Stylish After 40

I’ve worked as a stylist in Chicago for the past eleven years, educating and teaching women the rules of fit, proportion, and how to dress by their body type. While I’ve worked with women of all ages, the comment I hear most often is, “What do I wear...

[stylishafter40]

Red is the great clarifier - bright, cleansing and revealing.  I can't imagine becoming bored with red - it would be like becoming bored with the person you love.

Diana Vreeland

[stylishafter40]

Noelle says:  Inspired by my November fashion newsletter about the “all red” trend, my mom put this fun outfit together!  I was pleasantly surprised when she showed up...trend or not, this was perfect for a holiday party! The key to making this work (and not making it look like “matchy, matchy”), is to wear more than two red items.  A red top and red shoes are matchy, matchy, but a red top, red pants and red earrings are more deliberate - they have a purpose.  We know it was planned and not done because she wants to match her top to her jewelry.   Several red pieces are what make this outfit work, but she avoided looking like a red pepper by opting for high shine metallic shoes (which add a neutral and help break up the look).  The leopard coat is a fun addition as well - it’s not as harsh as an all black coat.  Red top:  Ann Taylor Red pants:  J.Crew Metallic stacked heels:  Furla Red tassel earrings:  BaubleBar Leopard coat:  Derhy

[stylishafter40]

Be the fabulous you wish to see in the world.

Anna Wintour

[stylishafter40]

Noelle says:  Not all blazers can be belted.  The key to belting a blazer is: 1.)  It must be long (past the hip bones) 2.)  It helps if the blazer is a little fluid or made with a soft fabric and not too structured 3.)  You do have a defined waist or don’t hold your weight in the middle - as a stylist, I’m being honest because this will not be flattering on someone who holds their weight in the middle (versus someone who carries their weight in their hips or thighs) I kept the rest of the outfit simple with patent leather oxfords, a black tank, gold cocktail ring and long gold hoop earrings.  * Fun little tip, I unbuttoned the last button on each sleeve to show that the button and button holes are real.  This just adds a little flair :) Blazer - Banana Republic (available now) Belt - Banana Republic Tuxedo ankle pants - MaxMara Oxfords - Linea Paolo Ring - Banana Republic Tank - Banana Republic Earrings - H&M

[stylishafter40]

It's massively important for me to feel comfortable in what I'm wearing.  It just makes me feel better, then my face looks better.  When you show the world your best face, and your best self, you quite often get that back.

Lauren Hutton

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Noelle says:  This outfit demonstrates some easy fashion go-to’s.  1.  Animal print (leopard, zebra, snake), is a neutral.  If you want to change up your black or nude flats/heels then opt for something in animal print.  If you’re looking to add more pattern pieces to your wardrobe, try animal print, which is easily mix-n-matchable with bright colors or neutrals (black, gray, brown, navy, off-white).  I love leopard print with orange, fuchsia or red! 2.  Olive and black is an easy, go-to combination.  When my brain is fried and I need to get dressed in a hurry, I reach for olive and black.  Consider adding a pair of olive pants (I have a pair of olive ankle pants, the Sloan fit, from Banana Republic), an olive jacket, top or a pencil skirt. 3.  Unique accessories are your personal stamp on an outfit.  Judi’s long Furla necklace combines black and brown and several different textures.  And yes, don’t be afraid of going big!  Judi is petite at 5′3″, yet this necklace doesn’t overwhelm her.  The bigger the better when it comes to jewelry as it makes it look like you know what you are doing.  :)  Her Furla sunglasses also keep the look modern with a fun take on the cat eye shape.  The gray and marigold are not your average black or tortoiseshell glasses.  Keep the clothes simple, yet play with your accessories.  4.  Lastly, the black stripe down the side of her Vince ankle pants is very slimming.  Contrasting piping along the edge of a blazer, jacket, top or a stripe down the side of skirt or pair of pants helps draw the eye in, making you look thinner.  Look for these details when building your wardrobe.  Olive ankle pants:  Vince Black top:  Ann Taylor Necklace:  Furla Sunglasses:  Furla Snake print flats:  J.Crew

[stylishafter40]

We must overcome the notion that we must be regular.  It robs you of the chance to be extraordinary and leads you to the mediocre.

Uta Hagen

[stylishafter40]

Noelle says:  How do you make a jean jacket work?  You make sure it’s cropped and fitted.  Truthfully, I’m not the biggest fan of ruffles (for myself), but done in an unexpected way, then I like them!  To make sure this outfit still felt like me (edgy, bold, stylish), and wasn’t saccharine, I opted for black coated jeans (these are a nice change when you need a break from blue denim), and a pair of masculine-inspired patent leather shoes with a stacked heel.  Normally, I would have opted for pointy toe flats (those have been my go-to for yeeeeears), but I’ve altered my style lately to incorporate more masculine shoes, smaller handbags (hence the crossbody Furla bag which fits everything that I need!), and exaggerated styles (similar to the over-the-top, almost gaudy styles the Italians wear - I can say that because, well, I am Italian :)..... hence, the jean jacket with the ruffles across the back, down the arms and just above the bust.  It’s about time I put myself on the blog, no?!  If you’re looking for more tips, I wore this printed t-shirt in a video I posted on YouTube, How to Style A Blazer

Did you know I can change the top flap of my bag to go with my outfit?  In this video, What I Always Keep in My Handbag, I show you how I change it and why I opted for certain colors or neutrals.  Enjoy!

