By Cathy Fletcher
As an over-50 woman, one of the most common mistakes I see amongst my friendship group is too much emphasis placed on our looks when it comes to fighting the signs of aging. There’s nothing wrong with a military-like skincare routine and keeping up with the latest cosmetic trends, but please don’t overlook the importance of your fashion choices. I’m convinced that clothing, colours and materials can more than compete with skincare and cosmetic procedures when trying to take years off your appearance. So today, I am sharing my super simple style secrets that will help you on your journey to looking young and feeling confident.
Dress For Your Shape
Not dressing for your body type is a mistake that women young and old make. Women come in lots of different shapes and sizes, and that’s okay! This means that we must consider how this impacts our clothing choices. We’ve all heard of body types like the hourglass and pear shaped figures, but what styles complement these different shapes?
For example, belted dresses and coats are made for women who are thinner through the waist than they are through the bust and hips. On the other hand, long flowing fabrics work well for women with broader shoulders.
For those of you with a fairly well balanced shape, things like women’s lounge sets are not only modern and on trend, but also super flattering.
Master The Art Of Colour Matching
It’s very easy to get caught up in fashion trends, including in color and style. But in my opinion, a well matched outfit never goes out of style and if your wardrobe is made up of neutral coloured items that can form the base of an outfit, you can use these pieces for many years and never look dated.
First, consider your skin tone just as you would consider your body shape. I came across this great article which dives deeper into the connection between skin tone and colour palettes.
As I say though, I’m a big fan of using neutrals as a base. I’d say 90% of my trousers, dresses and jackets are neutral coloured. The art of colour matching comes by adding a pop of colour through smaller items and accessories. For example, if you have a date night, add a bright, statement handbag to a classic black dress. For more casual events, I might like to add colour through a bright cardigan or patterned jumper. Hopefully, you get the idea!
Embrace Modern Trends
I’m not suggesting you should go and find the latest big-name influencer and try to emulate their wardrobe. What I am saying, though, is that it’s important to embrace current trends. I have a rule that I don’t add more than one modern trend to an outfit as I feel this helps keep my outfits youthful without looking like I’m trying too hard.
A good example of adding trend is the chunky trainers that I recently invested in. Even just two years ago I would not have imagined wearing these! When I first tried them on, my immediate reaction was “Am I too old for these?” But by pairing them with an outfit as simple as a pair of denim jeans and a beige jumper, my answer was a resounding no! I looked fabulous.
I do think the fashion world can become a scary place as you age, but don’t underestimate the importance of confidence. I find that staying up to date with the latest trends gives me the confidence to embrace them. And as we all know, there’s no substitute for owning your own style, beauty, and taste with panache and gusto. Enjoy adding these ideas to your wardrobe and putting an extra zip in your step.
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