Not all companies are being hit badly by the recession. Cath Kidston, a business role model for all of us 50 somethings, has managed to secure a 58% increase in profits this year with her charming array of china and chintz. If you like her designs, and are thrifty or creative by nature, you might be interested in her follow up sewing book which is due for publication before Christmas. Start hinting!
‘Make’ – her first book ( shown) is available from Amazon
The queen of minimalist chic is coming to Uniqlo with a great discounted range of fabulous separates. The launch
for the Uniqlo +J logo collection created with fashion designer Jil Sander will be in the Autumn and Friday 2 October has been bandied about as the date it hits the shops. The 2009 autumn/winter collection consists of outerwear, bottoms, shirts, knitwear and other goods. The collection, which was was first announced in March, will also be sold online and is said to consist of about 140 garments in total plus accessories. Obviously, something will have to ‘give’ and it will be the quality of the fabrics. Instead of her trademark luxurious cashmeres and wools, these garments will consist of cotton, nylon and other more run of the mill materials. Still, her designs are exquisite, simple and easy to wear so demand will probably be huge. Alongside her trademark flannel trousers and indispensable black coat, she is branching out into denim, beautifully tailored shirts in pale lilac and pink and streamlined jackets. You could perhaps afford the entire collection this time!
Shoulder pads are back. It’s official, but don’t rush to your wardrobe to dust off your old clothes. These are not the wide shoulder pads of the 80′s. Today’s version creates a shoulder line with uplift – great if you have shoulders narrower than your hips. Don’t spend a fortune on these (Victoria Beckham’s leather Balmain edition cost £4,050), as they may not stand the test of time but do check out the New Look and Next versions at around £60.
If huge shoulders are a step too far, you can achieve the same effect with a slightly less dramatic shoulderline and still maintain quality. This jacket is from Jaegar at £225. 
If you have a bust, you would be best to steer clear of the high, rounded neckline and opt for a longer V lapel ( see far right) also from Jaegar at £499.
Don’t be shy of using discreet shoulderpads to straighten and lengthen your shoulderline under knits and dresses too. Discreet being the operative word. They really do make a difference to your overall posture if you have sloping or narrow shoulders. Great underwear does magical things to your body and these will manage the same miracles higher up.
There is a lovely new site that you might want to take look at. It shares all my values of inspiring, communicating, discovering – you know how curious I am, and connecting with my clients and is also lovely to look at. It goes without saying that I really felt the need to write for them, so here is the copy of my article on Fashion Feng Shui.
I had the most perfect night out on the Peterborough ’tiles’ with a fabulous group of women. We had SUCH a great time. I didn’t know any of them very well, and they had never met before, but we have vowed we will do it again – regularly.
It all started about 3 weeks ago when I approached a couple of these stylish women(both in their 50′s) and asked if they would be interested in doing something socially. To cut a long story short, I now have about 25 women all wanting to take part.
The RULE (and there is only one) – you have to be aged between 49 and 60 to join in.
I have a list of 40 plussers, who are very annoyed they can’t be part of the fun. Tough – our group is like a Hermes Birkin Bag – it’s exclusive and there’s a long waiting list!
If you are interested in going out in the Peterborough area – this of course may gather momentum to other parts of the country - please let me know. The next date will be Wednesday September 9th and thereafter it will change to the first Wednesday of every month.
The Birkin is of course a very different matter. To view look at www.eurohandbag.com
This week I’ve been speaking to groups, holding workshops and sorting out wardrobes all over the country. Varied as these activites may appear, one particular theme has been occurring that has been common to all. Perfection. Not the attainment of a perfect body or perfect hair but how the little things really make or break your outfit. Not only does imperfection mean that clothes may go unworn, as you always choose something else, but also that you never really feel comfortable when they are on your body.
Perfection is simple but not always easy to get right. Your clothes must fit properly. Fabrics, patterns and colours must flatter your form or be rescued by good use of accessories. You must reflect your personality. Clothing should also be appropriate for the occasion and who you are meeting and, of course, it must be comfortable.
Sometimes it is the tiniest things that really matter. A hemline that’s an inch too long, a collar slightly too pointed, a fabric that’s a little flimsy – all these count.
If you’re not sure, don’t buy. I bet you have enough unused stock in your wardrobe already without adding to it!
It might well be August in the UK but the weather is more like wintertime at the moment, so it’s with great relief I hear that tights will be the ‘must have’ accessory for the coming season. I don’t know how you feel about your own legs but the general public at large should not bear witness to my lard-like, pasty coloured legs whatever the weather, so tights are something I adore.
This time around we can go as funky as we like and, if you know me well, you’ll understand this ticks all my style boxes. My tartan tights of last winter were a coveted item! Tights are something we ‘midlifers’ can wear as well, if not better, than our younger counterparts, so don’t be shy about trying out some new styles. Just remember ‘less is more’ and don’t overdo the rest of the outfit. Check out www.mytights.com which is a fabulous site with stacks of options to choose from and some tips on how best to wear the products, sizing options and other interesting facts.
If you want to go one step further, though be VERY, VERY, CAREFUL as this is not for everyone, you might even explore the notion of socks. Yes, believe it or not these unseemly garments are making a come back. Every style imaginable from ribbed knee highs to pom-pom ankle socks are strutting their stuff down the catwalk. You may well remember Sock Shop, which seemed to have outlets absolutely everywhere. The chain went into liquidation over 3 years ago but has been resurrected online, with a retail store in Manchester and another 9 planned for sometime in the future. Sock it to em? Looks like we English were right then – socks and sandals do mix!
For a great selection of hosiery to suit all shapes, sizes, budgets and style preferences go to www.sockshop.co.uk
For a fabulous, and very true, comment on 50 today versus 50 of yesteryear by Hilary Mantel, the Guardian columnist and Man Booker Prize favourite read on:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/aug/04/hilary-mantel-older-women
absolutely brilliant
Firstly, I just wanted to say that Feel Fab at 50 has been featured in a Turkish women’s national magazine – how exciting. http://www.sabah.com.tr/Ekler/Cumartesi/YasamaDair/2009/08/01/modern_giyinin_ama_kiziniz_gibi_olmayin
Secondly, that I went to stay with my friend in Brighton and made my annual pilgrimage to the 3 shops I cannot go past without spending some money – Mottoo, The Old Village and Ice. Once again, true to form, they didn’t let me down. Fabulous service and wonderful clothes. Thank you ladies, and gent. If only all shops could give such fabulous service. I only visit once a year but I’m always remembered, and the owners know what I bought from them in the past too. Can’t say I get that level of service locally and that’s a shame. Brighton is a long way to go! Head for Duke Street, as all 3 are located there, and nip in to the trendy Havana restaurant for lunch and somewhere to rest your weary feet.
