Fashion has no age limit
Fashion is a funny thing. Sometimes it’s boldly outrageous. Sometimes it’s quietly demure. Sometimes it doesn’t even know what it is – with its knit of psychedelic colours and clashing prints, scruffy loose fits or too-tight, too- short cuts. One thing is for certain, regardless of how old you are, fashion is THE best form of self-expression and one ought to embrace one’s own sense of style. Even though trends come and go, style lasts forever. If you’re over 50, or even 60, that’s great news because there is no age where we stop wanting to look and feel stylish! The key is learning how to dress for your new body shape, without compromising on your unique sense of style.
Learn How to Dress your New Body Type As we age, we change.
Our bodies transform into new versions of themselves and as they do, we need to find the balance between looking our best and feeling our best, being sure to accentuate our positives and disguise any negative body concerns. While modern fashion seems to be youth-focused, many of today’s styles are perfect for older dressers. Think elasticated waistbands, slip-on shoes and light-weight linen.
As we age, it’s not just our bodies that mature but our sense of style too. We look for items of quality rather than quantity. We invest in classics. We know now that stylish comfort is more important than outlandish one-off pieces.
Now more than ever, it’s a great idea to invest in a few good quality staple pieces in black, white and grey that become the canvas pieces of your wardrobe. From these pieces you can add beautiful scarves, bright jackets, hats and belts to the mix to create outfits that showcase your unique sense of style.
We’ve put together some ideas for the beautifully stylish women age 50 and up:
JEANS
A pair of blue jeans: they’re the most versatile item you could ever own. Comfortable, stylish and exceptionally adaptable… the same pair can be worn to the mall and out to dinner later that evening! What gives them this adaptability is the fact that they go with just about anything you already own. Start with something simple, like a white blouse or a cotton t-shirt and a cardigan for a relaxed day time look. Then change up your shoes and throw on a jacket for your evening attire.
LEGGINGS
Invest in a number of different leggings. You’ll find this fashion item at most stores and they’re great as a comfortable and versatile item that can be worn in both winter and warmer weather. They give great coverage of your legs and can be dressed up or down. Leggings should be worn as an accompaniment to an outfit and not as the main garment. In other words, pair them with a tunic or long blouse that falls below your waist to make you look long and lean.
ACCESSORIES
Who doesn’t love a bit of jewellery? It has the ability to add brightness not only to your day but your outfit too. Stylists suggest that older women avoid certain pieces; like heavy drop earrings that pull on the earlobe, or chokers that draw attention to the neck area unnecessarily. Rather wear smaller studded or hooped earrings, longer necklaces that elongate your body and brooches that add a chic finishing touch. Adding to that, the right accessory makes for the best conversation starter.
This quote from Nina Garcia’s book: The Little Black Book of Style says it all. “Choose accessories as you would friends, seeking out the ones that compliment you, make you feel confident, and stick by you through ups and downs, and extra pounds.”
FIND YOUR COLOURS & YOUR STYLE
Take a closer look at your wardrobe. What’s in there? Is it all black, or is it a kaleidoscope of colours and patterns. Which items do you gravitate towards – the ones that make you look and feel great? Now use those colours more often to create your outfits. If you want to stand out in red, go ahead. If you want to wear hats at every occasion, go for it. If you prefer dressing for comfort or being all-glam, that’s your call! Fashion is about confirming who we are, not conforming with what the world wants you to be. Women like Helen Hiren, Diana Ross and Iris Apfel are paving the way for others, ageing gracefully and representing their true selves through the clothes that they wear. But above all, proving to the world that fashion, and in fact, style, has no age limit.
SHOP IN YOUR CLOSET
Vintage is always in fashion. Just turn on the fashion channel and see models walking the runways in items that you’ve more than likely owned in your lifetime. Everything comes back into fashion, again and again and again. So, before you head out to the shops to buy something new, take some time to go through your own closet. Look for items such as embellished belts, velvet statement pieces, metallics and anything that sparkles – and use them to showcase your chic style and fashion experience.