The Fab 40’s and Our Favorite Fashion Icons

May 27, 2019 / 32 Comments
This is not a sponsored post.

Fashion is a crazy thing, isn’t it? We all have our own personal style whether it is simple, eclectic, conservative, or completely far out there. And we all draw inspiration from the things that surround us whether it be art, nature, architecture, sports, music, or television. And when it comes to fashion in particular, we tend to get our inspiration from other people, people we know and see in our communities or those elite members of society who have established themselves as “famous” and live their lives in the public eye.

This month’s theme was chosen by Jennie and she gave us the challenge of creating outfits inspired by our favorite fashion icons. But first of all, what even constitutes a fashion icon? Dictionary.com defines fashion icon as a person or thing that is very well known as being highly fashionable. How does one reach this status? It could really be anybody, not necessarily a public figure. Everyone’s definition of highly fashionable will differ dramatically depending on their own personal taste and the term very well known is so completely relative that I do believe all of my Fab 40’s friends are themselves fashion icons.

The Fab 40’s is a group of six fashion bloggers from around the globe. Each month we choose a different theme and invite a guest blogger who is also in their 40’s to join us. This group’s goal is to take on a style theme and show how we each interpret and incorporate it into our own lives. With six widely varied views, you are certain to find something that speaks to you each month and encourages you to continue to have fun with fashion after the age of 40.

Now without further delay, let me talk about some of my favorite fashion icons. When Jennie informed us of the theme, my immediate inclination was to create an outfit inspired by my very favorite fashion icon of all time, Diane Keaton. I absolutely love her quirky style and have always been drawn to the classic lines and feminine clothing that she pairs with menswear inspired pieces to create her signature look. I went to Pinterest to find something I could emulate. But when I took to my closet room to create something for myself, I just felt like I could never compare! Ms. Keaton may just be too iconic for me to copy!

In my Pinterest search for Diane Keaton outfits, Gwen Stefani popped up and it was like a giant fashion icon lightbulb turned on in my head. As much as I adore Diane Keaton and her style, it is just not in tune with my own personal style. As I started pinning images of Ms. Stefani and her amazing outfits, I realized that I could create my own version of nearly every outfit I saw her wearing. In fact, I did create two different outfits inspired by Gwen Stefani (I will share the second one in another post).

Gwen Stefani

I do not have the same perfectly sleek and shiny blonde locks as Gwen Stefani nor do I have her flawless legs. I have no musical talents or abilities. And I certainly don’t have Blake Shelton. But I do have an eye for great style and I can put together an outfit pretty effortlessly and I absolutely know how to have fun every step of the way. And so, here you see my Gwen Stefani inspired outfit for this month’s edition of The Fab 40’s.

And when one tries to copy a rock goddess, what better place to photograph the outfit than in front of murals of other goddesses and gods of rock and roll.

And now let’s check out which fashion icons have inspired my fabulous friends.

Our guest blogger this month is Sherry of Petite Over 40 bringing us the eclectic and ever so fun styling of another rock goddess, Cyndi Lauper. Sherry has completely nailed this look in the best possible way and I kind of want to go out and party with her! Except I am little too old and tired for too much partying. But we are never too old to look this fabulous!

Sherry of Petite Over 40
Cyndi Lauper

Sherry’s Outfit Details: Dress – Maison La Macón by Shari Noble of Seattle / Coat – Maison La Macón by Shari Noble of Seattle / Shoes – Vintage Bakers / Hat – Maison La Macón by Shari Noble of Seattle / Accessories – Collar – handmade by Sherry / Vintage brooch – from Sherry’s grandmother / Bracelets – Dainty Wrist Jewelry

Next is Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots, the styling genius who chose this month’s theme, channeling her inner Audrey Hepburn. Another favorite fashion icon of mine, but who doesn’t adore Audrey Hepburn? Jennie has tapped into that playful innocent side of Ms. Hepburn that won the hearts of everyone. Can she be any cuter?

Jennie of A Pocketful of Polka Dots
Audrey Hepburn

Jennie’s Outfit Details: Dress – Kasper / Shoes – Rampage / Necklace & Bracelet – NY&Co. / Brooch – Amazon Fashion / Earrings – c/o Happiness Boutique / Hat – San Diego Hat Company / Bag – Jones New York / Sunnies – Tahari

Sheela of Sheela Writes has kicked it back to her style icon since she was 11 years old. Another favorite of mine as well, but then again, Sheela and I tend to have a lot in common when it comes to fashion inspiration. Recreating the eclectic styling of Miss Denise Huxtable played by the beautiful Lisa Bonet in that iconic 80’s family sitcom, Sheela has given me all the nostalgic feels of my own pubescent girl crush! I do believe that had Sheela andI known each other way back then, we probably would have been besties…and all the other middle school girls would have just thought we were the two weird girls who wore crazy clothes!

Sheela of Sheela Writes
Denise Huxtable (played by Lisa Bonet)

And since Audrey Hepburn is so iconic in the fashion world, Suzy of Suzy Turner, Pixie Chick in Portugal, has also chosen her as her favorite fashion icon. Suzy has added her very own personal twist and I just can’t get enough! Dear Suzy, your recreation would certainly have made Ms. Hepburn proud!

Suzy of Suzy Turner, Pixie Chick in Portugal
Audrey Hepburn

Suzy’s Outfit Details: Trousers – Green Lamb (from Sophie’s Golf Shop where I work) / Blouse – Pull & Bear / Black pumps – Calla Shoes / Clutch & watch – Roberto Cavalli (Inherited from my late step-mother-in-law)

Daenel of Living Outside the Stacks has chosen Nicole Richie as her favorite style icon. I have to say that Ms. Richie was completely off my radar, but she is no longer! I do love a gorgeous easy boho styling and Daenel has delivered this look in the most perfect way! I want to go to a music festival with both Daenel and Nicole!

