Staying Fit
Hooray — we're going out again! But here's the problem. After more than a year of comfort clothes, elastic waistbands and almost no makeup we've forgotten how to dress up. Social isolation and distancing, masks and Zoom didn't exactly require much from our fashion and beauty skills. After all, everyone else was in the same boat. Now that our social lives are back, it's time to pick up the slack (or at least our mascara). Here are 10 tips that will make you glow in the dark.
1. Just add a flowing top with a waist
Uh oh. It doesn't fit! Maybe you're 10 pounds heavier than when you bought those jeans or that fitted top. Don't panic. You don't need to be in shape to look as if you are. In fact, one of the biggest “date night” fashion trends is a feminine and forgiving blouse with a flowy silhouette and V neckline. Worn over any trim base — from flat-front pull-on pants to those too-tight jeans — this peplum style creates an hourglass shape but disguises a no longer firm belly, muffin top or midriff. Choose a sophisticated draped style like the City Chic Shibara Faux Wrap High/Low Top in Alpine Plus Size ($75-$79, nordstrom.com), Kiyonna Marcy Empire Waist Top for Dia & Co in Magenta or Red ($58, shop.dia.com) or Boohoo Plus Extreme Wide Sleeve Wrap Top in Blue ($36, us.boohoo.com) that also covers derriere and hips for an extra confidence boost. Bonus: Tops with long or three-quarter length sleeves help counter the deep freeze of excessive air-conditioning without the need for a bulky sweater.
AARP Membership— $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal
Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.
2. Make shoulders your show-off spot
One advantage of age is knowing how to be subtle but effective when you want to look sexy. A special evening out is not about plunging cleavage, thigh-baring minis or stilettos anymore. Bare shoulders are the new hot spot. Try an off-the-shoulder top — such as the Lane Bryant Shirred Off-the-Shoulder Crop Top with Crochet in White ($60, lanebryant.com) or Eloquii Slouchy Puff Sleeve Blouse in Spice Route ($70, eloquii.com) — or a one-shoulder look like the Michael Michael Kors One-Shoulder Tunic Plus in Black ($88, nordstrom.com). Simply add a skirt, white or black pants and a convertible/strapless bra and you are done!
3. Keep the midi-maxi thing going
If you really want to have a relaxed evening yet feel more dressed up, don't go back to tailored dresses and heels. Sure, there are occasions when jeans and a fancy top won't cut it. That's when you pull on a shapely long dress with a defined waist. Stay covered on top and flash your legs in a wrap style — like the Boohoo Plus Kimono Sleeve Wrap Over Midi Dress in Mustard or Black ($24, us.boohoo.com) or H&M Long Wrap Dress in Beige/Zebra Print ($35, www2.hm.com) — or slip into a breezy maxi like the ruffled Lane Bryant Multi-Way Off-the-Shoulder Poplin Maxi Dress in Stripe ($90, lanebryant.com), which lets you go from covered to one- or two-shoulder reveals at will. Top off the look with a pair of amazing sandals.
More on Entertainment
Dating During a Pandemic: 'Love Is Not Canceled'
Older daters are connecting through video chat and getting creative about outings
11 Dress-Slim Fashion Tricks Without Shapewear
Figure-flattering styles for every shape and sizeTop Makeup Artists Offer Beauty Tips for Women 50+
New products and techniques you'll want to give a try
Recommended for You