Over 40, At Work, In ASOS Curve

I don't usually think of style in terms of a particular age (except for when I'm forced to, as for instance when items I just think of as "clothes" are called "retro 90s"), but I had to name it something and since I am myself waaaaay over 40  and shop at ASOS (regularly described in media as a site for 20-somethings) for work-wear, thought I'd go with that. Actually, this post is really just an excuse to ogle some items on my ever-growing ASOS Curve wishlist. The totals make it pretty clear why this is just a VIRTUAL shopping trip.



1. "Puss in Boots"

ASOS curve swing dress with pussybow $44, curve tights $8, red light ankle boots, $75, ASOS neoprene tote, $20, River Island crystal earrings $12.$159.

2. "Juiced Couture"

 

ASOS curve viscose-nylon kick flare pant (in lengths), $43, hammered crepe hip length jacket, chartreuse, $78, faux suede brogues, $40 river island earrings, $15. $176.

3. "Wine Me Up"

 

ASOS curve soft drape jacket, $78, spear bib necklace, $21, easy leather ankle boots in oxblood, $58, junarose vest midi dress, $26, kenneth jay lane ball drop earrings, $15. $198.

4. "Knot Now"

 

ASOS curve peplum top knot detail, $63, wide leg viscose pants, $43, jumble suede look flatforms, $55, Kenneth Jay Lane spike earrings, $20. $181.

5. "Pretty Polygon"

 

ASOS curve v neck swing dress, longer length, $50, crop leggings, $16, New Look Jingy orange asymmetrical flats, $24, and Finchittida Finch Cow Bell Earrings, $10, Becksondergaard C-Diva Star Warm Blush Scarf, $20. $104.

And in case you are wondering, especially with the last outfit: no, my workplace does not have a clothing policy, lucky me. But I spend a good deal of work time making presentations, so being pulled together, if not exactly dressed up, is a priority, right along with my own standards of work appropriateness (which for me = no armpits, knees or significant cleavage on display ) comfort and ease (low heel or flat shoes, low or mid heel boots, leggings or tights are ok, but no panty hose or spanx, nothing that requires constant adjustment or fiddling to look right--except lippy)

Listen to the Wedding Belle (and Reply)

I got a lovely reply from the Wedding Belle, that also told me a bit more about her taste and style:

I think I like the construction of #1 best, the overall look of # 2, and the colour and accessories of #4, although I'm a bit timid about putting a bunch or ruching/pleating on my chest,  I also like #3 and #8.  . . . I am fairly pale, dark eyes, sable coloured hair, which I highlight silver.  Yellow kinds of wash me out, and I think I look best in medium bright colours.  My favorite neutrals are taupe, black, and bittersweet chocolate, which is really hard to find. Actually, I think of wine/burgundy as a kind of neutral as well, since I have so much of it. I'm a nurse, so mostly I wear scrubs, and always feel a little awkward when I'm out of them. P.S LOVE the necklaces and little sweaters!!!  

OK. This is how I'm reading the response:
 'construction of #1' = simple, a bit tailored
 'overall look of #2' = classic, ladylike, elegant (ditto 'love necklaces and little sweaters') w/emphasis on neutrals and texture
'colour and accessories of #4' = rich details, warm brights, purple family

So with these things in mind, I've put together a couple more outfits, the first two based on more simply styled dresses. These can be easily dressed up or down (as in, pumps and pearls to sandals and sunnies), so it is less likely they'll just sit in the closet after the wedding is over.



1. "Wine Red Rose"

Eshakti Adelyn dress, $49 w/custom size (sale); 

Amazon, MIA ‘Sweetness’ flat, burgundy suede, $99; jessica mcclintock black satin clutch, $18; Etsy, petite black crystal flower charm necklace, KandiRockss, $13, petite jet drop earrings, CrownJewelsGoddess, $1. $180 sans ship. (ouch! but love those shoes)

2. "Lady Takes a Bow"

Eshakti ‘Jessica’ dress in black poplin, $56 ; Ashley Stewart crop shrug cardi, black, 30% off, $17; 6 PM Fergalicious Alana flat (which I now really want for myself), $23; Etsy, black patent clutch, steelcityvintage, $13, handmade faux pearl earrings with black fabric bows, JewelrybyAshNicole, $12, white pearl necklace, goodglasspearl, $7. $128 sans ship.

