From the Flattering50 archive. Originally published 2014-12-29. Products, prices, offers, and activities described here are historical.
Recently, I was watching an episode of the television show Madame Secretary. In one scene, the stunning Téa Leoni, 48, wore a dark jumper with a white collared shirt and pumps. "What a fabulous look!" I thought. The jumper was classic- and crisp-looking, yet easy and comfortable. Before long, I was wondering: "Would any of my sleeveless dresses work as a jumper?" I immediately thought of one of my little black dresses (above).
Repurposing a sleeveless LBD as a jumper solves two problems for me. First, I'm always looking for something to wear when I have to make a presentation or do training for work. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but after many years of public speaking, I still get nervous and overheated when I have to talk to a large group of people. I want to look and feel professional, but I hate to wear a suit jacket, even a lightweight one. I'm thinking the LBD as a jumper plus heels is a professional, yet comfortable solution.
Secondly, these days, I'm less inclined to wear sleeveless dresses.While I didn't see much change in my arms in my early 50s, in the last year or so, my arms are clearly showing their age. I'm not about to wear long sleeves 24-7 or retire all my favorite sleeveless dresses and tops. Not yet, anyway. However, I am always on the lookout for stylish ways to wear 3/4 and long sleeves. Again, a LBD plus a crisp 3/4 sleeved blouse is a nice arm-covering solution.
