Teen clothing trends all grown up...for Grandmothers too?

My daughter and I went shopping on her birthday this last week.  We were wandering through the teen department of our big department store when I remembered the time when this very daughter was herself a teen.  The years have gone by and on that day we were talking about my granddaughter who will be turning 16 within the next week or so. How time does fly.

What hit me was how tempting it was to keep looking at those young looking clothes. Bright colors, trendy styles and youthful design will always appeal to my eye. But who among us wants to look like our teen daughter or granddaughters? Even if we wanted to, the shape of our bodies would not allow it generally.

I have often wondered why we see older woman clothing follow those teen-like trends within a few years but I suppose it is only natural. Teen style all grown up can be very beautiful.

The bright colors that we all love can still work their way into our wardrobes. An older woman may prefer a three quarter sleeve and a longer t-shirt but that doesn't mean they can't have all that luscious color. Even a shear blouse with a tank under is attractive, youthful looking but still conservative to suit even the most modest dresser. I loved the long sleeved linen shirts I saw at j.jill when we were shopping.  They were the perfect cross between bright colors and a mature woman's look.

j.jill Linen Shirts
(Other Spring Looks)

Fossil Austin Flap Handbag

I happen to love the Austin Flap Handbag (Google Affiliate Ad). The color is just perfect because it seems to go with almost anything and will carry a person through all the seasons. I am still hoping to find it at just the right price.  This google ad is the best I have seen so far.

Still, I really don't want to dress like someone I am not. I love black and white (very trendy this year I hear), crop pants or slacks and sleeves.  I put my body parts away one winter several years ago and just never got them out again.  I want people to think I look good all over but not really know the truth.

Source: secondlivesclub.blogspot.com via Barbara on Pinterest

My teenaged granddaughter loves very short shorts and crop shirts. Her mother dresses like the professional she is but we did buy her a pair of orange high heeled sandals on her birthday...one always need a little color in their wardrobe. As for me, I am still wearing my orange tennis shoes.  They just make me feel good. W
hen I dress up I will put on my gray slacks, black shoes, a white shirt and a very bright yellow sweater or even one with beautiful flowers. I am what I am!

 

Have a wonderful day.

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Great links or fashion conscious women:
That's Not My Age
Second Lives Club
Live Better America

Hot Color/Design Trends for Fall 2011... clothing and decor!

Have you ever noticed how we will use the same colors for our furniture as we do for our favorite coat or sweater.  The Style at Home website always makes me think of all those colors that are in my closet and on my walls.  Those Canadian designers are usually spot on when it comes to shopping for interior design.  It could be that we should check with them before we even shop for our seasonal clothing.  They seem to know where the trends are heading when it comes to color or design. 

In an article I saw today they were talking about colors for a restful retreat...in this case for a world traveler.  I love the colors in this room...neutral without even a hint of mauve.  The gray is gray and the brown is cowhide brown.  The tiny bits of gold and red are included only as accents.  I could do this in my living room tomorrow and never look back!  Be sure to take a look at the Style at Home's new neutrals article.  Times may be changing.

Home for a Rest :  Style at Home Magazine

Victor Alfaro cardigan...love it!

Purple
Recently I was shopping with a friend in a big department store.  She picked up this sweater that almost made me swoon...something I don't do very much.  The color was that pure purple you see on perfect plums or a hydrangea that has just the right kind of fertilizer.

Style at Home color board

The one on the left is a style created by Victor Alfaro and can be found on the Bon Ton website. As you can see they have paired the sweater with a pewter colored tank. 

In another article on Style at Home they had featured this same color pairing..but on the walls.  This is a new trend in colors for the fall at home and in your closet.

Target clearance sweater

Animal Prints
I bought a little cardigan at Target before we went on our trip to Montana.  It is a black and white leopard design that goes with almost everything I own.  Believe it or not these little inexpensive sweaters last washing after washing.  The one I saw today on their website cost $8.74 on clearance. It has that touch of purple as a trim with my all time favorite animal print...zebra.

Brown

Ann Taylor Elbow Sleeve Turtleneck

Browns at Style at Home

Ann Taylor and Style at Home were on the same page when they selected that gorgeous brown as a fall favorite.  This is the same color you will find on a Redheaded diving duck.  I always wanted a sweater of that color.

Connections
Style for our bodies or our walls...it seems they are following the same trends when it comes to colors and designs.   It turns out we shop for paint and furniture the same as we shop for a very expensive outfits...interesting!

Before and After on Apartment Therapy...which color do you like?

From Apartment Therapy (before)

From Apartment Therapy (after)

Do you get out the camera and take a picture BEFORE the painting begins?  It is such a good idea and I wish I did.  That is what they did on the Apartment Therapy website. In the before picture the wall was painted a gray-blue shade. The designer decided it was time for a change and painted the room salmon pink.

It may be my age or maybe I am slow on the uptake but doesn't the blue look better than the red?  In fact we just painted our bedroom that blue color this last summer. I hate being behind the trend but the red just does not appeal to me.

My Bedroom

This is where a person has to know what they like and what they don't.  Color is a very personal thing and my style is not yours.  It is all good!!!

More Apartment Therapy related posts!

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Related articles

• TrendWatch: Please Have a Seat on the Couch That Looks Like Stephen Colbert (curbed.com)
• Linkage: White Painted Floors; Architects' Own Homes; Derek Jeter; More! (curbed.com)
• Before & After: Debra's New Blue Loo (apartmenttherapy.com)