Chic at 60ish!

Ten years ago, my whole body fell down. I remember the day perfectly. We had been invited to a fancy holiday party and I was having a little fashion show with myself, deciding what to wear. Trying on a beautiful black dress I’d bought the year before, I looked in the mirror and my heart sank. Where it had fit beautifully, suddenly the dress cupped my behind—that only looks good on Beyonce. Not me.

“YOUR BODY IS SHIFTING!” My beautiful black cocktail dress that was cupping my behind–“Miraclesuit” to the rescue 🙂

Devastated, I called my wonderful seamstress who assured me the dress could be let out without any problem, adding, “Your body is shifting. It happens to everyone!” Vainly and obnoxiously, in my head I secretly screamed, “Not to me,” then headed to the lingerie department at Macy’s. In the furthest back corner, I discovered my “Miraclesuit,” and let me tell you, it became my miracle! Though I did let the dress out a bit, my Miraclesuit totally held together all that was starting to spread. I instantly felt smoother, leaner, better. In the years since, I’ve invested in Spanx’s “Suit Your Fancy” & “Shaping Tank” body suits. I never leave home without them!          

NO ONE NEEDS TO KNOW: Discovered in the furthest back corner of Macy’s lingerie department, my “Miraclesuit” hides a multitude of flaws, at macys.com & miraclesuit.com

If this story feels in no way familiar, stop reading. But let’s get real. Other than supermodels and actresses—many of whom have been surgically improved—very few women truly have perfect bodies. Especially once you’re 60ish. Gravity takes its toll on everyone. And I mean everyone. Sure, working out helps, but if you’re 60ish, six pounds of gravity have been pushing down on you every minute for 60+ years. None of us can escape that.

CELEB DESIGNER BOB MACKIE & ME: Many years ago, he told me “Even Cher doesn’t have the body she she had at 35,” truly making me feel much better!

Remember celeb-designer Bob Mackie? I had a wonderful time interviewing him years ago, and got him to “dish the dish,” when Cher was still in her hey-day. I’ll never forget him admitting, “Despite all the intense work-outs and plastic surgery, even Cher’s body is not what it was when she was 35. Gravity takes its toll.” Doesn’t that make you feel better?

THAT BODY: Cher at the Oscars in 1986–she was exactly 40 years old–but how many of us work out for hours everyday + a bit of surgery, of course???

Walk over to a full-length mirror & take a good look at yourself. Be realistic. Not too tough, but not too forgiving either. Well, what do you see? Do you have great legs? A pretty cleavage? Wonderful shoulders? What are your assets and what are your flaws? Let’s get to work playing up the former, while playing down the latter.

TOTALLY COMFORTABLE, I WEAR THIS UNDER EVERYTHING: Spanx’s “Shaping Tank Bodysuit” from spanx.com

It all begins with the right foundations–available in every lingerie department or on your favorite “intimates” website; besides spanx.com, I also love barenecessities.com & herroom.com. As I learned that day so long ago at Macy’s—you must invest in the right undergarments. Nothing will ever fit right without them.

PRETTY & FUNCTIONAL AT ONCE: Minimizer bras at bareneccessities.com

Start at the top. For a large bust, try minimizers. There are lots of choices, but the newest are extra soft and have extra support, especially on the sides. Invest wisely & change your life.

ADD WHAT MOTHER NATURE FORGOT: Padded push-up bras & enhancers (chicken cutlets!) at herroom.com

Flat-chested women find solutions galore. Padded bras, push-up bras. If you need additional help, try another fabulous solution, called “takeouts” or “cutlets” for added cleavage. First used on fashion shoots, these silicone pads look like chicken cutlets and give you what Mother Nature forgot. Available in every cup size and half-cups, put them right inside your bra and watch what happens. Every garment you own suddenly hangs better. This is not surgery—you’ll still look like you. But better!

LET’S SMOOTH THINGS OUT: Fitted camisoles, a must under T-shirts, at spanx.com

How about a bit of a muffin top? How about back fat? I live in Spanx camisoles, which smooth it all under sweaters and t-shirts. Another choice is an all-in-one body shaper, which looks like a bathing suit and can take you in as much as one dress size. Available from several manufacturers, my Spanx & Miraclesuits are turbo (and really work!), Maidenform is in the middle, Flexees is lighter—invest in what you need. Most come with a built-in bra; if you don’t like it, snip it off and sew on your own. An amazing invention that will change the way you get dressed.

BETTER THAN A THIGH-MASTER: Compression thigh slimmers at miriclesuit.com & spanx.com

Hips and thighs become the nemesis of many. Again, lots of news. Miraclesuit’s “Thigh Slimmer” is for hardcore slimming. Major control here. For something lighter, look to Spanx “Mid-thigh Shorts.” Another favorite discovery is Spanx footless hose (I honestly never leave home without them), giving you a leaner line every time. A must-have. Every woman should own at least one pair.

DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT THEM: Footless hose conceal panty lines + lumps & bumps that need concealing, from spanx.com

Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative. Hide your flaws and show off your assets. Invest in the right undergarments. Best of all, your clothes will be more flattering. You’ll love everything—you’ll wear everything. That’s economically efficient. Start your shopping in the lingerie department or on your favorite website and every other purchase becomes perfection.

BEAUTY FROM WITHIN: My seder table–Nothing makes you feel as beautiful as the love of family & friends, wishing a belated Happy Easter & a Happy, Sweet Passover from my family to yours! XO

All of that said, we know that true beauty begins in your heart, with the love that comes from being surrounded by family & friends. As I begin to prepare for Passover, I wish all of my readers a belated Happy Easter & a Happy & Sweet Passover—I cannot imagine a better way to start the season! I’ll be back in a few weeks—enjoy every beautiful moment~ Ellyn Golder Saft