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Can Taste Be Taught? First Steps in Dressing Fabulous after 40!

One thing you notice when a well dressed women walks in the room is that she oozes of taste. If she can do it, can anyone? Can taste be taught?

Many say no; it’s a gift you are born with. However, we’ve found if you study a good example, you can develop good taste.

Instead of running to the discount store every time you need a fashion fix (a “band aid” approach to style); what you really need is to create a solid plan for developing taste, and updating your look after 40.

The first step is to go window shopping! Keep your pocket book at home; you won’t need to be buying anything yet!

Next, comes the fun part. Go online and browse through your favorite high end store.  Don’t look at the price tags; just have fun seeing what catches your eye, and enjoy! Then:

·         Take notes on what you see that you love ( like doesn’t count)

·         Visit the shoe department and explore, noting which new styles catch your eye

·         Check out what colors combinations the stores are featuring

·         Look at the mannequins to get creative new outfit ideas

·         Take note of accessories  (one bold necklace might be all you need to make a wow outfit)

·         Go up to a well dressed woman and ask her where she shops

Educate yourself on the basics first; what’s in style, what you like, and what other women are wearing. Our crash course in taste will help train your eye. You’ll begin to understand what works, what doesn’t, and soon you’ll find it easy to put together a winning outfit. The next time that woman with great taste waltzes into the room and makes everyone notice, she could very well, be you!

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Comments
10.14.2009
JLee
Only buy clothes in colors you will look fabulous in. I shop by color first, this saves time and helps eliminate the fustration of going through racks of clothing to find something appropriate. I like to layer and having a wardrobe of shrugs and camis cover up body parts and low cut tops. I am 54 and know what works for by body and just stick to the same flattering cuts. I think you just need to focus more on having a wardrobe of well fitting basic clothes which are actually easier to find. You can add the style with shoes and accessores.
Love this story. I believe, as with everything in life, there are degrees of 'taste'. It can be taught to a degree, but the real trendsetters and tastesetters are born with it. It's a gift. I'm working on it all the time. Check out my blog: http://sixties60style.blogspot.com/
09.17.2009
Kathleen smith
I have been doing exactly what this article suggests for the last 40 years! Walking aimlessly around in stores, looking at everything and not knowing how to put an outfit together. I don't think the article was helpful AT ALL. Where are the designers who realize we don't wear Spaghetti straps! That we need sleeves that cover our wrinkled elbows! Someone tell me where to shop! I didn't find this article the least bit helpful. If I knew how to do everything it mentioned, I would have been dressing well for the last 40 years. And WHERE are the designers that realize anyone over 40 can not wear spaghetti straps, short skirts and most importantly WHERE are the blouses with sleeves that cover your wrinkled elbows. I work out, I eat right....I am not obese. Someone tell me where to find clothes that A. don't make me look like I am trying too hard
08.09.2009
Knuffel
I wish it could, but unfortunately looking around me in the street and in my office I doubt it. Some (most?) women are not only clueless about what might look good on them, but also don't care. I am afraid we are doomed to a future of torn, skinny jeans (which looks awful over most thights) and lingerie in full view (another sloppy favourite, expecially in summer).
07.07.2009
puaena
These were great suggestions. I do alot of "pretend" shopping in the high end stores and in catalogs. I tear out pictures of outfits that I REALLY like from fashion magazines and keep them in a file folder "look book" to refer to later when I'm shopping for bargains online. Some of these clothes may not be realistic for my lifestyle or body type but after a few years of collecting these images, I can really see a style emerging and it helps me to have a clearer picture of the styles and colors that appeal to me and the look that I'm creating for my self.
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