Welcome to the fab 40's.
I am delighted to be part of a group of international bloggers, called The fab 40's.The purpose of the group is to show how eight, very different, women interpret a specific style.
Each month there is a new theme chosen by one of the group.
This diverse group proves that being 40(+) does not mean you have to be dowdy, frumpy, boring or forgettable.
Boho
This month the theme was boho.As someone who often leans towards a boho-feel, this should be easy...
Right?
Well, thankfully, yes.
This boho theme is something I could sink my teeth into!
{I have struggled with the theme in the past}
I had many different options to go for, so it was easy to chose this exceptionally comfortable outfit.
Perfect for travelling, or (in my case) a lazy day.
A maxi skirt, easy vest top, open cardigan and fringed scarf.
This simple look was all about comfort...
Which is the whole point of a boho look, in my mind.
A few layered necklaces, some plain (comfortable) sandals and my large fringed bag finished off the boho look perfectly,
Nothing says 'Boho' quite like a fringe!
LET'S SHOP FOR MAXI SKIRTS
BUT... hang on a minute...
Unfortunately, boho is not so easy to pull off, as we get older.
What once looked effortless and cute (in our 20's) starts to look a little bit 'crazy bag lady' as we clock up some milage.
How can we avoid looking like we are an unkempt, eccentric, middle-aged women who lives alone with 20 cats? (sorry cat lovers...20 dogs works too.)
Well, fear not!
I have 7 fabulous ladies here, to show you how it can be done.
Dawn Lucy from Fashion should be fun.
She is celebrating a 'big' birthday, and will be moving on to pastures new.
{I hope she has a Fab50's group in the pipeline... fingers crossed... I will definitely be following if she has, keep an eye on her blog}
I wish her all the best in this new chapter of life.
Dawn is rocking the fringe too, with a simple (and very wearable) look.
Frayed jeans and clogs (which I love), are two more classic boho items.
I would happily wear this tomorrow.
JEANS - Old Navy
SHOES - Zigi Soho
BAG - Carlos Santana
JEWELRY - Michal Golan, Salt California, Lucky Brand, & vintageSheela from Sheela writes.
Sheela is the queen of killer shoes.
Check out this fierce and fabulous footwear!
She manages to make sky-high shoes look effortless and carefree.
This mix of colours colours is soft and perfect for a boho vibe.
Did I mention those shoes?...
CARDIGAN & BAG - borrowed from her daughter, Eve.
DRESS (worn as tunic) - Daily Look
JEANS - Forever21
HAT & RINGS - Anthropologie, gifted
BRACELETS - Isabel Marant
SHOES - Amici
Daenel from Living outside the stacks.
Daenel is our guest blogger this month.
Her blog is full of life, thought and positivity.
Her look is super-feminine, but still ready for real life.
And, once again I have shoe envy.
Check out those wedges!
DRESS - Target
SKIRT - Thrifted
Bracelets & Necklace - Gifted
SHOES: Forever 21
Ann from Kremb de la Kremb
Ann is once again showing off her DIY talents.
She customised this bag, skirt and shoes.
You can find out how, on her blog (click on the links below).
She customised this bag, skirt and shoes.
You can find out how, on her blog (click on the links below).
I love how she is putting on her 'fierce' face here.
{You can't fool me Ann! X}
If this does not prove that you can be over 40 and still sexy as hell, I don't know what will!
GLASSES - Beach stall in Boracay
{You can't fool me Ann! X}
If this does not prove that you can be over 40 and still sexy as hell, I don't know what will!
EARRINGS-Amrapali, India
BAG - DIY (one of the most difficult DIYs I've ever attempted!)
TOP-Random boutique in Hong Kong
SKIRT -DIY from charity shop denim skirt
SHOES - DIYJennie from A pocketful of polka dots.
Jennie is someone who usually has a masculine twist to her looks but she is 'all woman' here.
The entire look is super-feminine and simply gorgeous.
