Frumpy to Fabulous First Friday #1: Fashion For Women Over 50

ByPamela Lutrell Hours Categories Fashion
Comments 40 Comments
Dowdy,
unfashionable, drab, dull, homely, shabby, scruffy…all are synonyms for the word
FRUMPY.  Yet, we know women often face
times shut down, either by circumstances or critical people when there exists
no motivation or inspiration for self-care.

 Sadly, sometimes lack of
self-respect is why a woman may fall on the side of frumpy and begin to not
care at all.

So, the
Frump Busters are here to help. Jennifer of A Well Styled Life, Susan of Fifty
Not Frumpy, and Pam of Over 50 Feeling 40 will collaborate on the First Friday
of every month to bring their individual interpretations of how to take a
frumpy look to fabulous style.  Let’s put
frumpy behind us for good, ladies!
For our first week, we are re-styling a look like this one.  It is all too familiar to me.  I was often dressed like this in my frumpy forties…though would not have used a backpack purse…just a big ugly one.  I have a searing memory of a time I ran to the store and pulled on one of my son’s letter jackets.  I had two boys who played football and one was a big linebacker.  I wore his letter jacket to the grocery just for a quick pick up…but, wouldn’t you know it, of course, I ran into a parent of one of my students! A very embarrassing moment when I wanted to join the canned goods on a shelf and be invisible.

Often, we think, I need to just wear something quick to go do a very fast errand.  We use the excuse of time and comfor to justify a frumpy, useless look. But, you never know who you will run into or the opportunity you will miss.

So, no more!  Those days are behind me and I am so glad they are!

Let’s talk comfort first…I am wearing JJILL and they are known for their comfort.  In fact, JJill clothing offers many answers when we are ready to put frumpy behind us….they are one #FrumpBusters approved retailer! The LONG & LIGHT CARDIGAN is lighter, more flattering, and confident building than a letter jacket! It also comes in light blue and white for spring.  The pants are so comfy and called LIVE IN CHINO ANKLE PANT and this color is Sea Salt.

As far as speed goes…this outfit takes as much time to put on as the frumpy one in the Polyvore…and looks way better!  In fact, slipping into a fashionable flat takes less time than athletic shoes do to lace up.  I have had these leopard mules for a long time and almost worn them out. Over 50 women do not always need hands free…so a beautiful handbag works better than a backpack.  This handbag was purchased on sale about two years ago at ELAINE TURNER.

Looking your best does not take away comfort or time…in fact it adds so much more to your life.

Confidence, joy, strength and sometimes opportunity.

No more letter jackets for me!  Just an occasional peep in the closet…. because I miss watching my sons on the football field. Ahhh, the memories!

Now, let’s go see what SUSAN OF FIFTY NOT FRUMPY and JENNIFER OF A WELL STYLED LIFE have to say about this frumpy style.

Have a fabulous Friday!












If you would like to listen to the Blab talks featuring the FrumpBuster team…then please go to these links…

HOW TO GO FROM FRUMPY TO FABULOUS OVER 50

SELF CARE OVER 50 AND HOW IT RELATES TO FRUMPY

Linking to FASHION SHOULD BE FUN FRIDAY LINK UP …BLOG SHARE LEARN LINKY PARTY….TURNING HEADS LINK UP

Disclaimer:  I was sent clothing for this post, but the words are my own.

40 Comments

  1. I used to be a T-Shirt person – my husband and I, between us, must have over 50, many of them celebrating places we've been to. In the past couple of years, I'm finding myself dressing up more just to run errands. Love those mules. I wish there would be fashionable walking shoes, not just frumpy oxfords or white exercise type shoes, because I have balance issues and prefer walking in those kinds of shoes. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

  2. Now that is a fabulous outfit! I love that you added a statement necklace for a casual look. For me it's earrings – I never leave the house without earrings and usually a cuff bracelet.

  3. You look fabulous in J.Jill items Pam. Thanks for the inspiring post! It is a pleasure to get to work with you and Jennifer on this project.

  4. Hi Alana, I also used to have a lot of T Shirts, but I am down to only a couple. I had to make myself donate them…and I faced the truth in the mirror of how I looked in them! I also have to wear comfy, well balanced shoes so I understand. I have several brands I now wear more than anything else. Thanks for coming by! Happy Weekend!

