Style featuring simple lines with one statement piece - A Style Interview with Susan Kanoff | 40plusstyle.com

This week's style star is the fabulous Susan who combines her love for mode and styling others with a job as a social worker. Her ain style is understated and elegant yet always features a statement pieces. Permit'due south detect her style secrets!

Can you tell us a little flake more about yourself?

My story is a bit unique. I'm a social worker, wardrobe stylist and midlife style blogger—crazy combination I know, but it works! I've been a social worker for the past xx+ years.

I run a federal program that helps low-income families become self-sufficient. Almost nine years ago I started my business, which grew out of a passion for clothes mixed with a love for helping women feel empowered and self-confident (dress are powerful!).

The business took off faster than I ever could have imagined and within a few years I had a robust clientele and started styling for television set and print. I think that my background in social work gives me a deeper understanding of trunk image and self-esteem issues that then many women (including myself) struggle with.

Photo by Emily O'Brien

Although my social work job is very different from my styling business, I attempt to infuse the two worlds when I can by running mode events for charity, makeovers for deserving women and by collecting clothes to pass on to those in demand (I actually have a minor "wearing apparel for success" blazon program in my office!).

It is super important to me to requite back to the community and I become a sense of corking joy when I know that I take made a difference in the lives of others. Kindness makes the earth get round.

On a personal annotation, I am divorced, happily remarried and have two astonishing kids Alyssa 29 and Neal 25. I too have two grown step-kids and an ambrosial grand-bunny and g-dog J.

Photo by Cathleen Trainor

As a bespeak of reference which age group practice you belong to or perhaps you are willing to share your historic period?

Of course! I'chiliad in the l's club (54 to be verbal!)

Can you tell us a bit more almost your blog The Midlife Fashionista and why yous created it?

Although I've been blogging for years (as a way to requite my clients style ideas), it was but concluding year that The Midlife Fashionista was born. I did a total revamp of the blog including incorporating professional photos taken by my best friend Cathy (besties since loftier school!).

Cathy is a corporate executive with a passion for photography, so nosotros teamed up to practice photo-shoots together–I play model and she plays photographer! We have way likewise much fun and love exploring new places to shoot.

When Cathy'southward schedule heats up, I tap into the talents of my friend/photographer Emily O'Brien. I'one thousand grateful to have such wonderful women to collaborate with!

The mission of The Midlife Fashionista is to prove that style is ageless but doesn't have to be difficult! During midlife so many body changes happen– it's easy for women to get into stuck in a style rut and requite up on their clothes and on themselves!

Photo by Cathleen Trainor

The Midlife Fashionista is all about showing off looks that are modern, versatile, and withstand the trends. I like to model simple chic outfits that are easy to put together—you won't see complicated runway styles on my blog!

I want my readers to call up "I could actually wear something like that!" or "I dear how those colors look together". I also infuse the blog with personal insights and nearly recently, stories of inspiring women who take made positive changes in midlife.

Afterward all, nosotros're in this together and we tin can learn from each other!

How would you describe your own personal way?

For the most function I would say that my manner is understated. You'll never see me over-accessorized or glitzy from caput to toe!

I tend to gravitate toward unproblematic lines and styles with ane standout piece–whether it be a great necklace, bag or fabulous jacket. Notwithstanding, I exercise similar to switch things up, so my way tin change according to my mood and can range from classic to edgy—sometimes even a bit boho!

Photo by Emily O'brien

What would you consider the about important components of your style?

*Lots of basics—nuts are the foundation of a nifty wardrobe. When there's besides much "fluff" and not enough bones pieces in the closet, it tin be difficult to put great outfits together

*Condolement—I have to exist comfortable these days. Gone from my closet are the killer iv'' heels and low-rise pants. Apparel should not cause pain!

*Actuality—Information technology's super of import that my style reflects who I am as a person. I preach this to my clients likewise. Information technology'south wonderful to push yourself beyond your comfort zone by trying new styles—just be sure that you however feel like yourself!

Photograph by Emily O'Brien

Where practice yous live and how does that influence your fashion?

I live in the Greater Boston surface area. Bostonians tend to be fairly bourgeois dressers…it's definitely non trendy LA!

