WHAT’S YOUR STYLE TRIBE?
Take our quiz to find out – then discover what you should be wearing and where to buy it
LOOKING stylish in middle-age and beyond can be tricky. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut, and trying a new look can seem daunting. But wearing the kind of outfit you loved in your 20s is a sure-fire shortcut to looking out of touch.
As a 51-year-old fashion editor and author, I constantly hear from women who tell me they don’t know where to start. But there is an easy and enjoyable way to look fabulous for ever. The secret is to find your style tribe. Once
Grown-up tomboy
Alyson wears: Jacket, £229, wide-leg trousers, £169, both from hobbs.co.uk; Equipment shirt, £315, trilogystores.co.uk;courts, £29.99, zara.com The look is a modern blend of the masculine and feminine — a discerning, cultured, tomboy with an eye for detail and quality. Picture actress Cate Blanchett in a tux.
This is someone who cares about design and craft — the finer things in life. But the clothes don’t have to be expensive. however, they do have to be well-made and durable. It doesn’t matter if it’s a £10 Gap T-shirt or a £300 pair of Church’s shoes. The design must be thoughtful, the proportions pleasing.
Grown-up tomboys have an attention to detail that can verge on the geeky. Impulse buys are not an option. Celebrity endorsements cut no mustard. Purchases are carefully considered. They must last and be enjoyed long-term. Wardrobe essentials: A boyfriend jacket (Zara is good), oversized shirt (chambray is wonderfully soft and skims over lumps and bumps), white T-shirt (Gap or Boden), rolled up chinos, brogues (Office is usually a good bet) and a navy overcoat (M&S, Cos or Whistles) THE STYLE CROWD’S SECRET SHOPS
Raey — Matchesfashion.com’s in- you’ve identified the type of look that speaks to you most, you can easily pick just a few pieces from this season to add spark to your style.
Take the quiz below to find your tribe — then read on for the fashion industry’s secret labels and the most flattering pieces for your new look. house label offers easy pieces with an elegant tomboy-ish twist. Some items are on sale, including a draped blouse at £55 (was £185) and black tunic at £117 (was £195).
Margaret howell — this quintessentially British range of understated classics is the fashion insider’s favourite. With twill jackets from £245 and poplin shirts from £95, it’s not cheap, but it’s a great investment.
Toast — Casual elegance with an androgynous feel. Try the softly tailored trousers in a huge range of cuts from £85, and well-made Tshirts perfect for layering from £32.
Ageless rocker
Alyson wears: Leather jacket, £280, hush-uk.com; drape-front dress, £399, jaeger.co.uk; suede sandals, £275, lkbennett.com YOu’Re never too old to rock ’n’ roll, as musicians Patti Smith and Marianne Faithful continue to prove. Women such as these have managed to grow older with style — and wardrobes packed with effortlessly cool outfits: simple tailoring, military jackets, black skinny trousers and leather biker jackets (note: faux is just as chic these days).
They don’t care about fashion. They wear what they like and they wear it with swagger. The longevity of rock- chick appeal is down to knowing your style — and as you get older, not going too grungy.
The way to join this Style Tribe is to play it down and mix elements of the look with what’s already in your wardrobe. So wear a biker jacket over a shift dress, black skinny trousers with a cashmere sweater and heels, take the edge off utilitarian khaki with soft, faded denim.
Wardrobe essentials: A leather biker jacket (Topshop does brilliant faux ones starting at £48 — for the real deal try Whistles, from £328), skinny black jeans, a tailored mannish jacket (John Lewis usually carry the season’s best coat selection), anything with a whiff of military style such as gold buttons or trims and black leather ankle boots.
THE STYLE CROWD’S SECRET SHOPS
Zadig & Voltaire — the French label with a rock ’n’ roll vibe is the place to go for jeans (from £160), or splash out on their camouflage print cashmere sweater at £295.
All Saints — biker jackets, coated jeans (£98) and slouchy tops (Tshirts from £28, tops from £58) in must-have muted shades
Asos.com — this website appeals to a younger audience, but if you pick and choose you can find lots of good value labels with a rocking attitude. Pick up black ankle boots from around £40.
Scandi chic
Alyson wears: Belted coat, £350, lkbennett.com; cashmere jumper, £175, hush-uk.com; trousers, £89, jigsaw-online.com; ankle boots, £275, lkbennett.com; scarf, £40, hush-uk.com FLATTeRInG muted shades, grown-up styling, and clever, unexpected shapes such as cocoon dresses and geometric silver jewellery typify the best of Scandinavian style. Forget Milan or Paris — Stockholm is the new fashion hotspot.
Like the strong female characters who have made nordic TV shows such as The Killing, The Bridge and Borgen so compelling, Scandi chic appeals to those who are very much their own woman.
The style is understated, simple and practical. She is looking for something that will last. unafraid to
experiment with layering and asymmetric silhouettes, she goes for minimal shapes, clean lines, neutral colours and natural fabrics.
As well as heavy-duty knitwear, she is also likely to favour some nautical stripes. Keep it simple. Don’t blow it all with fussy accessories.
Wardrobe essentials: A slouchy sweater worn over black trousers or jeans (try Zara), a striped T-shirt, ankle boots (for around £60, Clarks do some of the best — and the most comfortable) and a butter- soft suede jacket (if you can, this is one time it’s worth splashing out on the real thing — the £328 version from All Saints is particularly good. And you can always wait for the inevitable Autumn sale).
Top it off with a coatigan (a mix of coat and cardigan) and a cross-body bag (&otherstories.com has a range from £55). THE STYLE CROWD’S SECRET SHOPS
Acne — this hip Swedish label has some eye-wateringly expensive pieces, but is the go-to brand for jeans you’ll treasure at a more palatable £150 (acnestudios.com).
