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What to Wear for the Rest of Your Life: Ageless Secrets of Style
In What to Wear for the Rest of Your Life, Gross helps us reconsider our closet identity, and discover who we want to be.Every woman's closet—no matter the size—is a room of her own. In that space hang side by side the special occasions and the everyday, the triumphs and the disasters, the memories we want to keep—and those we should jettison.She shares her personal journey and the intimate, poignant, and often humorous stories of the dozens of women she's interviewed across the country. Along with calming fashion advice about how to choose flattering clothes that will fit any woman's shape and style, Gross's engaging stories will help every woman evolve gracefully from wife to mother, from empty-nester to globe-trotting adventurer—whatever role she chooses—while letting her style express her inner beauty.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
July 7, 2010
I keep reading that this book is for women over 40, and while I’m not over 40 yet, with the way the years have been flying by since I’ve had children, 35 will turn to 40 in no time at all.
That being said, I don’t think this book is just for women over 40. It’s for any woman who absolutely hates to go into their closet to find something to wear. I am in the category. I used to wear the cutest most stylish clothes and then children hit. I became a stay at home mom. My closet is now full of t-shirts and yoga pants, with just a few other outfits that I like how I look in. Yet I hold on to the comfortable (both in how it feels and that it’s comfortable mentally) rather than going out and finding what I look good in now that I am no longer a size 10. I have all my size 10’s still in the garage. This book has made me admit that even though their is a slight chance that I may fit back into a size 10 again with a lot of hard work, my body has changed A LOT since I was 24. The things that looked good on me then most likely won’t look the same on me now.
And there is no excuse to have a closet of clothes that I hate just because I am not physically where I want to be. I need to dress how I want to feel.
You know what I’m talking about. You put together the perfect outfit for the perfect occasion and your confidence shoots up about 1000 points.
You wear jogging pants and a t-shirt to soccer practice and stand next to all the mom’s who just got off work and are business chic, you feel slightly dowdy.
I’m a mom. I’m not dead. I put all this time into my hair and make up and then have nothing to go with it.
I think after reading this book, reading her tips, her stories she shares, along with tidbits from other women, I am ready to tackle my closet and my dresser.
Pato is ready for me to tackle my closet and my dresser. He’s been telling me for a long time that if I’d just get rid of the stuff I don’t wear and the stuff that isn’t very flattering, he would be more than willing to put up the money for me to go get a new wardrobe. I just haven’t had the confidence to get rid of the old standbys. No longer. One of these days I shall have pictures of me cleaning out my closet. Pictures of stacks that can go to Goodwill or to a woman’s shelter to help others. Something that looks awful on me might very well look fabulous on them!
Thank you to Kim Johnson Gross for writing What to Wear for the Rest of Your Life: Ageless Secrets of Style. I could relate with so much that she wrote. And I shall do it. I shall tackle the closet and it shall become a closet I won’t be dread stepping into.
That being said, I don’t think this book is just for women over 40. It’s for any woman who absolutely hates to go into their closet to find something to wear. I am in the category. I used to wear the cutest most stylish clothes and then children hit. I became a stay at home mom. My closet is now full of t-shirts and yoga pants, with just a few other outfits that I like how I look in. Yet I hold on to the comfortable (both in how it feels and that it’s comfortable mentally) rather than going out and finding what I look good in now that I am no longer a size 10. I have all my size 10’s still in the garage. This book has made me admit that even though their is a slight chance that I may fit back into a size 10 again with a lot of hard work, my body has changed A LOT since I was 24. The things that looked good on me then most likely won’t look the same on me now.
And there is no excuse to have a closet of clothes that I hate just because I am not physically where I want to be. I need to dress how I want to feel.
You know what I’m talking about. You put together the perfect outfit for the perfect occasion and your confidence shoots up about 1000 points.
You wear jogging pants and a t-shirt to soccer practice and stand next to all the mom’s who just got off work and are business chic, you feel slightly dowdy.
I’m a mom. I’m not dead. I put all this time into my hair and make up and then have nothing to go with it.
I think after reading this book, reading her tips, her stories she shares, along with tidbits from other women, I am ready to tackle my closet and my dresser.
Pato is ready for me to tackle my closet and my dresser. He’s been telling me for a long time that if I’d just get rid of the stuff I don’t wear and the stuff that isn’t very flattering, he would be more than willing to put up the money for me to go get a new wardrobe. I just haven’t had the confidence to get rid of the old standbys. No longer. One of these days I shall have pictures of me cleaning out my closet. Pictures of stacks that can go to Goodwill or to a woman’s shelter to help others. Something that looks awful on me might very well look fabulous on them!
