Great style has nothing to do with age. It’s possible to enjoy style and fashion no matter how old you are. Sometimes, though, women who reach a “certain age” think that there’s little point in dressing up anymore. We might think, “Who would stop and bother to notice an older woman’s ensemble?”

But it’s time that we fought back against feeling invisible. And clothes are the easiest way to let your personality shine.

When it comes to fashion for older women, how do we keep clothes versatile enough to be used differently each time?

Join us in discussion with fashion blogger, Jodie Filogomo, who shares some style secrets on looking good with what you already have in your closet.

One Dress, 4 Different Styles

A simple dress can hold the key to unlocking your fashion creativity at any age. For Jodie, dresses have so much potential.

She says, “I know, a lot of times we think, ‘Well, you can only wear a dress as a dress,’ and it’s not very versatile.” But on a cruise trip with her mom and stepmom, the three of them each brought a dress and were able to use it four different ways!

Aside from wearing a dress simply as such, you can change it up by putting on a cardigan or a jacket over it. So that’s two! Or you can take a top and wear it over your dress so it ends up looking like a skirt. You can also show only the top portion of the dress and wear it as a blouse tucked inside a different skirt.

The point is, your dress doesn’t always have to show all the way – you can take a shift dress and use it as a blouse or a skirt with other pieces.

Change It Up with Color

We know that fashion after 50 involves investing in plain staples. Indeed, it’s an important and useful tip regardless of your age. But how do you keep your clothes from looking too plain with black and white ensembles dominating your wardrobe?

Jodie shares that one key way is to incorporate color in your everyday getup. In fact, she says, you can wear the same black and white combo but with different toppers, accessories, or shoes.

For Jodie, it’s all about choosing a focal point. Similar to decorating a space, when styling your outfit, there should be a strong focal point that can attract the eye. Be it a colorful scarf, a statement necklace, or chunky earrings, the possibilities are just as many as the accessories you have in your wardrobe.

And for an unexpected look? Wear a cool beret to draw attention up to your face!

Fashion is boundless… and fashion for mature women does not have to be limited to plain, uninspiring clothes. While we’re not saying that you should run to a boutique to buy yourself some crop tops and torn jeans, there’s something empowering about keeping yourself stylish at 50, 60, 70, and beyond.

Do you have any other fashion tips for keeping your wardrobe fresh after 50? Please join the conversation and “like” and share this article to keep the discussion going!

A funny thing happened on my way to retirement. I became a humor writer. It wasn’t part of some grand plan. Rather, it was a serendipitous occurrence born from the acute terror of not knowing what I was going to do with the rest of my life.

No longer was I Dr. Susan, speech pathologist, adjunct professor, and consultant. The challenge of a full-time job had been replaced by the challenge of discovering my comfort zone in this new phase of my life.

I finally had the time to do all those things I always wanted to do – if I could only remember what they were. Salvation came in the form of a writing class for beginners. I had once been a good writer, and I wondered if I still had the stuff.

Jolly Goodness – It Was Still There!

It turned out I had a knack for creating humorous personal essays. In response to class assignments, I would turn inward, observing my own life with a comical eye.

I began writing about my marriage, about becoming an “older” woman, about friendships, the media, and about how, one summer, the birds ate my car. (The latter is a story for another day!)

Eventually, I created my own blog, where I continue to post my skewered takes on life, and have published two books. Who knew? So, move over Nora Ephron, Erma Bombeck, and Andy Rooney, and make some room for me!

In retrospect, I realized that humor had been an important tool for me even in my profession. As a practicing clinician, I worked in some pretty serious environments: hospitals, rehab centers, nursing homes.

My clients were adults who had acquired neurological disorders – such as a stroke or Parkinson’s disease – which affected their communication abilities and, in some cases, their cognitive functioning.

Employing a light touch before the hard work began was an effective ice breaker serving to establish rapport and putting the client, as well as family members, at ease. I think I knew, without knowing, the potential for humor to make human connection.

