Helen Mirren at the British Academy Film Awards
I wish some authority would tell me what is appropriate dressing for my age. I am still attracted the styles I was attracted to in my 20′s, but now more of my body looks better with some sort of coverage on them. It seems as if no one markets to middle-aged women who still want to be stylish. Even Eileen Fisher, whom I used to love, has gotten box and big-shirty. There is no shape to her clothes. I don’t want skin tight, but I want shape.
Helen Mirren manages to do it and look spectacular. Does she have a stylist who tells her what looks chic and age approriate, or does she just know it? Jane Fonda and Suzanne Sommers also know how to look hip and age-appropriate. But for most of us, it seems like the choices are Mother of the Bride fashion or stuff that looks way too young. Or wears too young. Anyone tried on a pair of jeans lately?
Suzanne Sommers
Recently, I tried on a short dress. I love the dress, but I thought it was too short for my age. I happened to be with a couple of friends who said, yes, without hose, or sheer hose, it doesn’t do it. But with boots and shape control leggings (which are thick, and more like pants), it’s killer. They were so right! It made all the difference in the world. And I found the BEST LEGGINGS from Wolford (check them out http://www.wolfordshop.com/Hosiery-Leggings-Capris/Velvet-66-Leggings/cp56548/si4462508/cl2/vt01/).
Here are some other things I have learned: 1) sheer coverings when you don’t want to show TOO much arm; 2) soft structures, but not too boxy. Clothes need a little shape if you want to have shape; 3) Muted colors are better than super bright, which tend to make your under eye dark circles and wrinkles show up.
What are some of your age-appropriate clothing changes? What things do you find yourself wearing that might be too young? What about too old?
{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
And on an entirely unrelated note…Are we all watching Grimm tonight??
I’ve never seen it!
I watched! I love Grimm.
You. Must. Watch. It. It’s really good!!
One word: Spanx!
Oh, Infinitieh, I said that word a very long time ago!
One one hand, I was thinking “Age appropriate? Is there really such a concern? Or should we know what works and what doesn’t for our bodies/coloring?” And THEN, my friends, then I saw a picture of Gwyneth Paltrow in a shapeless way- too-short dress and even though she has the bod to pull it off… she looked pretty darn silly in it. SO… yes, there’s something to the age appropriate question. Aha.
OK, so it’s probably easier for me as a guy anyway. But being, ahem, ‘circumferentially enhanced,’ I mostly just have to go with what fits. I’ve often claimed that if I simply strolled down the street stark naked that THEN they’d find some fat clothes for the likes of me!
You can do the running naked thing just so we can see if it works, if people will really throw clothes at you. I’m thinking they will just gawk in wonder.
You’re right. They’d probably end up just throwing me phone numbers.
I’ve discovered that if I need to look good for something, I go to Nordstroms and use their personal shopper. They are GREAT at picking age appropriate items otherwise I am a failure.
I do love me some Nordstrom’s, as the bill in my bill box will show. ha
Yes! I love the Nordy’s personal shopper. Awesome.
Oh yes another lovely thing I inherited from the women in my family. Huge breastages and ginormous arms.
Joygasm.
I have often dressed to old for my age until it all synced up in my 40s. Now I’ve learned that V necks aren’t the enemy. Enjoy your leggings and emancipation from the wrong rules
Thanks, Michelle AKA Fresh!
Sing it, Michelle!
Well, there are a whole host of us midlife style bloggers who would be super happy to tell you our thoughts on the matter:).
Thanks, Lisa. I can use all the help I can get
I like the idea of how you made a too short dress work for you, Julia. I really like skirts and dresses and my pet peeve is that there are a lot of cute ones that are just too short for someone my age. Or maybe also too short for someone younger who just isn’t comfortable showing that much skin. I would LOVE it if designers would make two versions of their skirts/dresses–a shorter version for the younger/hipper set, and a longer/knee-length version for women who want to be hip and stylish but want/need longer hemlines. I think the fact that so many stylish clothes are geared toward young women is why us middle age gals get stuck with either boxy, shapeless clothes or stuff that’s just too young. No one is really designing for us. Which sucks.
And is stupid really, since I have more money to spend on clothes now than I did when I was younger.
Exactly! I can’t tell you how many time I see things I like but have to pass on them because they’re just too short. Why can’t there be a knee-length version of shorter skirts and dresses?
Oh please… could we just post a notice at WalMart…along with a mirror… that says..”What were you thinking?”
Well, that’s the nail on the head! I think I should probably carry it with me everywhere!
I worry about it all the time. But trust my gut meter. I do tend to be drawn to the same kinds of clothes. But I look for versions with more coverages (flabby arms and old legs) and with colors that work with my face and hair. As to jeans…well, I’ve pretty much worn the same ones forever (not the same pair, the same brand) Levis 501s. Mens. LOVE THEM. And also all pants by Ralph Lauren, who makes them long enough for my 33 inch inseam. (and nice in every size–which I seem to be destined to bounce between
)
Bet the new skirt is great. I bought a jeans skirt recently–but haven’t actually worn it. hmmmm….
Style? Shape? What’s that?
Actually, Suzanne Somers can look pretty ridiculous sometimes but I agree with Helen Mirren. She’s always fabulous. I think the key might be that she doesn’t wonder what is age appropriate, she just makes it all work (or she fools me into thinking it’s that easy). She seems to know what works for her.
I vote for the stylist. Although Helen would have to have the good taste to hire the right person in the first place. She does always look great. Seems to me that most women who looked really great when they were younger (fashionwise) still look pretty darn good as they age — meaning stars not regular peeps like us! And Sherri you are one of the most coordinated stylish persons I know. (Zebra pants not withstanding). Love that little sweater with dress you had in NY for RWA.
Thanks. Little sweater equals upper arm coverage.
I have a pair of jeans, kinda stretch jeans that I always wear a long shirt over. They do not come down to my ankle. They are so comfy I love wearing them. Fa on those who say us older ladies cannot wear jeans!
As for my style changes…because of my bingo wings I stopped wearing strapped shirts. I try to wear longer short sleeves to hide that atrocity.
Bingo wings? hahaha. Ti.