slim

Here’s a ratio that prevails at far too many holiday parties: 99 percent vanity, 1 percent fun.

Mistake 1: Believing you are too old or fat to wear trendy clothes.

Every summer my postmenopausal body and I play a little game I like to call Find the Swimsuit:

Did you notice that the biggest fashion statement at Sunday night’s Oscar ceremony was understatement? No matter her age, almost every woman walking the red carpet looked respectable, not racy.

Boots are our seasonal obsession. Those of us 50-plus with heavy legs hate when sales people say, "Athletic muscular legs are hot; look at Beyonce and Serena Williams." Or, "They'll stretch, leather gives," or "let me help you get those off." Unlike tummies, you can't suck in big calves or cankles (shapeless ankles) with heavy-duty Spanx and because genes are mostly to blame, diet and workouts won't help either. Still, you can find boots to fit, no matter your shape. So get ready to splurge, these five chic boot solutions are worth it.