Coated jeans:  Banana Republic T-shirt:  Burberry Bag:  Furla Shoes:  Louise et Cie Jean Jacket:  H&M

[stylishafter40]

To me, clothing is a form of self-expression - there are hints about who you are in what you wear.

Marc Jacobs

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Noelle says:  We’ve heard it before, but the details are not the details.  They make the design.  This is so true for Judi’s outfit!  The faux fur pom pom gym shoes and purposely “mis-matched” earrings convey a fun, edgy vibe.  Yes, mis-matched earrings, ear crawlers and statement earrings are still very in (I love them and I’m not going to give them up any time soon! :)  Why?  Because I don’t have to change much of my outfit to make it grand - unique earrings always pop. Have a funky pair of gym shoes that you don’t know how to wear?  Keep the look simple and let the shoes shine!  Try black and white or jeans and an embellished tee - either will work when you have a pair of funky shoes.  Throw on a blazer to make it more “pull together”.  Black coat:  Zara Black top:  Ann Taylor White pants:  J.Crew Faux fur pom pom gym shoes:  J/Slides NYC (available now at Nordstrom) Earrings:  Bought on my Discover Paris with a Stylist trip at Le Bon Marche (my mom can’t find the box with the name of the designer on it :)** Bangles:  Bought on my Discover Milan & Lake Como with a stylist trip at a store in Bellagio ** I just set the dates for this year’s Discover Paris with a Stylist trip.  It is Sunday, October 22 - Sunday, October 29, 2017 (the trip is limited to 5 women so we can eat at some fun restaurants and I can help everyone shop :).  Here are some pictures from a previous trips.  Contact me if you would like more information.  NoelleCellini.com And just for fun, here are some pictures from a previous Milan & Lake Como trip.  Always so much fun!

[stylishafter40]

"Life is too short to wear boring clothes.

unknown

[stylishafter40]

My best pieces are the ones that made me a little uncomfortable.  Push yourself into something uncomfortable.

Rebecca Minkoff

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Noelle says:  Sheer bomber with black lace appliques?!  Why not?!  :) I originally had a client purchase this as it was a nice alternative to always wearing a blazer (and it’s fun outside of work), and my mom liked it, too! While my client is planning to wear this with a black pencil skirt, my mom paired it with navy ankle pants.  Honestly, my mom was tired after entertaining and cooking for 15+ women for brunch at her new downtown condo (she just downsized to a fabulous condo overlooking the Chicago river) so she kept her nude bra on (yes, it should be black), and her navy ankle pants.   She completed the look with gold and black hoops -- it’s hard to see, but the hoops are filled with black rhinestones.  The black flats balance out the navy & black combo.  

Bomber jacket:  T Tahari Tank:  Ann Taylor Ankle pants:  Banana Republic Hoop earrings:  BCBG

[stylishafter40]

Every era gets the fashion it deserves.

Karl Lagerfeld

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Noelle says:  These shorts used to be capris that Judi had hemmed to be city shorts!  Much more flattering that anything that hits mid-calf. :) While it might be hard to see, my favorite part of this outfit is her big hoop earrings!  Little earrings could make this outfit seem cutesy, but hoop earrings are always modern and fun.  Judi completes the outfit with tan and metallic sandals (metallic sandals will go with everything in your summer wardrobe), her gray handbag and a chunky, black resin bangle.  Accessories will always elevate an outfit from simple to fabulous.  Top:  Ann Taylor Shorts, which used to be capris:  Banana Republic Sandals:  Stuart Weitzman Hoops:  Nordstrom Gray handbag:  Vince Camuto Black bangle:  Vintage

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Many women live like it's a dress rehearsal.  Ladies, the curtain is up and you're on.

Mikki Taylor, Editor at Large at Essence Magazine

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Noelle says:  Prints are always easier to work with when the background is darker (more slimming) and when they have colors that you already own in your wardrobe.  Judi paired these floral printed pants from Banana Republic with a black top, black flats and her white blazer.  All three of these items are part of her wardrobe basics (and should be in your closet, too! :).  Every woman can use a black tank/cami, black flats and a blazer that stops at the pelvic bone (too long and it will shorten you and looks dowdy).  You can keep your wardrobe fresh by bringing in one fun or unusual piece that works with the rest of your basics.  Try a funky bag, great sandals, a unique necklace, belt, tights or a top.  Pants:  Banana Republic (available now) Blazer:  Banana Republic Sleeveless top:  Ann Taylor Flats:  Ivanka Trump Earrings:  Nordstrom Sunglasses:  Chanel