trends

Diabetes is on the rise among Americans 50 years and older, and trends among older Hispanics are particularly noteworthy, according to recently released government data that the AARP Public Policy Institute has incorporated into its interactive research and data visualization tool AARP DataExplorer.

What makes us orgasmically nostalgic — or is it nostalgically orgasmic? — whenever an oldie but goodie pops up as a “new” trend?

And the award for color of the year goes to ... rose quartz and serenity?!?

I lead a double life.

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

I live in suburbia — home to barbecues and book clubs, malls and multiplexes, country clubs, cul-de-sacs and Costcos the size of Connecticut. The occupants of those precincts will be out in force this Saturday, as SUVs all over town disgorge 50-plus types eager to communally celebrate our national birthday. (Cause to feel festive: We’re only 239 years old!)

It’s time to kick off those wintry black booties and fuzzy Uggs and put a little spring — OK, summer — in your step!

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

Dress trends have come and gone over the years.

I love being an “early adopter” of new style and beauty trends. For the novelty, sure, but mainly for the utility: It makes me feel useful when I get a chance to weed out the nonstarters for my posse of age-50+ girlfriends — and that includes you!