Listen to these fashion rules and disregard the rest
The question du jour is whether or not to follow arbitrary fashion rules past the age of 30, which, come to think of it, is a rather arbitrary age to pick. Perhaps the age limit should be raised to 40 now that 40 is the new 30?
Women who reach a certain age hear a lot about ‘ageing gracefully’ and being ‘dignified and distinguished’. The strange thing is that much of the advice women receive from the ‘experts’ could apply to women of all ages, shapes, sizes and intellectual persuasions.
It’s also sad that so much of the ‘advice’ centres on hiding skin that has seen better days. ‘Hide the arms, hide the knees, hide the this and don’t forget to hide the that’. Why this fear of harmless skin and the myriad stories that it tells?
Sure, there’s a certain grace that some older women possess but that’s not because they’re old. It’s mostly to do with their personality. These graceful older women were more than likely graceful young women, too.
So what to do with all the fashion advice for old/er women? Sometimes a pinch of salt isn’t nearly enough and only a large bag will do; however, there are some things that many of us non-supermodel types should either do or avoid.
Don’t put everything out there
Focus on one area at a time. Perhaps you want to show off your legs today and your delightful décolletage tomorrow. If so then it may be a good idea to save the backless gown for sometime next week.
Add some of that sparkling personality
Older women often hear they need to get a ‘signature piece’. That’s OK for women who frequent second-hand shops but what about women who are squeamish about preloved clothing? So go for something that few would wear instead. Purple brogues? Sure, why not. Make it yours and wear it without a hint of irony.
Break some rules
Women who stick to the rules do not make history. Women who go against the grain even just a little bit have a lot more fun while they’re running for President Of The World. So if your legs would make a supermodel jealous, then it may be a wise idea to show them off to the world.
Try not to look too young
This blog’s readers know not to dress like a 16-year-old and very few would even consider donning a 6-year-old’s attire – a babydoll dress. The same goes for jeans that leave absolutely nothing to the imagination, bare bellybuttons and trying to look like Goldie Hawn.