A new breed of women is changing the rules for life after 50. Unburdened by old stereotypes, they've accepted their age and are flaunting it. They dare to look fabulous, - and they've got the rest of the world wondering what they know about aging gracefully that others don't. Thanks to Botox injections, health clubs, hair colouring and edgier, more casual fashion, our old perceptions of what a certain age looks like no longer hold true.
Today we marvel at images of Madonna strutting her stuff in the latter stages of her fifth decade, and the stars of shows such as Desperate Housewives and Sex & the City have totally changed our attitudes to ageing; instead of growing old gracefully we are facing the advancing years with lashings of glamour. In the past, it was next to impossible to find fashionable clothes for older women, but now many stores such as Marks & Spencer, Fifty Plus, Country Casuals, Massimo Dutti and Debenhams stock gorgeous ranges aimed specifically at the fifty something’s.
I believe that, as you age, it's wise to follow a few rules when shopping.
My first rule is to dress appropriately. Yes, bondage heels, micro shorts and skinny jeans maybe all over the shops but they should not be in your wardrobe. You need to acquire a sense of control, restraint, and dignity as you get older. This doesn't mean that once you hit 50, looking sexy is no longer an option, but it does mean that you need just a little more coverage. While a 20-year-old can pile on the trends, and a woman in her 50s looks best a little more tailored. The most important accessory for a woman to have is a full-length mirror. That and an honest, critical relationship with what she sees in it.
Secondly, if you feel stuck, make an appointment with a personal shopper. You need to trust someone to help you get a realistic idea of what looks good on you now. Keep an open mind and be prepared to experiment, you’ll be surprised and, perhaps thrilled, with the results. Dress to your assets and flaws. Thighs do not improve with age, but I believe you can still do sleeveless if you really look after your arms and exercise. As for the saggy bits, if in doubt, disguise.
If you are worried about chubby upper arms, wear three-quarter tops. Avoid v-necks or scoop necklines if you are concerned about a thin-skinned decollate. Go for a higher neck, or copious amounts of jewellery, such as chunky multi strand necklaces or a beautiful pashmina to help camouflage this problem area. Colours change as you get older, so reassess shades that look right on you. Generally avoid any garish primary colours, as they’ll only make you look washed out, and work with pretty pastels or neutral tones which are much more flattering.
Also, forget about hair dye that could double as shoe polish. Say goodbye to that boring blunt cut. Feel free to embrace your inner Rapunzel. Modernising that reliable haircut you've had for a while will take more years off you than a miniskirt. And you'll keep your self-respect, too...
