Fashion Over 50: What Should I Wear? and Reader Style for Talls

Pamela Lutrell with What Should I Wear?

Welcome to What Should I Wear? a regular feature here on Wednesdays for women over 50.  It just seemed perfect since we have been discussing thrift and consignment shopping for a couple of days to discuss what I wear when I go on these outings.  If I am purposeful to decide what to wear, then I will stay out longer and have better success. Then, below I have style inspiration for those of you who are tall!

WHY IT MATTERS

Pamela Lutrell for Goodwill San Antonio

This is a typical outfit I might put on for going by the Goodwill San Antonio locations I like best.  This jacket is actually a Goodwill San Antonio treasure from last year and has an understated animal print design, so, of course, it is as if it was brand new on the market with today’s trends so heavily focused on animal print.  My key considerations for thrift shopping are:

  1. Comfort – I want to be comfortable.  My clothing should not be too tight, but fit just right and not be too hot.  I work hard when I thrift shop and I can easily get overheated.
  2. Understated – I do not want to draw attention to me.  I am there to shop, find treasures, and get good deals. I am not there to stand out.

Pamela Lutrell in comfort shoes for thrift shopping

3. Comfortable, slip on shoes – these should be a comfort shoe for lots of walking, but slip on and off easily in the dressing rooms.  (These Nurture shoes from Dillards work very nicely)

4. Hands Free Shopping – I either want a crossbody bag or my Baggalini wristlet so that I am hands free and can do more.  Also, I do not want to worry about walking away from the shopping cart with handbag in it.  I am using my wristlet more and more lately…so easy when I do not need a lot.

Pamela Lutrell with Baggalini wristlet

5. NOTE:  I do want to fix my hair and makeup.  When I try on clothing it just helps me to get the best picture when I am made up. Also, I am more confident about smiling and enjoying the other shoppers and helps.  I want to look bright and put together so my personality shines through.

6. FINAL NOTE:  Now, I am using hand sanitizer going in and leaving.  Before the coronavirus, I always washed and cleaned what I buy at Goodwill San Antonio or even consignment.  Sometimes I send special pieces to the dry cleaner.

If I take the time to carefully consider what I am wearing, then my trip will be longer and more successful.  I come home with a smile on my face afterwards!

ANOTHER READER SPRING REFRESH

Let’s help another reader with encouragement and inspiration so she can go out each day feeling her very best.  Lois wants everyone she meets to know that she is classic, preppy, colorful, modern, and put together. Also, I took Into consideration that Lois Is tall.  I have curated the slideshow below in order to give Lois and women like her some ideas and inspiration.  I hope it helps, Lois!

KEEP SMILING, EVERYONE!

 

By Pamela Lutrell

 

13 Comments

  1. Pam,

    Thank you for the tall ideas. I love the dark wash, high waist bell bottom pants in the slide show – they take me back to the 60s & 70s. The red cardigan with the white and blue trim is something I would wear. Your advise regarding washing or dry cleaning thrift shop items is very sound. After watching a documentary a few years ago about the conditions in some other countries where most of our clothes are made, I always either wash or dry clean everything I buy before I wear the item. Also, good shoes are a must for those of us over 50. Having miserable painful feet for the sake of fashion is a huger no no for me.

  2. Good “treasure hunting” tips! You find the best stuff. When I bring home anything from a resale or charity shop, it goes into the garage where the laundry is located. (I envy ladies with beautiful, dedicated laundry rooms!) I agree with Miss Cathy: good shoes are a must. On a side note, I took some partially dried out baby wipes in travel packets and added vodka, tea tree oil and lemon essential oil to revitalize the moisture and am carrying them for disinfectant wipes. Apparently isopropyl alcohol is not kind to the liver (didn’t know that). Enjoy your day…be safe…

  3. I like your outfit. I’m so over the animal print fever, but your jacket is so subtle and cute.

  4. Good tips for thrift and consignment shopping. Something that bothers me not matter where I’m shopping is having to take my shoes off in the dressing room – the floors, even in upscale places aren’t clean. This may sound ridiculous, but it bothers me. If I know I’m going to be trying on dresses and skirts, I always wear tights or hose and lower-heel pumps. After wearing them to work for 40+ years, I’m really comfortable in them so they work for me and make the dresses and skirts look better. Regardless, I wear socks and put them directly in the laundry when I get home. Who knows whose feet have been where is how I see it! The place where I consign clothes insists on washing prior to bringing things in for consignment, but you often can’t tell if someone followed the rules so your tip to wash before wearing is great! Even in upscale stores, things are being tried on all day long. But the floors are my huge pet peeve!

  5. So many gorgeous finds in your slide show today, Pam! I adore the little straw purse from the Etsy shop, the heathered blue cardigan/jacket, and those floral loafers – oh, my! Our weather in southern Oregon has been beautiful this week, with all the flowering trees putting on their spring show. I’m wondering what kind of tree that is in your opening pics . . . the sculptural quality of it is stunning. I’d love something like that as part of my garden if it would flourish in Zone 7.
    Happy Wednesday!

  6. Pam, thank you so much for the slide show! I have a number of the blouses/sweaters, good minds think alike, and I’ve been thinking about the self tie pants. I like both that are in the slide show. The long skirt, top & statement necklace is me to a tee – you are really good at this!
    👍🙏

  7. I do not know what type of tree it is Connie…but I will see if my husband knows.

  8. I often take flip flops in a larger purse…depending on the places I am going…I completely get what you are saying Karen.

  9. Pam you look adorable in today’s outfit! Love it!

    I also love your positive upbeat personality!
    I smile when reading each your posts!

    I would wear just about every outfit in today’s slideshow
    I’m a spring season and bright, happy colors are for me!!!

    Thrift shopping is lots of fun and I feel so satisfied each time a good quality purchase is made!

    Enjoy this day and keep smiling your beautiful smile 😊

    CA Sandy

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