Hi Fun50s, I just turned 49 myself, but I feel your frustration. I am only 5'0 so I absolutely need petite sizing, which limits options right out of the gate, and many of my standby favorite retailers who offer petites are slowing moving more and more online -- "online exclusive" means you can't try this in a store. Grrrr. Lots of returns.
What's more, I've gained some weight since the beginning of the year, so I am finding I'm in an awkward-between sizes state right now. My usual size is too tight, but go one size up, and the proportions are off vertically, OR it's too baggy.
I would say right now is not the best time to shop for summer clothes, particularly if you are a hard-to-fit size, as everything is picked over as they sell off the summer inventory to make room for fall clothes. For example I was in BR last week and it seemed all they had left were a zillion 0p's and a zillion 10p's -- everything in between was gone. That was not even looking at the sales rack!
Now is a good time to identify what you want -- for *next* summer. Then make a mental note to start shopping for summer clothes in the spring, while the selection is the best.
Otherwise tell us what single items you have in your closet, and we can help brainstorm a few additions that may pull it altogether.
As for traveling, I travel a lot too, for business. Check out my past posts. I set out earlier this year to build travel capsules that would enable me to not over-pack. For spring/summer, I've been sticking to a black/navy + white + pop of color theme. This fall, my plan is navy/black + grey + cognac + blush pink/raspberry.
