Fashion should be – and is – for everyone. The idea that only the youngest, thinnest women deserve all the style attention is dead wrong. And thankfully, there are more options available to women of all ages, sizes, and shapes than ever before.

Even so, it can be so hard to find a great dress, especially if your tastes have matured as you’ve gotten older. You don’t want a boxy, severe dress that makes you look shapeless and masculine. But maybe you’re not thrilled about the short, low-cut dresses you tend to find in local stores.

The good news: you can look stunning in a dress that fits your personal style perfectly, no matter your age, size, or shape. Here’s how.

What to Look for

One of the major concerns for women over 50 is finding the right length. If you’re all about strutting your stuff in a shorter-length dress, go for it! But you may find that you feel most comfortable and confident in a slightly longer dress that’s still flattering and feminine.

If so, try a tea-length dress. Since the hem falls just below the knee, that length is versatile for everything from casual to formal.

Not thrilled about wearing sleeveless dresses but still want a clean, simple look? Try cap sleeves. They cover your shoulder but still show off your arms. Another great option is a ¾-sleeve dress. This flattering length provides coverage for your upper arm but still shows a bit off and is easy to accessorize.

What if you find the perfect sleeveless dress, but you were really looking for something with a bit more coverage? No problem! Wear that perfect dress with a casual or dressy jacket. A ¾-sleeve jacket over a gorgeous dress is a stunning look.

Beyond the cut and design of the garment, pay attention to the fabric it is made from. Easy care, easy wear fabrics ensure you don’t have to deal with frustrating washing instructions or frequent trips to the dry cleaner.

Fabric blends that include a bit of stretch are flattering for any body shape. A little stretchiness brings a beautiful drape that accentuates your figure in a dress that keeps its shape.

Define Your Signature Style

Before you find that perfect dress, think about your signature style. What do you love to wear? Which dress styles stand out to you when you see others wearing them?

Prefer an Understated, Simple Style? Or a Perfect Travel Dress?

Travelsmith has a beautiful selection of dresses in colorful cotton-blend knits for under $80.

Soft Surroundings doesn’t advertise as a travel wear site but has a lot of very wearable wash-and-wear maxi- and midi-length dresses in prints and solids for under $80, and they are a bit more fashion-forward in style.

Love Bold Looks That Make a Statement?

Try a wrap dress with a big, floral pattern or a vivid color. Wrap and faux wrap dresses were made popular by Diane von Furstenberg several decades ago and are another great option for older women. They have a flattering, feminine drape that works with most body shapes.

Make sure the neckline is comfortable and right for you. If you prefer a look with more coverage, go with a wrap dress with 3/4 sleeves.

A dress from Diane von Furstenberg can cost anywhere between $200 to $250. That’s not feasible for everyone, but there are several retailers that offer some great ones at more affordable prices.

Leota has a wide range of ¾-sleeve, knee-length wrap dresses, mostly prints, and some solids – all for around $100. Audrey Whitmore also specializes in wrap dresses that are price pointed at about $105.

Are You a Creative and Artsy Type?

Go for unique or vintage dress styles. One place to look is Etsy? The website features creators that sell their hand-made creations. Look for your perfect one-of-a-kind dress! You can specify whether you’re looking for handmade or vintage-type items… or actual vintage items. The prices vary wildly, but you can find some real deals here, sometimes made to order.

Are You a Vintage Fan?

If you love vintage styles – as in the 50s and 60s style, not as in resale shops – you might be surprised to find some of your favorite prints re-imagined again at ModCloth. They offer a full range of sizes and styles, but you have to scroll a bit for the long-sleeved dresses.

Want a Versatile Dress That Works in Formal and Casual Settings?

Get a flattering sleeveless dress that you can wear with a variety of jackets and cardigans.

How About the LBD?

The Little Black Dress should never be underestimated – for everyone from petite older women to plus size women over 50. Go with a slightly longer length – falling just below the knee – if you prefer. For more coverage and comfort, you could add a jacket or cardigan. An open-front kimono sleeve jacket can step a casual dress up to formal.

Enjoy the Versatility of a Beautiful Dress

The right dress can work for everything from lunch with friends to professional events. Don’t be hindered by what might seem like a lack of options. Identify your signature look and compare dress styles to find what’s right for you.

If you’re struggling to find the right plus size dress, consider boutique and handmade designers who work specifically in plus sizes.

Think Inside the Dress

An ill-fitted bra can make or break the look of your beautiful dress. When was the last time you got fitted? You can go to a specialized store, like Victoria’s Secret, to get fitted for the perfect size bra for you. You should think of doing this every time you have a weight fluctuation. Your breasts will be supported adequately in a well-fitted bra and your dress will automatically look better.

How do you determine whether a dress style is right for you? Do you have a favorite style? Which dresses make you feel most feminine in your 60s? Please share in the comments below.

