Read these 5 steps before planning of getting out for shopping.

Dressing to Young for Your Age

While fashion isn’t always age discriminate there are an abundance of trends that are aimed at the twenty to thirty something demographic. Women above that demographic often run the risk of dressing to young for their own good. While there is no need to fill your closet with elastic waist bands and goofy sweaters upon your thirtieth birthday, you should practice caution when it comes to trends. If you feel something may be too young for you, you’re probably right. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to look young with out cashing in on every runway trend.

Buying Cheap to Save Money

We all like to save a little money when possible. Buying quality goods on clearance is a great way to do that. Unfortunately, buying clothing that is generally just cheaper isn’t always the right way to go. More often than not, when it comes to clothing, you get what you pay for. Cheaper clothing often tears, rips, wears out, or doesn’t make it through the washer. Replacing items that couldn’t take the stress of daily life can end up costing you a lot more in the long run. If you are looking to purchase a clothing item you wear regularly, spend a little extra or wait for the higher quality items to go on sale.

Going to Extremes

Every now and then you want to change up your style and put a little excitement in your closet. It’s great to try different things but do so slowly. Investing in the latest trends all at once will not only cost you major bucks but can look a little tacky if not ridiculous. Update your wardrobe in small doses. This will give you time to introduce new trends into your wardrobe and find out which ones work best for you.

Neglecting Your Style for the Latest Trend

Fashion is an expression of the self. You should choose clothing that suits your personality and way of life. That said, not every trend is meant for every woman. Don’t wear something just because it is “in.” Invest in clothing that makes you comfortable and brings out your personality. Buying clothing just because it’s trendy isn’t good for you or your wallet. You will either be uncomfortable while donning your new digs or they will remain unused collecting dust in your closet.

Getting into a Fashion Rut

It’s okay to know you’re own personal style and to buy your clothing accordingly. Unfortunately, many women fall victim to fashion monotony and never explore outside the realm of their own unchanging closet. Every now and then change things up a bit by adding a article of clothing you normally wouldn’t buy. It doesn’t have to be outlandish or ultra trendy, just a little bit different from the norm.

Source: Ezrine

To kick off the Spring 08 shows, Pantone - the premier color authority - just released the PANTONE Fashion Color Report Spring 2008, featuring fun designer sketches, quotes, headshots, and the top 10 colors for women’s fashion for spring ‘08. The new season’s palette is made up of classic, versatile neutrals punctuated by playful splashes of invigorating brights, hopefully encouraging fashionistas to explore new and creative ways to combine colors. “The spring ‘08 color palette perfectly reflects the cheerfulness of the season,” notes Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, about the variations on popular colors such as energizing red, cool, waterborne blue and eco-friendly green that play a key role this season.”Stabilizing neutrals combined with pops of brighter colors to create unique, distinctive looks are the basis for a great spring and summer wardrobe.”

The top 10 spring 2008 colors for women:

• Snorkel Blue (PANTONE 19-4049)
• Freesia (PANTONE 14-0852)
• Daiquiri Green (PANTONE 12-0435)
• Croissant (PANTONE 16-0924)
• Rococco Red (PANTONE 18-1652)
• Silver Gray (PANTONE 14-0000)
• Spring Crocus (PANTONE 17-3020)
• Cantaloupe (PANTONE 15-1239)
• Pink Mist (PANTONE 13-2805)
• Golden Olive (PANTONE 16-0639 )

Vibrant Snorkel Blue, a favorite this season among designers, is a dependable navy, but spiced up with more animation and sophistication. The cool blue undertones Pink Mist pair perfectly with any color in the palette for a feminine look, and provide a refreshing complement to Daiquiri Green, a brighter version of the popular earth-tone yellow-greens naturally associated with eco-awareness. Warm, cheerful Freesia is an uplifting and inviting color to which people are instinctively drawn; it is also a hue that that allows for diverse accessorizing opportunities in jewelry and shoes.

Brighter reds such as provocative Rococco Red are also in favor this spring, and the deep pink undertones of flowery Spring Crocus make it among the prettiest, most wearable purples. Against neutrals, luscious Cantaloupe proves warm and nurturing…& a great addition to any wardrobe, especially when paired with delicious chocolate browns. Glitzy Sliver Gray has a sheen reminiscent of the popular metallics that add a touch of excitement to any outfit. With its beautiful undertones, Croissant is a delicious base for spring’s more exciting accents. Trans-seasonal Golden Olive is another distinctive & tasteful addition to 2008’s newest shades.

