Tunics remain very popular, and they are incredibly comfortable, but they can be overwhelming on women with short legs. Many of us ladies over sixty do not like to show our waistlines at all. The tunic is the perfect top for covering the middle while showing off arms, legs, and shoulders.
Getting the proportions right while wearing tunics can be tricky. My guidelines include wearing a tunic only with long pants and shoes similar in tone and color. For example, I would never, under any circumstance, wear a red tunic with white cropped pants and black shoes. Keeping the colors to a minimum also helps to give the body a longer, leaner look. V-necklines or long necklaces help to draw the eyes up and down. Details such as cutouts need to stand alone, so a bold vertical pair of earrings and a dramatic bracelet can add just the right touch.
When it is too hot to wear anything more, a lightweight, flowing tunic over slim pull-on wide waistband pants and sandals work like a dream for evenings. Add a dramatic necklace and a small evening clutch I am ready for date night.
I always wear a black bra under a dark color top to avoid having a light color undergarment show in photos. The only bras I buy are the Ultimate Style or Tankee Style by Shapeez.com. Enter the following code at checkout for $10 off your first purchase with Shapeez.com … FIRSTTIMEBUYER10.
We had the most delightful Saturday! After an always delicious meal at Gourmet and Company, we attended the Jeanne Robertson Rocking Chair Tour performance at the Paramount Center for the Arts in Bristol.
Mr. Mickey’s first course was an heirloom tomato salad with a locally made cheese and fried okra.
My first course was the Appalachian Tabbouleh. Tabbouleh is a Levantine vegetarian salad made of mostly finely chopped parsley with tomatoes, cucumber, mint, onion, bulgur, and seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
We often order two items from the appetizer side of the menu and then share a dessert. On this evening, we each ordered the Slow Poached Maine Lobster as an entree and shared the delightful Sticky Toffee Pudding.
The Jeanne Robertson performance was sold out, so we arrived early to find a place to park. If you ever get a chance to go to her show, don’t miss out. We laughed ’till we cried’ for an hour and a half. She is one of the funniest, most genuinely kind people we have ever had the pleasure to meet. (Please forgive the poor quality cell phone photo below.)
Usually I only comment on your clothes or hair. But this morning is different. Those are the best dishes you have ever presented to us. And how lucky you two were to see Jeanne perform in person. What an excellent evening!
I’ve seen Jeanne Robertson on You Tube and she is a hoot. Hope she comes to my neck of the woods some day. Can’t wait to see how you do brown tomorrow. It is one of my favorite colors.
Would your tapered leg crepe pants do the same as the Chico’s pant? Thank you
They would indeed, especially if your knees are changing shape like mine are. The tapered pants show a little less form while still being more narrow than the straight leg pants.
You looked beautiful for the event. Great look in every choice. Food was surely interesting and looked delicious.
Susan, is there a way to wear tunics wearing flats? Belt it? A shorter over piece?
Yes on both counts. A low slung belt to define the waist area or a short jacket worn over a tunic can change the proportions if you are wearing a tunic with flat shoes.
Thank you!
Lovely outfit! Many short dresses will work as tunics as well.
My favorite summer outfit is a tunic with slim pants. I’ve learned that the tunic can’t be too long, especially right in the center. Shortening by an inch or so makes the legs look longer.
The tunic is both beautiful in shape and in colour. I was a bit leery about tunics seeing I am 5’3″ with short legs. The problem for me was solved by purchasing black slim pants ! Your Blog has been such a help to me. Finally tracked down a Shapeez store 40 mins from the town we have now settled after downsizing. Thank you Susan for writing such an interesting and helpful blog.
At 51, tunics are my absolute “go to” for looking put together….I just love them over jeggings or slim pants.
Look forward to your post tomorrow on the color brown.
You look lovely in that Clara Sunwoo lightweight tunic, and I love the Chico’s pull-on pants. Wish they still carried them. And thank you for that tip about a black bra and photos. That was news to me and I’m grateful!
