So What to Twenty! THE BEST OF 2014
FASHION & INSPIRATIONAL
LOOKBOOK Life & fashion wisdom to carry you into the years.
Where Life and Fashion Intersect
Where Life and Fashion Intersect
THE BEST
OF
2014
FASHION & INSPIRATIONAL
LOOKBOOK LLIFE
AND FASHION WISDOM TO CARRY YOU INTO THE YEARS
From the Creators of So What to Twenty!
“For myself, it has to be more than just about the fashion. There has to be substance.” Glenda Harrison
O
n a day in 2012, I lay in bed and thought to myself, “There has to be more to life than this.” At this point in my life, I was in a dead-end job that offered me little to no incentive for getting out of bed. As I continued to bury myself under my sheets, a thought came to me which one could best describe as my Aha Moment. My grand idea was to launch a fashion/style blog. By doing so, it would buffer the dull effects from an unsatisfying job. The blog would fulfill two of my hearts desires— inspirational writing and fashion. After spending a mundane afternoon on the job, I returned home and logged onto my computer and launched my blog, which is now, So What to Twenty! The purpose of So What to Twenty was, and still is, to show women thirty and above in a different light. My goal being to cast out the images typically associated with women of a certain age. At the same time, the content had to feature so much more than fashion. It had to inspire, uplift and motivate. Now, over a year later, with an entry titled VALUABLE, it marked my 200th post and is truly the epicenter of what So What to Twenty is about-discovering your true worth. Thank you for taking this ride with me, 3
#18 Details
Good accessorizing takes skill. It’s the part of dressing that can ruin or enhance a look in an instant. Accessories are like the icing on a cake. The icing can either be delicious and add to the overall appeal of the cake, or, it can be simply awful and ruin it. Choose wisely.
From the Creators of So What to Twenty!
#17 Gray Matters There was a time in my life when I didn’t appreciate gray. For when gray arrived, it most assuredly meant rain was on the horizon. My outlook on gray has changed over the years. Now, I adore a subdued, gray and misty day. It calms the spirit and evokes a peaceful mood. I Now realize that gray matters.
5
#16 Confident Conforming to the worlds ideology of beauty can lead a women of a certain age to believe she is anything but beautiful. I discovered that my confidence comes from within and has very little to do with my clothing, hair, body, etc. My confidence comes from my soul that lives within.
From the Creators of So What to Twenty!
#15 I Am Glenda I really believe that in order one has to know one’s self. If self, there would be no need to fashion style. This I know...I ask, who are you?
to know your style, you truly know yourcopy another persons Am Glenda. And so I
7
#14 Dark Liquid In order to have a clear and introspective view of one’s self, it is important to, like the caterpillar, close yourself off from the rest of the world. It is in this dark and quiet space that transformation can take place. Don’t fear this time alone. Embrace it!
From the Creators of So What to Twenty!
#13 Scalloped It’s good to have clothing and accessories in your closet that have fun and unique details. After all, it is these special pieces that make getting dressed, all the more fun! A scalloped detailed top that looks like a simple peplum from the front, but when you turn around...Surprise!!
9
#12 Daring A wide brim hat that conceals just so; a slit that reveals a little extra leg. Sometimes it feels good to step outside the conservative box and into a more coquettish and daring side. This transformation need not be for a certain occasion, nor is it to impress anyone else. I enjoy going daring for me.
From the Creators of So What to Twenty!
#11 Get to Work I’m reminded of my grandfather who would dawn his overalls for a hard days work on the family farm. This memory stays with me and inspires a look that pushes me to get to work on a dream that I have had for years. Remove the distractions, and get to work! You’re never to old to pursue your dreams.
11
#10 Brush Strokes In fashion, unexpected combinations can make for very interesting outfits. The black midi skirt paired with a creative and innovative top is a perfect juxtapose— the CLASSIC combined with the BOLD. Add uniqueness to your wardrobe and take your outfits to the next level.
