Eight Rules of Style for Women of a Certain Age
Dear Fashion Police: I would appreciate some general guidelines--perhaps a “Ten Commandments”--on how to dress fashionably. I’m an older woman with good height-weight proportion, and I don’t want to look like I’m trying to recapture my youth.
--OLDER, WISER AND
FASHIONABLE
Dear OW&F;: Would you settle for eight commandments? It’s been a busy week.
1. Thou shalt pay attention to what’s going on in the world of fashion. We don’t mean you have to devour Women’s Wear Daily or read Vogue cover to cover. Just be aware of the trends and incorporate the ones you like. Don’t get stuck in a rut. If you hang onto the same look, it will quickly date you. If none of the current styles is your taste, then stick with classics that never go out of fashion: twin sets, pleated pants, tailored jackets, turtlenecks, sheath dresses.
2. Thou shalt not abandon thine sense of style even though thou art in thine golden years. Getting older doesn’t mean you have to become conservative and dowdy. If you hate sensible shoes, don’t wear them. If you love animal prints, wear a leopard-print velvet scarf. Just don’t wear a leopard-print micro-mini. Why? Read on.
3. Thou shalt not dress like a teenager. There’s dressing youthfully, and there’s dressing embarrassingly. Dressing youthfully is incorporating elements of what’s currently in style--a luxurious, plush sweater, boots, a ruffled blouse, a suede jacket--into your wardrobe. Dressing embarrassingly is using Cosmo girls as role models. You can still have fun with fashion; just don’t try to compete with your grandchildren.
4. Thou shalt not dye thine hair an unnaturally dark shade. Or any dark color that doesn’t have some highlights in it. As we age, most of us acquire gray hair. If you don’t want the world to see it, fine, but dying it a single, dark shade is going to look weird. Since gray is nature’s way of lightening our hair, try some light brown or blond highlights. If you love gray, go with it, but try some low-lights to give more depth to your hair. And please avoid those clownish shades of red. They don’t flatter anyone. Except clowns.
5. Thou shalt not get discouraged when shopping for clothes. It may seem at times that stores are appealing to a younger demographic. Fact is, some of them are. But not all. Stores such as Talbots, Ann Taylor, Eddie Bauer, Laura Ashley, Joan Vass, and catalogs like J. Jill and Coldwater Creek offer clothes suitable for all ages. Search out smaller boutiques, too, that specialize in the kinds of clothes you like. If you find that a department store is starting to ignore your demographic, say something to the manager or the buyer. If enough people speak up, they’ll have to listen.
6. Thou shalt dress casually when appropriate, but not lapse into an entire wardrobe of jogging suits. We realize that older people in sweatsuits is something of a cliche, but it does exist. There’s nothing wrong with being comfortable, but comfort can be achieved with street clothes as well as velour drawstring pants and a zip-front jacket. So many pants, skirts and dresses are available now in stretch fabrics and knits because everybody likes to be comfy.
7. Thou shalt change thy makeup. As with clothes, many of us get stuck in a makeup rut, using the same products and the same colors day after day. However, as we age, our skin changes, both in texture and color. You might need less makeup in less intense colors and in different formulations. To update your look, contact a reputable salon where they teach proper skin care and makeup application and won’t just make you over.
8. Thou shalt take care of thine self. A beautiful wardrobe and wonderful makeup aren’t good cover-ups for feeling lousy. Exercise (see a doctor if it’s been a while), eat a healthful, balanced diet and keep doing the things you love. And have fun with fashion--don’t take it too seriously. They’re only clothes.
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Write to Fashion Police, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles CA 90012, fax to (213) 237-4888, or send e-mail to socalliving@latimes.com.
