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by The Hippy Bus

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Are you ready to freshen up and look 10 years younger ladies? without the cost? For starters you need to have the right attitude and be ready to try something new. I know what you're thinking, if I go shopping this is going to be expensive and I just don't have the money to spare. Don't worry I've done this before and the total cost for 2 shirts, 1 pair of pants and some classy costume jewelery was under 60 dollars.

Step 1: find a consultant
Do you have a 20 year old niece? cousin? sister? friend? with good taste. This person has to be brutally honest, it's for the best I promise. Take them with you to a mall.

Step 2: Throw it away
Are their some shirts/pants that are just completely outdated, warn-out or just plain ugly? Donate them to the nearest thrift store, give them to a friend just get them somewhere where you can never ever wear them again.

Some suggestions:
horizontal striped t-shirt - say no
acid washed jeans from 1986 - uh-uh
Tye dye shirts - what are you 14?
busy shirts - too much detail keep it sweet and simple

Step 3: Time to shop
Go to the nearest mall and hit some reasonably prices stores depending on you're size.

Casual
Once you find a store if you want to look casual with some class buy yourself a pair of semi-dark blue jeans, they tend to slim the legs. Your best choice would be regular rise, because if you have a bit extra on the hips, low rise won't complement that. For a shirt your best choice is a dress shirt with some detail on it because the jeans should be plain. Black and white is a good color combination on the shirt but as for taste if your a mom who's been too busy taking care of kids to keep up with the style it's time to talk to you're fashion consultant.
black silk or a shirt with 5% spandex are good choices. The silks looks very sassy without looking to high class. The spandex is good as long as the shirt is not plain. If the shirt is plain and you have a spandex shirt it will make you look bigger than you are.

Fancy Pancy
Once again follow the rule either your top or bottom is plain if you're clothing is too details you will look messy.

If you like dresses:
It depends how fancy you want to go, dresses can be great but you want to find the right kind. If you have varicose veins you are shy about or you just don't really want to show a lot of leg, never fear you can wear a longer dress without looking too conservative. This dress can go safely between the knees and ankles. A black dress always looks great but if you feel you need some serious color in you're life feel free to go with any color you like besides florescent colors, there just isn't any way to make bright yellow look good. Once again speak with you're fashion consultant.

Skirts:
Matching a skirt and a top isn't always easy. Start with a dressy top by following some of the guidelines in the 'casual' section. Match the skirt accordingly using the plain top or bottom rule. Sometimes you just don't feel what you're wearing is enough or you're shy about your arms so a sweater/jacket is needed. A jean jacket can look nice as long as it looks mature and not like something your kid would wear. A denim jacket is another alternatives. A sweater can also be nice but there are unspoken rules to a youthful looking sweater.

1. Never wear a granny sweater
this includes most cardigan and things that have crocheted flowers on them

2. Too much bead work is a mess
Sometimes some small sparkly beads on a sweater can look pretty but use your common sense and advice from your consultant.

3. Not too youthful
A sweater from lulu lemon or aritzia is maybe not your best bet. Go to an age appropriate store.

Final suggestion:
buy yourself some new makeup, possibly some different shades. Get yourself a new necklace or bracelet something that will accesorize your new outfit.

Now my advice is complete and you're free to embrace the world of style. You can go from granny clothes to a woman of today without looking like a teenage. It can remove 10 years just by the clothes you wear.

Learn more about this author, The Hippy Bus.

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