From the Creators of So What to Twenty!
#9 Sunshine Placid Blue, Hemlock and Freesia—I adore colors that are reminiscent of nature. Placid Blue as the sky and sea, Hemlock as foliage, and Freesia as the warm and loving sunshine. Oh sunshine, how I adore thee. I long for your warm and tender kiss. Nature as a fashion influencer? Yes please. That’s a marvelous idea!
13
#8 Ladylike In this current day, we celebrate the abrasive and the brash. I refuse to fall victim to such a way of life. After all, to be ladylike, in my opinion, isn't a quality that places one in a feeble position. On the contrary, this is one of the most powerful positions that exist. If you let it be.
From the Creators of So What to Twenty!
#7 Angelic Fashion inspiration can come from any avenue, even the classical music piece, Angels in the Architecture by Frank Ticheli. When I close my eyes to hear this song, with its incredible movements, I imagine angels dashing about. This ethereal dress of white billowy fabric with amazing movement made me feel angelic.
15
#6 Royal Blue: Part Deux A wardrobe can benefit quite nicely from a talented seamstress. In my life, my seamstress is my sister. Capable of performing more than simple alterations, my seamstress is able to transform old looks into new and create new looks to my exact specification. Put your seamstress on speed-dial. I did {wink}
From the Creators of So What to Twenty!
#5 Perfectly Curated A perfectly curated wardrobe is one that melds in perfectly with your life & style. Though my wardrobe is mostly centered around classics, I do enjoy expressing my unique self by adding touches of quirk. In this case, interesting details on classic loafers take this classic look to another level.
17
#4 Décolletage Make it a point to select items that will accentuate your favorite body parts. For myself, I rather like my feet and my décolletage. For that reason, I have quite a few pairs of sandals and shoulder baring tops. I enjoy emphasizing my best features. Believe me when I say...It’s an instant confidence booster!
From the Creators of So What to Twenty!
#3 A Mini Circle So many times I have read that women over 40 should not wear certain items-the mini skirt usually being at the top of the list. Let your own body, life, self -analysis determine what you wear. However, May I suggest, that if you wish to give a certain look a try, select uncomplicated pieces and detailing.
19
#2 Pencil Me In I chose to dedicate a pencil skirt post to the overly busy individuals who really need to find time to take a chill pill and indulge in the pleasures of life. When you receive a phone call from friends, inviting you to get together for a day at the spa, do yourself a favor, pencil them in.
From the Creators of So What to Twenty!
#1 Took My Breath Away In the store window I saw the most exquisite top on display. I gasped for air at its beauty. It literally took my breath away. It had to be mine no matter what the cost. This lovely floral top is now the revered peace in my wardrobe. It’s no wonder that it’s ranked #1 by my So What to Twenty readers for 2014!
21
Gleaning from 2014
A
s I look back over the year, I can most definitely say that I attained a great deal of wisdom. I took opportunities to glean from whatever experience I had to endure—whether good or not so pleasant. By viewing life in this fashion (no pun intended), it allowed me the freedom to clear my head and focus on what was truly important. Most importantly, after 48 years of life, I discovered my all-important value! This was truly an eye-opening discovery. Since learning of my worth, when negative thoughts try to bombard me, I now have the allimportant wisdom to shut the annoying negative thoughts down! And yes, there are other nuggets of wisdom that I’ll take with me into 2015: You can love people from a distance NEVER give up on your dreams Work towards your goal every day There are second chances...and third, and forth, and fifth, etc. Always make time for YOU There truly is a connection between the mind and the body. When what I need can’t be found on one side of the boat, then I will cast my net onto the other side. From the Creators of So What to Twenty!
You know you’re on the right path when you’re not put in a position to betray yourself. You don’t feel like you have to compromise who you are. It just feels right. -Caroline Myss
Happy New Year! 23
Where Life and Fashion Intersect
From the Creators of So What to Twenty!