The Scottish Mail on Sunday - You
There’s no age limit to great style
There are some boxes I don’t mind being put in – the ‘maximalist/minimalist’ style box, a ‘foodie’ box, even a political box. But one box I absolutely refuse to be put in, as a woman, is an age box.
Biologically speaking, women have it so much tougher than men: the teenage hormonal years, trying not to get pregnant, then for some trying very hard to get pregnant, the post-pregnancy battle to get our bodies back and, not long after that, bam – thank you, ma’am – along comes the menopause.
I hate all these terms we have now: Millennials, Gen X, Gen Z… I think they’re damaging and make us feel estranged from other generations, as if we couldn’t possibly understand each other because of our age difference. Which is why, even in 20 years’ time, you’ll never hear me describing myself as middle-aged, or, the new label, midlife. I love having friends of all ages and I learn different life-enhancing things from all of them.
I got a message from a lovely reader the other day asking a question that goes right to the heart of something I feel so passionate about.
‘Do you think 68 is too old to wear a slogan T-shirt – nothing rude but nice?’
‘No! Enjoy wearing it,’ I replied. Men don’t put each other into age boxes, they just get on with it. Does Joe Biden stop to ponder his late-life status or talk about his many wrinkles? Of course not – that would make him seem less powerful, less capable.
When it comes to experimenting with style and fashion you must never stop either. Because as legendary editor and columnist Diana Vreeland said: ‘You gotta have style. It helps you get down the
When it comes to experimenting with fashion, you must never stop
stairs. It helps you get up in the morning. It’s a way of life.’
I love finding pieces for my wardrobe that are chic, timeless and ageless, such as these straight-leg soft white jeans (top right) from one of my favourite denim brands, Frame.
French women don’t worry about whether they look stylish as they get older because they know they just do.
Flatter your best bits, hide the ones you don’t like, is the secret many a good dresser knows. Add items that have a little interest – jeans with a frayed leg, a shirt with large cuffs or this black dress with a low back by Solid & Striped (right). And, this summer, play around with the new preppy trend by giving a striped cable-knit vest a go, such as this one from Mango (right).
Follow me on Instagram @thestylistandthewardrobe