COS — for the modern minimalist, Swedish H&M’s older sister offers pared-down style with a flash of colour (cosstores.com). It looks high fashion but at low prices, with structured dresses from £55.
Power dresser
By Malene Birger — this Copenhagen designer does contemporary chic with an eye-catching twist. It’s available at Fenwick, Net-a-Porter and John Lewis, with chic wool trousers around £200. Try waiting for key pieces to go on sale on theoutnet. com, Net-a-Porter’s cut-price site. Alyson wears: Blue tweed dress, £365, thefoldlondon.com; Shoes, £160, lkbennett.com ARE you a businesswoman who manages to look authoritative without barging into meetings with shoulders padded like an American Football player? Congratulations. you’re probably a power dresser. Today it’s all about a softer, more confident style than the in-yourface Eighties approach. The power dresser’s style is polished and professional to reflect her business attitude. Look at America’s First Lady, Michelle Obama, and Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, to see how it’s done. These are women in control of their wardrobes as well as their lives. They go for a simple look — a classic shift or tunic dress, updated pussy-bow blouse and well-cut trousers with a mid or kitten-heel shoe. Invest in quality essentials. And don’t let accessories take over. Add simple jewellery — a string of pearls, a pair of discreet drop earrings — or a colourful scarf. The aim is to add personality while appearing cool, calm and confident.
As American Vogue’s Anna Wintour proves, a simple jewelcoloured shift, elegant necklace and kitten heels works every time.
a shift or tunic dress (M&S are getting better fast and have styles around £40), a pussy-bow blouse, wide-leg trousers in primary colours (pair with a black scoop-neck top or white shirt), sharp blazer (Zara do the best, around £50) and a power necklace (try Zara again). THE STYLE CROWD’S SECRET SHOPS
Roksanda — Samantha Cameron is a fan of Roksanda dresses and she was recently voted the best- dressed woman in the world by Vanity Fair magazine. New season is horribly expensive, so look on theoutnet.com for bargains.
Hobbs — beautiful tailoring, classic shirts and Italian- made leather shoes, this is a one-stop shop for the modern business woman. It’s high- end High Street pricing — but look out for their online outlet, which offers big reductions such as nude court shoes, on sale for £49.
Goat — the British brand’s brightly coloured crepe dresses and coats with a lovely retro feel are worn by Kate Middleton. Check out the sale, on its website, with dresses from £168.
Older and bolder
IF yOU aren’t ready to disappear into a beige world of elastic-waisted trousers and sensible knitwear, then the chances are you’re part of the older and bolder set. Confident, creative and above all colourful, you celebrate life in equal measures of energy and eye-popping accessories and care about how you look.
So what should potential O & Bs wear? Well, start with a brightly coloured collarless coat over a printed dress. Pile on the accessories, too. But don’t overdo it. A pared-down outfit can set off a massive pair of kooky specs effectively.
Don’t be frightened of colour. But use it carefully. If you’re shy, add a blast of colour to a chic background of grey or navy. Pink is popular this autumn and can liven up the basics. Experiment with new combinations — shades you wouldn’t normally put together — my favourite is khaki and fuchsia.
Whatever you do, avoid pastels. They’re too insipid, too mother of the bride — and they’ll make you look 20 years older. Wardrobe essentials: Great, bright accessories (Cos, Accessorize, Oliver Bonas are all favourites, and try kibari.com for independent designers), colourful or fun-shaped glasses, bright lipstick and clothing. THE STYLE CROWD’S SECRET SHOPS:
Boden — the home of brightly coloured coats, big bold prints and sparkly shoes has taken a new, more eclectic direction for autumn. Dresses are around £70 to £130, and there’s 13 per cent off online.
&OtherStories — H&M’s grownup offshoot offers great accessories, graphic prints and is designed for women of every age. Scarves, hats and gloves all start around £35.
Asos.com – pick up a wild faux fur coat of surprisingly good quality for just £70, or a gorgeous maroon waterfall coat at £95
Casual glamour
THE Casual Glamourpuss is a working woman whose style is a relaxed blend of day and evening wear that combines diamante and denim, leopard-print and luxurious cashmere, to take her effortlessly from school run to red carpet or office to opera with the minimum of effort.
Take a simple tunic dress, a favourite pair of jeans, a navy blazer. Then inject a jolt of pizzazz with a single look-at-me standout piece — perhaps Lurex knitwear or a vintage beaded top that adds a bit of bling.
Most of us have something sparkly at the bottom of the laundry basket. Drag it out and combine with wellcut wardrobe essentials to give you, a new lease of life.
Slip on an eye-catching metallic or animal print jacket over a black shirt and cigarette pants. Team a sequinned pencil skirt with a T-shirt and sharply tailored blazer. Wear a silk blouse with jeans and metallic pumps. It’s the go-anywhere appeal of this dressed-up daywear that grown-up glamourpusses love. Wardrobe essentials: A leopardprint coat (Boden do a great one for £80), jeans in a variety of cuts from boyfriend to skinny that you can pair with more outre tops, a patterned pencil skirt (try Anthropologie, £90), a denim shirt, metallic leather ankle boots (try Debenhams or Office, with styles at £80) and printed or brocade trousers (H&M’s are well-cut and cheap, from £13). THE STYLE CROWD’S SECRET SHOPS
J.Crew — for dressed-up daywear the American retailer (jcrew.com and London stores) knows how to mix things up to the max. Floaty tops start from around £50.
Whistles — sparkle knits (sweater, £65), and Lulu Frost jewellery (from £75): Whistles’ grown-up pieces with personality will take you from dayto-evening with ease
Finerylondon.com — perfect for snazzy shoes, think: grown-up trainers with red mock croc, nude ankle boots and shiny lace-ups from £65.