Thank you to Kim Johnson Gross for writing What to Wear for the Rest of Your Life: Ageless Secrets of Style. I could relate with so much that she wrote. And I shall do it. I shall tackle the closet and it shall become a closet I won’t be dread stepping into.
May 22, 2010
Not what I was expecting. I picked up this book hoping it would give me a list of simple, classic wardrobe pieces. Rather it was a tirade of how horrible growing old can be and how ones clothes no longer fit as one ages. Not what I was looking for. Thank goodness it was a library book!
July 2, 2012
While this book had some great ideas, about half way through I got bored. The author tended to repeat herself and then her tone was kind of snooty. The more I read, the frumpier I felt and there were things I just wasn't able to do for a variety of reasons. Her opinions made me feel like I had no fashion sense at all and some of her beauty hints were just plain wrong for me. Her tips rarely took into account those of us who live on a budget. We can't just go into our closets and makeup drawers, throw things out and start all over. If you are a woman with an unlimited budget, this book is for you!
March 23, 2024
I'm moving into a new phase of my life, and when I look at my closet some of the clothes I've had and loved for years seem not to be relevant anymore. I am looking for change, and when I am figuring out anything I go to the library and see what there is to be written about this subject.
I like the idea of this book very much- a style guide for changing bodies, for changing times in ones life, for the older woman. This is a subject worthy of thoughts and words!
But this guide only partially delivered. There still seemed to be a clinging focus on being as thin, soft and young looking as possible, which disappointed me. I do wish we could see past that sort of thinking.
I like the idea of this book very much- a style guide for changing bodies, for changing times in ones life, for the older woman. This is a subject worthy of thoughts and words!
But this guide only partially delivered. There still seemed to be a clinging focus on being as thin, soft and young looking as possible, which disappointed me. I do wish we could see past that sort of thinking.
July 26, 2010
Sometimes these books are just chock full of information and other times, they are just chock full of themselves. Perhaps I am jaded because I compare all of this genre to my favorite, "Does this make me look Fat?" by Leah Feldon, which was actually incredibly useful and has withstood the test of time.
This book suffers from such an over abundance of information that in the end, its message seems to be trust yourself and wear what you want. Plus it is filled with boring quotes by alternately famous and unknown people spouting meaningless yakety-yak about their wardrobes and their style, ie. "I needed a look and i got one." Maria Callas
This book suffers from such an over abundance of information that in the end, its message seems to be trust yourself and wear what you want. Plus it is filled with boring quotes by alternately famous and unknown people spouting meaningless yakety-yak about their wardrobes and their style, ie. "I needed a look and i got one." Maria Callas
March 6, 2024
Great book for women at age of 60 or so, experiencing changes on their body etc. I liked the writing style, the sense of humour and the ideas, though because of the age difference I couldn't really relate with all the points.
The basic idea of the book is relevant for any age: Dress for your current body, adjust to promote your strongest points, dont bit yourself up for not being the same person you were 5-10 years ago, love yourself at any age, size, mood.
I will definitely look for more books of the author. Really enjoyed it!
The basic idea of the book is relevant for any age: Dress for your current body, adjust to promote your strongest points, dont bit yourself up for not being the same person you were 5-10 years ago, love yourself at any age, size, mood.
I will definitely look for more books of the author. Really enjoyed it!
October 14, 2010
For the over 40 set.
Girlfriend needs to throw out the yoga pants. No, you don't get to out in the yoga pants. Nothing "dresses them up."
Girlfriend needs to throw out the yoga pants. No, you don't get to out in the yoga pants. Nothing "dresses them up."
December 31, 2017
2018 resolution: closet make over! Reading this book will help.
October 8, 2017
Agree with other reviews: less useful than it first appeared, glad it was a library book.
May 9, 2020
I'm not much for books on style. I don't read Vogue but this book was amazing. At my age (mumble, mumble years old) I thought I couldn't be stylish. Then I met the author when she was in Costa Rica, heard a bit of the story and had to buy the book.
If you don't know much about style - or even if you do - this book is worth every penny! I am re-reading it for the second time and have adopted a lot of the pointers. I am finding something new with each reading!
If you don't know much about style - or even if you do - this book is worth every penny! I am re-reading it for the second time and have adopted a lot of the pointers. I am finding something new with each reading!
