Are You Feeling Frumpy in Your Fifties?

This past week, I had the privilege of interviewing Susan Street on my radio show, Phenomenal 50’s. Susan owns the popular blog for women in midlife called Fifty, Not Frumpy, where she helps women dress well in their fifties. Next week, I’ll be sharing Part II with you of our interview. Stay tuned!

Susan, how did you lose weight during menopause?

I had gained about fifty pounds in five years from just going out to eat, eating socially, and just eating what was convenient. I was very unhappy about myself because most of my life I had been fit and athletic. I came across a book “Eat to Live” and I learned what foods were good for my body. When I started eating the right foods and not so much, the weight just came off. I lost more than forty pounds in my mid-fifties. I felt better, had more energy, and could move my body painlessly. When I felt healthy, it was easier for me to find clothes I liked and wanted to wear.

How did losing weight change how you dressed?

It was a journey. After I lost weight, none of my clothes fit anymore. I had to shop for everything new – even underwear. I wanted to now dress for what fit my personality at my age (style, combinations, and accessories). I kept seeing myself as a heavier woman and would go to the store and gravitate toward the clothes I used to wear, but then realized that I couldn’t wear them anymore because they would be hanging on me. Like I said, it was a journey and after some time I finally found the clothes that fit my personality.

Susan, how does a woman know what shapes and cuts of clothing look good on her body shape and size?

I think you have to be brutally honest with yourself and that takes looking in the mirror and blocking out your face while you just look at your body. You’re not looking at you the person; you’re just looking at the body. See what kind of shape you have – pear, apple, inverted triangle, etc.

What you want to do is camouflage the things you see as a flaw. You want to try to balance things out. For example, I am an inverted triangle shape. I have broad shoulders and narrow hips. To make my body look more balanced, one of my favorite outfits to wear is a black top and white pants.

I also want women to know that you don’t have to buy expensive clothes to look great. I don’t shop at high-end stores. I love Chico’s and Dillards. Women ask me if I get dressed up for my blog and I tell them I don’t. Whatever you see me in on my blog is just what I’m wearing that day.

What’s the best thing about blogging?

The media, society, and advertisements make us in midlife feel like we’re less than and that our projective happy time is over. I see this perspective in so many women and it’s not true at all. This is the best part of my life. I’ve enjoyed my fifties more than any other decade.

So, the best thing about blogging for me is the sisterhood of sharing the experience we’re all going through. I feel like I know some of these ladies and they feel the same way. In fact, when I meet them in public, we laugh and talk and hug like we’ve known each other for years. I’ve actually had husbands write to me and say thank you so much for giving my wife back the spark and the desire to look nice and enjoy life.

Susan, will you change the name of your blog when you turn sixty?

I think I will leave it the way it is because the blog is known by that name. In fact, I started using the tag line “Celebrating the next fifty years.” I even think women in their 70’s and 80’s can enjoy the blog just as much as women in their fifties.

Stay tuned for Part II next week as Susan shares about her life and what got her to this point in her life. Prepare to be inspired by her amazing story. See you next week!

Congratulations to Susan who has just surpassed 9,000 followers on Facebook! Her blog also averages about 130,000 views each month. Follow Susan’s blog, Fifty, Not Frumpy at www.FiftyNotFrumpy.com

Wishing you joyful health in your 50’s,
Kim