FASHION magazine recently featured 60-something model Maye Musk. Only she wasn't in some "age-appropriate" ghetto, as you might expect. Editor-in-chief Bernadette Morra devoted an entire feature to this glowing, glorious woman, photographed in a dizzying array of all-white designs. (Here's some of the shoot.)
Not a Muumuu in sight!
Which got me to thinking. I'm a huge fan of the original older-woman-looking-fabulous blogger, Ari Seth Cohen. And I understand that the award-winning Scottish filmmaker Sue Bourne is working on a documentary called Geriatric Fashionistas (more on this in a future column... and her current film, the hugely entertaining Jig -- about Irish dancing -- is playing in Toronto and Chicago this weekend!). But what about those of us in the transition years? Women who no longer look 25, are happy with their new selves, and want to look great?
Lisa Bayne might have a clue. I interviewed Lisa for my new book, RIPE, about her role as CEO of Artful Home, a web-based company that offers "art for life, for home, for ever." Lisa says her company introduced clothing last year -- beautiful pieces, designed and made by artistsans -- and sales have skyrocketed. (More on Lisa to come, too.)
So, what do women 50-plus want to wear?
I want timeless pieces that suit me (rather than the look du jour). I want to be comfortable. And I would rather buy one great item that I can wear forever than a bunch of things from [insert the name of any mass-produced retailer here]. And I'll bet I'm not alone.
So, dear readers, now that you're over 50, has what you wear -- and what you want to wear -- changed? Do you agree with Ari Seth Cohen that "style advances with age"? What have you found that works for you? What are you still looking for? What about shoes? Do you think more or less about your wardrobe? Also, is this an issue for men, too? And let's hear from women over 70, as well -- from my 55-year-old vantage point, I'm curious to know whether my style might change as I move into the next phase of my life.
Over to you!
'RIPE' is here! This spring, I'm writing about "RIPE: Rich, Rewarding Work After 50," a 12-week course on discovering passion, purpose and possibility at midlife. Check out the video (a.k.a. book trailer!):
Be part of the "RIPE" community on HuffPost, Facebook and Twitter. Or feel free to email me via my website. Together, we are going to change this phase of life!
Follow Julia Moulden on Twitter: www.twitter.com/juliamoulden
Not all of my garments are "couture." I can make a blouse in an afternoon and it will fit me perfectly. Yes, it is more expensive than stuff made in China as good fabric costs money, but my clothes fit me better and I enjoy saying they were custom made.
http://angeliaastyle.wordpress.com
You know, it seems to me that it's the very opposite of letting go. That this is the period of our lives when we fully bloom (which is why I called my book "RIPE"). This is when we truly become ourselves. And how we dress (and groom - grey hair being #1 question for many) is an important part of that.
I look forward to continuing this conversation with all of you!
"Until menopause I was a size 10. Now at 76 I am a size 18. I wear tailored slacks in denim rather than jeans. All of my slacks are tailored; chinos, black wool and denim, beige linen, white silk. Nordstrom offers many chic T-tops, blouses, jackets and cardigans in my size. I wear the classics and I’m not afraid of color and mostly avoid prints. I avoid ¾ sleeves. I buy beautiful necklaces and scarves, which I think puts the focus on them and distracts from my sagging jaw. I wear post earrings, not drops, for the same reason. I wear my hair short and blond/brown. I am careful with my make-up and never leave home without it. Shoes can be a problem as my ankles swell as the day goes on."
I blog at http://alittlesewing.blogspot.com about all aspects of sewing my own wardrobe.
Once you have patterns that fit, you can sew all kinds of things. Even beginners can sew nice things and progress to more complicated garments. It is fun, it is creative and very rewarding to dress well at any age. I am looking for women who want help with patterns that fit. Come read my blog, leave comments, email me. Exercise your creativity!
The point of this post is to encourage a conversation. Lots of women over 50 (and over 40!) believe that it's over for them. It's so important to help others see what you see... That what we wear, our style, our choices, can be determined by us. Not led by the fashionistas. In fact, it's one of the great joys of getting older... Oops. Sorry, mentioned age again!
What about Zoran? I think that's the name of the line, similarly simple and unstructured pieces. I bought a cotton pique top with a huge funnel collar. Sleeveless. Got it in San Francisco years ago. Wore it until it couldn't be worn anymore. Is that line still around?
I'm especially intrigued by the details - like the buttonholes, the sleeve length - and the beauty - the layers of chiffon.
Stunning! And I hope you'll share with us again when we're both 70...
BTW, read down for an incredibly informative piece about the real mu'u mu'u - not the one we've come to disparage.
I'm on the far side of sixty.
First of all, I don't want ANY skin to show when I bend over. It's not fair to those who have to see it and I get sunburned when I'm working in the garden.
Second, why can't I find pants---I'm talking sizes 4 or 6---that have a waistline that isn't the same size as the hips? Either the pants leave a huge gap between the waistline and my back or the front looks like they were made for a pregnant person.
I used to get pants/jeans from Lands' End that fit almost every time, but now it's very hit and miss (mostly miss) and when I do find something that fits, when I go back to buy more, they're usually gone. They had the same two styles in jeans for many years and I was a happy camper, but now they have many styles and seem to keep changing them.
Also, why DON'T companies just make the same fit and style year after year in same colours with new variations once in a while. I, too, had a favourite pair of pants, now no longer available. I'm searching for someone to make a new one based on my last remaining pair...
And thanks for the kudos - let's hope the powers that be are listening to the powers that buy...
I'm just in the process of having one made. I need to find the best length (on me) of the top over pants. And yes, these will be my speaking outfits. I always have my arms covered and a head scarf with me when I travel for work.
As a long time career counselor, I think your current book project is ripe for the times we live in. Wishing you much success, CC http://www.parachute4teens.com/