Over 40 Style

When three established designers show red pants for Fall, is it reasonable to call it a trend? It's also interesting to note that the pants are the opposite of the wide-leg look. I'm not sure how flattering this is going to be for those of us with hips and thighs, but at least it's something "new"!

This particular shade of blue is sure to be everywhere soon. Give your wardrobe an update by incorporating this color now with white, and with gray for the Fall.

After making up 75% off my casual wardrobe in my 20s, it's hard for me to wean myself off GAP. It's inexpensive and it's everywhere, but that doesn't overcome the fact that these clothes are still meant for young women, and I have...matured.

BUT, those are also the same reasons I will continue to at least window shop there. If a celebrity is photographed wearing the latest "IT" jeans, chances are good that GAP will soon put out a similar cut for much less than the $300 original. This has allowed me to avoid the dreaded mom jeans look by incorporating things like boyfriend jeans, skinny cargos, and wide leg trousers into my wardrobe at relatively low risk.

Along with Banana Republic (see yesterday's post) and Old Navy, GAP is having a 25% off sale. Use code BRONGAP25. Here are my picks for GAP:

Color blocking---combining big blocks of strong color together---has been big for the past two seasons. I've been wary of this trend; it seemed too gimmicky, and judging from all the color block sweaters still on the sale rack, I don't think it's been widely accepted. (I know, I know, call me a fashion sheep, but I need clothes I can wear every day!)

With some slight adjustments, I'm starting to see bold color becoming incorporated into mainstream fashion. The colors are still bold, but instead of combining them into one garment, the idea now is to buy separates, then combine them into an outfit. Diffuse the trend even more by sticking to colors in the same color family (red and pink, light blue with electric blue) and choosing simple silhouettes like tees or skirts.

One of the reasons I think many women stop "following" fashion is the expectation that it is to be taken literally. My interpretation is decidedly more inspirational.

Take this picture. I love this outfit! Which is not to say that I would, or could, ever wear anything like it. But I can still look at it and appreciate how all the elements fit together, how the color combination is really creative, and what proportions work.

So from that, here's a layout of some pieces to consider, or at least, to realize how even so-called high fashion quickly makes it to the rest of us.

I read somewhere that in order to avoid getting into a fashion rut, one has to be open to styles that they wouldn't have considered before. For me, this would be wearing a white jacket, an article of clothing I normally associate with James Bond or ice cream trucks.

But if they can make my khaki pants look celeb-ready like this, then I'll take two scoops, please!