boomerina
Nancy,
I would love to show models over 60. If you are tall and thin, you can wear anything... and I should hire you to be my model.
Oh, the things I would wear if I were tall and thin. I love standing out in a crowd. I would wear purple (or orange) from my chic hat to my Jimmy Choos and I would walk around Manhattan and people would turn around and stare and take photos of me for the second edition of the book, Advanced Style. You gotta get out of Kansas, babe, and make use of your height and your thin figure while you're still alive and kickin'. We would if we were you.
Best,
Tina Boomerina
kerry
Thank you for sharing your insight for 'ladies of a certain age' that don't want to perpetually style the decade in which we went to High School...
It helps to have your humorous moral support, so I can be somewhat trendy with out looking like an utter fool.
Tina-Boomerina
Kerry,
Well, I hope that what I wrote helps you. Some days I look like an utter fool, but I'm always trying new things... always experimenting. Sometimes I look great... for my age. Sometimes I look "different" but I never give up.
Tina
Zil Senczy
Please tell me where I can get the floral skirt under the bright shoes or boots section. I'm in love!
Tina-Boomerina
Zil,
Sorry for the delay. The skirt is from Awear in the UK. I don't know about delivery to the US (if you live in the US) and I'm sorry that I don't have time to help you right now because there is a family emergency. Try googling Awear or Awear clothing or Awear.co.uk or Awear.com. Normally I could help you more, but I can't right now.
Best,
Tina
Barbara
Sources for the hot pink jacket and skirt pictured separate. Love. Thanks for the article!
Tina-Boomerina
Barbara,
Hot pink jacket is Debenhams in the UK. They ship to the states. Which skirt? I'll email you.
Best,
Tina Boomerina
Barbara
The skirt shown with #6.
Thanks for the jacket source :)
Tina-Boomerina
Barbara,
Sorry about the delay. Family Emergency - I was out of town. The skirt is from Awear in the UK. I'll email you. I don't have time to check, but I'm not sure if they ship to the US. Look for something called "shipping" "delivery" "international shipping" or something like that. It's often on the lower left or bottom of the page... sometimes on the top. I just don't have time at this moment. Let me know if you find the skirt or the shipping info. Several people have asked.
Thanks,
Tina