From Suits to Sass: Redefining Style Over 50

A

you're new here, welcome. And if you're a regular listener, you

know the deal. We're about to dive into something good.

Last time we talked about body positivity

and feeling amazing in your own skin.

It was such a great conversation, and I loved hearing your

feedback and personal stories. Today, we're

going to extend that conversation into how

we can express ourselves through personal style.

Hey, friend. Ever feel like those old fashioned

ideas about aging just don't fit you? If you're ready to

own this incredible chapter with grace, style, and a touch of

sass, this is your space. Welcome to the aging with

grace and style podcast. I'm Valerie Hatcher, and I'm here

with empowering tips, inspiring stories, and a whole lot of

fun just for us, women over 50. So grab

your favorite beverage, turn up the volume, and let's get

started.

Have I told you that I'm a certified image consultant?

I was certified years a, and, at that time, I primarily

focused on business or professional dress and image.

I studied style, body type, color, etcetera,

you know, everything that was necessary to become certified.

At one point, I considered transitioning to becoming a stylist

to dress people, and I shadowed a well

renowned stylist in Dallas. And to this day, he is

still my favorite in the industry. But

I say all that to say, I've

reached back into my memory, dusted some stuff off to

ensure that it's relevant today, and

pulled it all together for this episode.

So what exactly is personal style?

Well, it's more than the clothes that

you wear. It's not about

blindly following trends or copying someone else's look.

It's about discovering what makes you feel confident and

comfortable and totally authentic. It

reflects your personality, your values, and the journey that

you've been on. Think of it as

your unique fashion fingerprint or your

signature. It tells the world about who

you are without you having to say a word.

And when you nail it, it can boost your

confidence, make getting dressed a breeze, and even

spark conversations and connections. On

social, I've seen some over 50 ladies

who truly rock and embrace their style, and

I absolutely love it.

Now I know you might be thinking, but Valerie,

I don't have a style. Well, trust me, you do.

It's just waiting to be unearthed. And the cool thing

is with doesn't have to be boxed in.

You might be a mix of a couple Style. That's where

I really am right now, but the good thing is

there are no rules. So how do we

go about finding our personal style, especially

after 50? Well, it starts

with a bit of reflection. Think about

different phases that you've gone through in your life. For instance,

you might have had a professional career phase where

your wardrobe was filled with suits and business

attire. Perhaps you had a phase of raising

children where comfort and practicality took a.

Or maybe you went through a period of self discovery where

you tried out various styles and trends.

Each of these phases leaves an imprint on your

personal style. Reflect on what

elements from these phases still resonate with you.

Did you love the structured blazers from your professional days,

or did you find joy in the casual, comfortable

clothing from your time at home?

Next, take a look into your

wardrobe. Now here's a practical exercise.

Go to your closet, pull out the items

that you absolutely love.

These are the pieces that you reach for time and time again because

they make you feel good. Lay them out and look at

them. What do they have in common? Is

it the color palette? Maybe lots of

neutrals or bold a. Or if you're like me, it

could be a lot of black. Is it the fit,

tailored, loose, or a mix? For

me, if it's a dress, then it's

likely going to be above the knee. And most who know me,

though, know that I like wearing tastefully short

dresses. I guess you could say that's really part of my

personal style. Or when you're there and you've pulled

out your your your things and you're looking to see what they have in common,

is it the fabric? Do you prefer

natural fabrics like cotton and linen, or

do you like the feel of silk and satin?

For example, you might pull out a

well fitted pair of jeans, a

soft cashmere sweater, and a bright

patterned scarf. These items can tell a lot

about your preferences. You like comfort,

you like a touch of luxury with the cashmere,

and you like a pop of color. Now

you can move to gathering some inspiration.

Dive into Pinterest or fashion blogs,

magazines, social media, really Hatcher

gets you excited and gets those creative juices flowing.

Create a style mood board or a Pinterest

board and add a collection of images,

colors, and textures that just make your heart skip a

beat. Now for the fun part of this exercise

is try stepping outside of your

comfort zone. Visit boutiques,

try on different outfits, and see how they make you

feel. You'll never know until you try.

Try on those bold prints or that unexpected

silhouette. If you're if you usually wear,

let's say, an a line dress, then maybe try

on something that's a bit more a. But that's

only if you feel comfortable and if it's the right cut

for your body. If you don't feel comfortable and confident, then ditch

it. For you, it could be instead

of always wearing solids, adding some

print, such as a blouse or a sweater or a

jacket. It could be adding color if you're usually

somebody who wears neutral colors often.

You might be surprised by what you discover.

Remember, personal style, it's a journey. It's

not a destination, and there are no rules. It's

about what makes you feel confident and happy. And

it's totally okay for it to

evolve just as you do. So

to make this journey even easier, I got a little secret

weapon for you. It's a personal style quiz.

I'll link it in the show notes, but it's a super fun and quick way

to figure out your dominant style.

