I’m obviously not the only one who thinks Camilla looks sexy in denim!
SHE might not be wearing unwashed pyjamas, with mad hair and no makeup, but the Duchess of Cornwall is looking very lockdown with her latest official photo for the Clarence House Christmas card, taken with Charles at Birkhall.
Simply because she has chosen to wear jeans, and skinny ones at that. Even her posture is relaxed: not the Middleton Cross (knees together, ankles knotted), but legs slightly splayed, which is fine in trousers. Even the choice of photographer — a member of staff rather than a big name — screams casual, and is a reassuring message that all will soon be well.
We’ve seen these jeans before, worn to celebrate the couple’s 15th wedding anniversary in April. But to wear such an item not just as a senior royal for an official moment, but to dare to wear them at the age of 73, doubtless had the men in grey suits reaching for the smelling salts.
But I think she looks fabulous. Smart, with the coiffed hair, soft pink shirt and navy blazer, but modern and ‘can do’. You can tell she’s the sort of woman who can change a tyre and be up for fun on Christmas Day, not fretting over who sits where or if there are lumps in the gravy.
Forget the mantra that older women have the wrong body for jeans. We can look fabulous in them. Take Mary Berry, who is in her 80s, and still wears bootcut jeans from M&S to do the gardening and shoppi ng, al t hough s he doesn’t own a pair of trainers: ‘ They make you sloppy.’
Or Brigitte Macron? In September, France’s First Lady, 67, rocked a pair of i nky s ki nnies with black suede boots. The key, as always, is what you wear on top: in her case, a pale pink Vuitton coat. I’m not against black being worn by older women: it’s just another rule to be ripped up. But if your jeans are dark, l i ghten things with some colour up top.
The Duchess has the look just about right: a blazer always smartens up denim, t hough doubtless she changed into a Barbour right after the photo was taken. A wide l eather belt emphasises the waist, and the cut is high rise (it should dissect the navel), holding in that turkey tummy. My advice for anyone wearing jeans, unless you are 16 and built like a pipe cleaner, is to avoid rips at the knees. Choose a dark colour: pale denim against i nevitably paler skin as you age will make you l ook washed out. I would avoid white denim, unless you are Liz Hurley: too Eurotrash and impractical. All denim these days has a bit of stretch, which means jeans are comfy enough to wear all day. It’s impossible to try before you buy at the moment, but before you shop online measure your hips, waist and inner thigh, use an online size guide, then order two pairs in different sizes if you’re still unsure.
Most brands now give you longer to return items; Selfridges’ online denim department is second to none. I’d choose bootcut or a gentle flare rather than skinny, which might look a bit tragic if you are over 70, though Camilla pulls it off, given she has an equestrian’s thighs and bottom, and hers are not thrombosis-inducing.
And avoid anything too casual, with rolled-up hems and flip flops: Helen Mirren, you have been warned. Similarly, boyfriend jeans — oversized, l i ke wearing a balloon — are to be avoided. Not because we are too old to have a boyfriend, but because we are too old to borrow things. Think tailored as opposed to clownish. And never, ever tuck your jeans into long boots, which can smack of the pantomime.
Unless you are an actual superannuated rock chick, like Jo Wood, avoid wearing make-up that is too harsh. Keep everything subtle and polished, as though you glow from within: a fantastic small British cosmetics brand made for the over-50s is Studio 10 (available online). Lots of coverage if you have age spots, but it all looks natural and outdoorsy, just as Camilla does here.
Aside from Mary’s M&S jeans — and I was shocked on a visit to the Harrogate branch to find an entire section with the title ‘Mom jeans’; please desist now — other great brands include 7 For All Mankind and Paige Denim. Both are unbeatable for fit and quality, which is vital if you’re over 60.
Don’t wash jeans every time you wear them: they will soften and mould after a few wears. Do not iron or add a crease: you are not Nancy Reagan.
ANDdon’t let anyone tell you there is an age l i mit to what you wear, although a great tip from Mary Berry is to buy skirts one size too big, so they sit lower on your hips, and cover your knees. I’m over 60 and still never wear tights, have grown my hair back after kowtowing to convention and getting a bob, am not afraid to bare my upper arms and wear toothpick jeans tucked into biker boots, flares worn with flats every day of the week. If you have a muffin top, just choose high-rise and a wide belt (naked loops always look unfinished). Tuck in a soft blouse or polo shirt; a T-shirt can be a little too casual. Best of all, feel assured that if you wear jeans, while following our few simple rules, people will no longer define you by your age.
Earlier this week, Camilla wore a blue velvet coat to deliver gifts to a children’s hospice: bracelet sleeves so she doesn’t l ook swamped, and knee-high boots (fine with a dress or skirt, just not with trousers). The jeans are just the icing on the Christmas cake.
The idea of the Queen wearing Paper, Denim & Cloth skinnies for the Christmas speech is as likely as her turning up in a Union Jack onesie. But she has never let age define her: she rides horses without a safety helmet and walks up flights of stone steps unaided.
She and Camilla are a shot in the arm for older women more effective than HRT: we don’t belong in pastel twin sets. We are edgy and vital and valued. Hell, Camilla even looks sexy in denim. Why else would Charles be gazing at her, and not at the camera?