Fashion After 60: Spring Clothes to Make You Shine Like the Returning Sun

Trends always change, season after season, year after year. Sometimes they return – sometimes they do not. What’s fashionable this spring? Join us in conversation with fashion blogger Jodie Filogomo to find out! Enjoy the show!

Margaret Manning:

My guest today is Jodie Filogomo, a fashion blogger at Jodie’s Touch of Style. She’s got a wonderfully unique attitude toward style and its ageless qualities, and I think she’s got some great ideas for us about spring fashion and trends. Welcome, Jodie.

Jodie Filogomo:

Hi, Margaret. It’s nice to be here.

Margaret:

It’s great to have you here. I love your website, it’s so fun.

Jodie:

It’s fun to have style, be creative and not follow so many rules anymore. We can all look unique, and that’s what makes it fun nowadays.

Margaret:

I think a lot of fashion bloggers try very hard to create rules, while you promote self-expression and creativity. You have three different ages of women represented on your site. You have yourself in your 50s, your mother-in-law in her 70s and your mom in her 80s.

Jodie:

Isn’t that amazing?

Margaret:

Totally. You all look fantastic. People always say that, but it’s really positive how you show your own fashion sense and enhance it with the clothes and poses that you choose. You three are just like girlfriends. It’s nice.

Jodie:

Thank you. So let’s think about trends. Many times, as we get older, we think we shouldn’t follow the trends anymore. But I think it keeps us young at heart to actually stay contemporary with what we’re wearing.

Margaret:

I agree.

Jodie:

It doesn’t hurt to try out new things, you know. A lot of times you can get some of the newer trends at what we consider the younger kids’ stores like H&M and Zara. In those stores you don’t spend as much money, but you can try out the new fashions and see if you really like them.

Margaret:

I wander in there maybe several times a week because I just like to see what’s new. I would often see an idea that I could put together with my own clothes, so it’s like creative inspiration.

Jodie:

And it sometimes reminds us of what we already have in our closet.

Margaret:

Exactly. So, tell us about spring trends. We’re coming into the spring season now, in the northern hemisphere anyway, so what’s going on with fashion?

Jodie:

First, a couple of great things have crossed over from last year. One of them is the embroidery trend. It’s such a pretty, artistic detail, I think that any age can wear it.

I like embroidery on my tops because then – especially if you’re someone who doesn’t like to add in jewelry and all the extras – you don’t have to. You already have the beautiful decoration right there, so basically, you’re good to go.

Margaret:

This reminds me of the bohemian style we had in the 60s. Embroidery and embellishments were really popular back then.

Jodie:

There are some women who say, “I’ve worn it once, I don’t need to wear it again,” and I understand that to a degree. But trends are never exactly the same. This year, for instance, the embroidery is on everything – even shoes. Have you seen it on sneakers?

Margaret:

No.

Jodie:

High heels with embroidery are so cute. It really adds a little pop to your shoes.

Margaret:

It sounds interesting, though I haven’t seen it on shoes.

Jodie:

If you don’t want it on your clothes, you can instead get an embroidered accessory. Last summer I bought this great embroidered purse at Pier 1, for instance. So, if I’m wearing just a solid colored outfit, this is a great way to add some color and fun to go with it.

Margaret:

So, embroideries are definitely a trend. What about florals? Are they still here this spring?

Jodie:

Florals come back every spring, and it’s not always just the white florals. They also have dark florals on dark background. We often think of that as a winter motif, but it’s turned into a modern take on the floral pattern.

Margaret:

Yeah, I really loved the florals from last year. I don’t buy a lot of new clothes, but I really liked the bold colors. I bought a couple of scarves with the big, rich-colored flowers. They’re not like those teeny flowers, they’re big roses and peonies. I find them pretty cool.

Jodie:

Yes. I always love the watercolor ones. They look more abstract and I really like them.

Margaret:

Are they coming back this spring too?

Jodie:

Absolutely, they are.

Another big thing are sleeves, like the flared, angel sleeves. I know people say, “They get in my way,” so when I bought this shirt, I actually shortened the sleeves so three-quarter length. Now it doesn’t get in the way when I’m trying to work.

Clothes with open shoulder are also on trend. I know some women balk at the idea, but our shoulders still look mostly okay. Some women will say, “Yeah, but mine are sloped” or “Mine are too big,” and I think we’re the only ones that notice that. Really, it’s a fun way to add interest to your shirt.