There are so many ways that styles are

classified out there, but I want it to be quick and

simple. So my quiz focuses on casual

and comfortable, trendy and fashionable,

sporty and functional, and elegant and sophisticated.

Knowing yours can help you curate a wardrobe that

feels authentically you. But remember,

these types, they're not rigid boxes. You

actually might be a mix of a few. Here

are brief a few brief descriptions of the ones that I

mentioned. Now the quiz goes into more detail.

Casual and comfortable. It's relaxed clothing

that allows you to move freely and and at ease.

Think comfortable jeans,

trendy and fashionable, bold,

vibrant, and always on point. Think

bright colors and bold patterns.

Sporty and functional. Kind of sporty and

active. So think dress up or dress down, like some

chic joggers. And then there's elegant and

sophisticated, which is timeless Sass

cuts and high quality fabrics. Think

tailored pieces. Once you

have a good grasp on your style type,

we can talk about building a versatile wardrobe.

The magic lies in a capsule wardrobe, which is a

collection of essential pieces that can be mixed and matched

to create a multitude of outfits. Think of

it as a fashion puzzle where every

piece fits perfectly together.

Here are a few tips to get you started. Number 1,

invest in key pieces. Think of

timeless items that you can mix and Hatcher, a

classic blazer, well fitted jeans,

a versatile,

neutral tops that will go with most things.

These pieces, they can form the foundation of

your wardrobe, and they can be dressed up or down depending on

the occasion. Number 2 is to

accessorize. So accessories can

elevate an outfit and add a personal touch that's

unique to you. So when I say unique to you,

an example would be I'll use me. I'm not

a person who likes big jewelry. I'm pretty simple in that

area. And 9 out of 10 times, you're going to see me

with a v initial necklace

or a butterfly necklace. Now I might

layer with another necklace, something longer, but it's still

pretty much going to be simple. Scarves,

jewelry, and handbags, they also are great ways to

experiment with trends without having to overhaul

your entire wardrobe. And 3 would be

tailoring. Fit is crucial. A well

fitted outfit can make a world of difference, so don't

hesitate to take your clothes to a tailor. It's a small

investment that can greatly enhance how your clothes look

and feel on you. Sometimes just buying off the

Grace doesn't work from a fit perspective.

Maybe if you buy off the rack, may it could be

fit right in the waist, but it may not

fit right elsewhere. Or there are

times when they may fit in the hips, but then the waist is too big,

or a jacket may not hug your body the way it should.

So taking your items to a tailor can make a big

difference. And remember, quality

over quantity is key. Invest in pieces

that you truly love that will stand the test of

time. Now when I talk about quantity,

I do need to use my own or take my own advice. I

have quantity in my

closet. It is quality, and they are

most of them pieces that I truly a. But I do

need to do, an assessment a need to do the same thing.

And I said, we go through phases, and Because Sass I said, we go through

phases, and I think I'm in a different phase right now. So my style has

changed, which will allow me the opportunity to get rid of some things that I

need to get rid of. So let's talk about some

inspirational figures who have nailed their personal style.

Women like the late Iris Apfel, who was

known for her bold, eclectic a,

combining vibrant colors and patterns, and always had the

coolest eyeglass frames. I loved to see

her style on social. Then here's a blast from the

past. Diane von Furstenberg, who exemplified,

chic and sophisticated style with her iconic rap

dress. And, of course, another blast from the past is

Jane Fonda, who embraces this classic

yet modern style that exudes confidence and

grace. A, no, it's not just

celebrities who can expire inspire us.

I get a lot of inspiration from everyday

people just like you and me. Actually, I would

love to hear from you. Share your personal style stories with

me. What pieces make you feel

fabulous? How has your style evolved over

the years? You know you can connect with me on social

media at I am Valerie Hatcher.

Okay. Before we end, it's time for a

few key takeaways. Personal

style is your superpower. It's a way to

express your unique personality and boost your

confidence. It's not about following

trends, but about creating a wardrobe

that feels authentically you. So

here's your homework. Take that style quiz

that I've linked in the show notes. And I can't wait to hear

what you discover. Also, look at

your wardrobe this week and find a that

truly represent your style. And

remember, personal style is a journey is not a

race and embrace the process,

have fun with it. And don't be afraid to experiment.

Until next time, shine your bright light and

rock that personal style with confidence. Remember,

to keep your Aging your best life with grace,

style, and a touch of Sass. And I say all that to

say, girl, just stay stylish.

Thanks for hanging out with me today. I hope you're feeling

inspired and ready to own your awesomeness. I

love sharing this space with you. And if you of today's

episode, do me a favor, share it with a friend who

could use some extra inspiration. A quick rating

and review really helps too. Don't forget to

subscribe so you never miss an episode. Let's

keep this conversation going. Head over to

pod.aging with grace and style.com to sign

up for my newsletter. Until next time, keep shining

with grace, style, and a whole lot of

sass.