3. "Rich in Rose”

OSP, Jessica London lace dress $30 w/50% off coupon (check retail me not) ; Ashley Stewart crop shrug cardi, black, 30% off, $17; 6 PM Bloch Noverre Court pink flats, $50; ASOS New Look Necklace, $12;  Etsy, floral pink beaded bag, GraphikMania, $22. $130 sans ship.

In Your Shoes

Another note!

I also have a wedding coming up, but have a special problem in that I am very hard to fit for shoes, with huge feet that are wide too and require orthotics. I can't wear anything higher than 7 cm so the cute flats and heels you feature aren't something I can wear. Is there any way to make granny shoes look stylish?

And it came with two pictures (no site credits, but the top is Aetrex Rose and the bottom is Hush Puppy Brooke).

 
 

Actually, I'd call these (especially the second ones) simple and classic. My own gran had great style (even when elderly and no longer able to sew as she'd done for most of her life, she could go into a thrift shop and come out with a great outfit). She would definitely have worn the second one. And I'm no granny myself, but I think the first one has a great vintage vibe (and is the only one of the two I could wear, since I don't walk in anything over 5 cm/2 inches).

There is no way of making a very casual shoe, say with chunky sole and big buckle and buttons, lots of large-scale top-stitching, etc. look dressy (funky and stylish, yes, dressy, no) but that isn't a problem with these. They can be a base of operations, so to speak, for a number of different looks. Maybe not the cruising-a-1970s-singles-bar or dicing-at-Vegas-circa-1989 look that influences some wedding styles (yes, I've been googling again) but if that were the goal you wouldn't be talking to me, lol.




1. "Tulle Time"

Eshakti ‘grace’ dress in spring green w/black tulle detail, $49 (on sale); your hush puppy heels with tulle roses (Etsy handmade from rosecarmen, $5 --plus shoe clip blanks, DIYBridalSupplies $3); Etsy vintage velvet satin evening bag, $35, handmade lace + glass bead earrings, SofiaFerreiraDesigns, $9. $101 sans shipping.

2. "Take a Bow in Stripes"

 Eshakti ‘show your stripes’ a-line dress, $57 (on sale); your hush puppy shoes with Etsy handmade bow shoe clips, AtelierAppasionata, $25, vintage bangle with rhinestones, Vintageandnature, $15, ‘50s crystal-studded clutch, LovedThreads, $26, silver plate rhinestone earrings, HipCrafts, $13. $136 sans shipping.

3. "More Glam than Gran"

Eshakti cotton poplin fit and flare dress, $58 (sale) with your Aetrex Rose shoes (somebody else’s feet, though); Torrid fishnet stockings, $15; Etsy, black velvet beaded clutch, MacaroniVintage, $25, handmade neo-victorian necklace, SilverTrumpetJewelry, $45 with neo-victorian earrings, $25. $168 sans ship.

4. "East Virginia"

Eshakti, deep navy cotton Virginia dress, $42; Etsy, Hmong clutch purse, TawanShine, $19, ornate statement choker, handforever, $6, vintage dupatta scarf/shawl, queensclub, $15, handmade petite ‘palace’ earrings, CobblestoneAvenue, $15. $97 sans ship. 

Laced Up

I meant this to be a post on different lace pieces, but I got stuck on one dress. Its colour is very vintage as is its fit and flare shape with a gored skirt. But best of all, it is lined in cotton/spandex instead of polyester like most lace items around now. Currently backordered on OSP--with no reviews to date, so I don't know whether it fulfills its promise.



  1."Lacey Days"

 

(cropped jean jacket see previous) OSP Jessica London Lace Dress (nylon lace over cotton/spandex, up to US28), $60; AS0S flats $24; Etsy upcycled necklace, VintageDelightsToo, $60 and vintage tapestry clutch, brooksandthurman, $6 ($150).

2. "Lovelace"

 

ASOS, Johnny Loves Rosie Amelie Necklace, (sale) $41 and print platforms, (sale) $74; Etsy, vintage thai silk purse, memovintage, $32 ($147)
 

 3. "(Not Exactly) Lavender and Lace"

(Ashley Stewart cropped cardigan see previous—not fuzzy like it looks here, BTW!) ETSY vintage purple shoes, kickassvintage, $56, handmade hmong bag, ThaiHandbags, $19, handmade necklace, BijouxForest, $25. ($100 total).

