Velvet Covered Buttons

Plaid fabrics are #trending right now but sometimes it's difficult to make them look right for evening or special events. When I saw this picture on a French Chic Facebook page it gave me an idea.  "Back in the day" we used to cover buttons in matching or contrasting fabric when we sewed clothing ourselves. Hobby Lobby sells the type of button forms that you can cover yourself. I think it would be very pretty to dress up a plaid or checked dress or jacket by covering the buttons in velvet fabric. Adding a velvet bow made with wide ribbon would add a feminine touch as well. This is the link to view the button forms for DIY: https://www.hobbylobby.com/Fabric-Sewing/Sewing-Quilting-Notions/Fasteners/Aluminum-Half-Ball-Cover-Button/p/51243

"Imitation of Life"

One of my favorite "fashion" films is "Imitation of Life" made in 1959. Lana Turner portrays a struggling actress who becomes famous. Her wardrobe was designed by Jean Louis. He designed wardrobes for many award winning Hollywood films and for famous women of that era. The film also shows the racial discrimination of the time so it's not just about fashion. Here is a link to Jean Louis' bio: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Louis
DVD on Amazon:
Imitation of Life https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000714BT/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_taa_ISuNDbP0ZX5H0

Pashmina Wraps

"What is a Pashmina Wrap? #Pashmina wraps are made from #cashmere wool, from the changthangi or pashmina goat, and hand-crafted in Kashmir. Those worn by women tend to be fashioned out of a thinner material." (They are also available in synthetic materials.) My friend Becky M. always carries a pashmina in her tote bag. They are great to wear on cool, fall evenings over everything from denim jackets to evening suits. I prefer pashminas with fringe because they look more elegant. You can find them online and in stores where scarves are displayed. (Photo from #Pinterest.)

Wearing White After Labor Day

Wearing white in the summer makes sense. Desert peoples have known for thousands of years that white clothing seems to keep you a little bit cooler than other colors. But wearing white only during the summer? While no one is completely sure exactly when or why this fashion rule came into effect, our best guess is that it had to do with snobbery in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The wives of the super-rich ruled high society with an iron fist after the Civil War. As more and more people became millionaires, though, it was difficult to tell the difference between old money, respectable families, and those who only had vulgar new money. By the 1880s, in order to tell who was acceptable and who wasn’t, the women who were already “in” felt it necessary to create dozens of fashion rules that everyone in the know had to follow. That way, if a woman showed up at the opera in a dress that cost more than most Americans made in a year, but it had the wrong sleeve length, other women would know not to give her the time of day. Not wearing white outside the summer months was another one of these silly rules. White was for weddings and resort wear, not dinner parties in the fall. Of course it could get extremely hot in September, and wearing white might make the most sense, but if you wanted to be appropriately attired you just did not do it. Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894, and society eventually adopted it as the natural endpoint for summer fashion. Not everyone followed this rule. Even some socialites continued to buck the trend, most famously Coco Chanel, who wore white year-round. But even though the rule was originally enforced by only a few hundred women, over the decades it trickled down to everyone else. By the 1950s, women’s magazines made it clear to middle class America: white clothing came out on Memorial Day and went away on Labor Day. These days the fashion world is much more relaxed about what colors to wear and when, but every year you will still hear people say that white after Labor Day is unacceptable, all thanks to some snobby millionaires over 100 years ago.
by Kathy Benjamin
(Photo from Pinterest of Cassie)
#laborday #fashion #whiteclothes

Hollywood Actress Inspired Kentucky Derby Outfits

Kentucky Derby outfits inspired by vintage clothing worn by  Hollywood Actresses.

 

 

Marilyn Monroe

 

Grace Kelly

Audrey Hepburn

 

 

 

Black Sheath Dresses and Heels



 

I created these Polyvore sets to illustrate how easy it is to style black sheath dresses.

 

I chose a red clutch bag and red lipstick to give this  "Illusion" top dress a pop of color. I chose  crystal earrings and double cuff bracelets for a little "sparkle and shine."  I chose a "Cage" style heel to add a bit of texture to the outfit but it doesn't fight the snakeskin clutch. The silvery  Pashmina is all you need to keep the chill off your shoulders. 

 

 

 

 

I created this set to show how modest this crisscross style dress is even though the shoulders are bare. The jewelry is Lucite with silver accents. I chose the black and white reptile clutch so it would accent the jewelry not clash with it. I like the design of the crisscross heel because it mimics the top of the dress. Red lip gloss is all that's needed to add a punch of color to this outfit.

 

 



E-mail: kentuckyfashion@gmail.com
Please visit my other social media sites:
https://www.facebook.com/kentuckyfashion
https://www.instagram.com/pamela_owen/
https://www.pinterest.com/KentuckyFashion/

https://twitter.com/kentuckyfashion

Chanel Inspired Black Dress Outfits

These Polyvore Sets are just a few of the ones I created for my "Chanel Inspired" collection over the years. I thought it might be helpful to my readers if I could put together outfits from popular stores instead of from the Polyvore website. The second and third sets are from Dressbarn and Macy's. I doubt that these items are still available but you get the idea of how to put together a pretty outfit that you can wear for any occasion. 