Oh, the Joys of Aging!

I borrowed the title phrase “Third Act” from a Ted Talk delivered by Jane Fonda in which she uses the term to refer to the last three decades of life, and all of the possibilities, as well as the vulnerabilities, therein.

It is a time in one’s life when it’s so easy to be negative. We become concerned about our wrinkles, our graying hair, about the Buddha belly that suddenly appeared where a flat stomach used to be.

We dread bathing suit season. Hearing aids and cataract glasses are our latest fashion accessories. We feel more susceptible to illness; perhaps some of our friends have already succumbed. We fear we are no longer relevant. So, where’s the punchline?

And speaking of punchlines, I want to mention the comedian Brett Leake, a stand-up comic who has muscular dystrophy. He coined an expression that, for me, has become inspirational: “When life throws you a punch, make punchlines.” Well, I wish I’d come up with that one!

That’s Not Funny. Oh Yes, It Is!

There is a growing body of research on the role of laughter in healthy aging. Some of the benefits include:

• An improved disposition
• Reduction of tension
• Lowered anxiety
• Increased energy
• Enhanced creativity
• Greater coping ability and resilience

My weapon of choice for facing Third Stage challenges has been observational comedy. This type of humor pokes fun at everyday life, often by inflating the importance of trivial things or by observing the silliness of something that society accepts as normal.

And while I’m not suggesting that we all audition for Saturday Night Live, I’d like to suggest some pointers we can include in our everyday lives, along with some examples.

Be Observant

We all look at the world in a variety of ways, but nothing is seen if we don’t look. So, don’t minimize the power of observation.

Laugh at Yourself

Share your embarrassing moments. The best way to take yourself less seriously is to talk about times when you took yourself too seriously.

Don’t Complain at Unfortunate Situations – Laugh at Them!

Look for the humor in a bad situation, and you will uncover the irony and absurdity of life. An example: I was recently involved in a fender bender where, fortunately, no one was hurt. But my car was badly damaged.

It was the other guy’s fault. No really, it was. He failed to observe a “Yield” sign. We were shaken up and inconvenienced, but while waiting for the police, I figured out a way to blame the entire thing on my husband! Writing about this helped to diffuse an otherwise upsetting situation.

Perspective Is a Key Factor

Keep things in perspective. Many situations in life are beyond our control – especially the behavior of other people.

Embrace the Power of Humor

Humor helps us look at our own imperfections, accept them, embrace them, and not take them so seriously. Another example: The outcome of my cataract surgery had good news and bad news. The good news: I could see better. The bad news: I could see better!

Use Humor as a Tool

Humor points out the absurdity of some situations and allows us to see them and ourselves in a new way.

Your sense of humor is one of the most potent tools you have for coping. Don’t let it abandon you when things go wrong. And always remember – the power of humor is no laughing matter!

How often do you laugh? Do you prefer to wine when you find yourself in a bad situation? How do you think things will turn out if you laugh instead? Please share a recent story that had you wondering whether to laugh or else!

The ultimate buzzkill to finding a facial self-tanner that delivers a seemingly perfect, natural-looking glow is realizing how drying it is after a few applications. Those flakes in the corner of your nose and random ash patches pop up so quick, you don’t realize they’re there until you’re taking off your makeup at the end of a long day. It’s there that you confirm a lack of setting spray isn’t to blame for the uneven, bumpy finish you thought you were just imagining. Okay, so maybe your situation isn’t that dramatic, but nonetheless, I think the best self-tanners for dry skin should be the only option for getting glowy.

Though the primary goal of a self-tanner is to bronze and brighten the skin, a lot of the most talked-about formulas can also leave you high and dry, depending on your skin type. In my experience, I’ve found the most effective and visually gratifying options to be formulas enriched with nourishing ingredients that boost moisture retention and strengthen the skin barrier without causing breakouts or inflammation.

