Fabulous Beyond 50

Have you ever peered in a store window or watched in horror as you’ve seen the latest hot looks saunter down a catwalk and thought‘they’ve gotta be kidding — how am I supposed to wear that?!
 
While, it’s true that fashion trends are primarily aimed at the young, looking current is important and very achievable at any age. I cringe when I hear women say things like ‘who cares, I’ve obviously passed my fashion used-by-date’, or ‘I don’t even bother trying anymore no-one makes for a shape like mine anyway’.

Over the years they have skillfully managed to avoid fashion stores and now wear the same comfortable clothes they’ve had for years.  No wonder they feel frumpy!  

 
Dressing in a current and stylish manner after fifty is easy and very achievable no matter what your budget or lifestyle is. And I promise you, you’ll feel younger for making the effort and others will definitely notice the trendier, more youthful you.

If you are still in the workforce having a current look will also help others see you as someone who still is up with what is going on and someone to respect and take seriously.    

So, how do you interpret fashion trends without looking like mutton dressed as lamb or feeling trussed up like a chook for thanksgiving dinner?

STEP 1: Reconcile with, and Adapt to The Body You Have Today

If you are over fifty your body will have changed and finding the right trends and adapting them will be a useless exercise if you do not intimately and accurately know the body you have TODAY. I’m always surprised at how many over fifty women do not know their body shape.  Maybe it’s a case that they’d rather not know – but please…that approach is only going to limit your life, opportunities and look.  I PROMISE YOU even if you do not like the body you have today and it looks like gravity and cellulite are winning you CAN LOOK FABULOUS, so stop putting it off. Go get into your knickers, stand in front of a full length mirror and take a good long loving look at your body from head to toe and work out what shape you are today.  This includes your horizontal body shape, bust size, weight, vertical ratio, and prominent features. If you need a little help My Private Stylist is here to help with our $25 professional photo assessment service.  

Colour is the next thing to consider.  If you have had a colour analysis in the past, then all you may need is an update if you hair is a different colour or if more than 10 years have elapsed.  Everyone’s colouring changes overtime with most women getting paler and cooler with time.  Probably the most important thing about colour is to avoid wearing dark colours near your face as they will make you appear paler and will throw shadows onto your face exaggerating any lines or dark areas.

STEP 2: Assess Your Hair, Makeup and Eyewear.

When was the last time you updated your hairstyle and the way you apply your make-up?  If you’ve been doing both the same way for years it’s definitely time for a change. A new hairstyle and makeup are the quickest and most effective way to update your look and gain instant gratification.  In fact a good hairstyle can have similar results to a mini face-lift. This photo from a makeover by Carol Tuttle is a great example.

For some fun and research you can upload a photo of yourself and test a new hairstyle on The Hair Styler and make-up on Taaz both which are a lot of fun.

If you wear glasses then these too if very out of date will make you look older.  There are lots of great eyewear stores that carry exciting and modern eyewear and they are great for making a fantastic style statement.

STEP 3: Get / Stay Active

Exercise and good food is vital to maintain a healthy mind and body and it need not be difficult.  Lifting weights, walking regularly, core exercises and short bursts of high intensity exercise will all ensure you look as good as you feel.

STEP 4: Set Your Signature Style Words

These are adjectives that describe all aspects of clothes and grooming that are important to you. From the way you want to be interpreted by others in terms of appearance and personality to how you want/need clothes to fit, feel and look.  Take a little time to decide what are your style words. They will become your style mantra – any style that does not measure up to them should be passed over. For me my words are Comfortable, Accessorised and Tummy Hiding, once you know what suits you in terms of your body shape, what colours work for you and

Now you are ready to scope out what’s in fashion.

STEP 5: Get to Know the Fashion Scene

Buy several fashion magazines or go online to scan the latest fashions for sale.  I prefer to go online because I can see what’s available so much easier than wading through all the racks in stores.  Websites such as Shop Style are good places to start as they are effectively online department stores and cover many price points. You can also go to their trends area to see the trends that are coming.

When looking through magazines or websites see if you can identify common threads such as:

Fashion is far more flexible than most women realise and once broken down into their components you can find forms that work for your body shape and personal style expression.

It can be as simple as adding your touch of fashion through use of accessories or colour. Colour is also easy to add into your wardrobe if your ‘core’ wardrobe items are of a medium to dark neutral colour.  As a general rule, the further a colour is from your face the easier it is to wear and above your waist if we can see eighty percent of a flattering colour, twenty percent of a non-flattering colour will not hurt you too much. If you feel the ‘in’ colour is too bright for you why not try painting your nails with it or wearing it in a camisole or scarf.  Shoes and handbags are always a great way to add fashion influence to your wardrobe and what could be easier that to grab a bag and don some shoes.

Never let the catwalks scare you off any look.

Since fashion is so fleeting I believe it is not worth spending heaps of money on it.  I make sure my’core‘ wardrobe items are of the best quality fabric I can afford, they are made well and they fit me perfectly.  They are flattering for my body’s needs and are simple in their overall style.  That way they can be dressed up and down as I please using tops, shirts, scarves, belts, brooches, shoes, handbags, necklaces, earrings and hairstyle to add the dimensions of fashion.  I suggest that 30 percent of your available wardrobe dollars are spent on accessories.  I have a few classic handbags and investment pieces of jewellery but beyond that the only time I spend big on accessories is when they are something that is sure to come around again soon e.g., leopard blouses and scarves.  But not leopard shoes or handbags as these have other elements such as shape that will date.

STEP 7: Look for Lift and Support

Not your husband, friend or stylist – something far more important – SHAPEWEAR!  Stop the wiggles and jiggles and excess bulges with the new ‘mother’s little helpers’.  Far from being uncomfortable, most of the latest shapewear is luxurious to the touch, breathable and comfortable to wear.  Once on you’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll look.

And now for your girls; if you have not visited a bra fitters for a while take yourself to one and get properly fitted.  The higher and perker your girls are the more youthful your figure will look.  Remember girls have high perky breasts and grandmas have low slung bosoms. 

STEP 8: Move Young

Now that you’ve started to get your fashion groove back you’ll notice that your body will start to react to your new look.  It’s amazing how our body reacts to what we are wearing.  Dress professionally and we tend to act professionally, dress casually and we act relaxed, dress fashionable and we tend to be energised by it and move with a youthful flare.

STEP 9: Don’t Become ‘Mutton Dressed as Lamb’

ღ Ann

This article is brought to you by Ann Reinten (AICI CIP) and the My PrivateStylist: Changing Lives One Wardrobe At A Time  www.myprivatestylist.com   2014©  Image Innovators Pty Ltd. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.