The Arms Are The Last To Go

I am not overly neurotic about my looks.  I own being 63. I'm fit enough, though not a fitness fanatic. I eat and drink what I like, but I do moderate myself when needed. I weigh 10 more pounds than I did twenty years ago. To keep it real, I weigh 130.  I have not had any cosmetic procedures. I'm healthy.

Jane Fonda is a role model - She is 5'8" tall and almost anorexic thin (she has talked about her eating disorder when she was a young starlet) - The wrap style dress would be flattering on many of us - It's Versace

Still I am 63, and there are certain things that I could wear, but I don't wear. Certain things age on everybody no matter what. You can get a face lift, a body job, Botox, fillers, etc. You can diet and do yoga or go to the gym. You can get sleep. You can be a happy person. But your age is your age no matter what.

Illusion sleeves have to fit perfectly

Sequins can add bulk unless you and they are super fine

I tried this Jessica Simpson dress but sadly it made me look bulky and the lining was not sewn in properly

I love this black and white dress

You can get a knock off from Teri Jon

I find one thing is very hard to alter - well actually two things: Arms. They can be toned with exercise, but something happens to the quality of the skin, and arms get old looking, no mater if they are fat or thin. Some women don't care, and go sleeveless. I prefer to cover up. No more strapless gowns for me, or halter tops, or tank tops, or even short sleeve tops. The 3/4 sleeve is now my shortest sleeve.

Helen Mirren is my size, 5'4" - She added pink hair to her red carpet arsenal

Satins and taffeta can be tricky

A black knit elevates the color

There has to be just the right amount of fabric in a full skirt

Your skin on the decolletage cannot be wrinkly

Attitude is the best accessory

Recently I had to buy a red carpet style evening gown. Finding one with sleeves that did not look maw-maw, or mother-of-the-bride in the worst possible way, was no easy shopping chore.

Every generation has their role models, and for me I look to the celebrities who are near my age to see what they wear. They have all the money in the world, they have designers offering custom made dresses to them, and they have the benefit of all kinds of stylists. My line-up consists of Jane Fonda (75), Helen Mirren (67), Susan Sarandon (66), Sally Fields (66), Glenn Close (65), and Meryl Streep (63).

Susan Sarandon has started to cover up her arms

Knits are young

Glenn Close wrapped her arms in tulle

Glenn Close working tricky taffeta and a tux jacket

Meryl Streep tried a bustier and a bolero

Jane pulled off tricky cut outs - Make sure they are lined if you do this

Meryl in Lanvin sequins - I think it looks bulky

Sally Fields 2013 Oscars - She is 5'3" - I think the dress could have been fitted better

Meryl in metallic

Angelina often wears long sleeves -  Knock offs at Celebrity Dresses 100

I haven't bought a new evening dress in a few years. And on a recent shopping trip, I learned a few things. Sequins can add bulk. Taffeta is death. Satin is death. Chiffon can add bulk if there is too much of it, and it goes maw- maw fast. Illusion sleeves are good, but have to fit perfectly, not too tight, or worse not too loose. Lace can be great if it's over a modern silhouette. Surprisingly, jersey type fabrics are the most flattering (just think of a Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress). Boleros are tricky. Cleavage is okay if the skin on your decolletage is not wrinkly. Spanx is tricky, and can cause more visual harm than good. Black is great, but can be sad. Colors are tricky - you have know which flatter you, and more important which do not. Nudes and whites are extra tricky. Metallic can be great.

I like this lace dress from Teri Jon

I ended up with a so-so dress.  A knit dress in purple, with jeweled straps, and a soft drape of fabric to one side at the waist. Five years ago I would have worn it without the matching bolero jacket. I plan to have it remodeled a bit, and take the 3/4 sleeves from the jacket and add them to the dress. The jacket paired with the dress "ages" it.

Celebrity 100 Lady Gaga dress

If I had all the money in the world I would wear Versace. But I don't. I found a very interesting site that replicates celebrity dresses. They have a ton of Helen Mirrens. No Jane Fondas. One Glenn Close. One Sally Fields. I saw many hot long sleeve dresses there that Angelina Jolie wears. It's interesting how this young woman favors sleeves.

Ha ha - My "Red Carpet" look at  masquerade party - I did lavender hair instead of pink

Any thoughts or insights you would like to share?

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