One thing about reaching the age of 40-ish is that keeping up with the trends becomes tricky. On one hand, I like knowing what’s in style and working trends into my classic pieces. On the other hand, I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard. That can age a person in no time flat! Editing is what it’s all about when it comes to dressing well at any age.
Today I stopped at Sam’s on my way home from the gym. I was a sweaty mess, but didn’t care because, well, it’s Sam’s and I was on a shopping mission. It was 8:30 am so the store wasn’t crowded and I doubt anyone noticed me. I got in line beside a women who looked like she was well into her 50s. She was overly tanned, but attractive. What struck me was not her tan or her age, it was her outfit. The entire thing, head to toe, was from Banana Republic, a store I frequent and love. Well, you might be thinking, an outfit from BR seems appropriate, yet somehow she came off as trying too hard. The plaid boyfriend shirt paired with the ripped boyfriend jeans and platform woven sandals looked, well, odd. Perhaps it was that she was too perfectly groomed or her outfit seemed like something off a mannequin. Whatever it was, it screamed fashion victim and made her look older. Ok, the tan really made her look older, but the outfit was what caught my eye. I’m against tanning in case you didn’t realize it by now!
I own the Banana Republic boyfriend jeans she was wearing and I tried on the same shoes and didn’t think they were inappropriate for me or my age. Perhaps I’m kidding myself, but I’m thinking the real problem with her outfit was the way it was assembled. I think the jeans would have looked better with some ballet flats or low-top Converse tennis shoes. Or maybe the shoes could have been worn with the same shirt and some dark skinny jeans. Whatever it case, it made me wonder if I’m kidding myself when I run around wearing my t-shirts and Converse sneakers. Nah, I’m not tan!
Pretty Pretty Bang Bang 