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!