Fashion After 50: 4 *MUST HAVE* Accessories You May Be Missing

Accessories are very important for a look that grabs the attention. Do you know how to choose yours properly? Tune in to our conversation with fashion blogger Jodie Filogomo who’s here to talk about the must-have accessories in our wardrobe. Enjoy the show!

Margaret Manning:

My guest today is fashion blogger Jodie Filogomo. Jodie’s website, Jodie’s Touch of Style, features women from 50 to 80 showing fashion that they love. I’m so happy to have you here, Jodie. Welcome.

Jodie Filogomo:

Thank you so much. It has been so much fun to connect with you.

Margaret:

Thank you. Jodie, your website includes a lot more than just fashion. It’s about being a woman by knowing how to dress and have fun with who you are, with the help of accessories and fashion that you choose. It’s very inspiring.

Today I’d like us to discuss the topic of accessorizing. How do we do it properly? Give us some suggestions we can use.

Jodie:

I have to admit I am not a minimalist. I am a maximalist, especially when it comes to accessories. There’s a good reason for it, though, because you can gain five pounds, but your jewelry, scarves, shoes and bags, they all still fit.

Margaret:

They are loyal to us regardless of our weight. True.

Jodie:

Your beautiful necklace is one example. You’ve incorporated the colors very nicely.

Margaret:

I love this necklace. I wear it a lot, because I love the spectrum of colors. Let’s talk about four things that you think every woman should have in the way of accessories.

Jodie:

Well, definitely scarves. I do think scarves are a big thing, though before I started blogging, I felt intimidated by them. I didn’t exactly know how to wear them and tie them.

Actually, one of my friends is going on a cruise in Europe, and she wants to take a bunch of scarves. So, we spent about 10 minutes reviewing how to tie it nicely. And I have to say, it’s like any other thing in life: the more you do it, the easier it becomes.

And really, there’s no right or wrong way to tie a scarf. If you become good at wearing it a couple of ways, then people will simply notice the pretty colors and how they affect your complexion.

Margaret:

Yes, and how it affects your personality, how it makes you feel and act. It’s so important.

Jodie:

I think it’s a beautiful detail that adds color and print to any outfit. And it keeps you warm, too.

Margaret:

I agree with you. By the way, there are lots of videos online that show how to tie a scarf, but you can also make it up yourself. I guess you have to consider the shape of the scarf and the length of your neck. Perhaps, if you are a short neck, you wouldn’t want to be putting a wrap around 15 times.

Jodie:

I think it’s all about comfort. For instance, some women don’t like a scarf up against their neck. I don’t mind it. But there are ways to wear a scarf closer or far from the neck.

You have to learn to find the right materials. For instance, you don’t always want a real sick heavy one. You want a lightweight one sometimes. That can really make a difference. With practice, too, you get more comfortable tying the scarf. The usual reaction after the first time you wear a scarf is, “Oh, that’s not me,” but that’s probably because you’re not used to wearing it.

Margaret:

I remember, when I went to India, that all the women there wore their scarves over one shoulder. And the portion that hangs at the front, they can pull it over, or up, if they want. It’s about having a bit of extra color and texture, and the silk feels really nice around your neck, too.

Jodie:

I have some scarf clips that my mom gave me because she knows it’s easier to keep the scarf in place that way.

Margaret:

So, we all know that everyone should have at least one scarf in their wardrobe. I have 36 in my wardrobe, and they’re a fun thing to buy as you travel.

Jodie:

And they’re lightweight, don’t take up a lot of space and are very practical.

Margaret:

One black dress and 10 scarves on a cruise of 10 days, and you are pretty much set. So, what else, other than scarves?

Jodie:

I’m a big necklace and earring person. I like the statement pieces because just like your scarf, your necklace and earrings can create a nice focal point, too. I’ll admit, though, I’ve worn big earrings in the past and they get heavy. But I have recently found some great lightweight big earrings.

I have a silicol pair. They’re plastic and so they’re very lightweight. I’ve seen them on Amazon and many other places. There’s also leather ones, nice and big. As our hair gets shorter, we tend to go with smaller earrings, but I think this is the perfect time to wear big earrings because they really show off.

Margaret:

They fill in the space around your face. What about tassels? They’re everywhere in Zara and H&M.

Jodie:

Tassels are very lightweight. They’re not metallic and so they’re a great option to have – lightweight, very fashionable, very modern, and they’re fun.

Margaret:

I used to have peacock earrings, and every time I wore them, they were the greatest conversation starter.

Jodie:

Exactly. You can also find the tassels on necklaces, too. It just makes them fun, especially if you’re wearing a solid colored shirt.

Margaret:

It gives you that gypsy bohemian look. By the way, I, like many women in the Boomer generation, wore great big earrings when I was younger. They wore my lobes down, so I have very big holes, and I can’t really wear earrings unless I use a contraption that holds the earrings to my ears.