For my son’s wedding, I would like to wear a black taffeta skirt and a white top- Carolina Herrara style. I am busty and, as many woman our age, a little thick in the middle. I would like advice on selecting a white top/blouse to get for this classic elegant look. Any suggestions?
Wear the softest fabric you can find. Anything with body or stiffness is going to make you look larger than you are. Think chiffon or silk so that it will drape and flow without adding visual bulk.
Thank you.
Sorry you missed Jeanne Robertson’ s show . She is so funny.. I was a classmate of her sister Andrea at Stuart Hall..
You and Mr. Mickey always have fun together. You hanks for sharing.
We didn’t miss her show. We thoroughly enjoyed it.
I must have been living under a rock since I’ve never heard of Jeanne Robertson! Thank you for mentioning her. I just watched her on YouTube & she is a hoot!
And I love your tunic – the color is gorgeous!
Susan,
I agree that Jeanne is one of the funniest people around. I’ve listened to her many times on Sirius radio. But really enjoyed her on stage in Fort Myers last November. Finding humor in every situation has become my mantra too. Your styling ideas have almost begun to sink in….until that darn 40% off sale at Chico’s. Again, I’ve fallin’ For the cute top, that I will only wear twice this season. Try, try again. Barb
I love wearing tunics, comfortable and can be dressy or casual. Thanks for posting.
I thoroughly enjoy the Vegetable Bean Soup. So healthy and tastes great! I wanted to make your porridge also but misplaced the recipe. Could you please run that recipe again? Thank you Susan. I look forward to the email I receive everyday, and have implemented quite a few of your tips.
Keep up the wonderful fashion, beauty and health tips and ideas.
You look amazing! Wish I could pull off that look with those “oh so sexy” shoes. My sense of balance isn’t so great these days and I would break a leg or worse. (LOL) Love, love, love your blog!
Love your tunic and you wear it beautifully. The lower neckline looks so lovely on you. I can’t pull that off, but I have several tunics I enjoy very much. What a thrill for you to see Jeanne Robertson in person. I have watched everything of hers on YouTube several times.
Wow Susan. You look fabulous. I love the tunic and I especially love the necklace. I used to live in tunics when I was working in an office – you can dress them up so beautifully with a nice long necklace but now I am working remotely from home, I tend to wear jeans with a nice top most of the time. This is a reminder to dress up for myself anyway 🙂
Dear Susan just a quick thank you for the arrival of my grey bag in Australia and to let you know I am delighted with it. I have long admired yours and knew I would love it but I didn’t realise how much.
I have used it almost continually since it arrived, it just goes so well with everything I wear, it arrived very promptly and is the first article I have purchased from America, I hope everyone gets as much use and enjoyment out of theirs as I do.
Warm regards Carol
Thank you so much for the kind comments. I hope you enjoy your bag for many seasons to come.
Your tunic looks ,lovely. Great advice also. As usual, the food looks yummy too.
I’ve been following your site for a few years, and follow your suggestions often. I’m 69, 5’2” 140 lbs. proportional. I’ve have good skin, no wrinkles, and I’ve been told I look mid fifties, so I’m pleased. I’ve started to get a tummy, exercize and diets not helping, so I like the tunic look with slim pants. I just read on some other fashion site, tunics are considered part of “the old lady uniform”, and not a good look. I say that depends totally on the tunic. If it’s stylish like the fashions you wear, it’s excellent. If it’s a big, blousy cotton tent, then yes it might not be very flattering. It also said heels were a no no at my age. I have worn heels all my adult life. I like a 3” heel, traditional style, basic colors. I don’t give into flashy trends, and receive compliments often.
I wanted to commend you for your wonderful site helping older ladies, like myself, dress to suit their figure with style and class.
Marie
Another wonderful outfit for what looks like another wonderful date night