Life Begins At » Rules of summer dressing
Lifestyle

Rules of summer dressing

With summer days here again it’s time to talk about our summer wardrobe and a word you may be dreading – swimwear. But just because you’re over 50 doesn’t mean your days of rocking it at the beach are over, writes Connie Matthews.

I’m fortunate enough to have a small holiday house by the ocean. It’s a small seaside village with around 1,000 residents, sitting in-between Goolwa and Victor Harbor in South Australia. Middleton just happens to be South Australia’s ‘Surfers Paradise’, without the buildings and just beach. However, during the holiday season we can hardly cross the road. Everyone from the city moves down to our little town and I totally love it. The little coffee shops are buzzing, boutiques and stores are filled with shoppers. We have surfers enjoying our swells and I, for one, love to hit the beach.

OK, I can hear some of you cringing …“You’re saying ‘swimwear’! That means bearing all!”

And I’m saying ‘yes’. I say, embrace how we look and, to top it off, don’t go covering up. We are amazing and strong women. We have lived, laughed and inspired many along our journey. We have nurtured our children, seen them grow and now it’s our time to shine. So, let’s rock this!

Looking through the Seafolly Spring 16 catalogue I noticed some great images for us in the retiree age-group. If you can wear a bikini – knock yourself out. In my research I came across a magnificent 90-year-old Lady in Byron Bay wearing a gorgeous red bikini with white polka-dots. She is amazing! However, for some of us that would like a little more coverage Seafolly have a superb range of bathers.

A few rules to abide by:

  • Simplicity is always best

For many, we think excess material will cover up. Nothing could be further from the truth. Keep away from ruffles, frills and most definitely, a skirt. All this extra material will add an appearance of ‘instant weight’. I find sequins on bathers totally uncomfortable, especially when wet. Just another little thing to think about.

Don’t buy a size down because you think it will give you a firmer fit. This will only highlight extra bulges which we definitely don’t need. Quality fabric and fit of garment will be the key here.

Sunburn Swimwear Stores are on the Eastern Seaboard and WA. They give honest advice. Unfortunately, they aren’t in SA as yet, however they do have an online store for those that are interested.

  • Avoid a wardrobe malfunction

Jump around in the fitting room when trying on bathers or bikinis. Pretend you’re doing overarm and check you’re not falling out anywhere. A word of warning though – keep your arms on your side of the curtains. We don’t want any staff calling their first aid officers!

Bend over, check your bathers or bikini bottoms and make sure they aren’t riding up behind. My recommendation here is to keep away from boy shorts for this reason. Not a pretty sight when we have a little more cheek showing than is necessary. And even worse – only one cheek!

Some of us may remember the TV advertisement around bras that went ‘lift and separate’. That has always stuck with me. Well I’m going to use it here. Look for bathers or bikini tops that either have padding or an underwire and check the padding is removable for easy washing and care. Women look their finest when they show their figures to best advantage. We need lift, dare I say, not sag. Bandeau bikini tops will make you appear flat chested. Not flattering, so keep away from these as well.

If you are carrying a little weight around the tummy the last thing we want is for your boobs heading in that direction. As a personal stylist my role is to create illusions. Lift and separate! We want eyes looking up and not around our waists. The woman needs to be remembered and not the bathers.

Make sure you are totally comfortable in your swimmers. The size you are in is totally irrelevant. No-one can read your label.

holster shoes, womens shoes, holster ladies shoes
holster shoes, womens shoes, holster ladies shoes
  • Check the obvious

Having lived in a leotard all my life I’m stating the obvious here. Higher content of Lycra will give you more support and comfort. Buy a lingerie bag to wash your bathers in. Lycra needs a gentle wash just like lingerie. Dry them out straight away, we don’t want any elasticity to deteriorate.

If you are larger in the boobs you are going to need wider straps. Are the straps adjustable? And if you don’t like tan lines, can the straps be removed?

Can you expand your look with a matching shirt, skirt, sarong, pants, etc?

All important questions.

Just a little word of warning with sequins: make sure there are no sequins directly under your arms. That is totally uncomfortable.

We’ve discussed our bikinis and bathers but how do we turn our new summer, beach ready look into something sensational? All women have an inherent need to look fabulous. And so we should!

Outerwear is fine with sequins and Camilla is simply stunning. We want to sparkle and shine and Camilla will help us here. Camilla’s designs, prints and versatility is just magnificent. For someone like me, five foot nothing, even I can get away with it. The staff are super willing to show you ways to wear their garments without chopping half of it off … speaking from experience.

They have a range of dresses, kaftans, cover ups, tops, tees, pants, jackets and knitwear.

There is something truly special about wearing a Camilla piece. You are instantaneously transported into a world of femininity, a world of luxury. She uses vibrant colours, precious silk fabrications and detailed crystal embellishments, so how can you not feel anything but beautiful? Camilla stores are in each state or you can look them up online to view their full range.

Sequins and gems may not be your cup of tea. So where else can we go?

Camilla_260416_371

Once again, Seafolly carry a good range of tops, kaftans, cover ups and pants. They can be found right around Australia which makes for easy purchasing. If you do take the time to look them up online, try to gaze past the age bracket of the models. Yes, I hear you!

This year, Seafolly have some really clever tops, an amazing ‘embroidered pant’ in white, along with some really lovely short kaftans. When put together these give a really well-balanced story. The cute little tops look fabulous over jeans, even at our gorgeous age.

Now for shoes. I absolutely love Holsters and I cannot talk highly enough about the comfort and fit.

There is nothing better than a pair of shoes that can double from beach-to-day, then day-to-night, having you look totally fashionable, smart and elegant.

Holsters have a down-to-earth glamour, with that beach-side romanticism offering us flats, wedges, espadrilles, sneakers, jelly flats, glitter, jute flats and my favourite ‘a little bling with that!’.

There is a strong play of light, bright aquatic hues, hand-beaded glass trims and coastal chic elements. A-grade embellishments and flashes of gold also make a splash, with a colour focus on midnight blue, silver, bluebell and hot coral to give that hint of ‘seaside luxe’.

This beautiful selection of ladies’ footwear takes resort elegance to new heights. Again, if you can’t find them in stores they are available online.

holster shoes, womens shoes, holster ladies shoes

Summer is coming. So get yourself ready for fun on the beach, pool and those glorious warm evenings. Kaftans can be worn over bathers. Bathers can be worn as bodysuits under jeans or skirts. Camilla can go anywhere, anytime! Having Holsters will take you to BBQs, parties and evenings out. Buy wisely and you’ll have pieces that will last for many years.

Enjoy Summer – I love it and am rocking it! Connie

ABOUT
Connie Matthews

Personal stylist, shopper of personal and corporate gifts at The Stylish Director. Putting FUN back into your shopping day – with STYLE.

The Stylish Director is a lifestyle management business and personal concierge that is proud to offer a ‘time valued service’ in managing busy lives. Let me to focus on your wardrobe, your gifting needs for family and friends while you focus on your leisure time. Amazing as it might seem not everyone loves shopping, but I do!

Website www.thestylishdirector.com.au

About the author

Alana Lowes

Add Comment

Click here to post a comment