 

 

 



E-mail: kentuckyfashion@gmail.com
Please visit my other social media sites:
https://www.facebook.com/kentuckyfashion
https://www.instagram.com/pamela_owen/
https://www.pinterest.com/KentuckyFashion/

https://twitter.com/kentuckyfashion

Black Dresses for Date Night

It doesn't matter what age you are or what size you wear you should always dress up for special occasions! Date Night with your beloved or with a beau should give you a good excuse to put on some sexy lingerie and your best black dress. Add some sparkling accessories and make up to finish your look. Men love to be envied by other men so use Date Night as your opportunity to show off for him. Make him feel lucky he has you on his arm! 

 

 

(I created these Sets from the old Polyvore website several years ago. I wanted to post them again since all of them on this Blog were deleted when they sold out.)

 

E-mail: kentuckyfashion@gmail.com
Please visit my other social media sites:
https://www.facebook.com/kentuckyfashion
https://www.instagram.com/pamela_owen/
https://www.pinterest.com/KentuckyFashion/

https://twitter.com/kentuckyfashion

Fabulous and Frugal Black Dress Outfits

• I used to spend hours on the Polyvore website putting outfits together from their vast database. One day I decided to create two outfits that looked very much alike but the cost of the items were very different. That's why I named them "Fabulous and Frugal." I truly believe that a woman can look very well dressed without spending a lot of money. Here are three sets using black dresses and the accessories I chose to go with them.

 

 

 

 

E-mail: kentuckyfashion@gmail.com
Please visit my other social media sites:
https://www.facebook.com/kentuckyfashion
https://www.instagram.com/pamela_owen/
https://www.pinterest.com/KentuckyFashion/

https://twitter.com/kentuckyfashion

My Grandmother Ruby Called it "Reducing"

Everyone is familiar with this first picture of a big burger and french fries. It's considered a "meal" by most restaurants, fast food and regular ones. Women may have been able to completely metabolize a calorie, fat and salt laden meal like this when we were younger but that's not the case after a women is over 50. After menopause our metabolism slows down and we can easily store more fat than ever before in our lives. Some of us have health issues too that are aggravated by excess sodium and fats in our foods. Below is an alternative. You can still eat a burger but leave off the bun. Few of us need those extra calories that qualify as a starch and it's a bad choice if you are sensitive to gluten. If you've become lactose intolerant as you have aged leave off the cheese. Choose a side dish of a green vegetable that's full of good vitamins and fiber. Avocados contain fat but it's a "good" fat. Switch from heavy salad dressings to something that has "Vinaigrette" in the name.  Balsamic, Raspberry and Champagne are three of my favorites and order it on the side so you control how much you use. Tell the wait person not to bring any bread to the table at all. Did you know that if the bread basket even touches the table the wait staff has to throw it away?  Alcoholic drinks can really pack on weight through their high calorie content with zero nutritional value. Those drinks can add a lot to the bill too so maybe save that for special occasions. My weakness is dessert but I seldom order it because eating sweets late in the day causes indigestion. I also know I won't be active enough in the evening to burn off all those calories. Again sweets like alcohol are empty calories. I love genuine butter but without bread on the table I only have a baked potato or sweet potato to put it on. Potatoes are real food, not processed with a long shelf life. Order your butter on the side and tell the wait person to leave off the cinnamon sugar that so often is served on a baked sweet potato. If you want something fizzy to drink but want to avoid sugary sodas or ones with artificial sweeteners order a glass of club soda with a wedge of lime. It's zero calories and is very refreshing! If you MUST have a glass of wine with dinner try a wine spritzer. It is half club soda so you are cutting the calories in half. This works well with white or pink wines that are served chilled.

If you want to "reduce" then start making a few changes. I often order a "To Go Box" right after I get my meal. Portions are so huge now that not even a field hand could burn off all those calories! By dividing your portions into your To Go Box you not only cut your portions and calories in half but you have a good meal for lunch or dinner the next day. That also saves you money! You may not see a change in your weight or size for a while but as you adapt to new eating and drinking habits you will see the difference. If you are able to get a little exercise you will notice the changes sooner. I'm very aware of how bad joints can be too painful for walking or working out. That's why it's important to change your diet first. If you lose weight it may help lessen the pain in your hips, knees and ankles.
Pamela Owen
E-mail: kentuckyfashion@gmail.com 
Please visit my other social media sites:
https://www.facebook.com/kentuckyfashion
https://www.instagram.com/pamela_owen/
https://www.pinterest.com/KentuckyFashion/

https://twitter.com/kentuckyfashion

Travel Wardrobe Advice for Women Over 50

This is advice from a woman who has traveled almost weekly for 40+ years:
"I only wear black and white while traveling.  Black and white jeans, black slacks and black, white, navy tees.  A cute sweater jacket (black and white stripe), scarves, and comfortable shoes.  Black & white gingham rain/trench coat." C.K.G.

When I fly I only wear black. It doesn't show dirt or spills. I always pack several colorful scarves for a punch of color. I also wear black, leather clogs and black socks. I will never wear flip flops or any shoe without socks. There are too many foot diseases that you can pick up from other barefoot travelers going through Security like Plantar warts that are caused by a virus that never goes away. I like for my jackets to have plenty of pockets. If they button even better to keep my things secure. I carry a handbag with handles long enough to slip over the telescoping handle of my small, rolling carry on bag. I check my suitcase to ease my physical burden boarding and departing the airplane. It's difficult for me to lift heavy bags over my head to place in the overhead compartments. I can't depend on someone helping me do that so I check it.