Margaret:

Yeah, shoulders and ankles always tend to look good.

Did you see the Academy Awards? All the women who were wearing off-the-shoulder clothes were really bold. It looked really good.

Jodie:

It’s a big trend. I get a lot of pushback when I suggest that on my blog, even from my mom, because strapless bras aren’t the most comfortable thing.

I realize that, so a great alternative I like to suggest is the one-shoulder. I like the one-shoulder better because I wear the kind of bra where you can change out the strap and have at least some support while still showing off your shoulder.

Margaret:

I actually see a lot of women wear off-the-shoulder clothes but with two straps.

Jodie:

Yes, many do. I’ve often seen an off-the-shoulder worn with a cami underneath to hide the bra. It still looks very nice. You’re still incorporating that style, but you’re making it comfortable for you.

Margaret:

Yeah. I really didn’t realize that was a trend that’s coming back this spring. I’m going to add it for all those people that feel comfortable with it. Is there anything sparkly that’s coming into fashion this spring?

Jodie:

Well, sequins are really making a comeback into the day. Growing up, my mom would say, “Sequins are only for nighttime,” meaning they’re appropriate just for evening attire. But you see them during the day now.

I see them under a denim jacket or with jeans. That’s a great reason to look in your closet and say, “Hey, I have this sparkly top I usually only wear for dress up in the evening, but why can’t I pair it with jeans?”

Margaret:

Are there any colors that are coming in this spring that people should be on the lookout for?

Jodie:

Pink and blush were big last season and they’re coming back. Retailers have just taken the color to everything. You see it in shoes, you see it in tops, you see it in absolutely everything, and it’s a nice color. I know it tends to wash us out because it’s so light, but I’ve seen the darker pinks coming in too.

Margaret:

It’s more of a rose pink, and pink is all over H&M, which is where young person shop. Even if the bottoms don’t fit you, the tops and the scarves are great.

Jodie:

Yes, and the accessories. Sometimes their shoes are great too. They’re not expensive and sometimes you can just wear them a couple times and get some great use out of them.

Margaret:

That’s a lot of fun. So, the pink is big; any other colors?

Jodie:

There will be a lot of greens and purples. Those are the colors that Pantone introduced: last year it was the green and this year, the ultra violet.

It takes a while for the manufacturers to catch up though, and everyone’s been loving the pink so much – and that’s been overpowering. But I think purple is going to make a big comeback now.

Margaret:

Pantone is the company that decides on trending colors each year, right? And not just for fashion either; it’s for home decor and the world in general. So, the one this year, is it violet or purple?

Jodie:

Yes, it’s a purple/ultra violet. But even though they introduce the color, it takes the manufacturers a while to make the items in that color. Very often though, since we’re older, we’ve accumulated a lot, and we already have those colors.

Margaret:

If you keep everything, you’ve got one of everything. So, besides the colors and clothing styles you mentioned, are there any shoes that are popular? Any boots or scarves or anything accessory-wise?

Jodie:

Sneakers are big and not just your white sneakers. Sneakers are fun right now, and that’s great because that works for us comfort-wise. Right now, I’m wearing metallic rose-gold sneakers.

Margaret:

I would love to see them. I went on a cruise with my friend Marina, and she had these boots that were metallic. I’m telling you, she had so many compliments on those silly boots, she could have worn just one dress the whole time and no one would’ve noticed because of those boots.

I think Boomers are actually helping to shape some of the design ideas. For instance, we want comfort, so maybe we’re making a difference. Of course, stilettos and all those beautiful design shoes will always be here, but we are influencing the trends.

Jodie:

Absolutely. Retailers are taking notice because we have the money to spend on items. That’s a great point.

Margaret:

I know that you are part of a group initiative, Forever Fierce, where you’re trying to put female bloggers over 50 together to make a point to retailers, saying, “Hey guys, we’re here, we like fashion, take a look at these styles.”

So, like you said, fashion is ageless – exactly what you advertise on your website. Thank you for this spring style fun. I love the spring season, just in general, so thanks for the tips on the trends that are coming.

Jodie:

Thank you, too.

Margaret:

Thanks Jodie. Take care.

Which spring colors do you enjoy the most? Do you follow the trends? Which of the trends mentioned here sounds like something you’re willing to try? Let’s have a conversation in the comments below.