Jan 11
26
Let’s face it: women over 50 all get a little anxious when it’s time to gussy up. But looking glamorous doesn’t need to be intimidating, explains Charla Krupp in her chapter, “The Three-Bling Rule When Dressing for Evening.” If the first thing you feel when you see the words black tie affair is fear, then this chapter is for you.
The first step having a “young over-50″ style at a formal affair is to show some skin. Choose one area to expose: legs, back, shoulders, arms, or cleavage. Got great calves? Opt for an above-the-knee hemline. Have smooth, creamy skin on your décolletage? Try a deep v-neck or go strapless. Flaunt your favorite feature, but never bare too much skin, as “overexposure can translate as desperate, which isn’t sexy at any age.”
Well-made clothing is your friend, if you choose the proper styles for your body type. Nothing can make you feel sexier than a dress that highlights or enhances your best feature, or camouflages an asset that you aren’t crazy about. The right styles can be used as tools to balance out your body. However, if not chosen properly, dresses can just as easily work against you.
The strapless style is timeless and sexy. You don’t have to have Halle Berry arms to pull it off, but this style should only be worn if your shoulders and chest are in good shape, and if your skin appears smooth and healthy. Don’t go strapless if you have ample breasts, as the straight-across cut will make you appear top-heavy.
Another classic is the v-neck. “It can highlight great cleavage and create the appearance of an elongated neck,” says Krupp. V-neck styles look fabulous on those of us with bigger busts, and can shave up to 10 pounds off of our look. If you are small-busted, a v-neck can flatten you out, so it’s best to opt for a different style.
Three-quarter sleeves are a great tool for those with “less than buff” arms. They’ll camouflage flab while maintaining a young and hip look. But long sleeves, especially on a dress, can look matronly.
Regardless of your dress style, you simply must own at least one perfect little black dress, or LBD. If your LBD is well-made and flatters your body, you’ll wear it a zillion times. And the fun part is that you can wear it a different way every time! It is the perfect backdrop for your favorite accessories that may be too over-the-top for more overstated dresses. Your perfect LBD will make your chunky turquoise necklace, your red silk scarf, or your jeweled strappy heels look stunning.
On to accessories. My pulse quickens when I think of jewelry. Nothing makes me feel more beautiful and complete than the right earrings, necklace, or ring. I’m glad to have learned a few rules from Krupp to keep myself afloat in the sea of jewels that I call my jewelry cabinet. For example, the shape and style of a necklace need to compliment the neckline of a dress. A long necklace that ends in a “V” will look great with a deep v-neck dress, and a shorter choker will help break up the area exposed by a strapless dress.
If you wear earrings, keep it simple and fresh with short chandeliers or a simple drop. Heavy earrings that make your earlobes sag are so “old lady!” Lastly, choose either a dressy watch or a bracelet- never both.
The most fun and useful advice in this chapter of Krupp’s book is in the Three Bling Rule. Essentially, you’ll get the most dramatic effect from your look by limiting yourself to three bling points. Too much bling can scream “old lady!” Some examples:
- Sparkly dress (2 bling points) + earrings (1 bling) – necklace = 3 bling points
- Black dress (0 bling) + bold necklace (1 bling) + cocktail ring (1 bling) + shoes or bag (1 bling) – big earrings = 3 bling points
- Dramatic updo (1 bling) + drop earrings (1 bling) + bracelet or ring(1 bling) – necklace = 3 bling points
- Jeweled cuff bracelet (1 bling) + shimmery metallic sandals (1 bling) + bold red lipstick (1 bling) – watch = 3 bling points
Remember not to use all your bling points in the same vicinity, and you’ll look effortlessly elegant. Regardless of where you’re going on your big night out, you have the ability to turn heads. With a little playful experimentation and solid adherence to Krupp’s guidelines, you’ll go from blah to tah-dah! in no time!
Charla Krupp is the author of the bestseller How to Never Look Fat Again, just out in paperback
And Charla’s other great book How Not to Look Old, reviewed on Flourish Over 50:
