As more women in the public eye refuse to be stereo typed by the media and society in general the reemergence and perception of growing older in to a generation of “willing to settle or compromise” is vanishing.
A call to action
There has been talk recently about women’s changing attitude towards clothes. The truth of the matter is simple, women want clothes that express who they are and how they feel. This is nothing new, there is no reason for women to wear clothes that make them feel uncomfortable, frumpy and forgotten or trying to hard. Fashion is no longer about sweeping changes or throwing out last season’s wares.
It’s about freedom of choice
Re writing the rules
When Jane Fonda aged 82 hit the cover of Interview magazine in October 2020 the accompanying photo shoot stole the headlines, wearing YSL over the knee stiletto heels, newly cropped grey hair the actress and activist determined age has nothing to do with fashion or style.
Elle
Age is no longer an accurate predictor of fashion choices
Clothes shopping for men and women over 50 has become a nightmare experience, no longer are we willing to settle for the bland choices available in most stores. Staples are still reliable like good cut jeans and shirts but in most cases the high street offers nothing. Clothing retail stores like Top Shop, Oasis, Debenhams etc are going bankrupt, Marks and Spencer have lost their way.
Brand loyalty has long gone.
A study in 2020 showed that men and women over 55 contribute over a third of the total spend on fashion in the Uk or £12.2bn
The invisible women experience out there now
The front of the shop featuring new lines bright colours etc with graphics of younger ideal target customers spaced out with full size ranges and large mirrors set the welcome. Tailored trousers well cut denim hanging or carefully folded with new arrivals, belts, bags accessories all arranged with a selection of corresponding shoes with dresses and skirts in fabulous prints,leather trousers it looks strong & over the years you made some great purchases in this area.
Now department stores set aside “classic” areas somewhere near the back or in a corner (deep breath) and there hanging on plastic front facing hooks are elastic waistband trousers, twin sets, shapeless knitwear, gingham shirts endless leggings, t-shirts you wouldn’t want to be seen dead in. Size ranges forget it nobody replenishes the section if you ask for help you are reminded about going online.The shoe section consists of either Velcro strap soft inner sole supported flat shoes maybe a tasty ballet shoe…accessories possibly some elastic necklaces next to a faux plant covered in dust.
We know our place the corner for the forgotten woman.
Customer Power
They need our money !!
Times are changing and so are we
Shut out from representation from catwalk shows to mainstream media no longer seen as a desirable audience unless you count the wrinkle creams, orthopaedic shoes etc the high street has become demoralising, challenging, frustrating and dare I say it boring. Thank goodness the internet has allowed us to research a wider choice of clothes especially with companies like Boden and ASOS. Instead of walking endlessly around you can now enjoy getting dressed at home away from the fitting room experience especially if your not comfortable visiting stores that show no interest in you but you like their range give it a try online. The internet gives you the freedom of choice it allows you to shop out of the box allowing you to experiment with brands , colours, outfits that you cannot find in your local high street.
Getting it right
Yes it’s ok for women to discuss their age, weight, menopause, health and lifestyle it’s what makes us who we are, but getting dressed for yourself going out in to high street shops has become a sole destroying experience.The above brands offer a decent choice at reasonable prices and clothes, shoes and accessories that work well for most ages.
Welcoming diversity
Social media platforms like Instagram have allowed women of every age group to take a stand, pushing boundaries wearing catwalk trends that media or fashion houses have shown on younger, thinner airbrushed models.The industry has always targeted the youth culture ignoring or adding the occasional splash of a celebrity older women.Thankfully the industry has slowly started to realise that yes the older women is out there, she wants representation on the catwalks, media channels and although magazines may do fashion spreads the older women rarely appears on the cover.
Fendi
When Penelope Tree at the age of 71 walked for Fendi, a model many women had grown up with the message was clear you can look fabulous, stylish and this is how. Dressed in a black jacket and trousers flat shoes minimal fresh make up stealing the show, headlines and inspiring all generations.