I would say that the atmospheric condition impacts my mode more than anything. Our cold snowy winters tin brand existence stylish a bit more challenging. The older I get, the less I like being cold. I truly believe I was meant to exist a snowfall-bird.

Photograph by Cathleen Trainor

What inspires your outfit choices the almost?

I love to become ideas from other style blogs—there are some super stylish midlife bloggers out there! I also enjoy flipping through style magazines and of class scouting out what's in the stores!

Photo by Emily O'brien

Do yous take things like color profiling or body type into account when you wearing apparel?

Absolutely! Both are super important, specially in midlife.

Although I'one thousand non a big fan of "colour profiling systems" as they can sometimes be too limiting, I exercise believe that women should wearable colors that are flattering to their skin-tone. A good color will actually make your skin glow, pop your eyes and even make your teeth look whiter, whereas a bad color can be draining and wash you out.

I've noticed that as I get older my colors take changed and I can now wear shades that didn't work in the by. For example, baby bluish used to look terrible on me, only now that my hair-color is lighter, it works!

Photo past Emily O'Brien

Dressing for our trunk shape is just every bit of import. Every bit our bodies modify, our styles need to as well.

I'm finding that clothes I rocked just final year no longer wait great this season, so I'1000 constantly reevaluating and weeding out my wardrobe.

Has your style changed at all later on turning xl?

Oh yes! Equally a affair of fact, I retrieve my fashion has gotten better over the years! I cringe when I see photos of how I dressed when my kids were little!

I was a stay-at-dwelling mom for years, so it was easy to throw on sweats e'er day. One time my kids got older, I had more time to focus on myself and reconnect with my sense of style.

At 54, I think I'1000 more stylish than I've ever been!

Photo past Emily O'Brien

Exercise you believe in dressing 'age appropriately' and what does it mean to y'all?

I'm actually not sure what the term "historic period appropriate" ways anymore—I call up everyone has their own interpretation these days! My feeling is that instead of defining our wardrobe by our historic period, it's better to focus on what is flattering.

If you have fabulous legs, then why should you wear long skirts merely because you "think" you should?

Photograph by Cathleen Trainor

Nosotros're lucky to have gorgeous over forty office models who apparel youthful and modern, similar Julianne Moore, Jennifer Anniston, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. I'm in love with Helen Mirren'due south style, and she's 70!

Would you say that at this stage of your life y'all are now more than, or less interested in fashion, style and the way you look?

Definitely more! I love wearing apparel more than I ever have! Peradventure it'due south because of my blog or considering I have more than time to focus on myself at this stage of my life.

Why is the way you look important to you?

It'due south simple…when I await good, I experience good.

Photo by Cathleen Trainor

Do yous follow trends? And if yes, which trends excite you at the moment?

I similar to encounter what's new in the mode earth merely my wardrobe is more timeless than trendy. This twelvemonth, I'm happy to see that stripes are in (classic in my volume!) and bright vivid colors, which are simply plain fun!

Photograph past Cathleen Trainor

Do you take any mode and style tips for women over 40?

• Get rid of the notion "I can't vesture that—I'm besides old". I have clients in their seventy's who can rock a leather jacket!
• Understand your body type and habiliment styles that work with it, not confronting information technology.
• Constantly reevaluate your wardrobe and weed your cupboard regularly. Having "likewise much" can go far difficult to put together great outfits.
• Take fun with your dress—they're an expression of who you lot are!

Photo by Cathleen Trainor

What are your plans for your blog and how do you see information technology develop over the coming years?

I take large plans for the blog! I'one thousand actually in the eye of making some fun new changes. I'll exist adding more pages for shopping inspiration, collaborations, and introduce means for women to work with me privately.

I'm also exploring brand ambassadorships. I'1000 having a lot of fun at this stage of my life! I tin't believe I'm a style blogger at age 54–only so again, why not!

Photo past Cathleen Trainor

Anything farther you lot would like to add together?

Thanks and so much for the interview! Ladies, have fun with your dress!

Detect more virtually Susan and her manner at The Midlife Fashionista, A Great New Look, and @TheMidlifeFashionista for Instagram.

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