Fashion for Baby Boomers is getting better all the time. Aren’t you glad that you don’t have to wear that dreck that your mother wore. Well, I won’t go so far as to say that 60 is the new 40, because I know better, but I’m in my 50s and I remember my two grandmothers at my age. One was dowdy and raised by conservative expat Brits. The other was a wealthy immigrant with nothing good to wear in her plump size.
Faux and Real Fur Coats for 2012
Fashionistas have claimed the return of real fur for 2012. Well, I sold my mink on eBay because I was afraid someone would spray me. I should have known better. Fur always comes back in style. Actually, fur coats never left Switzerland or Sun Valley. So, if you have it, wear it. And, cross your fingers if you live on the West Coast, although you are usually safe in Beverly Hills as long as you wear your fur after the start of December (when it’s warm enough to go surfing). Yeah, those canyons get chilly, baby.
For the rest of us, we wear faux fur. And, I’ve seen some pretty rocking stuff that my gal pal bought at QVC.
Here are the tricks for faux fur: It must be good quality. If it doesn’t lie right, it will look awful. If you are over 40, or heavy or short, you should never wear fur (of any kind) that spikes out like raccoon, or you will look like a hooker or a bag lady. But, do wear faux mink and have fun with colors, such as rich cobalt. Good looks (for real fur) are knit fur and sheared fur, which are not old-lady-like at all and will confound spray-painters.
Plaid Jackets and Coats
Firstly, plaid garments are almost never pieced together correctly. The seams must come together just so, even where there is darting. You should not see where the plaid meets unless you are up close. And, one of your best bets for affordable plaid ready-to-wear is Pendleton.
Secondly, bad plaid can make you look short, dumpy, and fat. If you are tall, under 40, or inherently preppy, try plaid. But, get a dark or a muted plaid. Or, join the rest of us and try herringbone, tweed, houndstooth, or mini-plaid. (I'm sorry that I may be upsetting buyers and manufacturers, but I must be true to what I know. "Average" construction won't show as much with darker plaids.)
Capes for 2012
If you’re young or tall, you can try capes, but they are extremely tricky. Kids can wear anything, however “mature” women should shop around for a nice buttery drape in their wool cape fabrics. Without that, they’ll look silly.
You will learn to see the difference in fabrics if you try on some nice designer coats in any department store that has special sections for each of their “better” lines. I used to think that only tall, thin women could wear stiff fabrics, but many short, and even round, women look good in heavier material. If you’re over 40, you should decide if you like the heavy, armored style for your coats or if you look better with some flow and movement. This has nothing to do with your weight. It is an intangible.
Puffer Coats
I have only seen one woman, in my lifetime, who looked truly elegant in a puffy, down-filled coat. She was in Switzerland. I’m sure she was a former model. The rest of us look, in varying degrees, as if we are wearing sleeping bags, just as Eddie Bauer foresaw his invention of the down parka. When you are skiing or in actual snow, we won’t give you a hard time for your puffy look, even if you are over 60. I can dig Eddie Bauer. I'm from Seattle.
Here are the things you should look for in a good coat:
- A Color That Works With Your Complexion: Don’t wear camel if it makes you look like a zombie. Do wear any color that you love, because that will usually be your best hue. My favorite coat, when I was seven, was magenta. Later, when I had my coloring done, what do you think was one of my best shades?
- A Cut That Fits Your Body: There are no bad bodies; there are only bad cuts for your body. Keep looking or have something made. Do not settle. You’ll regret it. Buy something cheap to help you get by until you have saved enough money for your first investment-grade coat.
- Great Fabric: Find a coat that hangs right on your body. It can be heavy and stiff or it can be as fluid as vintage Japanese silk. The right fabric depends on your body's shape. I can’t explain it, but you will know the answer by how people respond to you.
- Black or a Dark Color: Your fab coat is not going to do you much good if it's a great winter white that's hanging in the cleaners all the time, but winter white would be striking and impressive for your alternate (second) coat.
- Cover Your Derriere: My dear Pilates-instructor friend excluded, most women over 40 should cover their butts.
I must admit that this article is filled with generalities. Yes, my tips are good for 80-90% of all women, but you may be the exception to the rule.
Christina Gregoire - Christina Gregoire writes about divorce, fashion, and baby boomers. Her forte is explaining complex ideas in simple language.
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