How to Dress Like Your Daughter and Get Away With It

New York fashion week in February kicked off the spring and summer trends, but some of the season's hottest looks can be daunting. Neon brights, graphic prints - they look fabulous on supermodels on the catwalk, but they'd look ridiculous on you, right? Wrong. You can wear those tricky trends at any age, just make a few tweaks and you'll be fine:

LEGGINGS:
For daughters: stick with solid colors and pair it with a flirty top, a'la Sienna Miller style. Don't forget to add sky-high wedges to add to your leg length.

For Moms: Forget the sky-high wedges, you don't want to look like a lady of the evening. Grab yourself some cute flats (animal print maybe) and find yourself some of those new black Lycra leggings (the ones that don't SHINE and show off every ripple) and top it off with a longer style knit tunic top in a solid color. The idea is to cover the bum.

BOLD PRINTS
For Daughters: Avoid tight Lycra tops and dresses that always look cheap in any kind of print. Keep the tops drapey. This season, A-line mini dresses are a must-have. Wear with chunky, statement jewelery. Just remember: when choosing your mini, it's still important to wear lengths that flatter.

For Moms: Opt for subtle prints rather than big and bold... you don't want to look like a tourist. A simple shift dress looks great in a graphic print, or if you are not so brave, just pick some fabulous bold accessories to wear with neutrals. For older Moms skirt lengths should be kept just above the knee. If you feel confident about your waist line, belt it with one of the wider styles.

JEANS
For Daughters: Skinny jeans are still the rage, topped with a long tunic for a slimming effect. All jeans are hitting higher at the waist, but slightly below the belly button is still a hipper look.

For Moms: Choose a "skinny" fit, but with a boot cut for balance. The real skinny jeans make mid sections appear larger. Look for a stretch jean with stomach and rear support for a "skinnier" look. Long tunics are great for Moms too. This is one item you can share!

MAKEUP
For Daughters: Lips are nude, skin looks clean and eyes pop with all over shimmer and shine. The drama in spring's makeup is with shadow and liner that make eyes pop.

For Moms: Moms need a little more color on their lips, but the light covering of foundation with just a little blush works well too. You can still add some shimmer on the eyelids, but don't go overboard. Place it on the brow bone or on the inside corners of eyelid.

SHOES
For Daughters and Moms: Ballet flats are back and none too soon.  They're adorable on daughters and a bunion-saver for Moms.  Either of you can wear them in bright colors with casual short pants, or in metallic with light, flowy skirts just below the knee.

Overall, Moms should keep an eye on what's hot for their daughters this spring, then temper it down for themselves, keeping in mind how their coloring and body shape has changed over the years. Copy your daughter's freshness and creativity - just tone it down for a more refined look.

Comments

[Regina]

I admit - I did go out and get myself some leggings and now I know what to get to wear with them. Something long that covers my butt!

[Margo]

I don't think that there is a designer out there who specifically has a line for us boomer women over 50. You always have to go out and shop for about 5 hours to come up with a trendy outfit that doesn't make you look like a teeny bopper. And you have to improvise and really use your imagination. Fashion is too much work sometimes.

[Gina Adams]

You really should watch the TV show "What Not To Wear". It teaches you how to dress in style and to flatter your body type. Also, never dress like you're 50!!!!! Dress at least 10 years younger than you really are. Don't be matronly, don't let JC Penny dress you! Experiment and mix it up a bit. And please, get a fresh new hair style! If you don't you'll never look younger.

[Cori]

Spring?? Where is the scoop for fall? This is 2-seasons back information: did you stop updating your website?

[Nancy Nehlsen]

Cori -- We're always adding new articles. If you go to our main Web page, www.Boomerful.com, you'll see links to the latest stories. No Fall update was planned for the article above. But, if any Boomerful.com readers have any Fall fashion suggestions they'd like to share, we'd love to hear them!

[Pammella]

Great advice! Now that my daughter doesn't live at home I miss hearing her say "mom, you look cute" - I value a stylish look that's not over the top.