Wow, Angie- what a coup! Congratulations on a really great interview, that must have been so exciting!

I admit that after reading this, I’m almost jealous that this book isn’t aimed at me. Oh well, I guess I can spend the next 15 years looking forward to it

Great interview!! Can’t wait to get this book. The following statement especially hit home to me as I have been lamenting this forever “Why is everything sleeveless, capped sleeved or puffed sleeved?” I have horrible arms on an otherwise thin body-just a genetic thing I suppose but I feel so self conscious in anything arm-emphasizing. Hopefully the industry will listen up! (Although my fear is that Michelle Obama has brought the arm into more attention than ever and designers are going to play to this as she is a trendsetter.)

Great interview! Congratulations, Angie!!

I’ll definitely look for her book next time I am in a store. I’m not 40 yet, but I’m getting closer…..

What an insightful interview. Kendall sounds *almost* as fab as our Angie and seems to be a real force to be reckoned with in the style world. I own her new book and found it very helpful, especially since I’d already learned the basics from YLF. Thanks for sharing her words of wisdom!

What an amazing interview Angie, thank you so much for sharing with us! You really did a fab job and Kendall sounds like a really nice person too.

I have both of her books and they are the best ones on the market when it comes to style in my opinion.

Great interview, Angie! Thanks for posting it. I haven’t read Kendall’s books yet, but they are on my summer reading list. I will order them from Amazon this week.

What a great interview! I need to get both those books.

Have both of her books and love them!!!!

Love this book- I’m on my second reading, trying to commit all of her guidelines to memory. One thing in particular I like in the book- she makes specific designer suggestions for different body types and styles- and then tells us who makes the affordable versions. Love that!

Good job, Angie! Thanks for the interview.

Great interview Angie! I really enjoyed it.

Oh my goodness, this is so funny. I JUST returned from the beach where I had taken my well-worn copy of “The Pocket Stylist” for a refresher reading. I adore that book–it was the turning point for me to finally getting my body type right and working on a functional wardrobe. I pull it out every few months for a refresher. It must have been exhilarating to have a chance to share your perspectives together–Angie, you and Kendall I am sure must have had a fantastic time talking.Thanks for sharing the interview. Her new book is on my list of “to-buy” for my summer reading list Your blog and her book are my fashion guiding lights…If anyone out there on YLB has not read the original Pocket Stylist, I strongly recommend it as one of the best, if not the best, style guide out there.

Great interview, Angie! Well done. I’m definitely getting this book now. I keep feeling that my current outfits are all over the place. I really want to go for a more grownup look, without becoming too severe or somber. Sounds like between YLF and this book, I might be able to get closer to what I’m searching for. All we need now is a YLF book!

Kendall sounds like your long lost sister Angie! Her thoughts on accessories and shoes are so ylf.
I am trying to apply the statement “She looks grown-up AND youthful” to my look and actions. Kind of sums it up for me.

Think I’ll pull out my Pocket Stylist this week and pick up the new book soon.

I’m with Tara on a YLF book. Go Angie!

I received both of Kendall’s books last week and read them over the weekend, so it’s really funny to see your blog entry today. I enjoyed both books, lots of info and ideas.

I also ordered Brenda Kinsel’s “Fashion Makeover” and think it’s really good too. It has a ton of info, even some tips on taking better photos.

Thanks Angie for sharing a great interview!

LOVED this interview. Such wisdom and a little bit of tough love. AND I was thrilled to see that so many of my recent tips overlapped with Kendall’s!

This ended up being a really long post, but I just couldn’t omit any of Kendall’s wisdom! Thanks for reading the interview, ladies.

Chris, let’s just say I was on cloud nine all day after my interview with Kendall Farr. It was thrilling and humbling to exchange words with a top, top, top fashion stylist. I’m pretty proud to say that we speak the same fashion and style language. Kendall also had gracious compliments about our YLF website. Very fab.

I particularly liked Kendall’s enthusiasm for the revival of good 80’s trends, the suggestion to get a fabulous haircut BEFORE you reevaluate your wardrobe, and that we should never stop having fun with fashion. Brilliant. I turn 40 soon, and I vow to NEVER stop having fun with style and fashion.

I love Kendall’s books. She really gets the body shape thing right.

“It’s book a woman in her mid thirties can use as she starts to figure out how she can evolve her style and look grown-up.”

