Style at any age
That’s Not My Age has been thinking a lot about an article written by Sarah Mower in last week’s Daily Telegraph. Mower discusses the lack of mid-range and high street clothes for older women and asks the British fashion industry to ‘give the over fifties a break.’ Now, I’m not there yet, but she does have a point. What to wear if a chambray playsuit or sheer babydoll frock is out of the question? How to look timeless and stylish at any age? To help figure out this fashion conundrum, I’ve come up with four rules for ageless style:
1. Do not try to dress like a young person. Rocking all the latest looks is more ageing than Slimma slacks and a bubble perm. As The Guardian proves every week when they publish pictures like this:
I love seeing older women in the press and on the fashion pages, but this is just tokenism. It’s patronising, undignified and plain wrong! Now could somebody please tell that to the Guardian Weekend’s stylist.
Perhaps he/she should take a look at The Times, they’re so much better at this kind of thing:
The Guardian’s problem stems from the fact that they dress the older model in the same way as the younger models and it just doesn’t look convincing. (Actually, young or old I’m not quite sure who would want to wear the outfit above.) The grown-up lady looks contrived and uncomfortable – and the clothes never seem to fit properly. It’s fine to look current but the key is not to try too hard to look hip, young and down with your daughter. Rather than head-to-toe street-style, just integrate one key piece – a leather biker jacket, a boyfriend jacket – into your existing wardrobe and avoid the dreaded mutton (pronounced moo-ton for extra effect)/lamb scenario. Or in my case, make that lecturer dressed as student.
2. Develop a singular style. These are the words of the talented designer and all-round lovely person, Joe Casely-Hayford, 53. Pictured here with his son, Charlie and fashion technician, Valentina Elizabeth, 45. (Mrs Casely-Hayford is equally lovely but unfortunately she side-stepped the photo opportunity). I hijacked the Casely-Hayfords at the ‘My Favourite Dress’ book launch on Monday.
‘Over forties look fantastic,’ adds Mr C-H, ‘they have style awareness, which evolves over time giving more substance and measure.’ Yep. As you get older you do develop your own look, know what works and what doesn’t – and realise that often it’s best to keep it simple.
3. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Just take a look at Advanced Style, Ari Cohen’s brilliant blog showcasing ‘creative older folks’. Those senior citizens of New York City certainly know how to make a style statement. Or follow the Casely-Hayford ethos and ‘express free spirit with very particular gestures of English sartorialism.’ J C-H sites Zandra Rhodes as his favourite example of singular style. True, that. (oops pardon me for slipping into The Wire-speak). Rhodes may not be eveyone’s cup of tea, but she’s got a well-defined look, that’s for sure. And, she was in the room at the time!
And, it’d be rude not to mention, Suzy Menkes, whose hair has a singular style of its own.
4. Be confident. Easier said than done? Follow rules 1,2 and 3, and you’ll definitely feel more confident. As Anthony Price says (I hijacked him too), ‘Jerry Hall’s daughters look good, but will they ever look as good as Jerry? I doubt it. She has confidence and poise.’
What are your tips for ageless style?
Jane Birkin photos from Vogue, July 2007
Discussion (18 Comments)
Don't have regrets about your younger self and younger body, take care of your intellect as much as your looks, have fun and a glass of wine from time to find, find your uniform (a great blazer never hurt anyone), few things but of the most amazing quality you can afford, have fun with ethnic jewellery and lipstick – at least that's the recipe of my grandmother, who is the most stylish person I've ever met (and is now well into her 80s).
Great post TNMA… As a 51 year old with a 19 year old I know "what not to wear" – ie what she wears BUT funny that a lot of my accessories seem to end up going the other way… scarves, bags etc.! I try to keep it simple and then inject a bit of individuality but sometimes I feel a bit 'lost' and wonder "Oh hell, am I doing this right?" So thanks for the article (a la magazine stylie!!)
Looking Fab – oh but we love leopard print! I think what I was trying to say was that you're more confident in yourself & less bothered about what other people think as you get older(?) You have other priorities and don't feel the need to slavishly follow trends. And really the important thing is to wear what makes you feel happy/ what you feel happy in.
LCDS – I like all your style tips – particularly the one involving a glass of wine! Your grandmother sounds fab. Perhaps she could make an appearance on That's Not My Age?
Mrs L – hello and welcome! I am happy that we found each other and now I can follow you on Twitter too. Hooray! PS Love your blog's name.
S-E – I think keeping it simple and playing around with accessories is a top tip. And OMG I've slipped into magazine-speak, must stop that immediately!
Well said. Although as Looking Fab pointed out, not all women have fashion confidence past 40 but that might be because of the pressure to still be trendy. I think if people went with their gut feeling and wore what they were drawn to instead of trying to follow fashion then they would look more convincing. It's that trying-too-hard look that is always such a disaster – you can spot it a mile off (although that's not so much an age thing necessarily, there are people of every age who aren't comfortable in what they wear but wear it regardless because they feel they should be 'in fashion'). Love the Birkin pic.
I worked at Slimma Slacks for 6 months in the 80s. They also did reversible pleated skirts,my mum loved them, 2 for the price of one, and saves on the washing. But sad to say I didn't buy any of the stuff, was more into Katharine Hamnett which is still 'in' today.
RG – I agree too, not all women over 40 know what suits, and there is an enormous amount of pressure to stay looking young. But I think you have more of an idea after several decades of trying out different styles and learning from your mistakes – as Mary Portas said on Deseert Island Discs yesterday, 'You find your own look…and this is another thing that comes with age.'
Finchley Girl – I'd go for Hamnett over Slimma any day, in spite of all the extra washing/dry cleaning!
Loved this topic! I agree with LFIYF – even though my two girls often tell me I look good. They call me 'hot' and 'foxy lady', and this perturbs me.. ha ha… I mean, what does that mean? That I look like mooo-ton or a ganga? Or even a Christmas tree? They have such good taste (imo) and when we are out shopping, one of them ALWAYS chooses the same items that I choose without us seeing the other choosing. Now is she an old soul, or is it me? Or, don't I know what I am doing…
I'll have to contemplate this more.
I still love the punk rock, layered style, but would never wear it.
I think…
i remember reading somewhere that jane birkin always tried to avoid wearing socks because she liked to expose her ankles, she felt they remained sexy as she aged. i like that she was thinking about herself that way.
my rule would be: be happy. when you're happy with yourself, everything seems to fall into place – you're nice to others, you feel good about yourself – and this all keeps up the cycle of happiness. and happiness is very very attractive.
happy people will (i deeply hope) avoid any foolish measures to look younger. that will not bring happiness.
a fellow blogger (silent storyteller) recently dropped this quote on my blog:
"….happiness is an older woman with judgment. And that means no facelift, no Botox and no liposuction. Desperation isn't attractive in either sex." Howard Jacobson.TMW – hello and thank you for commenting on my blog. Maybe your daughter just likes your style? Or perhaps you just like the same things – which is fine as long as it's not hot pants and crop tops! I have the occasional rock chic moment but I try to keep it under control!
UADT – hello to you too and thanks for the Jane Birkin story, didn't know about her sockless strategy!
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Er, Leopardprint? No I am only joking!
I don't agree that women over 40 know what they are doing style wise, I think many women are afraid of looking too young or too old, I know I am!