Colorful and bold – a style interview with Samantha Blair

Today I’m featuring a fun and fearless 40+ woman from Scotland! She loves to play with color and has the most fabulous pixie cut hairstyle. Let’s find out more about her!

Hi Samantha, can you tell us a little bit more about yourself?

Hi there! My name is Samantha and I was born in the North east of England. I moved to Stirling as a student and have spent all of my adult life living in Scotland. It is a beautiful part of the world.

I am a wife and the mother of three healthy children (who are growing up too fast). I am also step-mum to an amazing young woman.

I work (part time) as a Biomedical Scientist in a Chemistry laboratory and spend all day in a full length Howie coat. Not very glamorous on the outside, but I am dressed exactly how I want underneath…and that feels good!

The rest of my week is spent doing all of the normal things wives and mothers do, as well as a little blogging. Apart from working on my blog, I love reading, films, art, knitting/crochet/sewing and walking my scruffy dog, Jake.

In case you thought my knitted and hand-sewn creations are featured on my blog, let me clear that up…they are not! Mostly because they are pretty rubbish, my skills leave a lot to be desired. However, I do make a mean halloween costume, complete with scary makeup!

As a point of reference which age group do you belong to or perhaps you are willing to share your age?

I am 42, and can honestly say that age is getting more irrelevant as I get older. I know “old ladies” in their 20’s and young, vibrant women in their 70’s.

Ageing may mean that my body is starting to fall to bits and, things are definitely sliding south!

But overall? The old cliche is true….Age is just a number!

Anyway, getting older is a privilege that many people don’t enjoy.

Can you tell us a bit more about your blog Fake Fabulous and why you created it?

I created Fake Fabulous because I have a passion for writing and I love the artistry (and science) of clothes and fashion. Colours, textures and shapes have always interested me.

Blogging is a perfect way to talk about this love of clothes and engage with people who share my passion. Creating a blog is a great way to connect with like-minded women. I would highly recommend it!

How would you describe your own personal style?

I think my personal style is quite hard to pin down! I can be bright and bold one minute, or muted and soft the next.

I definitely dress to suit my mood. And, moods can change, can’t they?

One day, a gent’s shirt and chunky boots. The next, a vintage dress and heels. If I had to describe my style in three words, I would say:

Colourful, eclectic and fun!

Where do you live and how does that influence your style?

I live in Scotland, and it has an enormous impact on my style choices. A single day in Scotland can contain all four seasons. This is honestly true.

One minute the sun is spitting the sky (and your jacket is under your arm) the next, there are hail stones and you are running for cover!

I always dress with warmth and comfort in mind.

The only time I compromise on comfort is for a beautiful pair of shoes. I NEVER compromise on being warm. Secret layering is my secret weapon.

Oh, and I always have an umbrella with me. If you have ever been to Scotland, you will understand why!

What inspires your outfit choices the most?

My outfit choices are inspired by: 80% mood and 20% weather. I always dress to suit the image I want to portray, or the mood I feel, on a particular day. Only extreme weather will curtail my plans.

In that case, I carry a pair of shoes with me to change into when I arrive at my destination.The elements can’t beat my personal style completely.

Do you take things like color profiling or body type into account when you dress?

I do, sometimes. I know what colours and shapes suit me and what don’t.

I know that the “rules” tell me avoid certain style and colours. BUT, if I am honest, I sometimes just wear them anyway!

As long as I feel good, I don’t care (too much) about an item not being ‘my colour’ of the ‘perfect shape’ for my body type.

I am short-waisted and often break the short-waisted rules. I am a warm autumn colouring, and often wear the “wrong” colours. Just because I want to, and I can! Sometimes, I know I need to walk a bit taller (or wear a brighter lipstick) in order to pull off these forbidden shapes and colours.

But, I am a firm believer in the fact that confidence is 80% of style. If you believe in yourself then you will look great, regardless of the rule book.

Has your style changed at all after turning 40?

Yes, it certainly has! Up until the age of 30 I had very little body confidence.

In fact, I had very little confidence at all.

I used to hate my legs and never showed them off. I used to find fault with my imperfect body. Wishing I was taller, bustier, curvier, prettier…anything but “me”.

With age has come an appreciation of my body. It is a brilliant vessel that has done some amazing things.

I have finally beaten my demons and appreciate what I have. I now realise that I will never be as young as I am today, so I intend to enjoy life!

Do you believe in dressing ‘age appropriately’ and what does it mean to you?

I do believe in dressing appropriately, but it has nothing to do with age! As long as I am dressed to suit the occasion, then I wear what I want.

Life is (as the saying goes) too short to be worrying that we are “too old” for those leather trousers.

Or, if that jumpsuit is “too young” for us.

If you like it, wear it!

I dress mood-appropriately.

I dress to convey a message about who I am.

I dress for myself.

Do you follow trends? And if yes, which trends excite you at the moment?

I don’t mind admitting to getting excited about the new seasons trends! I love the glossy magazines. I enjoy pouring over the exquisite images.

My budget does not stretch to designer pieces but I can still admire and enjoy them. The fact that some of the shops have their own versions of the trends (pretty quickly) makes me very happy.

Things that are exciting me at the moment are:

• The large Mesh-like lace overlay dresses, tops and skirts (like those at Simone Rocha and Sportmax). They are structural, but beautifully feminine.
• Cold-shoulder tops and dresses. Shoulders are very sexy (without looking trashy) and hardly age at all!
• Chanel’s “see-through” chunky shoes… ridiculous but I love them!
• Dungarees.
• Bag charms.
• Pastel coloured watches.
• and clashing bright hues.

I also enjoy following makeup trends.

Wearing the real-life version of what is new (especially eyeliner and eyeshadow) is lots of fun….Oh, and nails too! (I am wearing matte lilac nail polish as I type this)

Do you have any fashion and style tips for women over 40?

• My main piece of advice would be to believe in yourself and your own style choices. None of us are perfect (far from it) but we are all beautiful in our own unique ways. Even the models don’t look like the images in the magazines, nobody does!
• Don’t compare yourself to other people. Focus on what you have and be thankful for it.
• Don’t worry about (or try to second guess) what other people might think of you. You will fail. And, to be honest, it does not matter anyway.
• If you like something then wear it.
• Confidence is your best accessory.
• Believe you are beautiful, and you will be!

You will find lots more inspiration on Samantha’s blog Fake Fabulous! She can also be found on Instagram.

Which of Samantha’s outfits is your favorite?

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