Effortlessly elegant, the older Hollywood stars who proved true style is ageless . . .
. . . and the young guns who (oops!) tripped up on the red carpet by trying just too hard
From thigh-high splits to bare midriffs, red-carpet fashion stylists love to dress their A-list clients in daring gowns that will put them firmly in the spotlight.
Yet, at this week’s Golden Globes Awards, it was covered-up women of a certain age who outshone starlets young enough to be their daughters — females in their 50s and 60s who displayed a sartorial confidence that proved the passing years are no barrier to true beauty and glamour.
They also carried themselves with the knowing poise of women who have grown into their sense of style — unlike the young, try-hard millennial stars.
The standout was Julianne moore, who turned 58 last month and went bold with her red-carpet attire, opting for a modern take on the white tux — a crossover halterneck bodice with satin lapels and co-ordinating beaded skirt by Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy, the designer of the Duchess of Sussex’s wedding gown.
moore set the tone for the evening, with a queue of forty and fiftysomething women redefining contemporary glamour.
Where once the passing of time might have meant stepping out of the spotlight and handing the baton on to a younger generation of rising stars, the doyennes of the film and television industry are now in their prime — and proud to show it.
‘Hollywood witnessed a huge shift in the late Nineties, when actors were suddenly competing with supermodels for magazine covers and the pressure was on to learn how to dress,’ says fashion expert and author Bronwyn Cosgrave.
‘The likes of actresses Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Penelope Cruz, Julianne moore and Julia roberts experienced that shift and accepted that dressing up was part of their job. That’s why you see them stepping up to it at every event.
‘And the smart ones, such as Allison Janney, moore and Kidman, always stick to colours and silhouettes that are tried-and-tested.’
That’s where age trumps youth: those up-and-coming talents in Tinseltown may benefit from the dewy glow of tender years, a midriff that is still two decades away from menopausal spread and triceps that are naturally toned from holding a smartphone, but they’re still finding their fashion feet.
EveN with the help of experienced stylists, establishing a ‘look’ takes time and is about the chemistry between garment and wearer, as well as the simple aesthetics of a style.
It might be that a nubile young actress looks stunning in a satin slip dress when she is standing in front of a mirror in the fitting room of a designer’s atelier.
But ask her to walk confidently in it while being photographed from every angle and she may suddenly become self-conscious, losing the composure that comes with a static pose.
Look at Julia roberts, 51, styled by elizabeth Stewart in a pair of sassy black taffeta tuxedo trousers layered with a one-shouldered bodice and frothy flesh-toned tulle train by Stella mcCartney — the perfect combination of elegance and easy insouciance.
on a less self-assured woman, such a statement style could have overwhelmed, but roberts is so comfortable in her own skin that she simply shines.
The truth is that, these days, the traditional dos and don’ts of fashion have been discarded and age is no longer a barrier to looking fabulous. After all, these older actresses are women of style and substance and they have the sartorial sense and superb talent to match.
It’s wonderful to see them walking the red carpet with confidence and celebrating their achievements. As should all older women.