Hearing from you guys is literally the best part of what I do. It makes my day when I get your questions and when I have the opportunity to discuss some of your style challenges. I answer your questions personally, so sometimes it takes me a bit of time, but I always try to respond. If you have a style question, send me an email at support@nadamanley.com.
And since so many of these challenges apply to so many of us, I have been putting a few of the more common ones into these videos. I call it Nada Saves Style, and I hope you like the format!
C, 70s, Dressing a Changing Body
Take a Daily Selfie
This sounds simple, but it is the single most important thing you can do if you want to improve your style. You won’t know what works if you don’t know what your clothes actually look like on you, and the best way to do this is with a daily outfit selfie. After a few weeks, you’ll be able to look back at your pics and clearly see how some looks are more flattering than others.
Take Dressing Room Pics
Anytime you try anything on, take a picture to refer to later. If you don’t take a picture, you didn’t really try it on. That’s the ONLY way you are going to know how that item looked on you and whether you should consider going back for it.
Pay Attention To Colors & Silhouettes
After you’ve collected a few weeks’ worth of pics, start making notes of the silhouettes and the colors that work for you, and the ones that you don’t love. This will inform your future buying decisions and help you as you purge your closet and create a wardrobe you love.
Amanda, 41, Shopping In A Rural Area
Fantasy Shop
If at all possible, set aside a day and drive to your nearest city and try on a whole bunch of clothes. Try on everything you’ve ever wanted to try on in all the different sizes. As you do this, you will learn a lot about how clothes currently fit you and what you like. Start a size chart on your phone and keep track of your sizes in the various brands you try on. This is research! The more information you get, the better.
Get Measurements
Visit a tailor or enlist your spouse or friend to take an accurate and current set of measurements for you. Make sure you have the key measurements (shoulders, bust, waist, hips) as well as your inseam length. This will make it easier to shop online.
Get Comfortable With Online Shopping
There’s no getting around it. If you don’t have stores in your area, you will have to start getting comfortable with shopping online. It’s your only option. Fortunately, with measurements and research under your belt, you’re better equipped to do that. But like anything else, it takes practice so don’t get discouraged.
Best Undergarments and Shoes
These are both pretty broad categories, and a lot depends on your specific requirements, but in general, I recommend going to a nicer bra shop or a good department store lingerie brand for a bra fitting. For underwear, I love Soma Intimates. For higher end chic but oh-so-comfortable shoes, my fave is Sarah Flint. Vivaia makes stylish, comfortable and sustainable shoes as well.
Here are some of my favorite sources for you.
Kelly, 58, Nothing Fits
Buy Basics In Your Current Size
Find an affordable source, whether it’s a consignment store, Old Navy, or wherever you like to shop, and pick up some nice quality basics in your current size. As long as you keep punishing yourself for the weight gain by refusing to dress your current body, you will stay stuck where you are. Honor your current body by dressing it well (but not expensively) as you are going through this transition.
Emphasize Beauty & Grooming
Make sure your hair, makeup, skin, and nails are polished and pretty. These are the details that play a big part in your first impression on other people, and help you feel in control and also your loveliest. This is critical.
Invest In Accessories
Accessories are worth investing in, because they don’t change with size and their cost per use is generally very low. Consider investing in the beautiful shoes you’ve always wanted, or some great jewelry, and wear them regularly. Treat yourself well. 🙂
Kirstin, 61, Petite With A Long Torso
Try Shorter Tops
With a long torso and shorter legs, you want to balance your vertical proportions with shorter tops. Since these will end above the hips, you don’t have to worry about buying them oversized to fit over the hips. This will eliminate the feeling of feeling frumpy in oversized tops.
Consider The Fashion Fit Formula
The Fashion Fit Formula will give you your exact lengths of tops, jackets, skirts, etc to most flatter your unique vertical body. You can learn more about it and see some before and afters right here.
Dana, 52, Confident In Clothing Choices
Take A Daily Selfie
See question 1, above. The quickest path to confidence in your clothes is a real understanding of what works and what doesn’t, and the best way to do this is through daily selfies. This is the single quickest path to confidence in your style.
Consider Style Support
I would love to support you in my Ageless Style Program. It is uniquely designed for women over 40 to help you get the support, feedback, and information you need to feel confident in your clothing choices and your best and most stylish self every day. You can learn more about it here.
Randi, 35, Combining Comfort & Style
Find Comfortable Jeans
My favorite denim brand is Mott & Bow, and if you haven’t tried on some of the newer denim, I definitely recommend them. They are super comfortable and stylish as well. Here’s my favorite style, the slim boyfriend. You can use code “NADA” for a discount.
Try Pull-On Dress Pants
You don’t have to choose between comfort and style. Some of my favorite dress pants are polished but comfortable, with pull-on styling that looks sleek enough to dress up but are easy enough to roll around on the floor with kids. You can find these styles and others right here.
Lynn, 70, Polished But Casual
Take A Shopping Trip
Set aside a day for fantasy shopping and research. Try on tons of clothes and take pictures of everything you try on. Start a size chart on your phone and jot down your sizes in the different brands. This information will inform your future purchases.
Start With Essentials
These are the key to looking polished but casual. Start with beautiful essentials that are casual enough to suit your lifestyle, and then make sure your hair, makeup, skin and nails are are their best and then continue the polish with accessories. It’s a simple formula.
Casual Essentials + Polished Beauty + Pretty Accessories = Polished Casual Chic
You can find my favorite essentials in this catalog, and for a full guide to using these essentials to transform your wardrobe, check out my free Fashion Essentials Over 40 Wardrobe Guide.
Can you relate to any of these women? And which of these tips did you find the most helpful? Let me know in the comments!
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