Some of my favorites include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, vitamin E and a slew of extracted oils—almond being my top pick. The gamut of options also offers a variety of textures, from soothing gels to SPF-infused serums to light-as-air mousse. Ahead are just a handful of top-notch formulas that dry skin types consider the holy grail of hydrating self-tanners. Slather on any of these and you’ll want to stock up fast.

Avene.

Avene Moisturizing Self-Tanning Silky Gel

This lightweight gel provides multiple layers of moisture via nourishing glycerin, restorative triglycerides, and a patented form of antioxidant-rich vitamin E.

Buy: Avene Moisturizing Self-Tanner $26

Golden Star Beauty.

Golden Star Beauty Self-Tanner for Face

This Amazon top-seller is renowned for its non-streaky, natural-looking formula enriched with hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, vitamin B5, and multiple oil extracts.

Buy: Golden Star Beauty Self-Tanner for Face $23.99

Vichy.

Vichy Moisturizing Self-Tanning Milk

Prepare to fall in love with this gradual tanner that properly hydrates all skin types with a formula rich in vitamin E and Vichy volcanic water.

Buy: Vichy Moisturizing Self-Tanning Milk $20

Versa Spa.

Versa Spa Hydrating Sunless Self-Tanning Water Mousse

Eco-certified DHA delivers natural-looking color while green and brown marine algae promote firmness and boost collagen production for a healthy-looking, nourished glow.

Buy: Versa Spa Hydrating Sunless Self-Tanning Water Mousse $40

Coola.

Coola Organic Sunless Tan Anti-Aging Face Serum

If you like your self-tanner with a side of wrinkle-fighting benefits, slather on this bronzing serum to reap the benefits of hyaluronic acid, Centella Asiatica, and Chlorella Vulgaris extract.

Buy: Coola Organic Sunless Tan Anti-Aging Face Serum $54

Sol by Jergens.

Sol by Jergens Sunless Tanning Water Mousse

This newbie is a tanning formula derived from natural sugars and infused with hydrating coconut water and glycerin.

Tan-Luxe.

Tan-Luxe Super Glow

Shoppers can’t get enough of this superfood-rich hyaluronic serum, boosted with water, glycerin, multiple fruit oils, and plenty of plant extracts.

Supergoop!.

Supergoop! Healthy Glow Sunless Tan SPF 40

Get more bang for your buck with this two-in-one transfer-free and fragrance-free self tanner that also provides broad spectrum UV protection.

Sisley Paris.

Sisley Paris Self-Tanning Hydrating Facial Skin Care

The botanical ingredients in this gradual bronzing formula not only provide a more natural-looking glow but boost moisture and provide antioxidant protection too.

KORRES.

KORRES Age-Defying Greek Goddess Tanning + Skin Perfecting Face & Body Serum

My co-worker declares this beach-inspired formula the “best smelling self-tanner she’s ever smelled.” And she can’t be the only one who feels that way because it’s already sold out, but don’t fret—it’ll be back in stock on June 2.

Omorovicza.

Omorovicza Glam Glow

This citrus-scented face and body self-tanner is made with Plum Almond Oil to boost elasticity and tone, as well as Apple Pectin for increasing hydration.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

As you try to maintain the collective sanity during this maybe-last-first phase of the coronavirus, you can be sure the pandemic is wearing on everyone.

Though at first the pandemic looked impossible to endure, you have endured. You’ve self-quarantined, isolated, hibernated, bloviated, and generally imploded a few times. It’s only natural. No need to pile blame on yourself or others.

Coronavirus is yet another outside pathogen that invaded the human species. We’ve had the bubonic plague three times, SARS, MERS, Legionnaire Disease, H1N1 (swine flu), yellow fever, HIV/AIDS, the flu pandemic of 1918 (Spanish Flu), Asian Flu, and quite a few Cholera pandemics.