This is great advice!

This is very exciting that you inteview Kendall Farr. I want to read her books now.
You and Kendall are kindered spirits and I imagine you really enjoyed each others company.

I enjoyed the interview and am happy you posted it. I am especially fond of the paragraph about footwear–as in, the one that acknowledges that not all women can trot around in heels, or even 1″ wedges!

I have to confess, though, that any time I read anything about age appropriate dressing, it makes me not look forward to the future at all. Usually this kind of advice is supposed to be reassuring and positive, but it just makes me sad. It’s a reminder that at this age, I’m supposed to be in the best shape of my life, and my body is only going to get WORSE and I’m only going to have to cover up more as I get older, not to mention give up a big chunk of what I love wearing now. I find shopping so hard at this age and it seems like it will just be getting harder and not easier. I hope I am wrong about this, as I am sure everyone will undoubtedly tell me I am.

Maya … while my flaws are more pronounced in my mid-30s, I am having more fun dressing than ever. I also am more comfortable with who I am now than I was 10 years ago.

So there’s the lemonade made from lemons.

Congratulations Angie!! First national television, now interviewing a renowned author!

How absolutely wonderful that you two hit it off so well. Although it doesn’t really surprise me: both you and she are big advocates of the “you can be stylish at every age” concept. And I love it especially that you don’t stop there, but illustrate this positive message with many, many practical tips and suggestions. Very helpful!

How I’d love to be a fly on the wall when you two lasses meet for that cup of tea!-)

Great interview! I like her comment about Hollywood. I have to get a hold of the book, it’s very timely since I am in my mid-30s and have been thinking a lot about defining my style.
One question about the hair part, Angie – I absolutely agree about the fab haircut, but do you think that hair color is necessary? Can one age gracefully and stylishly with her natural hair color, gray and all?

Angie,

Congrats on such a fab meeting. YOU know how I feel about ageless style, I am with you 1000%

Maya, you are in your 20’s correct? You may look very similar to how you look now in 20 or 30 years. Just don’t let your self go. It sounds like you are very health conscious, and aware of what you put in your body..No one just becomes overweight and out of shape overnight just because they hit 30, 40 , 50..that is a myth.

Your style and taste change over each decade..believe me you won’t love the same things in 10 years…I promise you that.

Enjoy the moment and beauty of your age, as you get older you become more comfortable in your skin because life has taught you through expierience..happiness, pain, sorrow, loss, joy etc. that true beauty comes from within…don’t worry about how you will dress your body in the future, after all we have Angie!!:)

Good for you Angie, it sounds like so much fun.

I’m bummed out that our large Dallas public library doesn’t have her new book, I keep looking for it as her first book was absolutely excellent.

What a wonderful interview Angie. Congratulations. Kendall’s words of wisdom resonated loud and clear with me and I’m sure with many women 35+ who want to shun frump and banish skimp. Will be getting the book and giving it away at Sequins and Sand for sure! The girls will love it!
Thanks again.

Back again Angie (and girls). This book and interview has prompted something else close to my heart.
Do you know of a ‘directory’ of sorts that lists all the stores that are truly dedicated to selling stylish clothes for women 35+. I’m not talking ‘tokenism’ … the entire range dedicated to just that and recognising the needs Kendall talks about. Maybe she knows of such a resource. I had a wild idea of starting a ‘fashion revolution’ for women 35+ creating this directory for online and offline stores…but perhaps the wheel has already been invented and all I need to do is find it!
Any clues girls??

I think Kendall gets it just right. Now we just need the manufacturers to get on board.

I also agree that Michelle Obama has nailed the look for all of us who strive to be fashionable and appropriate, but never frumpy! I hope she inspires a sea change across the country.

Excellent interview! I can see why you hit it off with your similar philosophies. Love the comments about clothing for strong and bold women as well as the tip for what we can do right now. I had not purchased Kendall’s previous book, but now I will need to get both!

I ordered this book last week, seeing it suggested by Angie, and read it cover to cover on Monday.

It is a great guide, and Kendall answers the needs of older women clearly and easily. I immediately ordered a camisole from Sassybax.

With Angie, Kendall and Tim Gunn I have been able to make progress, but it does take a strong heart to look at myself critically and make better choices.