4. "Lace Into Autumn"

Etsy, vintage embroidered suede boots, TRIPPandFAWL, $79 and vintage brooch, BabalousTutu, $7, knit bag, LaVieBoeretroos $35 ; We love color rust tights, $9; Jessica London v-neck cardigan, $30 ($160)



5. "Laziest Lace"

ASOS, London Rebel sandals, $27, New Look Trilby, $18, Orelia bead cluster necklace, $24; Jessica London poplin shirt, $30; Etsy vintage fossil bag, TheWhitePelican, $20. ($119)



6. "I'm Ready for My Closeup, Mr. DeMille"

ASOS, embroidered back kimono $88 and sunglasses, $25; Etsy, vintage fan, StyledinJapan, $8 and sautoir necklace, MaisonettedeMadness, $25. ($146)

7. "Lady in Lace"

Amazon, BC Footwear T-Strap, $55 and ivory 8” brim hat, $35; Etsy handmade silk scarf, louisetaylordesigns, $53 and vintage clutch, ChocolateBoxCottage, $8. ($151)

In a Plaid Mood

I hate acrylic. So in the winter I look for wool. There isn't much of it (new, anyway) in plus sizes. What there is, is often . . . plaid. Which I like. In theory. Sort of.


1. "Not Too Plaid"

OSP, Jessica London wool-blend plaid skirt $30 (up to sz 28) and cotton rib-knit turtleneck $40; Etsy, vintage high heel wing tips, WORNandWENT, $33 and vintage black tooled leather purse, MPRailroadCo, $25; ASOS reclaimed vintage glasses, $29 ($157 total).

2. "Raving Plaid"

OSP, Jessica London wool plaid jacket, $50; any old jeans (pictured: ASOS curve flare $43); ASOS rainbow/unicorn tee $31; Etsy vintage bangle AngiezillasBoutique $8, vintage keds, wolfmamavintage, $24 and handmade floral tote, tavatotes, $23; ASOS sunglasses, $22 ($158 total)

An uncharacteristically restrained combo:

3) "In Plaid Faith"

 

OSP, Jessica London Cotton Cashmere boatneck tunic, $30; ASOS plaid shoes $63; yoursclothing black twill jeans $36; Etsy handmade tote, BuildMakeDo, $28. ($158ish)


4) "The Good, The Plaid, and the Snuggly"

Autograph Australia dress, viscose knit in graphite (goes up to their size 26/xl, which equals a 34w/4x on the one stop plus ‘easy fit’ chart—struth! Yet in most cases AUS sizes are pretty much the same as UK. I know I'm not the first to say this--or the 918273645,000,000th, even, but why is this stuff so complicated?) $70; OSP Jessica London wool jacket already in my fantasy wardrobe (!); Etsy, vintage boots (cheating a little with these as I think they'd be a bit small on me, but don't they look great?), NuMoonVintage, $26 and vintage so fugly-it’s-totally-adorable leather-ish slouch bag, alicksandraflin, $8, upcycled wool infinity scarf, DentOnVintage, $15, handmade clay bead necklace, HaniaMarysia, $10. ($129 total) And BTW this is really how I tend to dress, because I dislike fiddling with things like buttons, zips, belts, ties, etc.

5) "When A Good Girl Goes Plaid"

(See previous for Jessica London wool skirt and Yoursclothing UK blouse)Chunky mary jane heels from Etsy vintage shop, RevengeOfTheDress, $42, and also from Etsy, handmade custom-length black leather belt, AngelGrace, $20, NOS attitudinous pewter bulldog belt buckle (with red enamel eyes and a shiny black nose!), MilkaCervenka, $25; OSP woman within cropped denim jacket, $35 ($122).

6) "Sometimes I have Plaid Dreams" 

 

(Already in wardrobe: Jessica London fit and flare ponte dress, yours clothing black leggings and denim jacket) From etsy, aaaaa-maaaazing! vintage plaid boots, ironorchidvintage, $48, 1970s kimono clutch, StyledinJapan, $28, navy red gold origami earrings, HelloCamellia, $16. ($92 total)

 And here's a bit of summer for those on the other side of the world.

7) "Taking the Good With the Plaid"

 

OSP, plaid muk luks sneakers, $34, Jessica London cotton godet dress (comes in petite plus up to 28, too!) $40, and Woman Within cropped denim jacket in spot print $35; Etsy vintage lucite bangle, TracysVintageJewelry, $12 and vintage tote SweetShopVintage, $11; ASOS Rio Necklace $29 ($161-- but couldn't resist the necklace!)