August 28, 2023
Although the book has a lot to offer women about fashion at midlife and beyond, I didn't care for Kim Johnson Gross' repetition of the same information throughout the chapters or how she belittled her changing body. I thought this would be more uplifting. I enjoyed her other books better. Still, the book does have plenty of tips and advice for women as they head into the second half of their lives regarding clothing, make up, and other beauty elements.
April 15, 2020
Liked it okay, liked the illustrations best, but mostly I felt like so much has changed, like the Body Positivity movement, that much of the advice has been superseded by the freight train of modern life.
June 21, 2018
Makes me feel better.....
January 5, 2018
UPDATE, January 2018: Re-read again at the start of this year, and I have to say, I "got" it more this time around. I particularly appreciated the explanation of a "feel good" closet - those items in your wardrobe that not only look good, they help you feel more confident. (The TMI part still holds, though).
January 2017:Part memoir, part how-to guide with fashion tips for the over-40 set. Gross writes in a confidential style, which gives this book the feel of a girlfriend-to-girlfriend chat, but some of the personal detail is a bit TMI. Not quite what I was expecting.
January 2017:Part memoir, part how-to guide with fashion tips for the over-40 set. Gross writes in a confidential style, which gives this book the feel of a girlfriend-to-girlfriend chat, but some of the personal detail is a bit TMI. Not quite what I was expecting.
October 21, 2014
Picked this book up from the library fashion shelves not realizing the target audience was aging 50+ year old women! I read the first 50 pages or so... she seems to have a repetitive gentle theme that it is okay (and good) to change your closet to fit your current body and lifestyle rather than being stuck in the past.
There were a few disconnects in her writing. She would give a specific tip in one sentence and then seemingly contradict herself in the next. She also heavily referenced and glamorized her own life - coming of age in the 60’s, being a former model, living with her to-be husband before their wedding, dressing for her ex-husband on his 50th birthday. The stuff about her ex-husband is what prompted me to put the book down for good. It felt grossly inappropriate that she was reminiscing about their love story publicly, after she divorced him and while he was actively dating another women. She also mentioned looking forward to passing the welcome-to-the-family pearls his family had given her along to her daughter - when the daughter married. Give them to her now! Don’t tie your failed marriage into her future marriage! It was a little too “live and let live” for me. Boundaries were not respected.
The author clearly has a heavy background in fashion and there are much helpful advice for 50+ women. However, her personal life is heavily referenced and a bit distasteful. (Or maybe 50+ women think this is normal - indulging in the 60s, going braless, getting divorced, ect) She also seems emotionally immature, which is especially embarrassing in a grown woman.
Lots of interesting inspirational quotes from designers and comments from older women “on the street”.
There were a few disconnects in her writing. She would give a specific tip in one sentence and then seemingly contradict herself in the next. She also heavily referenced and glamorized her own life - coming of age in the 60’s, being a former model, living with her to-be husband before their wedding, dressing for her ex-husband on his 50th birthday. The stuff about her ex-husband is what prompted me to put the book down for good. It felt grossly inappropriate that she was reminiscing about their love story publicly, after she divorced him and while he was actively dating another women. She also mentioned looking forward to passing the welcome-to-the-family pearls his family had given her along to her daughter - when the daughter married. Give them to her now! Don’t tie your failed marriage into her future marriage! It was a little too “live and let live” for me. Boundaries were not respected.
The author clearly has a heavy background in fashion and there are much helpful advice for 50+ women. However, her personal life is heavily referenced and a bit distasteful. (Or maybe 50+ women think this is normal - indulging in the 60s, going braless, getting divorced, ect) She also seems emotionally immature, which is especially embarrassing in a grown woman.
Lots of interesting inspirational quotes from designers and comments from older women “on the street”.
May 25, 2011
When something deviates from what is considered the appropriate course, making a new path is not only acceptable - it is encouraged.
The theme is picked up by Kim Johnson Gross in her "What to Wear for the Rest of Your Life: Ageless Secrets of Style". The author makes her point by weaving real-life statements and experiences into what is essentially a style guide book.
I want to be clear, I do not agree with her on everything. I am of the school of thought that black does not, in fact, go with everything (brown and charcoal gray are much softer, more versatile and do not kill the subtlety in other colors). I also vehemently oppose just about everything in the "Fake It Till You Make It" chapter. If you can't button your pants or skirt, and the button cannot be moved to make some room - they have to go. Hiking them up unbuttoned and hiding them under a tunic is just not acceptable to me.
That said, I still think it is a fantastic positive book, helping women realize that there is style after menopause and allowing those who have crossed that line see them in a new fun and feminine light, and those who have yet to come to that point to not be afraid of it.
