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In my 40’s I started asking the question, “Is this too young for me?”. Now, in my 50’s I’ve started wondering if I’m getting lazy with my “fashion over 50”. If you’re like me, you don’t want to have to spend too much time getting ready in the morning, you want comfort but you want to feel good in what you’re wearing, too. We should be better equipped than ever at our age to show off our personal style with flair. I wanted to take a hard look at my closet and yes, pare it down. But I also wanted to learn a little from someone with more expertise than I have. And I was hoping for some inspiration, as well.
“The most stylish women I know are older…one is in her eighties and the other her sixties. I think it takes time and that’s all right.” – Lucinda Chambers (former fashion director British Vogue), from Know Your Style by Alyson Walsh
There are so many valuable online resources these days. But sometimes I really like to hold a book in my hand. I picked up a copy of Know Your Style by fashion journalist and blogger (thatsnotmyage.com) Alyson Walsh. Before I began reading her book I thought it would be about defining “your style” with a label like classic, bohemian or vintage. But it was so much better than that. Knowing your style, she contends, is knowing what suits your personality, your lifestyle and your body shape. Your style is what you feel good in.
“dress for the lifestyle you have, not the one you Wish you had” – from Know Your Style by Alyson Walsh
This made so much sense to me. I live in Asheville, NC. It’s a casual environment even outdoorsy, and I work at home. But I don’t want to fall into a fashion rut of looking like I’m going for a hike every time I leave the house. My “style” is not going to be the same as someone who lives in an upscale metropolitan area. I can dress for my personality and lifestyle but still kick it up a notch.
She calls herself “comfy shoe obsessive” and takes a zero tolerance approach to sore feet. (thank you!) But explains wearing comfortable shoes doesn’t mean “you have to sacrifice style”. Think velvet slippers and “flatform” sandals. She has a whole chart on what types of flat or low-heeled shoes to wear with different styles of jeans.
Walsh likes to write about sustainable clothing and slow fashion. Cost doesn’t have to be a factor. But natural fibers like wool and cotton will edge out polyester any day. Have a great bag that goes with everything, she writes. And “sunglasses go with everything”. She lists some “going out” items that are great to have like a “not-so-dressed-up dress” and a tuxedo. Constantly edit your closet, she advises and donate what you clean out. She’s a veteran of the fashion world but makes the whole fashion scene seem very accessible even to someone like me who isn’t an expert. It’s a great book and I adore the illustrations, too.
Fashion Over 50
For more inspiration there are loads of other great fashion bloggers out there, too. Many of them geared toward woman over 50. On A Well Styled Life, Jennifer Connolly has a post on Style Essentials for Women Over 50. I love that her list includes a flattering lipstick, a great haircut and a properly fitted bra. (Yes! See my post on a great everyday bra here.) Check out Not Dead Yet, Accidental Icon, une femme d’un certain age, and J’Adore Couture to name just a few. Fabulous sites to give you a little inspiration.
It does seem to begin with the neutrals. A great pair of jeans, well-fitting black pants, a wear-with-everything white blouse, a classic thin turtleneck sweater, a blazer, some white cotton pants for summer, the versatile dress and add other pieces in navy or gray and you start to see how a few pieces can be the foundation for your whole wardrobe. It doesn’t mean you can’t wear color and pattern, too. Personalize and brighten up those neutrals with color. Who doesn’t love a red shoe? A patterned statement blouse, a bright scarf or bold earrings, anything goes. But for me, focusing on the basics first makes pulling it all together easier and leaves me happier.
Some of my favorite budget closet basics have come from J. Jill (a relaxed white button down and their long sleeve pima tees), L.L. Bean (I love their classic slim white jeans and their performance stretch jeans) and these budget-friendly cotton tanks from Lands End I use for layering with everything, great length and neckline.
So, with my next closet clean out I will keep what I’ve learned in mind. And hopefully get a better idea of what I need to keep an eye out for to add to my “fashion over 50” wardrobe for the long term. But I do struggle to find “the store” where I love to shop these days. So, let me know where you enjoy clothes shopping in the comments below. I’d love to know. Thanks.
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