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Five stylish older influencers and the outfits they’re wearing this spring

— by Alyson Walsh

Catherine Dupon

 

Social media has played a huge part in making the fashion business a more democratic place. While I’m still avoiding Reels (and staying well away from  TikTok), my Instagram feed is filled with an array of snappy dressers showcasing experience and character and an abundance of style. Blending vintage with modern these women demonstrate how a favourite old garment can be worn in a fresh way; they show how to revitalise a much-loved treasure by teaming it with something new. Unlike younger influencers and celebrities they are not following trends or showing off head-to-toe designer looks; these older influencers are styling it out, carving a space for themselves. Owning it.

That’s Not My Age focuses on midlife and beyond and being comfortable in your own skin. If you’re in need of inspiration, here are five style heroines who are more than just the clothes they wear. These women stand out from all the online noise with their authentic dress sense and creative charm.

 

Ana Gimeno Brugada – @anagimeno222

Spanish-born, Milan-based stylist and fashion consultant Ana Gimeno Brugada’s dandyish approach to dressing always looks authentic. Well-known on the street style circuit for artfully blending standout separates, sharp tailoring and retro-inspired sportswear, she regularly appears in The Sartorialist’s photos (and books). I admire how AGB puts her outfits together; the finer details such as an unexpected corsage or a string of pearls, give her rakish uniform a unique twist. Off-kilter colour combinations, wild Furkenstocks, aviator sunglasses and sporty jerseys add a street-smart edge. AGB’s affinity for a masculine silhouette sees her regularly sporting blazers, slouchy shorts and low-waisted, carrot-shaped trousers rolled up at the ankle to show off snazzy socks and statement loafers. Gentlewoman style at it’s finest.

 

 

 

Dee Dee Lozano – @textile.mixologist

As a self-confessed minimalist with an aversion to bold colour, I am full of admiration for Dee Dee Lozano. Mixing and matching pattern impeccably she successfully pulls-off the multi-coloured, maximalist look. Sharing recycled, remixed outfits full of vibrant fabrics, the Textile Mixologist is a supporter of slow fashion and women-owned brands. Blending numerous shades and patterns in a single outfit can look chaotic, but her deft handling of the colour wheel pulls everything together, and adds depth and movement. If you need a gentle nudge in a more adventurous direction, her feed offers proof that bringing a little brightness to your wardrobe goes a long way.

 

Catherine Dupon – @catherine.dupon

You’ve probably gathered over the years that I’m into a more relaxed, less studied aesthetic, so 56-year-old Catherine Dupon’s preppy-with-a-twist approach really speaks to me. Everyday items are transformed into eye-catching ensembles using interesting tucks, off-beat layering and clever accessorising. The Belgian-born stylist and designer has spent a lot of time in Paris and now lives in the USA. She builds most of her outfits around classic pieces, including: go-everywhere cargo pants, the timeless white shirt, essential blazer and off-duty denim. Making her Instagram feed a great source of sartorial inspiration when raiding your own wardrobe.

‘I have worked more than 25 years in fashion now, but I was never really “fashionable”,’ she says. ‘I like to think about myself in terms of style and elegance. I like to add personality to minimalist style; I put basics together and finish a silhouette with jewels, coloured socks or an unexpected belt.’ Catherine runs Modeste Le Store on Etsy, a clothing brand that redesigns second-hand or end-of-series lines, and models the pieces herself. Pragmatic, cool and understated, I love her chic style.

Corrie – @corriesfancygoods

Bringing a breath of fresh air to my Instagram feed, Corrie is a ceramicist, jeweller and art historian from Wales. Dressed in maximalist prints and primary colours, she always looks striking in her statement glasses and bold lipstick. ‘I adore clothes and I am confident in my choices. I would like to think that I am quietly bold with silhouettes and proportions. I’m happy to try new shapes and feel fearless with accessories,’ she tells me. ‘Given that I am a larger woman, my choice of clothing has been limited in the past, limited by shops, designers and societal norms. However, I started sewing eight years ago and this has opened up wider possibilities for my clothes.’

Many of Corrie’s clothes are handmade and she helpfully shares the sewing pattern references with her followers. Often mixing in vintage pieces, indie labels such as World of Crow and Irregular Sleep Pattern, and high street picks from Toast and Kin at John Lewis; she adds a finishing flourish to outfits with her own accessories, available from Corrie’s Fancy Goods. Real, relatable and fun. Corrie is cool.

 

 

Photographer – Zoe Griffin @zoegriffinphoto

 

Jordan Trent – @theelegantstylist

At a recent press event, I spotted 57-year-old stylist Jordan Trent. She swept into the room in a full, metallic striped skirt, statement belt, funky boots and a button-up shirt, and every head turned. She looked fantastic. From fifties fit-and-flare silhouettes to seventies-inspired corduroy trouser suits, and bold colours and shoulder pads reminiscent of the eighties, her outfits have a nostalgic spin. ‘I sprinkle a large dose of vintage and thrifted pieces to transform high street attire,’ she says. ‘Like everyone, my style has evolved over time. I didn’t always have the confidence to wear the creations I put together today. I also come from a very poor background which meant that buying fashion wasn’t possible; the silver lining is that humble beginnings mean you have to really dig deep into your creativity and resourcefulness to achieve great style.’

Jordan’s outfits are a masterclass in blending high street, designer and vintage with originality. She really is an Elegant Stylist.

 

 

 

 

Whose style do you admire?

 

All images from the creator’s instagram pages. Research by Helen Johnson.

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