Angie, you never ceased to amaze us. So inspirational and informative!
It was on this website I saw that Kendall Farr’s second book was about to be released. I immediately pre-ordered it from Amazon and it came the next week. I devoured it- almost so quickly that I am glad I used a highlighter so I can go back to my favorite parts. One suggestion she made I found interesting: boldly shop in the finest couture shops- at least to try on their clothes to see the fit and feel the differnce. I have yet to do that but will work up the ocurage one day soon.

Great interview Angie – lots of great tips that Kendall shared.

Angie, that is such an awesome interview! What a fab opportunity for you. I finally checked out The Pocket Stylist from the library a few months back and was really impressed by Kendall’s organized but fun approach to style. That one is on my “future purchase” wish list. I suspect that I’m probably a decade too young for Style Evolution to apply to me, but might think about picking up a copy for my mom.

How timely Angie — I just finished reading this book and LOVED it! I have been going through a fashion identity crisis, trying to come to terms with the fact that even if I can wear the same clothes as my 14 year old, doesn’t mean I should (not that I actually do, except for sharing some simple tank tops & tees). And that dressing age-appropriately doesn’t have to mean frumpy.

Loved Kendall’s recommendation to pay attention to footwear & hair; so true. The right shoes can make almost any classic garments look current & “with-it”. The advice in her book is so on-target; I just wish she included photographs of actual clothing.

By the way, Angie, I so enjoy seeing pics of you and your outfits, as a real-life example of stylish & appropriate dressing. Please post them more often! You are a fantastic style role model. Even though our tastes are somewhat different, it is enlightening to hear the thought process behind the purchases you make and outfits you put together.

What an awesome post, Angie, thanks!! This totally speaks to me and I’m gonna go out and purchase this book. I’m especially intrigued by the part where she talks about designers who are best for specific body types and recommendations for where to get cheaper versions of such designs.

Hooray to fashionable dressing for women over 40. I certainly feel so much more stylish now than a decade ago, thanks in part to help from Angie, YLF and other style resources, and in part to increased confidence and comfort in by body.

The only thing I stumbled over is the same one Marianne quoted, regarding the hair color. Well, I do it, too, but I also admire women who go grey and look gorgeous. I don’t want to buy into the notion that natural grey is evil and should be covered up.

Now I really want to buy Kendal Farr’s new book!

Even though technically I am younger than her intended audience (I am “only” 36), everything she said in the interview really resonated with me.

Angie, such a great interview! Thanks for sharing with us! And also – when are YOU going to write a book on style???

I am in total agreement with Marianne and Antje, and was thoroughly converted after finding the “Going Gray, Looking Great” website. It is very inspiring to see all of these women embrace their beautiful silver and platinum locks; so shiny and sparkly that it is like wearing your bling everywhere you go! Although I thought that I would wait until I was 50 to stop coloring my hair, when I turned 44 this year I thought ‘who wants to do this for another 6 years?!?!’, so I am now 4 months into my transition and loving the freedom, the savings, and my natural (and free) bling!

[...] will, but only if they are a flattering and contemporary incarnation. After all, our goal is a style evolution, not a style [...]

[...] glory and maintaining a killer style is as important as wearing the best bra. That’s why I loved Kendall Farr’s suggestion of reevaluating your hairstyle BEFORE you attempt to reevaluate your closet. This makes a lot of [...]

[...] your hairstyle: It’s true: your hair can make or break your look. Kendall’s Farr’s suggestion of getting your hair style sorted BEFORE you assess your wardrobe is one I have begun to introduce [...]

[...] and necessary to keep our fashion and style feet moving each season. Kendall Farr puts it well in her new book, “Style Evolution”: The remixing of silhouettes, retooling of proportions, experimentation with new fabric technology [...]

[...] I was being overly critical, but when Kendall Farr confirmed my suspicions in her latest book, Style Evolution, I felt that my frustrations were justified. Kendal says: “Most manufacturers really don’t [...]

Angie-
‘Fun post to read.
Kendall and I were/are both stylists (I was a film /TV costume designer additionally for many years). We crossed paths as stylists–now again as authors.
My book “Forever Cool” (Random House)was a pioneer on the subject of great style as we age.
My book “Steal This Style”(Random House) followed, and was also aimed at this too ignored demographic.
Check out my site-www.sherriemathieson.com
I’m glad to have perused yours!
Best,
Sherrie