The theme is picked up by Kim Johnson Gross in her "What to Wear for the Rest of Your Life: Ageless Secrets of Style". The author makes her point by weaving real-life statements and experiences into what is essentially a style guide book.
I want to be clear, I do not agree with her on everything. I am of the school of thought that black does not, in fact, go with everything (brown and charcoal gray are much softer, more versatile and do not kill the subtlety in other colors). I also vehemently oppose just about everything in the "Fake It Till You Make It" chapter. If you can't button your pants or skirt, and the button cannot be moved to make some room - they have to go. Hiking them up unbuttoned and hiding them under a tunic is just not acceptable to me.
That said, I still think it is a fantastic positive book, helping women realize that there is style after menopause and allowing those who have crossed that line see them in a new fun and feminine light, and those who have yet to come to that point to not be afraid of it.
November 19, 2013
I've noticed that the overall rankings of fashion & beauty books are among the lowest of any genre on my bookshelf: that is to say that even the fashion books I love and swear by get really horrible reviews and low rankings from other readers.
Is this because readers are afraid to admit that as average women, they're not millionaire fashionistas? Or is the opposite true -- they feel they can dispense better advice about personal appearance?
This book's strong points are that it's full of great quotes and advice from both seasoned fashion designers and clients of Ms Gross. You'll find at least one saying to pin to your closet door.
The illustrations are great, too. Often a written description of an outfit doesn't make sense until you have a visual image, and the quirky, colorful drawings here are fun and spirited.
Other people I know (and who's reviews I've read below) complain about "The Alien" Ms Gross calls her stomach -- I agree that was a little weird. And the sometimes-conflicting advice (wear a short skirt -- no, don't wear short skirts!) works against credibility. But I enjoyed this book and would definitely read more of her writing.
Is this because readers are afraid to admit that as average women, they're not millionaire fashionistas? Or is the opposite true -- they feel they can dispense better advice about personal appearance?
This book's strong points are that it's full of great quotes and advice from both seasoned fashion designers and clients of Ms Gross. You'll find at least one saying to pin to your closet door.
The illustrations are great, too. Often a written description of an outfit doesn't make sense until you have a visual image, and the quirky, colorful drawings here are fun and spirited.
Other people I know (and who's reviews I've read below) complain about "The Alien" Ms Gross calls her stomach -- I agree that was a little weird. And the sometimes-conflicting advice (wear a short skirt -- no, don't wear short skirts!) works against credibility. But I enjoyed this book and would definitely read more of her writing.
May 30, 2011
Won this from a Goodreads giveaway a while back.
I wasn't expecting it to be geared so much towards older women, but I suppose it's a good reference book to have, nonetheless. Kim Johnson Gross packs the book filled with tidbits of info, sometimes a bit too much of the extras with the quotes, but it's all laid out pretty well. I did like the simplistic drawings scattered throughout the book, and it's evident there's effort to design this book to be on the easy side to use.
I might flip through this every few years to see how it stands the test of time. There's more focus on feeling good about yourself to project the comfortable image that you want others to see, and more positive messages along that line.
I wasn't expecting it to be geared so much towards older women, but I suppose it's a good reference book to have, nonetheless. Kim Johnson Gross packs the book filled with tidbits of info, sometimes a bit too much of the extras with the quotes, but it's all laid out pretty well. I did like the simplistic drawings scattered throughout the book, and it's evident there's effort to design this book to be on the easy side to use.
I might flip through this every few years to see how it stands the test of time. There's more focus on feeling good about yourself to project the comfortable image that you want others to see, and more positive messages along that line.
May 19, 2010
This book was well written and can span generations in helping people identify how to pick clothing to wear. I learned some helpful tricks to choosing my clothing but I felt that the book would be more appropriate for someone older who is going through a significate change in their lives. The book seemed to center on women going through menopause or other later in life changes and how to address those concerns without losing themselves. It touched on more then just clothing but also hair styles, makeup, and how to shop smartly. I will be glad to continue to have this book on my bookcase to refer to when I have major life changes either job related, personal, or physical.
January 19, 2013
This book was a real help for me. We don't stay 25 forever. All of a sudden your clothes don't work for you and you don't know how to shop. Especially now, with the current styles. I purged my closet after reading. Do you know how good it feels not to have anything in your closet that doesn't make you feel good?!
And it talked about loving your body today. Celebrate who you are!
Something I hadn't thought of was how my skin care products and make up no longer worked that well for me. After the book I went with my cousin for a make over.
What this book did for me that was the most valuable was to enjoy much fewer but nicer things guilt free. Really enjoyed it.
