You’re over 40 but, man, you’re not ready for a pocketbook and a matching polyester outfit. I’m finding that I’m really starting to enjoy fashion in my 40s. The upside is that I know quality and appreciate it. I can also probably afford it yet I still know the best places to get deals. The downside is that my body is in its 40s and unfortunately doesn’t look like and can’t wear the same things I wore in my 20s or even my 30s.
But I have a specific look in mind for the fall and I went on a search to find what I needed to complete that look. And luckily, the weather in Hershey, PA this past weekend cooperated just enough to let me put it to the test.
At first glance, you might question this choice of outfits. I mean, I’m wearing a wine glass as a necklace. Well, I was enjoying myself at The Hotel Hershey Wine & Food Festival but if you’re not at a wine festival, I’d probably skip that necklace. You might get awkward stares.
This is more of the look I was going for. Let’s start with the top. It’s a white tunic top that I picked up from an Old Navy Outlet recently for probably close to $15. It is white so I did question my choice while I was running around sipping samples of red wine. But the tunic is your friend!! It covers it all and looks stylish to boot! And if it’s a little too see-throughy for you, just put a cami or tank underneath.
On the bottom, I’m wearing skinny jeans. And the great thing about skinny jeans is you don’t have to be skinny to wear them!! If you’re like me, a little thicker in the middle but with shapely legs, this is the perfect look for you. I’m wearing my favorite pair which is from Rock & Republic.
BUT I CAN’T AFFORD ROCK & REPUBLIC! you say. Oh, I hear you, girl. That’s why I bought these at Kohl’s on the clearance rack a few years ago for less than $20.
And I also have to give a special shout out to my new Stella & Dot necklace that I love, love, love (thanks, Gillian!). It’s their Signature Engraveable Disc Necklace with the initials of my family F (Fadra), E (Evan), S (Sean). And then my son pointed out that FES are also the initials for his elementary school. So now I look like I’m really devoted to his school.
And finally, let’s talk shoes. I’ve finally fulfilled my desire to have ankle boots, thanks to Vionic. One day, a magical email showed up in my inbox asking me if I’d like to review a pair of their shoes. And I went straight to the ankle booties and asked YOUR opinion on one of these three choices.
And you all had opinions. Personally, I liked all three but there was a strong push for the gray wedges. In the end, I went for the Upton Ankle Bootie in Taupe because it was the only one of the three that came in a wide width (I tend to need bigger and/or wider sizes for boots).
I gave them the once over, noting that these are all leather, which is something I look for in boots, made in China, but seemingly high quality construction.
But the real value and test of these boots and the reason OPRAH loves them is the Vio-Motion technology. Yes, I’m over 40. No, I’m not ready for ugly orthotic shoes. But I do like to be comfortable while I look good. Without going into all the details, the orthaheel is biomechanically engineered to hug your arches, which supports natural alignment. It’s better for your overall alignment and, of course,  your feet.
They looked good, no doubt. They completed my outfit just as I intended. But could I give them the cute but comfortable endorsement? I walked all day at a wine festival sitting down only once. And then I went to the outlet mall in Hershey. And then I walked around Hershey’s Chocolate World. And you know what? By the end of the day, my feet were hurting. But whose feet wouldn’t be hurting after all that? It wasn’t until we got in the car to drive home that I realized my feet were ready for a rest. After hours on my feet, wearing heels, and not even thinking about my feet until the end of the day, I’d say that’s a pretty good endorsement.
So I put my feet up, enjoyed the ride home, all while admiring the new, amazing Coach bag I got for a steal at the outlet mall. But I’ll save that for another day.
Vionic provided me a complimentary pair of shoes of my choosing to facilitate this review. The Upton Ankle Bootie retails for $159.95. Head to their site to read my customer review on fit and comfort.
3 comments
I need to go look for that tunic! I got a pair of Rock & Republic jeans for about $20 on Kohl’s clearance, too! I don’t usually go for anything with a heel, but those boots are tempting.
They have a ton of them in different colors too. I’m thinking I need to get more for myself! As for the heel, I really didn’t even notice them until the end of the day and then OF COURSE my feet were hurting. You know, Ilina, right? I think she said she wore them all over India!
I have been intrigued by the whole booty thing.. those are super cute and i like the look you put together, so maybe I’ll look for some when I’m out shopping!