5 Retro Fashion and Beauty Trends Return for Spring

In beauty and fashion, everything eventually comes back - but never the same way. Fresh details and an updated attitude make the difference. Before you say "been there, done that," check out these five new-again trends. Each provides a de-stressing fix that'll make spring and summer 2014 a breeze.

COMFY JEANS. No, not "mom" jeans! I mean the new slim boyfriend jeans, pared down from the baggy originals with the same a-a-ah factor but with a feminine fit. Look for a higher rise, ease through the hips and thighs, and a cropped (or rolled) ankle-baring length. You can finally ditch the skinnies, look cool and eat during daylight hours. Try:  Gap 1969 Sexy Boyfriend Jeans ($69.95, gap.com), Old Navy Women's Cropped Skinny Boyfriend Jeans ($20, oldnavy.gap.com), White House Black Market Distressed Girlfriend Jeans ($88, whitehouseblackmarket.com).

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A ROLLER AND BONNET DRYER SET. Take a break from hair-frying and use your blow-dryer to power up an inflatable soft hood. Just section damp hair in Velcro rollers and slip on the hood for hands-free, salon-like volume and sleekness. Use the blow-up hood to enhance deep conditioning masks while you're on the phone, shopping online or working at home. Try: White Sands Dryer Bonnet ($20, whitesandproducts.com), Hair Flair Deluxe Softhood Hair Dryer Attachment ($17.95, amazon.com), Conair Pro Soft Bonnet Dryer Attachment CPBONO2 ($19.95, stylebell.com).

BUTTON-DOWN SHIRTS. T-shirts are great, but it's time to "friend" button-down popover shirts. They unbutton to a slimming, neck-lengthening V, but end in a tunic-like finished bottom that works whether worn untucked for coverage or tucked in. Try:  Lands' End Women's Regular Long-Sleeve No-Iron Popover Tunic ($59, landsend.com), J. Crew Classic Chambray Popover ($78, jcrew.com), Merona Women's Favorite Popover Shirt in Fresh White ($22.99, target.com), Banana Republic Silk Utility Blouse ($89.50, bananarepublic.gap.com).

A CROSS-BODY BAG. Forget trendy clutches (that hold nothing and require constant supervision) and backpacks (pickpockets, anyone?). Buy one of the new hands-free bags that sling on across your torso from shoulder to the opposite hip. Smaller and flatter than messenger bags, the right size for you will fit a wallet, keys, phone and glasses (maybe even a tablet or e-reader) without cramming or bulging. Try: Michael Kors "Bedford" Crossbody Bag ($178, nordstrom.com), Tory Burch Nylon Crossbody bag ($195, nordstrom.com), Madewell The Mini Transport Crossbody ($148, madewell.com).

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NATURAL-LOOKING NAILS. Creamy nude polish, in shades from sand and caramel to butterscotch and bisque, flatters every skin tone. They 're the update to French manicures (stop already, they are so over!) and provide a low-maintenance break from murky darks, glitter, baby pastels and brights. Nudes look clean and professional yet youthful on mature hands and feet. Try: Essie Coconuts & Cocktails ($8.50.com), Maybelline Colour Show Nail Lacquer in Neutral Statement and Maybelline Colour Show Nail Lacquer in Better in Buff ($4.29 each, cvs.com).

For more beauty and style tips from women 50-plus, check The Wardrobe Wakeup, Your Guide to Looking Fabulous at Any Age by Lois Joy Johnson ($14.55, amazon.com).

Photo credit: Old Navy, oldnavy.gap.com

 

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