The fishy taste of fashion

Aim for what looks best on you, instead of what’s the latest trend.

I look around me and I sometimes wonder at the so-called “latest” trends in fashion – especially in clothes. As a woman, I know we have a greater range to play with than men. We are teased into buying more through sales, and seduced into what is current.

What stumps me is mainly how some lose their sense of “good taste” – in that they forget what looks good on others may not look good on them. The mini skirt is for the younger and slimmer ones, the short shorts, too.

And again, do some forget about their wellbeing while trying to look trendy? Is wearing those tight jeans and tiny shorts being kind to those parts of your body?

And the new styles that come out so regularly are played up by smart publicity campaigns, advertising with good-looking, shapely models to impress you. But hey, you may end up very up-to-date but will you end up looking that smart? Think smarter than them and decide what is suitable for your age, size and shape.

We ordinary simple ones may never get featured in society pages, but we could look great (ahem, we think so) in some of our own original designs. By “original” I mean a very individualistic way of dressing, which makes us look our best, even with minimal make-up.

With little touches, like adding a brooch, a scarf, a string of beads, you can turn a simple dress into something quite charming. If you worry about feeling cold when attending a dinner or an event at an air-conditioned venue, add a jacket.

While recycling old favourite pieces, we could remove some buttons or add some, shorten or lengthen where required, wear with a belt or other accessories, and voila, a new look suitably created for your personality!

Black never goes out of fashion, yet some of us succumb to the sales pitch “Black is back” for a new look! But be careful not to overdo it as you may appear pale and dull if you do not add an interesting accessory to it. As always, too, black-and-white can often turn out quite elegant, as do gingham and polka dots and stripes.

Along with some practical advice from caring folk around you, when you are honest with yourself in what you see in the mirror, you will develop your own fashion sense. Then others will no longer be able to talk you into adopting their sense of taste.

For seniors, it is always safer to appear in something simple and smart than to shoot for something fussy and bright that “pokes” the eye! Your smile, a friendly demeanour, being a good listener, will definitely show sufficient “good taste”!