THE EDIT: Fashion to Fight the Fade
Far too often I hear from midlife women who say they feel a sense of invisibility and a growing lack of confidence when it comes to style and fashion. I firmly believe that “invisible is simply a state of mind”, but I do understand where they’re coming from. A societal hangover from bygone generations would have us believe there are certain rules that must be followed once we reach our 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond. There aren’t!
In her recent article for The Telegraph – Why I refuse to wear what society says I ‘should’ at 60 – features and beauty columnist Jan Masters says: “Instead of looking for ways to either conceal my age or look elegantly presentable despite it, I follow my own style rules.” Exactly the attitude we all need to take. There is no reason to fade into the background once we hit 50 and beyond. If anything, we should be celebrating our age – boldly, loudly and proudly – because who’s to say we can’t wear whatever we like, whenever and however we choose?
Fashion is incredibly powerful when it comes to making you feel confident, so with this in mind, I’ve put together a few of my favourite style tips – after all, if you look good, you feel good!
Don’t be afraid to take risks
It’s too easy to fall into the ‘age-appropriate’ trap. There is no ‘age-appropriate’, particularly as fashion has become more generic across all ages. Play with colours and new designs – particularly the brighter and bolder prints that are so on trend right now – and explore styles that are a little more adventurous. Dare to wear!
Accentuate the positive
Chose to highlight an area of your body you feel most confident with so that this will draw attention and detract from the areas you feel less happy with. If you have a tiny waist wear belts with dresses to accentuate this. Alternatively, if your legs are your most confident area, wear some well-cut jeans teamed with more flowing tops and blouses.
Inject some colour
The British summer doesn’t always mean sunny, cloudless skies, but our clothes don’t have to be as drab as the weather. Not only will bolder colours brighten your mood, they will also add a glow to your complexion. And if you’re not confident wearing brighter shades, there are as many rich and sensual shades that add will add a beautiful depth of colour too.
Find the right jeans
All you ever need is a good pair of jeans! In a professional setting, a darker colour denim is the safe choice, as it’s more polished than a lighter denim that is much more casual. The cut and fit of your jeans is hugely important. In her article for The Telegraph – Why baggy jeans are a godsend for women over 40 – Alyson Walsh says: “Slouchy trousers don’t have to be shapeless if you balance them out.” Baggy boyfriend jeans can be far more flattering than you think, so chose carefully the cut that most suits your shape, and dress up or down for the occasion and the look you want to achieve.
Justify your jewellery
It can be difficult to choose and style jewellery that complements your wardrobe. A lot of women are inclined to wear big statement necklaces, but I tend to think that less is more when it comes to jewellery. Keep it simple and minimal so that the jewellery you wear doesn’t become the centrepiece and detract from the outfit you’ve chosen.
