Recently, I’ve tried to decide whether or not to buy a French message shirt or sweater. They’re a hot trend … and rather fun.
Many “fashion don’t” lists for middle-age women suggest we just say no to clothing with writing after 40!
But I saw this cute “Holy Chic!” sweater and the fashion rebel in me had to have it. To make matters even worse, it was from Forever 21! I could just see Stacy London and Clinton Kelly (formerly of What Not To Wear) shaking their heads at me!
But I’ve never been a big believer in fashion rules. Us mid-life fashionistas all have such different personalities, body shapes, and lifestyles, that it’s too hard to find one-size-fits-all rules. I was going to decide for myself what I felt confident wearing and what was age appropriate for me. (More on this subject in my post – “Fun with Fashion at 47”)
I also tend to spend more money on classics that I’ll have for years and try to go for bargains when it comes to passing trends. This Forever 21 sweater was a steal!
So, I ordered the sweater online and started thinking of how to style it, quite sure that the mini skirt shown in the F21 ad would not be part of my personal look!
Here’s a couple of looks that I came up with:
Cream moto jacket, rolled up skinny jeans, comfy flats, and a red purse for a pop of color.
This was my favorite look of the few that I tried.
For a bit more glam: a long red coat, boot cut trouser jeans, and zebra boots.
(It just wouldn’t be my blog without a doggy photo bomb pic!)
And how about this leopard scarf with it?
So, it’s not for everyone, but I love my new Holy Chic sweater! If you give this trend a try and post on Instagram. tag me @fashionshouldbefun !
And remember …. fashion really should be FUN!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
17 Comments
Oh, you can TOTALLY pull off this sweater!! I think the "appropriateness" of a piece isn't always just about the piece itself, but about how you style it…since the items you've paired it with are quite sophisticated (your leather moto; the leopard scarf;) the graphic sweater just adds a pop of fun!! Love it!!
http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.com
Thanks so much, Monika! I totally admire your style, so that means a lot to me!
OXOX
Aww…thanks Dawn!! I just LOVE putting together my "day off" looks, and I started my blog as a true personal style diary!! Sharing my diary and "meeting" like-minded women from around the world is proving to be an amazing experience!! 🙂
Hi Dawn,
Thanks for stopping by A Pear Shaped Gal .. ah, yes the pear shape .. what a challege. I do finally have a good stack of jeans that work, but need more skirts .. and dress pants.
Looking forward to reading more of your posts.
Oh, also check out Natalie at http://whenlifehandsyouapear.wordpress.com/ .. she's a pear too !!
Monica, http://www.pear-shaped-gal.com
I'm so glad to connect with some fashionable pears! I'd like to do some posts especially for us eventually. I will check out Natalie's blog as well. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and commenting!
I have a tres chic sweater from F21. I love it. Go for it. You did well & look great 🙂
Thanks so much, Dear! Love your blog!
Very sassy – and chic! Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday.
Thanks, Patti! I'm very happy to participate in Visible Monday!
I really think you wear it well! Love it paired with the animal print scarf. I think most of the silly rules are guidelines for people who just don't get style or fashion and don't want to have to think about it. I love Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb's take on it: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/155303887123019927/
Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting! Love your blog!
Love this post. Very cute sweater. Forever 21 is great for that. I always thought it was for young girls, but then I got to know a lady with amazing style and she often found cool things there..SO sometimes you can find something really trendy or fun there you cannot get anywhere else. Summer especially is good for dresses there I think.
Love your leopard scarf too!
Sorry I am so late to read! xo Kim
Thanks so much, Kimi! I totally admire your style and always love to get your input! Don't worry … I won't go F21 crazy or anything … but a fun thing here and there can work, right? 😀
I have been thinking about the idea of a sweater with french writing myself and have resisted it…I love this and your sticking your nose up and those rules that wish to put us in a box! I love going to the F21 store and meeting other women my age!!!!
Yay for us fashion rebels! We decide what we feel good in!
A sly sense of humor is never inappropriate … it's what's being said, n'est ce pas?
As you've been assured, it's how you wear it and you managed it perfectly. I love it. Would have been quite different in a pair of Daisy Dukes and with Doc Martins below. There's something sophisticated about any reference to French style that grown up women wear better than very young women, anyway. You own this very nicely! Made me smile.
Aww, thanks so much, Jan! It crossed my mind to do a "don't" look for this sweater … Daisy Dukes and Doc Martins would definitely been a laugh! But I couldn't stand the thought of that pic being out there in the blog-o-sphere! Hee hee! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and for the nice compliments!