Several of the black plagues (Bubonic) wiped out over half of the earth’s population. Most were truly catastrophic.

In modern times, especially with expert medical progress, it is preferable to create a mindset of self-reflection while you move through the unfamiliar path of self-quarantine. There will come a time when the veil of seclusion is partially lifted, and there will be light at the end of the tunnel.

As you have probably guessed, however, it will be impossible to go back to what was normal before coronavirus became a new word added to your vocabulary.

Other Mindsets

Besides self-reflection, what other mindsets can we add to our awareness arsenal? What other ways can we utilize emotionally and mentally to mitigate our shock and awe at what has transpired during the last seven or eight weeks? What other tools are available for self-preservation?

Sometimes a writer discovers a phrase or an article that inspires a provocative topic for discussion, either for writing or for conversation. I recently read a quote by Karen Blixen, also known as Isak Dinesen, the Danish writer most notable for her novel Our of Africa.

She described three important essentials for living a life of consequence: courage, love, and humor.

Courage

Courage is a word with many implications. The standard definition is to have strength in the face of pain or grief. Another way of parsing courage is the ability to face fear, either your own personal fear, or the fear of the unknown. Courage requires a strong mind, emotional stability, moral turpitude, and spiritual enlightenment.

It is your awareness that allows you to stand in awe and terror of the coronavirus pandemic with all its facets and implications.

It is not easy to bear witness to the dying, to the heroes on the ground who put themselves in harm’s way; to see the essential and non-essential people provide care, comfort, and consolation to those who are sick and alone. From awareness to spirit, from spirit to a strong mind, from a strong mind to a test of your character.

You bear witness every day to the events that change lives and to the tragedies that take place in front of your eyes. Even though you are not physically present, your presence in a collective sense adds value to the courageous fight to lessen the circumstances of the pandemic.

Love

When someone speaks of love, the go-to reference is usually romantic love. However, love encompasses a range of strong and positive emotional and mental states, from the most sublime virtue or good habit, to the deepest interpersonal affection, and to the simplest pleasure.

Within the context of the pandemic you are living with, love is a spiritual mindset, the universal concept of personal ties or devotion to mankind in all its iterations. This kind of love arises from benevolence, inspiring kindness for everything that is human.

I hurt when you hurt. I feel pain when you feel pain. This is what binds mankind together. It is caused by a cosmic affection for what makes us human, warts and all.

We know that humans are not perfect, so we forgive the other for causing pain and suffering. And we praise and are devoted to the idea that, although humans are imperfect, when they are called upon to go beyond their capabilities, they become heroes. Their deeds become mythological.

Admiration is also a form of love. It is a universal emotion, arising out of an unconscious spiritual connection. You witness the devotion of those who are fighting the virus, and it makes you proud and gives you an emotional connection to those who fight to keep you safe.

Humor

Humor is the capacity to perceive or express that something is funny or amusing. Humor is also a mood or a state of mind that creates a lightness of being by juxtaposing the dark side of a situation to a lighter side of the circumstance.

Humans cannot live without humor; cannot live without laughter, or a smile, or a twinkle in the eyes. Humor gives you emotional balance, good health, and fortifies you against the unfathomable and unknowable.

Faced with the ongoing pandemic, a virus that attacks without discrimination makes you defenseless against so much sorrow – except for your ability to recognize humor, remember a smile, a funny antic, an amusing story.

Understanding that humor is the essential ingredient for acknowledging the existence of both sorrow and joy is the key to a happy life.

Your sanity and safety rests with conscious attention to maintaining your courage in the face of adversity, your love for mankind and its goodness, and the inclusion of humor to balance your mind, body, and spirit.

Your capacity for developing different mindset – courage, love, and humor – will gracefully guide you through the next phases of the pandemic.

What was your mindset at the beginning of the pandemic? Is your mindset the same today? What changed? If nothing, what can you do to exercise courage, love, and humor in spite of the current situation? Let’s have a discussion!