Dressing Young (Part 1)

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<p>runners and Bunsen, I have followed both of you posting here on CC all along. I’m so happy to have you read my blog. And say nice things, besides:). Thank you very much.</p>

<p>Booklady, my Reunions jacket is Tommy Bahamas with 5 inch tigers. <em>weary shudder</em>. I guess I should let everyone in on the joke…and maybe some will like it. Me, I’d prefer the old school black and orange stripes. Just go all the way to the Old Nassau in your face look.</p>

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<p>Translation, please…Reunions jacket, 5-inch tigers, etc.? I do know what Tommy Bahama is.</p>

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<p>How short is too short after 50? </p>

<p>I just bought a new dress and it’s a bit shorter than I normally wear - about 3" above the knee. I normally wear everything right at the middle of the knee, so this is a big departure for me. I thought that if I wear it with flats, it won’t look like I’m trying too hard. It’s a cut dress, but now I’m having second thoughts.</p>

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<p>Well, I think it depends on how those over 50 legs look and the style of the dress. If it were for a dressy, formal occasion - wedding, funeral - I probably would pass. On the other hand, as the weather gets warmer I will wear shorter dresses with flat sandals and in the winter with tights.</p>

<p>Dresses, skirts, look much better on me a little shorter, although nothing that is too tight. I just had two winter skirts shortened because they look nicer with tights and boots. At first I felt a little sheepish going in to my seamstress, but when I tried them on afterwards with my the right legwear, she gave her nod of approval. </p>

<p>I must admit, I will be happy when hosiery makes a comeback. The legs are fine, but I think my ankles and feet look bony. Oh, well.</p>

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<p>Bookiemom, Reunions are a Princeton phenomenon. We put silly costumes on and parade down the campus every year. Hordes of us. Every class gets a jacket. They are supposed to be beer jackets, but have evolved into blazers, karate jackets, you name it. My class, '78, has to wear a raw silk boxy blazer ala Tommy Bahamas. The pattern involves large tigers and palm trees. Not a good look for me. Or anyone, except 6’4" football players…</p>

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<p>It’s more of a casual, fun dress. I thought it would look good out for dinner on vacation. It’s a multicolor chevron knit that falls loose and straight from the shoulder - very simple, really. My legs won’t look too bad after a few coatings of self tanner and a wee, wee bit of sun.</p>

<p>I’m torn on the bare legs vs. pantihose issue. I certainly don’t miss that uncomfortable binding feel, and I’ll never bare my legs in winter, so I always wear boots with a skirt, which I really don’t mind. The transitional months, especially Easter time, however, are really difficult because boots don’t look right and my legs are not ready for prime time. On those rare occasions, I would like to wear hose, but I don’t think it’ll be back in fashion for a long, long time.</p>

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<p>LOL, I think I tried on the same dress. Thought it was way cute but too short for my age. Considered leggings but I think I’m too old for those. So I didn’t buy it.</p>

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<p>Gourmetmom, I had one of those rare occasions recently, and I found a truly wonderful thing. It’s called Airbrush Legs by Sally Hansen. We had a semi-formal dinner dance to attend, and I found a beautiful above the knee cocktail dress and these perfect sandals to go with it. The problem is that my skin is a dreadful shade of pale, I mean, scary looking. I used the sally hansen stuff, and it not only adds some color, but it is like makeup for your legs. It did not rub off at all, and stayed on until I washed it off. It’s too much trouble to do on a daily basis, but for a special occasion, fabulous.</p>

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<p>blankmind -</p>

<p>I had an “I love Lucy” moment with that Sally Hansen spray a few years ago. After the first time I applied it, I realized that I got it all over the bathroom floor, so the next time, I stood in the bathtub while I sprayed it. Well, it didn’t rinse off and I had to scrub down the entire huge whirlpool bath with cleanser. The final time, I went outside and stood in the grass while I sprayed, and I thought to myself, “Are you nuts?”</p>

<p>What do you do to get it on without making a mess??? It does have great coverage, by the way.</p>

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<p>LOL, Gourmetmom! I sprayed it into the palm of my hand, and then applied it like lotion onto my legs. I did first try spraying it directly onto my leg, but I immediately saw the Lucy potential, and sought a better way!</p>

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<p>I have used the Laura Geller bronzing powder for my legs and it works pretty well. I am always a little concerned it could rub off on a white couch or something like that, but for certain events it is perfect. </p>

<p>I know I am in the minority, but I like the feel of nylons between my feet and even heels, open-toed shoes. Oh, well.</p>

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<p>Oh, other tanning question. Has anyone ever tried the tanning spray booths. I might try that this summer. NEXT summer older DD is getting married, so I want to try these things out before we get close to the event. :)</p>

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<p>I hate the feeling of a bare foot in a pump. Hose feels better and keeps shoes cleaner - another reason why I stick to boots in winter and sandals in summer. </p>

<p>Worknprogress - you’re not telling us that you wear hose with open-toed shoes or sandals, are you? If so, we’re going to have to do an emergency fashion intervention!:)</p>

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<p>I always wear hose (except with open-toed shoes or sandals - I need to put in that caveat to prevent my own intervention!), including knee-his with pants. My legs are so pale it’s scary, and any tanning products I’ve tried turn my skin orangey, even the good ones, I think because my skin has yellow undertones. That said, I buy very sheer hose which look natural on me, so that my legs simply look like a normal person’s without a tan. :)</p>

<p>And for those of you curious about Princeton Reunion jackets, here are some particularly egregious examples:</p>

<p><a href=“http://farm1.static.■■■■■■■■■■/251/528888750_4682ebc8b0.jpg?v=0[/url]”>http://farm1.static.■■■■■■■■■■/251/528888750_4682ebc8b0.jpg?v=0&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://farm1.static.■■■■■■■■■■/200/440824860_ac6fff22cb.jpg[/url]”>http://farm1.static.■■■■■■■■■■/200/440824860_ac6fff22cb.jpg&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>My class’s jacket is quite tame in comparison: <a href=“http://farm4.static.■■■■■■■■■■/3425/3707409524_e36f5e5baa.jpg?v=0[/url]”>http://farm4.static.■■■■■■■■■■/3425/3707409524_e36f5e5baa.jpg?v=0&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>No intervention necessary. I would never wear stockings with sandals or such. I have, on occasion, worn nylons with a peep toe shoe with long slacks in the winter if I knew it would be a long day. Hope nobody spotted it.</p>

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<p>Those Princeton Jackets? :eek:!</p>

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<p>Groovy jackets!</p>

<p>I used to dislike hose until a friend of mine gave me pantyhose made by Wolford. Now I’m hooked! It is PRICEY, but it lasts for long without developing snags or holes and feels luxurious. Every time I go to my local TJMaxx, I check the stockings shelf if there are any Wolford tights and hose in there. Nothing can ruin your day like a hole in your pantyhose when you have to go stand in front of a bunch of people and deliver a presentation!</p>

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<p>What’s the current view of a “bone” or “stone” or similarly very light khaki handbag? You guys have got me looking at buying a larger hobo type bag, and I’m kind of attracted to a lighter color for summer. But I don’t want to look like Church Lady. Is a pale neutral in style, or a fashion faux pas?</p>

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<p>Worknprogress, I have a friend who has used a tanning booth spray and it looked very natural. I am planning on giving it a try this spring/summer, but will give it a trial run before an important event.</p>

<p>Oh, and blankmind, I can’t get that Juliet bag from Kooba out of my mind. I sure hope I can find one next week when I go shopping!</p>

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<p>FauxNom, judging by what NM has in their spring/summer 2010 designer bag collection, neutral colored bags are very much “in” :)</p>