Yes, you CAN be sexy in your 60s!
Marie Helvin, 66, was a top model for five decades, appearing on seven covers of British vogue, and walked the catwalk for Yves Saint laurent, versace and valentino.
There are two things I don’t think anyone should have in their wardrobe at 60. First, ruffles. They just look frumpy. Frilly is for children.
And, second, that shapeless A-line, over-the-knee skirt which you see a lot of older female politicians wearing. I feel sorry for these poor women. Their skirts or dresses are always over the knee — not midi — and totally shapeless. Nobody looks sexy in that!
The important thing to remember is that, as you get older, it’s rare that something is going to fit you perfectly, so don’t expect it to.
If you try something on and like it, but find it doesn’t quite fit, for heaven’s sake buy it, find the best seamstress you can afford, even if it’s one in a dry cleaner’s, and make it fit you. Take it in, let it out; in the long run, a seamstress can save you a lot of money and help you create a great look.
I like dressing up and like many women my age, such as Christie Brinkley, Michelle Pfeiffer and others (right), I’ve always been confident in how I dress. That hasn’t changed now I’m in my mid-60s, although I’ve made tweaks. I used to wear a very lowcut Donna Karan halterneck dress for evening events, but it’s far too revealing to wear now.
Instead, I have two evening ‘looks’. The first is a pair of highwaisted, slightly wide-cut black trousers I got from Jigsaw 15 years ago, (Jaeger has a great pair, £99, jaeger.co.uk), with a simple V-neck crepe blouse from Primark of all places (£ 7,
primark.com). I bought one in white and one in black, and had a seamstress move the top button so it looks sexier. I still wear a teeny-tiny safety pin so I feel safe!
I then add a pair of snakeskin print block heels I got from M&S last summer (try New Look’s faux snakeskin block heels, £ 22.99, newlook. com). The second look is just as simple: a stretchy Alexander McQueen midi pencil skirt (£420, matchesfashion. — at 5ft 9in, I’m tall enough to wear that length — with my Primark blouse and a thin belt. It may sound ordinary, but to me it’s glamorous. It’s a look favoured by the former editor of Vogue Paris, Carine roitfeld, who’s 63. Glamour, to me at least, doesn’t mean a push- up Wonderbra with everything hanging out. Pared- back elegance is far more sexy. During the day I keep it much more casual. I never imagined in a million years I would buy a pair of Nike trainers to wear anywhere other than in the gym. But you know what? I like wearing them. I can’t do heels all day any more. It astounds me that I used to run around in them from the moment I woke up. I did a shoot for Vogue recently and they put me in some Meghan Markle- style Manolos. I couldn’t walk! Trust me: the right trainer can look chic. If there’s such a thing as a smart trainer, then my beautiful black Nikes are it ( Nike Classic Cortez, £65, net- a- porter. com). I wear them with Joseph’s Lex flared trousers, ( now £ 86, net- aporter. com) and a plain button-down shirt. There’s a trend for wearing trainers with dresses, but that’s a look I wouldn’t go for; it’s for younger women. Despite being given expensive pieces from the likes of Dior and Chanel, I’ve never been a label snob. I’m careful with my money these days. I sold most of my designer pieces to the luxury second-hand fashion site Vestiaire Collective. If there’s something I like at Matches or Net-a-Porter, I put it on my wishlist and wait until it’s in the sale. I’ve kept just one hermes handbag — if I need an evening clutch, I’ll find something fun and cheap at h&M. I think women my age are put off by most shops on the high Street. You might think everything in, say, Forever 21 is for your daughter, and the majority of it might be — but there will still be pieces you can wear. I just bought a halterneck maxi and a red midi dress (now £18 and £35, forever21.com) there. Don’t be afraid to go into these places — just think: I’m stylish, I’m 60, so deal with it!