It was a plaintive voice. From someone who knows they are dying, but whose family can’t accept the fact.

Perhaps that’s your situation – when you are 60+, because we have lived more years than we are probably going to live, it does happen that people start to face the end.

Or it’s more likely your parents who might be challenged with this – if you are in your 60s or over, your parents are likely in their 80s and having to come to terms with being not just in the afternoon of their lives, but in the evening, or even twilight.  

Whatever your situation, let’s face it, a family letting go of a loved one is never easy. No one actively wants someone they love to die (unless perhaps they are in such pain and suffering that the kindest thing would be if they were actually to die).

A Common, But Tough Question

But sadly, the question of how a family needs to let go of one of their members is actually quite common.

It was asked of me this week by someone wanting to join our end of life conversation Facebook group, and then it came up again in one of our Facilitator Training modules.

You can hear the despair in the tone of the question, “How can I get my family to let me go?” It might be voiced similarly as “I know I’m dying but my family won’t accept it.”

Or in the words of my neighbour who came home after being taken to hospital for the umpteenth time, “I wish they could just let me die.” She’s ready – aged 88, having had a full and happy life, her body slowly deteriorating, and she’s had enough.

But even if you are like my neighbour, or the person posing this question, it’s not always so easy for family members, or friends.

So How Do You Get Your Family to Let You Go?

Here are 3, I hope helpful, tips:

Talk Openly About Death in General Yourself

Accept that you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. However, you can make the drink look very inviting. That means being able to talk openly and naturally about death, to refer to “when I’m gone,” and to have accepted it (as much as you can) yourself.

Point Out the Facts and Take the Lead

When a family member or friend says something like, “Oh, don’t be silly. You’ll be around for ages yet,” or, “You’ll get better, don’t worry,” or, “Don’t be so morbid, talking like that,” challenge them kindly, but firmly.

If you know you are dying, but your loved ones are not facing up to it, then a gentle but firm way to help them begin to accept it (and therefore let you go) is to have an honest conversation. And that starts with you taking the lead and maybe saying something like, “Look, I have a terminal illness. There will come a point when it takes over, and I won’t be here. That’s just a fact.”

Or, taking their hand in yours, look them in the eyes (if you can) and let them know with compassion that you realise what is happening to you, and therefore to them; that it is not ideal, but that you are accepting it as your time. Ask them to try to accept it with you so your last weeks/days together can be honest, loving and full of affection.

Discuss in Advance Your Preferred Last Days Wishes

This is important for when you will not be able to speak for yourself. You will very likely get treatment to prolong your life (even if you have a terminal illness) unless you have stated clearly that you don’t want this; discussed it with the family and your medical team; and even have it written down.

Research has shown, for instance, that those who have documented the fact that their preference is to die at home are more likely to have this happen, than those who haven’t written anything down about this.

Do you think your family will have a hard time letting you go when the time comes? Are you having a hard time letting go of your parents? How important is this question, in your opinion?

Nine years ago, at the age of 58, I returned to school for my PhD in transpersonal psychology. As a healer and writer, I thought that my research would be a perfect fit for my life path. In addition to wanting to do research and write books and articles to help others with their journeys, I also wanted to enhance my own spiritual practice.

My previous education included undergraduate work in health administration and nursing, and then a master’s in writing, which I also completed as an adult. I believe that being an only child who lived in a somewhat chaotic household turned me into a lifelong seeker of knowledge.

Going Back to School

The first time I went back to school as an adult was in 2001 at the age of 47. I’d just been diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a hectic time in American history, as 9/11 had just occurred, and many of us, including me, were feeling a great deal of uncertainty.

My own confusion was eventually magnified by my own trauma as I healed from a mastectomy and reconstruction. All this unknowing led me down a path of living out my dream of returning to grad school. My three children were still living at home, so I did a low-residency program at Spalding University in Kentucky.

Having a Door Open

I’d been a writer my entire life. My husband, who’s a “fixer,” had a difficult time watching me navigate the intense physical and emotional pain of cancer. One evening as we nestled up close, watching the evening news, he wrapped both of his hands around mine and looked deeply into my eyes, as he had the day of my beloved father’s passing.

“Right now,” he asked, “if you could do one thing that would make you happy, what would that be?”

“Well,” I responded, “aside from transporting our children across the country from the West Coast [we lived in Southern California] to be with me, I want to go back to school for my Master of Fine Arts in writing [MFA].”

“Okay, then, let’s make that happen,” he said. And we did.

It’s not that his offer completely healed the deep psychological wounds of having lost a breast, but the idea of returning to school gave me something to look forward to and which I felt could also be part of my healing journey.

Journaling Leads to a Dream Fulfilled

My mother had given me my first journal when I was 10, and since then I’d often found solace in the written word. Journaling became a passion that I turned to during many turbulent times, such as the loss of loved ones, a challenging adolescence, difficult pregnancies, and two cancer diagnoses.

