Style Inspiration
Green Lighted
I’ve had this colour block/matte jersey dress, Rozae Nichols, for decades. It started off as a long gown that I wore for an event and has been hanging in my closet, ever since. Finally, I decided to upcycle it by cutting it into a midi. Now it’s more modern wearable and suitable for my lifestyle. I absolutely adore the colour palette and the smart juxtaposition of colour placement. If you’re short and short-waisted, like me, a dress with an empire waist AND broken up by colour, is a dream. In styling my look, I wanted to, not only, stay within the green hues of the dress but add some contrasting pieces for interest. My vintage headscarf tied “old world” style lends a bit of romance and a nod to the past. My utility jacket, Forever 21, lug boots, Sorel, and rapper chain, Amazon, lend the right amount of loftiness and modernity and my sunglasses, Ray Ban, complete and make this look, “my own”.
*Style Tip: when the natural waist is moved upward and under the bust it gives the illusion of a long body by drawing the eye to the lower 3/4’s of the body. And please treat your wardrobe well because many people worked very hard to get it to you.
Memories of Grandma
While shopping the Pickwick Vintage Show, I spotted this pink skirt, an unmistakable, Miss Shaheen. This Hawaiian label was hugely popular in the 70’s and my Grandmother adored it and wore it, often. I had to have this skirt! Just by looking at it, I knew it was much too big and bought it anyway… I had some ideas. I asked my tailor to extend the princess seems and take in the body. I changed the zipper to an invisible one and moved it from the back to the side for easier access. I also added a thin elastic band around the top. Why all this work, you ask? To create two garments out of one, a skirt AND a strapless dress. I went for an elevated island vibe with my oversized white blouse, H&M, pink bra, Elle MacPherson, white block heeled sling-backs, Zara, sunglasses, Ray Ban and multiple strands of faux-pearls that I gathered into a choker and attached a large flower to. Grandma would be so happy!
*Style Tip: check your closet for multifunctional items…nightgowns, skirts, scarves, oversized blouses, etc. Grow your wardrobe without buying a thing.
The tomato behind The Three Tomatoes.
Cheryl Benton, aka the “head tomato” is founder and publisher of The Three Tomatoes, a digital lifestyle magazine for “women who aren’t kids”. Having lived and worked for many years in New York City, the land of size zero twenty-somethings, she was truly starting to feel like an invisible woman. She created The Three Tomatoes just for the fun of it as the antidote for invisibility and sent it to 60 friends. Today she has thousands of friends and is chief cheerleader for smart, savvy women who want to live their lives fully at every age and every stage. She is the author of the novel, "Can You See Us Now?" and co-author of a humorous books of quips, "Martini Wisdom." Because she's lived a long time, her full bio won't fit here. If you want the "blah, blah, blah", read more. www.thethreetomatoes.com/about-the-head-tomato
