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Fashion Statement at Any Age

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Fashion statements are no longer reserved for younger women. The book, Advanced Style: Older and Wiser, absolutely proves that.

For generations, other cultures have valued and esteemed the older woman. In America, however, she’s usually tossed aside with nary a glance—like an uninteresting magazine article or a day-old tuna sandwich.

And then along comes Ari Seth Cohen, whose mom clearly raised him well. Says Ari, “I hope that if we begin to see aging differently, we will start to treat older people with the respect and reverence they deserve. By refusing to accept the notion that growing older is something to be feared, we can begin to fully embrace our elderhood with as much joy, creative growth, and imagination as our childhood.”

Ari created a book entitled Advanced Style: Older and Wiser. It’s filled with photos of women—and a few men—in their sixties and well beyond. All of them are dressed fabulously, reflecting their individual styles. Many of them shared their stories, making it compelling reading for both fashion lovers and those who fear—wrongly—that their stylish years are behind them.

My friend Joy Venturini Bianchi is featured in the book. Joy is a five-year cancer survivor who is one of the most amazing women I know. Here she is looking dazzling in nonstop red:

I had the honor of attending a book-signed with Ari and Joy in San Francisco, and listening to them speak was nothing short of inspirational.

What I’ve learned from Joy is that age is truly just a number. Style is an outward expression of the inner self. And each of us is unique, precious, and special.

Don’t be afraid to show your true self to the world—whether that means dressed in a designer gown or decked out in jeans, your favorite tee, and Converse.

If you’re interested in checking out Ari’s book, you can find it on Amazon.

Elle Gianforte is an award-winning writer and published author whose work includes non-fiction books on a variety of subjects, including adoption, fashion, food, design, healthcare, and memoir. She is currently co-authoring a new book, Don’t Stop Now, Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life (DontStopNow.us). You can see a complete list of books on her Amazon author page.

 

Women’s Clothing Items – 10 Basics

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Here are ten essential women’s clothing items I think every woman over 50 should own. This list will help if  you enjoy fashion—or simply want some direction in building an age-appropriate wardrobe.

A black pencil skirt
A well-made pencil skirt works on just about every body type. The length can range anywhere from the top of the knee to mid-knee for the most universally flattering look. Team it with a blazer or long cardigan if you feel the need to camouflage your hips.

A pair of great-fitting jeans, even if you have to shop all day to find them
Nordstrom carries a brand called Wit & Wisdom, which won’t break the bank. My favorites are skinny and slightly cropped, so they look equally good with heels, flats, or a pair of bright-red Converse sneakers. If hips and rear are a problem, top them with a flowy tunic or a longer cardigan over a tank top. If you’re not the skinny-jeans type, choose a style that fits your body best: boot cut, straight leg, flared, wide leg. It seems that designers are offering every shape, so there’s no right or wrong style.

A tailored shirt
Not your husband’s or boyfriend’s shirt, this one is made just for you: smaller and streamlined. Tuck it into a pencil skirt or wear it untucked with a pair of jeans.

A long cardigan
A long cardi is the perfect solution to hide hips, tummy, and rear. Choosing one in a bright color adds pop to black and grey.

Sexy, girlie pumps
All shoe designers makes them, so you can find them in every variation and price point. Heel heights range from kitten to medium to sky high.

A classic watch
A really good watch isn’t cheap, but it is an investment. I bought this Tag Heuer in 1996 for $1000, and now it’s worth more than three times that much.

A novelty watch
For a fraction of the cost of a quality watch, you can find a perfectly functional—and fun—novelty watch.

Costume Bling
There’s nothing better than a carefully chosen piece of jewelry to add bling to your wardrobe. A fun necklace or bracelet can bring an otherwise sedate outfit to life.

A great-fitting bra
Any women who’s made the switch from a grabbed-off-the-rack bra to one that’s been properly fitted by a pro knows how dramatic the difference can be.

Spanx, or an equivalent slimmer
I don’t know of any woman who doesn’t have at least one of these in her wardrobe. It’s the go-to solution under dresses, skirts, and pants when you want to look as sleek as possible.

Elle Gianforte is an award-winning writer and published author whose work includes non-fiction books on a variety of subjects, including adoption, fashion, food, design, healthcare, and memoir. She is currently co-authoring a new book, Don’t Stop Now, Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life (DontStopNow.us). You can see a complete list of books on her Amazon author page.

Style: It’s Not Just for the Young.

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Style can exist at any age. This photo of three women over 60—taken on an extraordinary January afternoon in Napa—proves it.

Pictured are my friends Hilary (left) and Kiky (right), and I’m in the middle. I’m sharing it here for several reasons:

* The sky doesn’t get much bluer than this.
* The joy in the three faces is almost tangible.
* We each embrace our own style.

Getting older doesn’t mean getting frumpy…or conservative…or boring…or invisible.

Life. Is. Good.

 

Elle Gianforte is an award-winning writer and published author whose work includes non-fiction books on a variety of subjects, including adoption, fashion, food, design, healthcare, and memoir. She is currently co-authoring a new book, Don’t Stop Now, Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life (DontStopNow.us). You can see a complete list of books on her Amazon author page.