And it talked about loving your body today. Celebrate who you are!
Something I hadn't thought of was how my skin care products and make up no longer worked that well for me. After the book I went with my cousin for a make over.
What this book did for me that was the most valuable was to enjoy much fewer but nicer things guilt free. Really enjoyed it.
November 27, 2016
A candid personalized book about our closet identities. It is filled with beautiful quotes, short stories entitled "Closet Confidential" written by women experiencing various closet outfit challenges as they navigate changes in their lives, and Kim's personal journey as she watches her body change and her life unfold after divorce. I read a lot of books on fashion and style and this was one of the better ones. It doesn't have a lot of visual content, something I prefer in a fashion/style book but the writing is engaging, relatable and intimate. I like her attitude and am going to check out more about her. She is real and tells it like it is which many over 40 women can relate to.
December 31, 2010
I would recommend this book for women who are menopausal. The author does spend quite a bit of time focusing on her own issues about menopause versus giving advice. However, the advice is useful and I would recommend the book based on her ideas of how to critically look at your wardrobe, your career, and how to dress for the rest of your life. The quotes from other women interspersed throughout are sometimes insightful, other times annoying. The author's recommendations for dressing your age and for your body type are helpful. Overall, recommended.
January 16, 2015
She recommends wearing pants or skirts that no longer fit (due to weight gain) unzipped and/or unbuttoned and pulling a long shirt or jacket on over it to cover the gap. In what universe is this a valid fashion strategy?? Really? This woman is a stylist?
There is nothing new here. There's a whole lot of whinging about her lost youth, the waning of her (former model) looks and the dissolution of her marriage. She needs a trainer, and a real editor.
You will learn more about style for women 40+ in one quickly perused issue of More magazine than you can ever find here.
There is nothing new here. There's a whole lot of whinging about her lost youth, the waning of her (former model) looks and the dissolution of her marriage. She needs a trainer, and a real editor.
You will learn more about style for women 40+ in one quickly perused issue of More magazine than you can ever find here.
May 19, 2010
This was a book I won through Good Reads. It was a fun topic to read about, when midlife dictates what we can and can't wear and get away with. I loved some of the ideas such as Style Mentors and looking to them to help us find our own style, but much of the book was a bit repetitious and did not always apply to people in the over 40 crowd. I did enjoy the anecdotal stories and found a few fresh ideas.
November 12, 2010
I would have given this book a higher rating but I found all the little conversations placed inbetween the text as more distracting than helpful. The author does cover a lot of ground other than just the clothes you wear. She covers hair, shoes, what to wear with your outfits etc. What did I learn from this book. I need to replace about 98% of clothes I have because everything is to big and that includes the under clothes. Wear what you feel good in, don't let the latest trends rule you.
March 2, 2013
It had some really nice helpful tips for dressing simply, but it was very much geared towards women near or in menopause. And I am far from that so sometimes it got a bit like, why do I need to know this? But it did have some really nice ideas and now I notice certain ways of wearing things everywhere. So it did train me to have a better eye to the fashion that is around me and how to dress to downplay the bad parts of my body.
September 9, 2017
Kim Johnson was a 1980s model. She has always cared about fashion and dresses to the nines. She changed her style as she aged, learning how to emphasize her best features and cover up her worst features. I didn't get solid fashion advice from the book, but I appreciated her honesty and humility. Like her, I know myself. I dress for comfort, not style, and this was a reminder for me to make more of an effort.
June 13, 2011
An entertaining and feel-good read that inspires you to be the best you can be, feel great about yourself while doing it, and never forget that you are a sexy and fabulous woman!
My only critivism is that I didn't feel there was enough practical guidance on what to wear and what pieces to use to build a great wardrobe. Perhaps some bulleted lists would have covered that off.
My only critivism is that I didn't feel there was enough practical guidance on what to wear and what pieces to use to build a great wardrobe. Perhaps some bulleted lists would have covered that off.
June 5, 2012
Picked up this little gem at the used book store, and got a few good tidbits out of it. It's a glossy book with lots of graphics, quotes, anecdotes and tips on fashion for the, er, older set. But I won't keep it on my reference shelf, as envisioned. After the first couple chapters, it started repeating itself.
July 24, 2013
It was okay, but it wasn't what I was hoping for. It was just a little too general, for women who needed a pep talk to dress nicely at fifty. It didn't deal with dress codes, protocol, the message you send when you wear X or Y... it was just one of those "it's okay to dress any way you want now that you're retired" things.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews