Tricks of the sixty + STYLE ICONS
Every woman needs a fashion mentor — so who’ll be yours?
Women over the age of 60 are more visible than ever on our television screens, in films, on social media and in fashion campaigns — great news for midlifers on the lookout for style inspiration.
Fashion in your 60s and beyond has become more exciting — and confusing — than it used to be. The rulebook of previous generations is definitely out, though, and, as a 61-year- old fashion editor who has always loved clothes, I am relieved.
Women can now dress to please themselves and have fun with fashion at any age — but this throws up new sartorial dilemmas.
For those of us without a personal stylist, it can be difficult to know where to start. Is a midi frumpy? Is above-the-knee ‘mutton’? Can older women go sleeveless and be stylish?
Thankfully, the answers to all these questions are out there — you just need to find yourself a sixtysomething fashion mentor. That is, any of the chic older women road-testing age-appropriate, fashionable clothing and making it look fabulous.
I am all too aware of the pitfalls of this tricky life stage. I have my personal go-tos, such as a collection of five printed, pussy-bow blouses by Rixo, which work for day or evening.
I’m a big fan of buying in several colours an item that works for me.
I like tailored black cigarette trousers, with trainers for day and a court shoe for evening. earrings and fine charm necklaces or a stack of bracelets are the details that give me my signature style. I always have something khaki in my wardrobe, and I’m a fan of vintage. When I was younger, I wore lots of black tops, but I stay away from them now, preferring colour or navy to lift my skin tone. You, too, can take inspiration from the over-60s women on these pages, with our clever guide on how to copy their style with High Street finds. or look to the likes of former Good Housekeeping fashion editor Alyson Walsh’s podcast and Instagram, That’s not my Age (thatsnotmyage). Another woman whose clothes I admire is Dian Griesel, known on Instagram as @silverdisobedience.
You may not like everything an influencer or celebrity wears, but there are ideas you can harvest.
Take 74-year- old Helen mirren’s crisp white shirt as evening wear. It was genius to pair it with a leopardprint skirt, which flatters her figure and looks elegantly dressed-down — casual clothing is generally more youthful than formal wear.
Celebrities make it look easy, but, as we grow older and our bodies change, some of our go-to pieces no longer fit or just don’t work for us. The post-menopausal thickening waistline can’t be helped, nor can a slower metabolism, which means extra pounds.
Look carefully and you’ll note that celebrities showcase their good points, so, if you have great legs or a slim waist over 60, highlight those features.
U.S. Vogue editor Anna Wintour, 69, loves to show off her toned arms. But if yours aren’t in such good shape, try wearing three-quarter-length sleeves to show off your wrists, or a cropped trouser to reveal slim ankles.
Anti-age your complexion, too, by experimenting with colour. Twiggy, 69, and 84-year- old mary Berry are both advocates of brighter shades.
If you’re a larger size, choose soft tailored clothes with big shoulders. A jacket with a defined waist will always be your friend, as Twiggy shows. or choose a flowing style with clashing prints like emma Thompson.
There are no rules. But it never hurts to have a fashion mentor to help you look your best . . .