The Search Is Eternal for Women of a Certain Age
Here at Fashion Police headquarters, we never know what’s going to touch a nerve. We never know until we start getting faxes, e-mails and letters on the subject.
Such was the case with two letters we ran a couple of weeks ago from the two women over 40 who were having a terrible time finding clothes beyond cropped T-shirts and stretch bell-bottoms.
After offering a few suggestions, we heard tout suite from many more women who feel the same way.
Here’s what you had to say:
“I too search high and low for attractive clothes for mature women with ‘pear’ bodies. Most everything today is built for ‘banana girls.’ The clothes are all tight, clingy knits with long skirts or scraps of cloth masquerading as minimum coverage clothing. Even the traditional suits are ruined because the skirts are too short with not enough hem to be altered to a decent length. (Doesn’t a designer ever look in the mirror and see fat little knees?) They are also drab, drab, drab.
“I thought the grunge look went away a long time ago. But repeated trips through the department stores, at every level from Nordstrom to Sears, reveal nothing to spend my money on. All I see is gray, dirty green, dirty blue, dirty wine. I can’t even find brightly colored silk big shirts to wear over my pants. I’ve finally reached the point in my life where I have money to spend to look pretty and I can’t find anything to buy.”
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“As a petite of a certain age, as the French would say, I wanted to respond to your column today. There used to be a European fashion dictum that you didn’t follow fashion, you created it. This sort of thinking is more and more important as we mature. Fashion is very disappointing now, as it only is directed toward a certain body type.
“The trick is to define your style and perk it up with modish touches. For years I’ve based my wardrobe on fundamentals--a few white shirts, a few nice jackets in basic colors, and skirts and slacks to coordinate. I have a collection of silk scarves, good leather belts, costume and real-ish jewelry.
“By making your own adjustments on clothes, not necessarily with alterations, but with belts, scarves, a vest or jacket, you can flatter your own figure. After all these years, I know my flaws and can dress myself better than any costumer. When a trend suits me, I stock up and wear it for years, with my own adjustments, to bend to the trend, if not break it--just to show I know what’s going on and to keep stylish.
“Also, look at the discount chains, outlets, resale and thrift stores. (All my designer clothes have had other lives!)
“Take heart. Be rebellious and don’t let fashion dictators make you feel bad about yourself. All the teenagers now yearn for our hippie days--and we were actually there!”
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“As a Gen-Xer, I want to tell those boomers to hang onto or collect anything of shock value. Fashion should always be fun. The women who are devastated when they go into the junior department need not be. The secret is to go for the jewelry and accessories. I love to break the rules, and the only difference between me and the teen set are the tongue, nose and navel piercings. It’s not like I’ve totally robbed the kids of their looks. I hope my message helps to make the boomers feel like their usual hip and happening selves!”
Write to Fashion Police, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053, fax to (213) 237-4888, or send e-mail to socalliving@latimes.com.