  5. Thanks Yvonne! I like this outfit alot and lately I wear more necklaces than anything. They are easy to throw on. This one is from Treska Jewelry. Thanks for stopping by!

  6. I love that cardigan – and it looks gorgeous in the light blue! You certainly look great and it's true that it probably doesn't take much more time to look nice than it does to look thrown together. Thanks for the reminder Pam x

  10. HI Laura, I go to several brands for comfort and style right now…FitFlops (Amazon or Dillards), Aerosoles, SAS (new catalog has so many cute styles), Dansko, and Rockport. All comfy…all provide fun looks. The shoes I am wearing today were purchased perhaps 2-3 years ago at Ross…I also find Aerosoles at Ross. Thanks for asking!

  11. I love that the 3 of you are doing this! I find it very helpful and inspiring. I'm a big J.Jill fan, and own those pants in several colors. They're comfortable and stylish, and since they're already in my closet, it's very helpful to me to see what you're wearing with them. Thank you for doing this!

  13. Thanks for collaborating with Susan and Jennifer on this series. I am so looking forward to future posts. Your outfit is perfect for errands, appointments, whatever the day may bring and I love the necklace.

  14. Oh Pam! I feel like you wrote this for me and I will be following this series closely. Thank you so much for your wisdom and helping me break free of frumpy. #blogsharelearn

  15. Thanks for the encouragement Donna! Isn't it amazing the difference one little accessory can make? I am really into neckalces right now…and there are so many statements to be made. Happy Friday!

  16. I am so glad it has encouraged you Elena! If sharing my frumpy past life can help others, I am happy to do so. Believe me…I have come a long way!
    Thanks for reading and commenting!

  18. You look simply amazing Pam! Your transformation is nothing short of amazing. I love how you inspire women. I'm so grateful to be sharing this series with you and Susan!!

  19. Really enjoying this collaboration! 🙂
    I'm not even safe in "raggedy mode" at home. THAT is the time my son's girlfriend will show up at the door! It never fails! Haha!

  20. Oh I love looking at photos of you Pam (I follow your FB page). You always look so 'put together' and stylish. Thanks for these tips which I'm sure I'll be using and look forward to the series. #blogsharelearn

  21. Great outfit! I need some comfortable leopard flats! And I love that you, Susan, and Jennifer are collaborating on different projects! Your blabs are fabulous, and this series is wonderful. I so enjoyed seeing each of your looks!

  28. Thanks, Dawn! Believe it…I was very much in frumpland. I was discouraged, despondent, busy, and had ceased to care about me. I had not self respect and I just put me at the bottom of the priority list…but thank goodness at age 50, I woke up! Life has been so much fun since then! Thanks for stopping by!

  29. Hi Pam,
    I have to say this is one of my favorite outfits I have seen on you. I think it is the open cardigan which is so slimming and draws the eye in. That is why I stay away from pullover tunics. I feel they sometimes make one look like a sack of potatoes. Could the three of you talk about cardigans vs. pullovers in your blab, also tucking in blouses vs. wearing them out which you see more often today. Do you have to be a certain size to tuck in? Thanks and love your blog! Annette

  30. Love JJILL and have many pieces. I am always adding to my Wearever collection! I have had my eye on that cardigan too, and their jeans fit amazingly well. Great idea for "first Friday! "

  31. I, honestly, never understood why you cant throw a simpele dress with a cardigan to go for an errand. It takes as much ntime as a sweater and pants. But you look so much more stylish when you give it a little bit more attention. I never never never leave my house frumpy! Lol.

  32. Thanks so much Annette…I wear this style a lot. We are going to Blab next Tuesday and will discuss comments from today…I am sure we will cover this…thanks so much for being here.

  35. Wonderful look. Those leopard mules are to die for. I think I need a pair. Am quite taken with the handbag too. Glad to be here.

  37. I love J Jill! I mostly buy from the Wearever collection. So comfy yet stylish. I have never tried the "regular" pants. Do you like the chino's? Also, is that sea salt color pretty close to a cream color? Thanks for the collaboration and busting the frumpiness series! I mostly wear my t shirts as pajamas or work out clothes. I do have to admit to wearing one for an occasional football game!

  38. You are such a good example of what you are teaching in this post. Looking comfortable yet vey stylish. I love all the items in your outfit, but adore that bag. Big want here.
    Greetje

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