That is FABULOUS! The rule about turtlenecks? well, they always cover up aging necks and elongate torsos and look sophisticated! That's the rule, wear them and look fabulous!!!! (think Katherine Hepburn!)

Thank you Pennink and Revcharlie! I appreciate both inputs ...

Hey, pen! What a fun thread!
WELCOME to CO, citruskiss! I LOVE living here!

From your descriptions, you might want to check out Coldwater Creek. I don't know where in the state you are, but I do know there are at least 2 stores in the Denver area... http://www.coldwatercreek.com

Sherry

Well.... I have just been appointed fashion consultant for our 'parenting magazine!' Whooohoooooo.

First column coming soon!

I have done fashion tips for pregnant women in another one, so this is such fun!

Much congratulations but does this mean you won't write here? Copyright problems?

Pennik, I wish you could drop by and go shopping with me! Oklahoma isn't that far. My problem is trying to put something around my saddlebag thighs. No matter what I try on, they seem to protrude. I'm down to a size 12 now and the lower rise slacks just seem to accent the saddlebags AND the protruding veins in my legs must be covered by slacks. We've got 3-4 months til you need to come to Oklahoma, though, cause I need to get rid of 20 more lbs before I buy permanent clothes. See you then!

well, it's gonna be online, so i'll give you the link when it's published. but this is so different here... we're all changing our bodies and have such a huge amount to learn about what looks good on our new bodies. It's much more difficult than for people who have the same body all the time. Gee, lucky ducks.

oh wait... NO we're the lucky ones!!!! whoohoooo!!!!!!


Cher... saddle bag thighs... i hear ya girl! SPANX!!!!!!! and keep the interest up at your torso with colours and keep the pants dark. higher the heel the more the legs will stretch out and look longer (match the colour/tone of the shoes to the pant for longer leg length)

Congratulations and I'll be looking forward to your columns. I sew and need to start building a wardrobe in a smaller size (Yay!). I know my colors (usually not what's in fashion--I'm definitely a spring!) and I want to design my own styles. I have been thinking of the forties look but also like casual. I'm sixty--don't look it by all accounts--more like late 40s or early 50s (thanks to good genes and 20 years of Alaska rain and clouds).

congrats Penni

Congrats Penni!!!!!

Penni - another belt question for you. I'm t-totally into the wide-belt-high-on-the-waist look. I have two that I just wear all the time, black and red. From what you are seeing in fall fashions, do you think that style of belt will still be in for fall or are we going back to belts that fall a bit below the natural waist?

I'm actually wearing my black belt today with a brown top (untucked) and a black skirt both in a swishy-clingy type fabric. I've had more compliments on my figure than I can count today.

OH the more belts the merrier from what I've seen. Some cool ones, too. Wide backs, then two narrow belts to hold them (but there's a gap between where the wide belt stops and the thin ones run across your tummy---mmmm, clear as mud, eh?)

Big belts define a small waist! Don't you just eat up the compliments!!!!!?? love them.

Jeans link...

http://www.makeyourownjeans.com/

Thanks, pennink, for the great advice. At least, now I know what to start looking for when I'm shopping. I did get some great spanx body shapers from, of all places, an Avon catalog. They are the ones that go just below the knee and actually pull it all together and make me almost a whole size smaller! What about length of suit jackets? Should I go for the new shorter style or with the longer length to try to camoflag (sp) the saddlebags??

shorter length jackets, sorry to say, would extenuate them.

Think fingertip, tailored. some detail on the jacket away from the bottom of course, would be awesome. interesting lapels, embroidery, heck, even the 'hot' snaps and zipper looks work great.