Daily Mail
Fendi casting
The Fendi S/S 21 catwalk has sparked the reemergence of the older woman featuring Christy Turlington, Yasmin Le Bon, Cecilia Chancellor, Eva Herigova among others the inspired casting showing women across all ages.
Elle
Valentino S/S21
Valentino S/S21
The inspirational message, this works for any age, a runway of who’s who, featuring Demi Moore, Naomi Campbell, Farida Khelfa. The models featured were of all ages the clothes ageless and suitable for wearing, although the higher shoes a challenge for some I loved the outfit on the left, cropped trousers a show stopping smart elegant shirt and modern accessories polished off with flat rock stud shoes.
Elle UK image
Coach
Debbie Harry 75 will front this seasons Coach campaign the Blondie singer will add her cool iconic image to the brand.
image Coach
“Is this how you think I should dress, that I’m just going to loose my personal style,my identity”
Touchstone image
February 2019 when Naomi Campbell was on the cover of Vogue I posted this on my Instagram page I have circled the ending has anything changed on the high street. No
Elle Canada goes all out with Jane Fonda at 82 on the cover below the response has gone viral
What women want
Thanks to women who have maintained their style not compromised or given in to the blandness of midlife undesirable staleness but who use their age to promote, influence and set examples of what does look great, declaring to all that we are still a generation of women who can be stylish fashionable and trendy.
These women make it look easy because they know their style & are true to themselves and finally the media and shops have no choice to ignore us we are a growing voice that will only get louder
below are some of my personal choices from wearing a white shirt or leather pants, adding colours or beautiful accessories we are still here.
and nobody puts us in the corner
Ageless chic
WWD
Colourful glasses beautiful jewellery great hats individual style
Elle
What’s the message
Not following trends or younger fashions but keeping it real
H.Bazaar
From jeans to classic dogtooth check to a classic red 60,70,80 all beautiful
European style
Carolina Herrera age 82
The Venezuelan fashion designer who started her career in 1965 working as a publicist for Emilo Pucci first appeared on the International best dressed list in 1972 and was elected to the Hall of fame in 1980 the year of her first runway show
White shirt beautiful jewellery always stylish (WWD)
“I don’t like trends.They tend to make everyone look the same.”
— Carolina Herrera
My style white shirt
Carine Roitfeld age 66
The French fashion editor and former model never afraid to invent trends or add her chic touch when styling or advising Chanel or Tom Ford a force in the Fashion world her tips for dressing well
“A bit of cream, a bit of black, a bit of perfume”
Instyle
Anna Dello Russo age 58
The Italian fashion journalist editor and author is known globally for her colourful flamboyant and eccentric street fashion.The Japan Vogue editor described by Helmut Newton as a “Fashion manic” has worked as a stylist as well as designing for the high street with companies such as H&M. I purchased some of the jewellery which I treasure to this day.
French Elle
Emmanuelle Alt 53 started work at French Elle at only 17, currently the editor of French Vogue a position held since 2011. Effortlessly minimal in her colour palette and make up, her clothes are smart casual and youthful her signature style of well cut blazers, skinny or cropped black or denim trousers.The look is clean unfussy and timeless.
French Vogue
Easy style
Dark palate
Keeping it simple but stylish, rocking my heels with tight trousers let the clothes do the talking
Ysl
You can play fashion to safe but the right shoes or accessories can elevate a look from day to night, make a statement add a pop of colour to drawn attention to the fabulous footwear.
Star style tips
This is a classic put together look that highlights everything about the lady wearing it, she looks stylish, beautiful, confident and chic.
Daily Mail
The choice of jewellery and scarves adds attention and enhances just add perfume
Daily Mail ,Hallo
Shopping your style
It has nothing to do with age it’s about attitude and feeling confident in your daily wardrobe
Jane Fonda
Great outfit looking good feeling healthy standing up for your own opinion refusing to be ignored ….if this is what 80 plus looks like ….bring it on.
Image Daily Mail