Christmas party look, over 40.

Slip dresses and smokey eyes.

Are they not just for teenagers?
Should we even think about trying them, over 40?

Or, should we just step away...?

I have found a vast array of barely-there, silky, little dresses all over the internet, and I love the look of them!
But, how can I tap into this slip-dress trend as a 40+ woman?
With a body that has been through 40+ years of living!

We should be able to wear anything at any age but, even I have to concede that the very skimpy and VERY flimsy slip dresses (that look incredibly sexy on the young) can look like a nightdress on a more mature woman.
We are in danger of looking like we have forgotten to get dressed... not the image I am aiming for!

I remember the satin slip dresses from the early nineties.
High gloss satin, with teeny tiny spaghetti straps.
Absolutely no room for underwear.
But, at 18, I had no real need for underwear, so this look was right up my street!
They were the ultimate in sexy dressing....{Think SJP in Sex and the City, in that nude (and backless) slip dress}...stunning!

Nowadays though, the thought of a satin spaghetti strap, and no bra, is breaking me out in a cold sweat!

Bias cut and a smokey eye | Fake fabulous

In order to be as nostalgic as possible, I decided to wear an original bias cut, slip(ish) dress from the 90's.

Bias cut, strapless and a smokey eye, over 40.

This dress is made of a substantial, striped fabric (reminding me of a tuxedo) and has a very well fitting bustline.
This allows me to wear the spaghetti straps up, or tucked away for the strapless look.

It is a true bias cut, which feels odd to wear again, and can be very unforgiving.
Wearing a waist slip, under the dress, helped the fabric skim over my body.
I am NOT a fan of shapewear.
I am a firm believer in comfort, and the less-is-more approach to underwear.
Cling, squeeze and bulge are not on my 'to do' list!
Comfort is always key.

I decided that the dress needed more structure around the waist, so I wore my butter-soft, leather obi belt (see it styled in the summer and for a wedding).
A belt gives the waist more definition, and helps to stop the bunching that can occur in bias cut fabric.

The length of this slip dress is perfect for showcasing hosiery and/or shoes without being too revealing. And, the high-low hem reminds me of a flamenco dancer. Olé!

I could not resist wearing a pair of lace tights, and my favourite chunky heels.
It was frosty outside so I needed my toes covered, even if it was just with a layer of lace.
See these lace tights with leopard print.

My chunky necklace (worn to death in the summer), simple jet studs and a beaded clutch finished the look off perfectly.
See my bag with an 80's spin.

I also wore my cream evening coat over this, but it would not work in the photographs, so I will save that for another day.

Just a quick word about hair and makeup....

To keep the look modern and fresh, and away from looking like something I have had in my wardrobe for twenty years (even though it is!!) I kept my hair and makeup simple and slightly "undone".
My hair was brushed forward at the sides and blow dried back (and up) on top.
I used hair 'dust' to maintain height and a finishing product (Aveda control paste) to added texture.
My smokey eye was so easy too.
I primed my lids then layered grey and purple (lighter silver tones at the inner corner).
Lots of blending, even more mascara and I was done.

A messed up "do", a smokey eye and a very natural base, blush (I used a light bronzer for definition) brow and lip kept things up-to-date.
There are some amazing makeup tutorials on the internet if you are unsure.

Smokey eye and a natural base, over 40 | Fake Fabulous.

What do you think of the slip dress and smokey eye look?
What are you rocking for your Christmas party?

Please let me know in the comments...or tweet me @samantha4blair

I thought I would leave you with this shot....

Sometimes my camera does weird and wonderfully unexplained things, like this!