Age appropriate
Lee Janogly is 80 and determined to live life to the full. In this extract from her book, Getting Old: Deal with it, she shares fashion tips for older women
Fashion tips, plus Claudia Winkleman’s new podcast
I’m one of those weird women who hates buying clothes. At least, my friends and family consider me weird as they can’t think of anything nicer than browsing the clothes shops for the latest fashions. For me, the endless racks of shirts, trousers, jackets and tops becomes a nightmarish blur especially when accompanied by pounding music. I take one look and back hurriedly out again telling myself my old jeans and sweatshirts are perfectly fine for another few years.
For my sister, Monday is clothes buying day and she will return from her trip with an endless supply of dresses or shoes or belts. Once tried on at home, she often changes her mind and returns them the following day, thereby designating this day ‘Take back Tuesday’.
When I was researching my book Getting Old: Deal with it I consulted experts in every field such as medical, neurological and physical to inform my readers how to cope with the various changes that take place in the mind and body as you get older. As you can gather from the above I’m obviously the last person to offer any advice on fashion and even at the ancient age of 80, I have no idea what suits me. On behalf of others of similar ilk, I consulted a fashion expert by the name of Sarah (she wouldn’t let me use her real name) who has prepared Hollywood stars for the red carpet and advised some younger Royals to lower their hemlines a tad. I asked her to list some ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’ as a rough guide to looking good after the last flush of menopause.
For us older folk, Sarah said the first essential is a well-fitting bra.
She said women don’t always realise their shape changes as they get older and they continue buying the same size and cup-size for years. Aha, at least there is something I get right. I remember all too well my mother taking my 12-year-old self to a local shop specialising in ‘ladies undergarments’ to be fitted for my very first bra.
The shop was run by an ancient (in my eyes) Polish lady whose name consisted of so many S’s and Z’s that no one could pronounce it, so she was known as Madame Zizi. I continued to frequent Madame Zizi’s establishment – known affectionately as ‘Bras R Us’ – all through my adolescence and subsequent pregnancies, and always left feeling firm and uplifted. I was devastated when she died, and we all thought the enterprise would go bust (ha ha). But her daughter stepped in and later various nieces were welcomed into the bosom of the family business (OK I’ll stop now), and 70 years later it’s still going strong, although they have now graduated to Spanx and swimsuits.
As far as what goes on top of your underwear, Sarah’s advice is to get the balance right: you don’t want to look too old or too young. Your body changes over the years so your clothes have to adapt as well, which means learning how to flatter your body shape without doing a complete overhaul of your wardrobe. You need to find a style that suits you and stick with it; you don’t have to be trendy.
If you’re old – and how old is up to you – don’t wear your skirts above your knees however good your legs still are. A skirt skimming just below the knee-cap is a flattering length for anyone, but make sure it’s not too tight or restrictive. Uneven hems or ‘handkerchief ’ skirt lengths look fine on young, tall people, but this style on older, shorter women just smacks of carelessness.
I’m old enough to remember a famous British couturier to royalty called Hardy Amies who sniffily declared that a woman’s knees were the ugliest part of her body and should be covered at all times. So that’s why the Queen never wears mini-skirts – I always wondered.
Sticking with legs, Sarah’s advice to disguise thick ankles, the dreaded ‘cankles’, is to select shoes with an ankle strap. Perversely, this does not draw attention to this area, but gives
the illusion of shape. Other than that, wear trousers and blame your mother.
Sarah loves seeing older women in pretty dresses. A printed wrap dress is especially flattering, tied at the back, which gives the illusion of a flat tummy. She advises against huge swirly patterns though, as you’ll look swamped and as if the dress is wearing you, rather than the other way around. The problem is finding attractive styles with three-quarter or long sleeves.
Oh, the arms! Whatever happened to the arms? One minute firm and smooth, then, seemingly overnight, they became lined, wrinkled and flabby. You will know what I mean when you wave goodbye to your grandchildren after a lovely visit, and your upper arm goes on waving even when they’ve turned the corner! So – to cover or leave uncovered?
Sarah’s advice is to cover your arms with a lacy cardigan or pashmina if you feel self-conscious about them. I say let them hang out, you’re old, so what? It’s not a crime. It’s not as though you’re going to wear lowcut strappy tops showing acres of wrinkled, sun-dried cleavage, are you? Are you?!
I asked her advice on disguising the dreaded muffin top – that roll of fat that squishes over the top of your waistband – plus the notorious ‘back fat’. Yes, everyone over the age of 65 has it. Obviously you would avoid tightly fitted tops, but a camisole popped underneath can help to smooth out any lumps. Layers look better if you’re a bit plump. A tailored jacket or twin-set doubles the layers and takes the eye away from any bulges. A well-cut trouser suit with a pretty scooped-necked T-shirt underneath can take you anywhere. Smart court shoes or boots complete the outfit.
For casualwear, dark coloured jeans, straight leg or boot leg suit most shapes, obviously avoiding anything ripped, torn or ‘distressed’. Wear them with boots or flats, not stilettos, which, in Sarah’s opinion, look silly with jeans. Even white trainers seem to be acceptable to wear with dresses or trousers, which is a boon for older people as they provide stability for those who are a bit wobbly on their feet.
In my opinion – for what it’s worth – the worst dressed women can be found in the Houses of Parliament, although Scottish women politicians seem much smarter than their southern sisters, both in the way they dress and the leadership qualities they display. How come American politicians, lawyers, even judges, always look so polished and professional in well-cut clothes, immaculate hairstyles and understated make-up? There are so many lovely clothes in the shops (so I’m told!), it must take a lot of effort for their British counterparts to look so dowdy in comparison.
Where are you,
Sarah, when we need you?!