Floaty, delicate and so simple.
Boho to the max, but not even a little bit 'eccentric'.
This is how it is done.
KIMONO - c/o Cold Water Creek
The entire look is super-feminine and simply gorgeous.
Floaty, delicate and so simple.
Boho to the max, but not even a little bit 'eccentric'.
This is how it is done.
DRESS - Vivid Collection of NY
Necklace, Bracelets, Sunnies - Charming Charlie
SHOES - Lucky BrandDiane from Fashion on the fourth floor.
Diane is such an inspiration to many women over 40.She is super-fit, super-friendly and a generally positive person.
Her style often involves trainers/sneakers (or gutties, here in Scotland) and a toned down vibe... easy to copy in real life.
This look is as effortless, and chic, as boho can get.
With that thrown on, but still incredibly stylish, feel.
I love it.
TOP- T Bags, Los Angeles
JEANS - Express
BAG - Express
RING - The Beadery on Main (yes, my hometown of Stillwater, Oklahoma)
NECKLACES - Urban Outfitters & Free People
SHOES: Old NavyMary from Curlybyrdie Chirps
Mary is someone who always looks elegant and feminine.
I was not at all surprised to see her in a fabulous dress!
I was not at all surprised to see her in a fabulous dress!
This is another simple look (dress, wedges and a tote) but with the pattern and colours it comes alive, and seems so much more.
Those platform wedges look perfect to me.
Height and comfort in one.
Those platform wedges look perfect to me.
Height and comfort in one.
DRESS - She In
SHOES - Ralph Lauren
BAG - Relic
NECKLACE - Jcpenny
Do you love the Boho look?
Or, is it too unstructured, sloppy and bag-lady-like for you?
What would you have chosen to wear?
Please let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment.
Or tweet me @samantha4blair.
I love hearing from you!
SKIRT: Primark (this one is beautiful and this one is stunning)
BAG: Topshop
TOP: Unknown (similar)
CARDIGAN: h&m (this one is nice)
NECKLACES: Various...check this one out!! nothing like mine but fabulous.
SHOES: Clarks. These are perfect...and a great price.
SCARF: I can't remember! I love this snood.
CUFF: Vintage (this is beautiful)
Inspired? Join in the Boho fun, and get my look...
Boho has really grown on me over the past year or so.
ReplyDeleteIt's fun seeing how eight women interpret one theme. You all came up with fabulous outfits! Your layered necklaces are the prefect finishing touch for your outfit!
Andrea
Andrea’s Wellness Notes
Thank you Andrea. I think I accidently end up looking a bit boho-ish, but only because I am naturally a haphazard person when it comes to style. Outfits tend to fall together without me having to do very much at all! I am glad to hear that the boho look is growing on you. XXX
DeleteHaving hit my stride growing up in the 60's and attending college in the 70's I definitely did Boho at that time and I have continued to love an eclectic, colorful, ethnicity in my clothes throughout my life.
ReplyDeleteI think the best way to pull off any "era trend" is to carefully choose ONE smashing piece to sort of "feature" and then keep everything else more toned down and simple. Some Boho items are so elaborate, colorfully patterned or embroidered that the deserve center stage.
I think you exemplify this in you wonderful ikat skirt which is the dramatic focus of your outfit and you've complimented it beautifully with other understated pieces.
All of the ladies seem to have enjoyed dressing for this challemdge. You would have fit in nicely at Woodstock!
Oh Judy, that sounds wonderful!
DeleteWoodstock...the freshness of a festival (at the time) and the freedom. No boring rules and restrictions, no red tape. I bet they were wonderful times.
I would love to find a boho piece, like you describe here. That unique piece that deserves centre stage. I am going to keep my eyes peeled :oD XXX
Your chambray blouse with white embroidery (a few posts back) is VERY boho. In that post it was the "featured" item as I spoke about.
DeleteI think you often feature "one knockout piece" while the rest of your look is less dramatic.
