Fashionista Micolle Canido offers style expertise and answers to most often asked questions. Part 2.
(pictured)“I would describe Jacquie’s style as modern day elegance. It’s the perfect take on soft and sensuous.” Micolle
Cheryl: How many times have I heard “exchange navy for black after 50”. Really?? I love black and know I’m not alone. What do you think yes or no?
Micolle: And you wear it well! This is one of those expert opinions that drives me nuts for a few reasons. Yes…black does have the potential to wash some people out…but to me that’s more of a problem for men rather than women. We have something called makeup! The right foundation and shade of lipstick can bring black to a whole new level as can the colour of ones hair. I love seeing women with gorgeous silver hair wearing black from head to toe…it’s a no fail polished and glam look. Just have a look at the gorgeous Carmen Dell’Orefice rocking black at 82 and sexy at that!
Black on black that works perfectly. Check out the statement shoes!
Navy for me comes second to black but no less important in a women’s closet. I recently made my mother in law buy a crew neck cashmere sweater. It not only feels good on the skin but looks luxurious and with a white pair of jeans is such a great everyday look.
Cheryl: I think a lot of us fall into style ruts where we ‘default’ back to what we’ve always worn…i.e. leggings, tunics, jeans, heels, maybe not best choice any more…it’s like staying locked into the same hairstyle for 30 years because “it worked once upon a time.” How can we break free of these choices in order to evolve, change and update ourselves?
Micolle: Looking good and feeling good takes effort like anything else we do in life. To me it’s no different than putting in the time to exercise and eat well. Style can look effortless but it takes time to make it seem that way. Depending on where I’m going and what I’m doing, I always plan my outfit in advance. I hate being rushed and not having time to get ready, by planning my outfit in advance it allows me more time to do my hair and makeup. The aim is to look polished from head to toe.
As I mentioned earlier, fashion is about staying interested. I don’t often follow trends but I will make a point to pick up a magazine from time to time to see what’s happening in the world of fashion…and get inspired! Spring and fall fashion is what I look forward to. I to find myself needing a change and regularly clean out my closet and reinvent what I have and put a wish list together of what I need for the upcoming season.
A couple guiding principles come to mind to help keep us out of style ruts…
1.Leggings – leave the workout leggings in the gym change room. Other than that, leggings look best with longer tops and ridding boots or flats. Very few people can do them justice…to be quite frank, the biggest issue I have with women wearing leggings is the “camel toe” (don’t know what it means? Google it). The “camel toe” can strike at any age. Not attractive.
- Tunics – Animal print and glittery tunics need to be avoided at all costs. The Christmas season may the exception for glitter. This season go for the fitted tailored tunics like those of Tory Burch. Not the Mrs. Roper ones from Three’s Company. A good tip to remember is neutral colours go a lot further over the years than patterns and prints.
- Jeans – straight-leg dark denim
- Heels – this one is easy. If you can’t walk in them…don’t wear them.
- Hair – the only one person I have EVER known to sport the best hair for decades on end is Anna Wintour.
Style icon Anna Wintour has been Vogue magazine editor-in-chief since 1988.
Other than that, get your hair done on a regular basis. It’s one of the easier ways to make your-self look and feel good.
- Undergarments – This one is crucial. There should be a space between the breasts and the belly. The right bra can make all the difference to an outfit and so can the underwear! Seamless underwear that’s all I have to say…
And now the drum roll please…for the biggest style rut I see in aging women…
Cheryl: Oh geeez…here we go…. I spent time in the style corner yesterday with my ripped jeans..hopefully I’m not headed back…..
- Makeup – if you are at the beautiful age of 50+ and still own “frosted” shadow in any shade, now is the time to throw it out. The only thing frosted shadow does is accentuate every crevasse on and around your eye area and not in the most flattering of ways. If anyone tells you otherwise they are lying…sorry to say so. Then there is eye shadow that has a slight “shimmer” to it and looks great when used properly. The girls at MAC cosmetics are helpful in demonstrating the difference between the two and will gladly show you how to correctly wear shadows with a slight shimmer.
Cheryl: Whewww….only matte for me!
Micolle: Good work! Here are a few essentials for an everyday look…
- primer (a must) to help the foundation adhere and avoid settling into wrinkles, I’ve been using Jane Iredale’s Smooth Affair…it’s natural and works well
- foundation – a shade lighter than your natural skin tone, BB creams with an built-in SPF are the way to go
- bronzer (look no further than Guerlain) and apply it properly with a big brush,
- stick to neutral shades for the eyelids in a matte finish,
- mascara only on the top lashes, (TIP – as we age our lashes thin out…a great way to fake a full lash line is by applying eyeliner underneath the lash line)
- finish off with a beautiful bright lip-gloss (Chanel carries great glosses that hydrate the lips) and I strongly suggest wearing a lip primer for darker colours to avoid the lips from bleeding out…
Cheryl: Much to think about. This will be fun! Thanks Micolle.
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