Both my MFA and my PhD work resulted in the subsequent publication of two books. For my MFA, I gathered my journal entries, reflections, and poems written during my breast-cancer journey and shaped them into a self-help memoir called Healing with Words: A Writer’s Cancer Journey. As a result of my nursing background, I was able to research and gather enough information to help others who were navigating a similar path.

I knew that my writing life wouldn’t stop there, though. Daily journaling continued to be an integral part of my well-being and a key to my survival. I was inspired to help others heal and transform through writing by teaching workshops based on my book.

After my memoir was published, I found it stimulating to be a part of my publisher’s marketing strategy. It was fun being interviewed by the media and sharing my story.

Once Again in School

Jump ahead 11 years, when I returned to school for my doctorate. My research focused on the healing and transformative powers of memoir writing. Eventually, I published my findings and was inspired to create a writing reference book and a companion journal for others who wanted to write about their lives.

In 2017, my book Writing for Bliss: A Seven-Step Plan for Telling Your Story and Transforming Your Life, along with its companion journal, were published. Prior to COVID-19, I continued to facilitate workshops on writing for healing and transformation. I was told that my teachings changed many lives and were motivating and empowering.

Although I’ve never stopped being a writer, I was able to build upon my early education by advancing my studies in my areas of interest. Once my husband and I became empty-nesters, our time became our own, and we were free to make our dreams a reality. Also, by this time in our lives, we knew what made our hearts sing and what made us happy.

Being a seeker has always been important to me. For me, returning to school was one of the best decisions of my life, and in many ways, it might have saved my life as well!

Have you thought about returning to school in your later years? What push do you need to fulfill your dreams of higher education? What do you think returning to school will bring into your life?

When it comes to wedding beauty prep, if you’re looking to make big changes, starting early is the key. But if you’re just looking for a little extra glow on the big day, these skin treatments are perfect to get right before the big day. But if you haven’t started planning early, don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to get your skin in tip-top shape anywhere up to six weeks before your wedding. Not to mention, plenty of procedures and treatments that don’t require much downtime—because you don’t have time for splotchy skin on your wedding day.

I spoke with Gabby Garritano, founder of JECT, a medspa with locations across the country, to get her thoughts on the best treatments to get in the weeks leading up to your wedding. “A light to medium peel is great to help with breakouts a month before the wedding,” she told me. But don’t do anything too heavy too close to the big day because you will have some redness after the peel.

JECT’s skin tightening facial is also a great one to do a few weeks before the wedding because there is almost no downtime. “Although we do recommend a package of or at least six sessions to really get the full effect, it’s still okay to keep your sixth treatment two to four weeks before your wedding.” Garritano described the skin tightening treatment as a sort of hot stone massage to stimulate collagen production and help plump up the skin.

Courtesy of Jane Asher.The Aquagold facial, the treatment I received, is another great option because of its instant glowing effects and shorter downtime. “I like to always get that at least ten days before the wedding just in case someone has some allergic reaction to something,” says Garritano. Aquagold uses fine needles, about .6mm wide, to inject vitamin C for an instant glow, micro-Botox to shrink pores, and hyaluronic acid for plumpness. You will have about a week of downtime due to the needles, but your skin will be peak glowy 10 days after the treatment.

And then, of course, there’s a standard facial, which Garritano recommends you get 3-4 weeks before the wedding. If you have any major extractions, you’ll have plenty of time to recover from those plus any purging that might happen after the facial.

In the week leading up to the wedding, you should definitely avoid any major treatments and stay consistent with your skincare routine, The night before, Dr. Jennifer Chwalek of UnionDerm recommends “a gentle hydrating face mask or a red LED light treatment to ensure your skin is glowy for the special day.” And last, but never least—getting enough sleep and drinking plenty of water is key to waking up with that wedding day glow.

Lisa Barlow’s White Crescent Moon Print Top on Instastories

Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Instagram Fashion 2021

From Salt Lake City to Beverly Hills, it’s a well-known fact that everybody sees the same moon. And after seeing Lisa Barlow wearing this white and black top on Instastories, it’s becoming more and more apparent to us that said fact may also apply to this specific crescent moon print which in our opinion is totally out of this world. 

Fashionably,

Faryn

P.S. Click here to watch the RHOSLC Season 2 trailer and don’t forget to set your DVR’s for Sunday, September 12th at 9/8c! 

Also Seen on Dorit Kemsley:

And Leah McSweeney in the Mock-Neck Version

Click Here to Shop Her Marine Serre Top in 3 Colours

Click Here For Additional Stock

Click Here to Shop it in a Mock-Neck

Photo #3: @LisaBarlow14

Originally posted at: Lisa Barlow’s White Crescent Moon Print Top