When a woman hits the wrong side of 40 she may feel lost and forgotten, in a kind of fashion limbo, finding it difficult to find something suitable to wear. It seems that the majority of fashion trends are geared towards those the right side of thirty and consequently, it is easy for her to lose her former style confidence. Shopping for clothes becomes daunting.
However, with maturity can come a new-found sense of chicness. This means experimenting with new looks, relying on classic trends, and wearing outfits that bring back self-esteem.
Seek Inspiration from Others
Seek inspiration from a fellow 40, 50 or 60-something. This could be a celebrity or a friend. Use women’s magazines to provide motivation. Find stylish ladies (with similar body shapes) to admire and make a note of what they are wearing. Sixty-something Helen Mirren has earned a reputation for being a poster girl for grown ups and has inspired many mature women with her new-found signature style.
Enlist the help of a friend or a style advisor (personal shopper) or buy a style guide which is especially geared towards older women to give an insight on dressing for a particular age and body shape.
Find a Fashion Personality
Every woman is different. Take into account the fashion personality that is to be reflected. Is the goal to look smarter, more stylish, more colorful or more feminine? This will be determined by a woman's lifestyle and will lead in the direction of the genre of pieces, i.e. chic, smart, casual or sporty.
Make Peace with an Aging Body
Make peace with an aging body and learn to accept its flaws. Dressing to suit her body shape is one of the most important lessons a woman should learn. It can magic away the years and take pounds off, without having to diet.
A woman's hair and skin coloring changes as she gets older. Get to know particular color families which best suit hair and skintone. Mature women can wear darker jewel-like colors which give a youthful glow and make a silhouette look leaner. Hues that belong to the color family of purple, blue and red can be particularly flattering for older women.
The Opposite Rule
Break with tradition and try the “opposite” rule. A woman who has spent the last 20 years hiding her legs under trousers should try out dresses and skirts for a revolutionary new look. If the last 10 years was spent wearing flats, then don on a pair of high heels and see the difference it makes to the look of an outfit (not to mention posture).
Buy Fewer But Better Clothes
Now is the time to buy fewer but better clothes. Go for tailored pieces in textured and good quality fabrics than more lower quality outfits, which look cheap. Consider cost per wear when going shopping, an outfit which seems pricey may be worth every penny if it is worn often and lasts a long time.
At 50 and beyond there is nothing to be gained by trying to keep up with all the latest fashion trends. A wardrobe ration of approximately 70% investment pieces and 30% on-trend outfits would be a good ratio. Swap some out-of-date pieces for a more tailored, signature look. Wardrobe staples should include endurance items such as tailored pants, a classic white shirt, a go-anywhere trenchcoat and a good quality pair of well-fitting jeans.
Create a Signature Style with Accessories
Don’t underestimate the power of accessories. If the budget is tight it is possible to build a signature look with some favorite scarves, statement necklaces or a quality handbag. These can also be used to reflect some of the latest fashion trends (colors of the season etc). No matter how a woman’s body shape fluctuates as she grows older, she is never too fat or too thin for her accessories.
After 40 is time to think less about fashion trends and more about creating a signature style. As Coco Chanel observed " At 40, women used to exchange youth for elegance and poise and mysterious allure, an evolution that left then undamaged. Now they measure themselves against the very young with defences that can only be described as ridiculous."
Gill Hart - Gill Hart is a fashion and image professional who specializes in women's fashion over 50.