Daenel of Living Outside the Stacks
Nicole Richie

And finally the details of my Gwen Stefani inspired outfit…showing you that you can recreate the looks of your favorite fashion icons at any age on a budget!

My Outfit Details: Dress – Thrifted from Solitary Consignment / Jacket: c/o Zaful / Shoes – Christian Siriano for Payless / All other accessories: Old

Do visit each of my Fab 40 friends to read more about why these icons have inspired them! And let me know in the comments…Who are your favorite fashion icons?

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.

I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

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32 Comments

  • jodie filogomo

    May 27, 2019 at 12:05 pm Reply

    Such a fun theme, although I might have trouble with it. There’s so many I’d love to recreate!!
    XOOX
    Jodie

  • Jennie

    May 27, 2019 at 1:39 pm Reply

    Love, love, love your Gwen inspired look, Shelbee! Such fun and Perfect murals to pose by, too. Are you following Diane Keaton on Instagram? She does some OOTD posts and her style is just impeccable. I had so much fun looking at everyone’s photos and seeing where they receive inspiration.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 27, 2019 at 1:43 pm Reply

      Thanks so much, Jennie! I do not follow Diane Keaton, but I will now! I so love her style, too. I wanted to do a white button down shirt with a big full skirt and loads of pearls…that reminds me of Diane Keaton. Maybe I will do it anyway for another post. Everyone knocked it out of the park this month! And now that you have given such a fun theme for May, I need to get clever for June. It is my turn!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Suzy Turner

    May 27, 2019 at 5:57 pm Reply

    Shelbee, I adore this look on you! And you’ve totally nailed Gwen’s style 100 percent! That dress is simply divine, especially with the footless leggings. And how did you find that perfect location?! It’s the perfect backdrop for your photoshoot. LOVE LOVE LOVE it.
    I also adore Diane Keaton’s style – the wide-legged / baggy pants she often wears are the best, aren’t they? It’s similar to my other favourite, Katherine Hepburn.
    Can’t wait to see what you’ve got in store for us next month!!
    Hugs my friend
    Suzy xxx

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 27, 2019 at 11:32 pm Reply

      Thanks so much, Suzy! I stumbled upon this bar on a back road in my town and it was perfect for my Gwen look! But this was my second Gwen inspired look. I photographed the other one first at a different location and wasn’t sure which outfit to use, but the background for this one was too perfect to pass up. I need to style a Diane Keaton outfit soon, too! I love her crisp button down shirts with pearls! I swoon. I have a pretty powerful theme for next month and I can’t wait to share it. I am just waiting for my guest blogger to reply if she will be joining us!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Suzy Turner

    May 27, 2019 at 6:06 pm Reply

    OMG I just wrote a long comment and it’s totally disappeared!! 🙁
    I LOVE LOVE LOVE your outfit, Shelbee. The photos are utter perfection with that backdrop. I wish I could find places like that here for photoshoots lol.
    Hugs
    Suzy xxx

  • Sherry - Petite Over 40

    May 27, 2019 at 6:34 pm Reply

    Shelbee! I have to use an exclamation mark after your name because YOUR OUTFIT ROCKS! Your journey to Gwen Stefani by way of Diane Keaton intrigues me, in part because I love both these style icons as you do, but also because your spirit seems to line up so beautifully with the exquisite Gwen. (Not that you couldn’t pull off Diane if you wanted to.) Did you feel like a rockstar as you stood next to the faces of so many other rockstars? You are a fashion icon in your own right!

    Thank you for including me this month. It’s been a blast playing in the style icons box and seeing what everyone came up with.

    Hugs,
    Sherry

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 27, 2019 at 11:19 pm Reply

      Oh my word, Sherry! Thank you so much! And I find the whole lot of you to be fashion icons as well. I definitely have eclectic taste when it comes to fashion and can go from Diane Keaton to Gwen Stefani in the blink of an eye! I may even combine elements of the two into one…somehow…if that can be done, I will find a way. I did feel like a rockstar…especially by Janis Joplin and mostly because I totally channeled her, too, and went braless! Haha. For the first time ever on my blog (except when I showcased my Boostwr which has built in support and my Ruby Ribbon bra replacement camis)…but this time, I was legit without a bra! Lol

      This was so much fun and I am so happy that you were part of it. You rocked it like no other!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Anne M Bray

    May 28, 2019 at 1:16 pm Reply

    Fun to see some unexpected icons amidst the very predictable Audrey.
    I was totally surprised that your chief icon is Diane Keaton. I never would have guessed!
    You nailed Gwen, though I couldn’t guess from your outfit (I’m too old, haha. Nah, Gwen is off my radar).
    If you were to ask me mine, my mind comes up a total blank.
    Maybe I’ll ponder that during my commute!
    xxox

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      May 29, 2019 at 10:19 am Reply

      Thank you, Anne! Diane Keaton is kind of unexpected for me, isn’t she? I have always loved her style though for as long as I can remember. And see, I would have thought that Iris Apfel would be a major inspiration for you! Or Yayoi Kusama! Oh she is fabulous, isn’t she? Hmmm…if you come up with someone during your commute, I would love to hear who it is!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Jacqui Berry

    May 30, 2019 at 9:55 pm Reply

    This is a brilliant post – love seeing you all in these outfits. You have all worked really hard and gotten interesting results. Thank you for joining me on #chicandstylish Jacqui Mummabstylish

  • paul

    June 4, 2019 at 12:41 pm Reply

    looking amazing shelbee love the Gwen Stefani look, can not wait to see the other, love the tongue pose and back drop, you could be my fashion icon rock star anyday

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