A quick congratulations to Lauren who won the Dansko sandal giveaway!
Nicky asks and Beth answers:
I see a lot of Mary Jane type shoes that I am
attracted to but wonder if their vibe is too girlish for someone in
their 50's to wear. What do you think?
Great question, Nicky! I understand
your concern. Staying stylish but also age-appropriate can be one
of fashion’s greater challenges.
Mary Janes are currently very popular, showing up as sporty, rugged shoes, very dressy pumps, and everything in between. My opinion is that 50-somethings can DEFINITELY wear Mary Janes…with a few caveats. Obviously donning them with knee socks and a short skirt is a BIG no no!
A couple of other things to watch
out for are Mary Janes with very rounded toes (with the possible
exception of Dansko) or girlish details like bows, ruffles, and
multiple buckles. If you’re interested in flats, remember that
shoes with even a very small heel will present a more mature look
than all-out flats.
Combining Mary Janes with bright or
high-contrast tights or socks also is going to exude a younger vibe.
You want enough color contrast to show off the shoes, but for mature
women, I’d recommend keeping it relatively low-key. For example
you might wear black mary janes with gray or semi-sheer textured
black legwear (which is, incidentally, a very on-trend look.)
If you’re still uncertain, perhaps
consider
starting with a sportier style, which are less likely to
feel like little girl dress-up shoes. A pair of casual mary jane
slides by Keen is one of my favorite sandal alternatives for summer –
and perfect for concealing not-so-beautiful feet or a neglected
pedicure!
Hope these tips help! Do our readers
have any other advice for staying fashionable over 50?