If you are heavier on the top:
• Choose tops with a loose fit, which then slim down to hug the hips and waist.
• Opt for thin fabrics, such as cotton or cotton jersey, which won’t add bulk.
• Create the illusion of length by sticking to one color, down to the shoes.
• Choose long jackets without shoulder pads.
• Try a pleated skirt to bring the eye down to your lower half, and don’t be afraid of shorter hem lengths.

If you are heavier on the bottom:
• Even out your frame with small shoulder pads.
• Wear dark pants or stockings.
• Experiment with vertical lines and patterns.
• Wear long tops that go past your hips.
• Wear prints only on the top.
• Look for jackets, tailored suits and shirtwaist dresses with straight, classic cuts.

If you’re not-so-curvy:
• Add dimension with patterns.
• Try loose flowery clothing and draw attention towards your face with colorful earrings and scarves.

If you’re an hourglass:
• Wear fabrics that show off your figure by draping loosely.
• Emphasize your waist with a belt.
• Show off some cleavage with a V-neck.
• Celebrate your curves. Lots of women would love to be voluptuous. I, for one, encourage you to flaunt it (at the level you feel comfortable doing so, of course.)

Slenderizing Tips for all Body Types:
• Stand tall, elongate your neck, and square your shoulders. Good posture and proper breathing are two of the quickest ways you can look and feel good, whether you’re a size two or size 22.
• Instead of covering your neck with turtleneck tops and sweaters, which can make your face look wider, opt for V-neck tops and dresses that enhance your facial features.
• Straight legged pants tend to create a leaner look than flared bell-bottoms.
• If you are five feet four inches and under, look for dresses that hit just above or at the knee.
• Empire waists create a clean, elongated look.
• Experiment with eye-catching jewelry and accessories.
• To create the illusion of length, think monochromatic. If you have a black outfit, for example, and you wear a white belt, you have just broken the smooth, lean line and created the illusion of bulk. To minimize this effect, wear a dark belt and dark stockings with a dark outfit. Of course, it’s no fun to dress all in one color (unless it’s fuschia), so this is one rule that’s meant to be broken. You can add funky accessories, such as handbags and shoes, while maintaining the illusion of length.
• Be careful with pleated pants, which tend to add bulk to the mid-section.
• Try an A-line. A-line dresses have always been at the top of the list for hiding those areas that cause the most concern for women.
• When choosing a swimming suit, there are lots of chic styles available now that come with a skirt. If you feel more comfortable concealing your hips and thighs, do so. I started wearing a skirted suit years ago, and I love no longer feeling self-conscious at the pool or the beach. Plus, it gives me the flexibility to be active in my suit (which usually entails chasing my kids) without worrying about exposing myself.
• Wear proper undergarments. There was a time when women had great difficulty finding appropriate-sized bras, but today there is a wide variety of sexy undergarments for all women who want to feel sensuous and comfortable. Plenty of specialty stores will help you find just the right bra or even have your bra custom sized. Undergarments that fit right will make all the difference in your look, and they can really help you to feel more comfortable in the skin you’re in.

Source: Miss Savvy

Dress for the occasion. Looking your best doesn’t mean that you need to be overdressed. There is a time and a place for every outfit. Learn to figure it out.

Know your size. Wearing clothing that is too big or too tight is hardly ever a good idea. Don’t be afraid to try on the garments you’re purchasing because in the end it can save you a lot of time and money. Ill-fitting attire gives the impression that you are careless.

Make it match. Although fashion these days allows the combination of different colors and fabric, you still need to make sure that what you’re wearing actually goes well together. While you’re at it, choose colors that complement your lovely complexion and bring out your beautiful eyes, versus tones that make you fade into the background. If you’re unsure about which colors are right for you, stand in front of a mirror with natural light and hold different shades up to your face. You’ll realize that some of them make you look radiant, while others harden your facial features.
Choose your design. Not everything that is fashionable is appropriate for every figure. Pick outfits that are comfortable and at the same time enhance your silhouette.

Be aware of your age. Contrary to popular belief, dressing like a teenager when you’re in your thirties does not make you look younger. Dressing according to your age will make you more attractive if you pay attention to details like color, fabric, and style.

Pay attention to the inside. It doesn’t matter how stunning you might look, if you carry around the extra baggage of unforgiveness, resentment, envy, prejudice and hatred, they will show up in your interactions with others. Be sure to spend some time every day in quiet reflection on how to become a better woman and how you can empower other women to do the same.