That’s Not My Age

Photograph by Claire Pepper for the Daily Telegraph. Hair & Makeup: Louise Heywood.

We have had so many new followers recently across the site, social media and podcast channels that I wanted to welcome newcomers, introduce (or re-introduce) myself to you all and share a little recap on how to navigate the That’s Not My Age website.

I’m Alyson Walsh, a freelance journalist, former magazine fashion editor and author. And I strongly believe that it’s not about age, it’s about style. That we should feel good about how we dress as we grow into ourselves. That’s Not My Age began almost 14 years ago, in 2008, when I decided to create a space online to celebrate midlife and beyond. I am proud that as well as providing expert advice, style tips, interviews and podcasts, That’s Not My Age has been at the forefront of a movement empowering women and calling out gendered sexism. It’s also become a wonderful online space for like-minded women who support each other- which is the most brilliant thing. I am delighted to have so many lovely followers and hope that you’ll stick around for years to come.

The TNMA Shop

Highlights on the site: 

Shopping

Looking good is not about buying loads of new stuff but spending time figuring out what makes you feel chic and comfortable and confident. To help you navigate what’s currently available, I create frequent edits of the best style staples; things to buy now and hold on to forever. The main shop on the site is the shopping page (top right on the homepage) – all items featured are carefully selected from the high street, luxury labels and lesser-known small businesses; and these are refreshed regularly and seasonally by me and my marvellous assistant, Helen. We feature the best of British, US, European and international brands to ensure that wherever you are in the world, there will be something available for you. We’ve just whooped it up for the warmer weather, so please take a look.

Every two weeks we also update the This Week’s Most Wanted: not-so-basics shopping panel which can be found on the homepage (in the box just below our most recent post) with the latest style buys from some of our favourite fashion brands.

There is also the TNMA Edit (which can be found at the top right on the homepage). A small collection of exclusive items created in collaboration with some of my favourite independent designers. Most of the items have been created by the designer and myself, working together on one of their signature pieces. We all possess a similar mindset about slow fashion and the environment and buying clothes to last. As it’s impossible to find a decent pair of knickers these days, I’ve collaborated with the queen of big pants Harry Duley on the latest addition to the That’s Not My Age Edit. More details of the Edit HERE.

We also have a brilliant online store set up with Bookshop.org, which supports independent bookshops in the UK. The shop includes recommendations from our podcast guests and the That’s Not My Age team covering everything from can’t-put-down page-turners to useful, instructional books on mending and repairing your clothes. Head to the bookshop HERE.

The TNMA Edit ‘vintage’ sweatshirt

The podcast

The aim with the TNMA podcast is to bring my interviews with extraordinary women (and the occasional man) to life, to delve a little deeper into the regular subjects of life and style and age. With a series of special guests I talk about getting older, changing careers, finding happiness and why we wear what we wear. Some of my highlights include chatting to Sewing Bee judges Esme Young and Patrick Grant about their extraordinary careers, speaking to fashion icon Dame Zandra Rhodes about her eye for style, and hearing the inspirational story of Liz O’ Riordan, the breast surgeon with breast cancer.

You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts & Spotify or listen right here on That’s Not My Age. You can find the podcasts on the top toolbar on the homepage.

Fashion, beauty, skincare and lifestyle features

On That’s Not My Age expect to find practical advice, style inspiration and a supportive community of like-minded women. From interviews with incredible, creative women to expert make-up and skincare advice, regular outfit ideas to health and wellbeing. While my main focus is style, I am fortunate to have a couple of experienced journalist friends who contribute to the website on other matters –  we’ve got midlife covered!

I love hearing your thoughts and feedback in the comments box at the end of every feature. There’s often a fantastic conversation going on, so please join in.

Find all my latest features by scrolling down the homepage. Go straight to topics of interest using the search bar at the bottom of the page, or by using the drop-down menu which appears if you click the three little lines on the top right of the homepage.

All my outfits in one place

Outfit inspiration

Find tons of style ideas over in the ‘Outfits‘ section. This page is a round-up of all the outfits featured on That’s Not My Age, plus shoppable links so that you can find the exact items or similar. And don’t forget there’s even more style inspiration over on my Instagram account and Pinterest boards.

The Sunday Telegraph

I currently write a column called Ageless Style for the Daily Telegraph, this covers practical style advice, shopping tips and outfit ideas. You can find all the previous features I’ve written here ( online subscription), or in the Sunday Stella section of the newspaper, every fortnight.

Patreon subscription

In 2020, as a way to shore-up my online business I introduced a paid membership to That’s Not My Age through Patreon. The subscription system runs in tandem with this site, and subscribers receive two exclusive features and a monthly newsletter. Those who have signed-up are supporting That’s Not My Age in its entirety. For which, I can’t thank you enough. This means I can pay contributors, photographers and my brilliant assistant Helen, hire studios for fashion shoots and travel to interview creative women, such as Fleur Sinclair at Sevenoaks Bookstore. Every subscription is valuable for the future of this site and will go towards creating engaging content to inspire and empower women of all ages.

A small black triangle on the top left corner of a post indicates which posts are for paid subscribers, and the rest of the content is free for everyone to enjoy and access.

Recent Patreon features include what to wear to a summer party when you don’t like getting dressed up and a conversation on body positivity with designer Kate Halfpenny.

I am delighted if you have recently found That’s Not My Age and hope that you will stick around. The readers make it all happen, so a huge thank you for your support.

STYLE NOTES: in the first photograph I’m wearing a sustainable denim jacket from 7 by All Mankind. Tarrana striped organic cotton skirt, By Malene Birger from Fenwick. Mary Jane shoes, from John Lewis & Partners (these items are all now sold out). Large white wood hoop earrings from Branch Jewellery.