I got one at Claire’s and it’s a little plastic thing that you put behind your ear to cover up the big hole. In India, they put a button behind their ear and then just hook the earring through. The button is strong enough that it holds up the earring instead of dragging it down. This allows you to wear big earrings even if your ears have a lot of earring use.

Jodie:

This is a great advantage of being older – we’ve learned lots of useful tricks.

Margaret:

Absolutely, we’re wise. What’s the number three accessory you’d consider?

Jodie:

Well, I’d say a purse. I’ve become a huge fan of purses lately. When you were working, your purse got shoved under your desk and no one saw it. So, back in my working days I didn’t appreciate purses.

Now though, I can make some good use of the fun purses out there. I recently got a cute purse that has a little kitty on it. You may think, “Oh, that’s too girly or youngish,” but it’s a purse. Why not?

Margaret:

What’s the big deal with age anyway? You wear whatever you want. I have a little unicorn money box, and I show it sometimes to people because they laugh at me. But so what? Who cares?

Jodie:

That shows you’re young at heart, and it’s a great conversation starter. Many people have stopped me because of my cat purse, saying, “Oh, you must love cats,” and then we get to talking about our cats. It’s a great way to make new friends.

Margaret:

I know you also have a funky embroidered purse you got from Pier One. We don’t have Pier One here in Switzerland, but if I knew they carried such cute things, I would’ve make certain to shop there.

Jodie:

Embroidery is such a nice trend that adds a great statement. It’s artwork along your shoulder.

Margaret:

Isn’t that what accessories are anyway? They add a touch of art to a blank palette.

Jodie:

Absolutely. Accessories give our outfits pizzaz.

Margaret:

That’s the thing about being invisible. You can believe you’re invisible if you want, and you will be that. But, if you say, “I don’t care, I’m going to go for the ‘Wow’ factor,” then the invisibility cloak vanishes. I think that’s very nice.

Jodie:

And you meet people that way, too. That’s what life and fashion is all about.

Margaret:

Yes, it becomes our visual voice.

Jodie:

Yes, we are very visual people. So, as much as you don’t want to judge a book by its cover, it’s human nature.

Margaret:

I certainly agree with you. We’re down to the last accessory everybody should have in their wardrobe.

Jodie:

That would be shoes. I am a shoe fanatic. Right now, I’m wearing a basic sneaker in rose-gold metallic color. I think that companies finally figured out that comfort and style can be together in a shoe.

Margaret:

Absolutely, and I think we’re driving that trend as older women. We love shoes and buy the stylish but comfortable ones. We don’t want the high heels anymore, so this is perfect. Where did you get those?

Jodie:

I got them at DSW.

Margaret:

That’s a great shop. What other styles of shoes do you like? That’s more of a casual shoe, is it? Could you wear it with a dress?

Jodie:

You can. Young girls are doing it, and I think we ought to try that combination, too, because it makes wearing dresses more practical.

My stepmom, the 60-year-old model on my website, doesn’t wear heels as much as my mom and I, but she has found that the ankle strap shoes and the kitten heels are coming back, which is great. The chunky heels are still in style, too, and having an ankle strap makes your shoes safer and keeps them in place when you’re walking.

So, shoes with an ankle strap, with a small or no heel, can be dressy, and you can wear them with jeans too.

Margaret:

I’ve seen really interesting shoes that go up like Egyptian sandals and provide a wide ankle support. I think that’s great because it allows us to walk in heels as we get older. It supports our weak ankles.

Jodie:

Yes. My mom didn’t like the ankle straps at first because she’s of the thought that you want to make your legs appear longer and a strap cuts you off. I think that’s one of the rules we have to forget and embrace looking modern instead. We don’t need to appear skinny. Skinny is not always what it’s cracked up to be

Margaret:

I agree with you. Also, I think many women past 60 don’t want the attention that a fashionable look may bring. They want to have comfortable shoes and those don’t always look pretty. But you don’t need to pick comfort over fashion. You can have both with accessories, like the collar necklaces. Just choose where you are and wear something beautiful with a smile. That’s what you do.

Jodie:

Have fun with it. Accessories are meant to make you feel good about yourself.

Margaret:

Your blog has great ideas about accessorizing. How often do you post?

Jodie:

I usually post two or three times a week.

Margaret:

And you have many themed posts. I’ve seen you have posts on just boots or scarves with tons of beautiful pictures. And I love that you have three models in three different age groups. You’re all so different and real.

Jodie:

Yes, we are. Thank you for saying that.

Margaret:

Thank you for being an inspiration for our women. We’ll get you back on again. Maybe as the seasons change, we can talk more about trends. And as the fall and winter come, I’d love to just pick your brain on ideas, if that’s okay with you.

Do you like to accessorize your outfits, or do you prefer to wear clothes that make you invisible? Which accessories are your favorite? Do you have a style that you particularly love? Please share in the comments below!