Anyway you are SO artful at balancing an outfit.
Your chambray blouse with white embroidery (a few posts back) is VERY boho. In that post it was the "featured" item as I spoke about.
DeleteI think you often feature "one knockout piece" while the rest of your look is less dramatic.
Anyway you are SO artful at balancing an outfit.
This is such a stylish look! I have to admit, Boho is probably the style I least identify with, but I really enjoy seeing it on other people. Especially when it seems so natural and authentic.
ReplyDeleteThank you Tiina. I think boho is something that either feels right or just feels a bit of a mess. I tend to end up looking like a bit of a mess if I wear anything to minimal or polished. Boho style hides a multitude of sins! :oP XXX
DeleteI remember reading the word Boho and not even knowing what it meant (not so long ago)---but I think the more I see it, the more I like it (in small doses).
ReplyDeleteI do have a maxi skirt & I love fringe, so your outfit is something I'd certainly wear!!
Your sunglasses definitely remind me of the 70's!!
jodie
www.jtouchofstyle.com
It can be a bit of a hit or a miss, Jodie! Too much boho can look a bit sloppy but in smaller doses it works really well. This outfit was comfortable, I did not want to take it off! Maybe boho has it's benefits?! XXX
DeleteI LOVE the Boho look. I originally wore this look in the late 1960's and early 1970's, and this is the style that I still feel most comfortable in.
ReplyDeleteOh how I wish I could have a rummage through your wardrobe back then! Does anyone have a time machine handy? XXX
DeleteLoving all the layers in this outfit! I am especially loving the print on that skirt. So beautiful :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thebeautybeau.com/rompin-around/
Thank you Candace! I picked this skirt up for £2.99, in a charity shop. A great bargain and so very comfortable too. XXX
DeleteWhat a fantastic fun. I bet you are the queen of Scottish Boho, yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
ReplyDeleteMuch love
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx
Hahahaha, thank you Sacramento! XXXX
DeleteI am a sucker for boho and eccentric LOL.
ReplyDeleteI love all of the different variations on the theme.
bisous
Suzanne
You would have had too many options available to you Suzanne! I would have loved a rummage through your vintage clothes for this challenge. XXX
DeleteFabulous take on our theme this month, Sam! Every time I see your look, I capture a new little detail and enjoy it even that much more. The mix of layers, colors, fringe, bits of lace,and mix of jewelry just ooze bohemian. Simply brilliant.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jennie.... I am not even sure how these things come together. Maybe that is the best thing about Boho style? It just kind of happens on it's own! XXX
DeleteFabulous take on our theme this month, Sam! Every time I see your look, I capture a new little detail and enjoy it even that much more. The mix of layers, colors, fringe, bits of lace,and mix of jewelry just ooze bohemian. Simply brilliant.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jennie! XXX
DeleteI am in love with this layered look the skirt is just perfect! You always look perfect !
ReplyDeleteYou are too kind Mary, thank you! XXX
DeleteI love all the layers on top! The skirt is perfect! And I am swooning over your shoes! But I do have a question...how do you keep your layered necklaces from getting all tangled up in one another? I love layering necklaces but end with a mess around my neck by the end of the day! Even those necklaces are made with multiple strands for a layered look get all tangled and knotted in themselves. GRRRRR!
ReplyDeleteShelbee
www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Hi Shelbee....to be honest, I have not come across the tangling problem. (Except on the hooks where I hang my necklaces!). The only thing I can think of is the fact I am not very busty? Maybe that is a factor. Unless I have just been lucky? Thank you for this comment and giving me something to ponder. :oD XXX
DeleteAfter some 25+ years of wearing black on black (derived from my tastes in music/art) I'm finally letting go of what now starts to feel like a cage I built for myself - I've always been attracted to the 70's/hippie vibe, and I've decided that the 40s will be my boho years :D thank you for this inspiring post! I hope there will be more like this!
ReplyDelete