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Fabsters – fabulous women aged 50 and beyond

— by Alyson Walsh

 

Shot for Sainsburys Magazine 2016

Photo: Mark Harrison

Wear something colourful and spring-like came the edict from Sainsbury’s magazine when they asked me to organise a shoot focusing on fabulous women aged Fifty And Beyond. Or what I refer to as FABsters; a word coined in my book Style Forever as a positive way to describe our powerful and brilliantly stylish demographic. We are Generation FAB. Gathering a group of inspirational women together was quite straight-forward, FAB line-up from the left: textile designer Charlene Mullen, yours truly in ridiculous shoes, founder of Hope Fashion Nayna McIntosh and milliner Thelma Speirs. More of a concern was the concept of the colourful, spring-like outfit. ‘Does denim count as a colour?’ I wondered as I chucked everything I owned that wasn’t grey or navy into a bag. Having deliberately chosen women with differing personal style, I managed to get away with an olive green pleated COS top, J.Crew earrings, jeans and my lovely tweed blazer. A Christmas gift from Mr That’s Not My Age:

Shot for Sainsburys Magazine 2016

Photo: Mark Harrison

The shoes are vintage Miu Miu and one of a couple of pairs of ‘just in case’ heels that escaped the New Year decluttering frenzy. Though I do tend to stick to neutrals, I have been embracing a little more colour recently. What with my red 1970 Bella Freud jumper and this Sonia Rykiel favourite teamed with faux fur (below). It’s an oldie and hence no longer available, but if you’re looking for a gorgeous, colourful cashmere sweater try Chinti & Parker, J. Crew or Boden:

That's Not My Age-cashmere stripes

Sainsbury’s FAB March issue is out now. Here are some more statement jackets and stripy sweaters:

And while we’re on the subject of Fabsters…

I was very shocked over the weekend, to discover a new site using the term ‘Fabster’ as part of its USP, together with my explanation but no attribution. As this is someone who was at my book launch, I am hoping it’s an omission rather than blatant intellectual property theft. I have alerted TNMA’s legal team who will be looking into copyright issues. One thing I love about blogging is the wonderful like-minded women that I have met both online and in person, the community and the camaraderie. In almost eight years, I have never had this kind of problem before, which unfortunately makes it all the more upsetting. Hopefully it’s an issue that will be resolved shortly.

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  Wear something colourful and spring-like came the edict from Sainsbury’s magazine when they asked me to organise a shoot focusing on fabulous women aged Fifty And Beyond. Or what I refer …